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Live-blogging the Senate forum

HARRISBURG—Good evening again, political junkies.

We’re live-blogging the forum between Democratic Senate candidates Arlen Specter and Joe Sestak here tonight. The two won’t be sharing a stage. Sestak goes first and then Specter. We’ll have the play-by-play for you here.

7:29 p.m.—Waiting for the keynote speaker to finish up before this thing gets moving. Stay tuned.

7:33—Sestak comes in to “Beautiful Day” and applause.

7:36—Moderator Chuck Williams, on the board of Keystone Progress is getting things started. Same deal as last night in terms of soliciting questions. But since Sestak and Specter aren’t sharing a stage, they’ll both be answering the same questions. Republican candidates were invited too, he says, but again, I can’t imagine why they didn’t come.

7:38—Sestak’s telling the well-worn stories of his wife accepting his proposal eight years after he asked and his daughter having brain cancer. Throws in the fact that it’s the same cancer Ted Kennedy had.

7:39—Williams says to Sestak, “you have really nice hair.”

7:41—First question from SEIU guy. Says he works for gas utility, second shift every night. If you’re elected, what would your top priorities be to help out working families?

7:42—Sestak says: “My number one priority would be job creation and real income growth by investing in small businesses.” Talking about the plan for working families he’s been hyping as he travels around the state. On health care: “I’m a pragmatic guy, I’ve learned that from the united states military.”

7:44—So essentially his answer to first question is job creation, health care and education.

7:45—Next question is from a Planned Parenthood person. Asks if he supports comprehensive sex-ed. He says bluntly, “yes.” And then brings it back to his daughter starting school. “It’s absolutely critical.”

7:47—Next question from a PSEA lady, asks what he thinks of Obama’s call for spending freeze. “Do we need another jobs bill? Absolutely?” he says.

7:48—”Although i have great respect for Arlen Specter, they removed $100 billion out of [the stimulus package], including $1.5 billion that would have cut [the state] budget deficit in half.” Doesn’t seem to like prez’s freeze, prefers pay-go rule.

7:49—Sestak refers to Pat Toomey as “my next opponent.” Guess he’s confident.

7:50—Next question about bringing jobs back. Sestak says “I’ve already taken steps.” Talks tax credits.

7:51—”Manufacturing has been ignored.”

7:53—Says Specter supported tax loopholes that shipped jobs overseas.

7:54—Next questioner stumbles a bit to ask “what is your position on same-sex marriage?”

7:55—”I would oppose any legislation that prevents marriages. … I’ve always taken the position that marraige is a church issue and civil unions is a state issue.” He sort of stumbles over this, saying it’s up to the church, before eventually settling upon, yes, anyone should be able to get married. “They should have the same equal rights that anyone else has.” Supports repeal of DOMA and DADT.

7:58—Next question, would you vote for card-check? “Yes, and I have already voted for it once, when it came out of my committee.”

7:59—Deep thought: It’s going to be interesting—or maybe frustrating—to hear all these questions over again when Specter comes on.

8:01—Responding to trade question, says labor rules “with an enforceable mechanism” have to be part of any agreement. Environmental standards, too.

8:05—Next question about recent F & M poll. What is your plan to defeat Pat Toomey in November? “Those polls have shown the verdict has already been decided on Senator Specter,” Sestak says. “Sixty-six percent of people say he doesn’t dersreve reelection. That’s been consistent.” Voters, he says, are “tired of the establishment.”

8:07—Reminds everyone of Specter’s time with Santorum and Bush. He doesn’t exactly answer the strategy question, other than to say that Pat Toomey is a friend of Bush and Santorum just like Specter. “You have someone here who is willing to lose his job … to make sure that we stay the course on the right policies.”

8:08—Gets applause for “it’s the politics of doing anything to keep your job.”

8:10—He says he’s the only rep in Pa. with 100 percent voting record from Sierra Club.

8:11—Will you support comprehensive immigration reform? “Yes.” Says “last great leader” in the senate was Ted Kennedy. Says the Senate lacks those leaders. Draws distinction between principled compromise and compromise of principle.

8:13—Deep thought: I can’t put my finger on Sestak’s rhetorical style. He clearly can talk policy. I feel like if he was more charismatic he’d be soaring.

8:14—Asked what he’ll do to change filibuster. “I often say it’s not America that needs reform, it’s the united states senate.” But he says the founders wanted to protect the minority, “and someday, we’ll be the minority again.” Senate has become “a good old boys club.”

8:16—So he hedges on the filibuster question, decrying it but saying it’s necessary. Pretty standard.

8:17—OK, that’s it. Specter is walking on, they shake hands.

8:18—Oh snap! Specter walks on as Sestak wraps up. Mike Morril says: “Excuse me senator, could you get off the stagte until joe’s done?” Specter flashes his watch. There’s some “ooohs” in the crowd.

8:19—”I promise you, I will be willing to lose my job over getting something done that’s right,” Sestak says.

8:20—Sestak gets standing O, pauses to shake hands with Specter, walks off stage.

8:22—Health Care For America Now guy is riffing in between candidates. I wonder if Specter is pissed at being asked to “get off the stage”?

8:23—Deep thought: Where’d all the MSM go for the main attraction?

8:24—OK, we’re getting started with Specter. He jumps in without waiting, “I provided the 60th vote [on health care].” Says House should accept it and make changes on reconciliation.

8:26—My story is a common one. Immigrant parents, hit hard by the depression. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Democrats. I was a JFK Democrat.”

8:27—Specter says “for the past many years I tried to bring moderation to the Republican Party.” “Most of all my record has been one of an independent fighter. And I voted more with the democrats than I did with Republicans.” That last statement is blatantly untrue. Says he’ll address other things untrue about his voting record as time goes on.

8:28—Now back around the circle on the questions. On improving working people’s lives, he says moving forward with health care is first. Talks about committee chairs, stimulus vote, “there became irreconcilable differences between the Republican party and Arlen Specter.”

8:31—He’s retreading the history of his party switch. In riding the train with Biden, “occasionally, I got to say something.”

8:32—Next question, he supports comprehensive sex education. “Abstinence-only education has not worked.”

8:33—Deep thought: Is Specter staying on his feet to shoot down the age issue?

8:34—”Toomey wants to reverse Roe v. Wade. Toomey even wants to put in jail doctors who perform abortions.”

8:35—Asked about Obama’s spending freeze, Specter says he wants more details. “I’m apprehensive about spending a trillion dollars a year in Afghanistan.” Applause.

8:37—Talking about how untrustworthy Karzai and Pakistan is. Says he won’t commit unlimited military resources at the expense of programs back home.

8:38—Williams asks, “are you sure you don’t want to sit? It’s comfortable.” Specter says, “I do better when I’m on my feet.”

8:39—Next question on manufacturing. Asks the questioner to share with the audience what Specter did for him in some case back in 2005.

8:41—Says “my health has been excellent.” Here comes the joke about sex symbol without hair. Looks like everyone hasn’t heard it, got some laughs. On sex symbol, asks, “Billy George, what’s it like?”

8:42—”I decided not to shave my head to become a sex symbol for two reasons. Number one my wife was against it and with a reason like that you don’t need a second reason. Number two, I wasn’t qualified.”

8:43—Next question on same-sex marriage. Questioner doesn’t stumble this time. “I believe that the status for people of the same-sex to marry ought to be the same for as men and women. We have had a long transition on this subject and America has come a long way on this issue. I think the president was right on don’t ask don’t tell. … That’s a matter of personal freedom.”

8:45—Would you vote for EFCA with card-check would you vote for it? “I believe the secret ballot has to be maintained. And I say that because I believe the secret ballot is part of the institution of American government.” I hear a couple groans. “I can guarantee you that you won’t find 59 votes let alone 60 in the Senate today if you eliminate the secret ballot.”

8:48—Questioner follows-up by asking if he no longer thinks card-check would lean to “union thuggery.” Specter says, “I never have. I never have. And I’ve heard that said. And I challenge you to back that up. My record on labor is second to none. I’ve worked out agreements with recalcitrant people. And that’s what a senator is supposed to do. Work out compromises.”

8:50—On trade deficits, says he wants to rescind trade agreements if there’s no “reciprocation” on open markets, human rights, etc. “I would start with enforcing the trade laws, and I’d get really tough with [China]. Let them see how they do if they don’t have U.S. markets.”

8:52—Asked if he’s familiar with Twitter, Specter says “I do it, I tweet.” But then he keeps saying “Twitted” and not “Tweeted.” Williams jokes, “the rest of the world “tweets” but Senator Specter “twits.”

8:54—Next question on the polling and how you’ll beat Toomey? “Well there are lots of polls. Some polls show I’m behind some polls show we’re neck and neck. I will beat Toomey because I’ll carry the battle to him. The election looks very different than it did a year ago. I believe it’s going to take someone with real vigor and perhaps a little toughness to beat him. When August came and the president was under attack, I started my tour of the counties. I always do that. I’m not a johnny-come-lately on that.” Imitates the protester who screamed at him. “Most everybody else was back in their office. I was out having town meetings all across the state and facing these people.”

8:56—Deep thought—Specter’s argument boiled down: I passed the stimulus, I faced anti-Obama protesters, I helped everyone here at one point or another.

8:57—Points out how conservative Toomey is, more so than Santorum.

8:58—Say’s he’ll support comprehensive immigration reform.

8:59—The same clean air act question, yes he’ll oppose any attempt to rescind, weaken it.

9:00—The question on the filibuster. “Called the world’s deliberative body, hasn’t performed well.”

9:01—”The filibuster, when used properly, has its place.”

9:02—Deep thought: When asked questions about legal-type stuff, Specter goes all jargon-y and historical references-y.

9:03—Says he’s not gonna reveal any confidence of his meetings with GOP caucus. Except when he did here.

9:04—Specter says he’ll take more questions. First one about constitutional amendment to limit corporate campaign spending. “Not only will I, I’ve prepared one.” Applause.”

9:05—Asked about holding people without charges. “No.” “I led the fight to bring habeus corpus back.” “I have a little background in constitutional law.”

9:06—”I have always supported medicinal use of marijuana.”

9:07—Last question about brining down dependency on foreign oil: Said he’d do it “by using abundant coal resources in this country.” I heard some hisses.

9:08—People are complaining on Twitter than Specter got more time than Sestak.

9:09—Closing remarks. “It is great to have the support of President Obama. I got the know the president when he was a senator.” Biden, Obama came to Philly, etc. Supported by Gov. Rendell.

9:10—”I’ve got a lot of vigor and vitality. My health is good.”

9:11—Says Obama came to him for political advice in 2008. Reminds that his mom has Kansas connections just like Specter’s mom. Says he gave him some advice, “and now he’s president of the united states. I don’t meant to suggest there’s any connection.” laughs

January 30, 2010 at 7:30 pm

--Dan Hirschhorn

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