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Sestak says there’s plenty of upside

As Joe Sestak prepared to take to the steps of Pittsburgh City Hall to get some endorsements Monday, Arlen Specter was quick to remind us that he’s already got more than two dozen area Democrats in his camp. Specter’s campaign reminded us that folks such as former State Treasurer Barbara Hafer, Allegheny County Controller Mark Patrick Flaherty, Pennsylvania Democratic Party Vice Chair Jean Milko, former Pittsburgh Mayor Sophie Masloff and 24 other party leaders help make up Specter’s advisory committee of 300-plus.

For Sestak, Monday meant endorsements from state Senator Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny), City Controller Michael Lamb, City Council members Bruce Kraus and Doug Shields, and 14th Ward Chair Barbara Daly-Danko.

“These Democratic leaders, who represent leadership at all levels of public service, will announce their public support for electing Joe Sestak to the U.S. Senate,” Sestak’s campaign said before the event.

The disparity in party endorsements between Specter and Sestak is glaring, but Sestak said he remains undaunted.

At a pit-stop at the Farm Show in Harrisburg last Saturday, Sestak said even the endorsement of Specter by the state Democratic Committee would not be a blow.

“Endorsements are nice to have, but remember Ed Rendell?” Sestak said. “I understand the dynamics of the establishment, but I really believe’ there’s plenty of upside.

“Here’s the upside,” he went on. “His electability number is in the 20s. To have 50 percent undecided after 30 years as a U.S. Senators, that’s the real number. My challenge is to build name recognition, to be everywhere.

Sestak will be at The Patriot-News for an editorial board meeting Tuesdsay. We hear he is holding a press conference at our building. The guess is he might be challenging Specter to a debate.

In the meantime, Sestak has been hammering away at his own Democratic leaders, seeking to hold them accountable for campaign promises about transparency.

January 11, 2010 at 9:00 pm

--Laura Vecsey

Tags: Joe Sestak

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