Chesco Dem-
Sestak is a hard-working, driven guy. No doubt about it. Part of the reason though is that he’s so inefficient and mistakes quantity for quality (and hopes others make the same mistake).
The allegations have been made, and submitted to the FBI the Office of Congressional Ethics. However, I can’t verify if the allegations were taken seriously, investigated, acquitted, dismissed or confirmed.

One theory for staying in is that (if allegations are true) that FBI is holding back until after Sestak loses the primary. They don’t want to get accused of interfering with an election (like they got accused in 2006 with Weldon).
Another theory is Sestak’s staying in and using it as leverage to cut a deal.
Then, there is the theory that Sestak is just raising money for his legal defense.
Or Sestak may feel he can ride out the charges (if any) or there isn’t enough evidence beyond hearsay.
Of course, there is the “innocent until proven guilty” theory that says he hasn’t even been charged with a crime (accused, yes, but not charged). In that case, he’s got little reason to respond (although this little discussion here may prompt him to address the issue).

As for beating a dead horse by staying in the race (assuming no investigation), there are several reasons:
- Sestak’s ego/hubris may convince him he can win
- Supporters (or Specter detractors) that also mistakenly believe Sestak can win, giving the campaign false hope that more feel that way.
- A complete misread of Mass, PA politics and the political climate.
- Possibility, however remote, that Specter takes ill, so Joe is positioned to be the candidate by default.
- Stepping stone to higher office
- Getting on short list to replace Specter, if governor needs to make that decision.

As for the harm to the Dem party, I foresee more harm if Sestak continues in office and gets taken down later, or gets to vote for more war in the meantime. The ideal times to get rid of Sestak (for the Dem party) are either right after he loses the primary, or right after the Nov 2010 elections, or once his term expired in Jan 2011.
Is it worth the short term hit to take down Sestak before the primary if it saves millions of dollars?

Chesco Dem – I share your concerns about Sestak. Why hasn’t he addressed this issue yet? I saw the rumor about an FBI investigation on another site. If its not true, if he isn’t under investigation, then why not come forward and deny it? The more this gets out, the more harm it does to the Democratic Party.

David Diano-
I’d like to know more about the Sestak allegations that you mentioned. They sound VERY SERIOUS to me! He appears quiet unprincipled. I strongly believe that the public should know about these allegations. There is a primary going on. Obviously people won’t contribute to him or vote for him, if he’s being investigated by the FBI (or if a close ally / confidant / transition team member is too).

Clearly, Sestak should drop out of the Senate race. (He doesn’t stand any chance of winning anyway!)

I am proposing for your benefit Dave, on the beloved 2010 Board, A Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy, so that you can be free to continue to post, in spite of your own personal peccadillos of seeking and creeping upon poor unsuspecting folks like Taj, and any others that you may have created your own personal dossier on. Dave, for a lefty, you seem very Hooverian and Nixonian. You could fit right in working for Chavez!!!

The only benefit to this, is watching the intramural squabble between you and Taj, and Dave, please keep it “No Contact”.

This will be heightened as the General Election approaches, and the Far Left continues to tin ear the majority of the people, who are against the attempt to shift the country to a socialist footing, and the moderate Dems, who have some sense, see their ultimate demise.