Sestak Offers to Debate Toomey in Specter’s Place

By SESTAK FOR SENATE

MEDIA, PA — In light of Sen. Arlen Specter’s refusal to participate in anything more than a one-hour debate in Philadelphia, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Congressman Joe Sestak invited Republican candidate Pat Toomey to debates instead. Specter has refused debate invitations from CBS3, Franklin & Marshall College and WQLN in Erie, and Joe has invited Toomey to take his place. At a time when voters are demanding more transparency and accountability from their public servants, Joe Sestak has offered to debate Arlen Specter in each of the state’s six media markets in order to provide voters across the Commonwealth the opportunity to hear the candidates address the regional and national issues that are most important to them.

“If Arlen Specter won’t fulfill the most basic duty of a public servant to state and explain his views, I’d be happy to have Pat Toomey take his place,” said Joe Sestak. “Pat and I already had a debate after I offered to discuss health care reform on his home turf in Allentown. It was the only bipartisan town hall on health care in the nation, and despite our very different views we had a constructive discussion that I think was important for the people of Pennsylvania and, I believe, demonstrated what democracy should look like in our country. Pat and I even had a beer afterward. This time, Pat, it’s on me.”

Joe highlighted the importance of public servants having a full and fair discussion for the benefit of the people, especially as we, as a nation, work together to find the best approach to economic recovery.

“Arlen Specter and Pat Toomey’s policies are interchangeable. Debating Pat would be just like debating Arlen Specter. They supported every significant policy of the Bush Administration and even share the view that President Bush’s economic policies didn’t do enough to favor the wealthy. They believe we should raise taxes on working Pennsylvanians in order to give their hard-earned money to millionaires.

“I don’t believe in ‘trickle-down’ economics. I believe the strength of our economy, and our country, depends on the strength of our working families. I believe in strategic investments in the health and education of our workforce, pay-as-you-go budgeting that created surpluses under President Clinton, and restoring the kind of commonsense protections in the financial markets that safeguarded prosperity since the end of the Great Depression — until they were repealed with votes from Pat and Arlen Specter. This is a critical difference about how best to restore the economy, and it will have profound effects on Pennsylvania and our country. It’s a debate the people of Pennsylvania need to hear, and if Arlen Specter won’t participate I’m pleased to extend the offer to have vigorous discussions with Pat.”

###

pa2010.com publishes press releases, statements and other information from campaigns and political committees. We also publish legislative releases from candidates considering higher office in 2010 and from incumbents holding those offices. E-mail releases to press@pa2010.com.