Specter has a Philadelphia campaign office? Only office he has here is his Senate office.

Why would sestaks campaign not want to release his records? Just the facts, we’re interested in the facts.

Someone should let Dworkin know that the problems with Joe in the Navy have been partially attributed to Vern Clark for keeping Sestak from getting in trouble. It smells like Sestak slave-drove men, but produced enough results to make Clark “look good”, so neither gave a rat’s ass about the men working under Sestak. Here’s a description of Joe’s firing at the time:
http://www.militarycorruption.com/mullen.htm

“Courageous” and “patriotic” have nothing to do with being a tyrannical boss who damaged moral and abused his staff, and was relieved of command for it.

As for Joe’s records… How is it a slam for Joe to release the records he’s so proud of? If I had the kind of record that Sestak “claims” to have, I’d be handing out copies at rallies and posting it on my site.

First of all, based upon Sestak’s conduct since he left the Navy, I have no doubts that the story/charge of a “poor command climate” is accurate or even a sugar-coating.

Second, Specter is no dummy. A good prosecutor doesn’t ask a question without knowing the answer. I’d bet that Specter’s team has already had a look at Sestak’s service record or spoken directly with people who have knowledge of it’s contents (maybe even the people that put in complaints).

Third, if Sestak is so concerned about “cynical” attacks on military service, is he concerned about exploiting military service for political gain, while his service record remains a secret and there are legitimate questions about his final days?

BTW, yesterday I asked one of the women in my office if she had seen the Sestak and Specter ads. (her demographics: married, several kids, two new grand kids, doesn’t pay attention to elections until the end, often doesn’t know who the candidate are or their party. i.e. Joe’s target)
She liked Sestak’s ad EXCEPT for the part where he exploited his kid. Her quote, “What’s he running on? Sympathy?”
As for Arlen’s attack ad, she said “Oh, I liked that one. It told me everything I need to know about what’s wrong with this Sestak guy.”

I think Joe should release his military records the same day Arlen releases his medical records. Fat chance of that happening

Bill-

Something to hide, to don’t cry about mis-truths.

Again, regardless of whom you support for the senate seat, Sestak does not want to be spending precious time discussing whether to release his military records. He wants to be discussing why he is the better candidiate. The longer this controversy continues, the better it is for Specter.

Sestak’s decision to wait until 4 weeks before the primary to advertise on tv was terribly flawed and he has just wasted a full 25% of those 4 weeks off message.

So he wont release them because our “lie” is confirmed in them right Bill?

Lee – Let’s see what the polling shows. This next round of polls should be interesting, and this is when it starts meaning something. The gap needs to start narrowing now (meaning with polls conducted this week).

I believe that ANY talk about Sestak is good for him because it raises his recognition. Voters will then evaluate based on all kinds of factors, least of which is probably some smear that Specter throws out. Again, they know (and don’t like) what they have in Arlen Specter; they will take some time to evaluate and judge Sestak.

If he does not run within two or three points of Specter (up or down) on May 18, I will agree with your analysis. Personally, I can’t wait to see this outcome.

WESTPADEM6: Your points are well-taken. Why the reluctance on Sestak’s part to disclose the information? If Sestak’s military record is truly unblemished, then he should enthusiastically comply with Specter’s request. Sestak has repeatedly emphasized his curriculum vitae both in advertisements and in various speeches. Now, he is unwilling to corroborate and verify these claims. It is likely to arouse suspicion – and with good reason.

Levan: And with a mere 3 weeks remaining, Sestak still has not launched any additional advertisements. Meanwhile, the lone ad that he has launched has been effectively negated by Specter. Why has Sestak not mounted more of an effort? If he is a legitimate contender, why has he refrained from advertising on TV?

I just got a letter from the President!

David –
Arlen Specter came to Washington to fight for the working men and women of Pennsylvania — and he has a distinguished record of doing just that.
He cast a deciding vote in favor of the Recovery Act that brought our economy back from the brink and created more than 120,000 jobs in Pennsylvania in just the first three months of this year.
He fought hard for health insurance reform, and because of that victory 1.3 million uninsured
Pennsylvanians will now have access to affordable care — including more than 140,000 with
pre-existing conditions.
And he’s been a champion of Wall Street reform and combating climate change, two crucial parts of my agenda that won’t happen without Arlen’s support.
But now, he needs your help. He’s in a tight race for the Democratic nomination for Senate, and the
primary is coming up soon on May 18th.
Vice President Biden and I need him in Washington, fighting alongside us — will you sign up to help out his campaign today?
Re-electing Senator Specter is going to take the same effort I needed from you two years ago –
reaching out to friends and neighbors, knocking doors, making phone calls.
And the first step to ensuring that happens is making sure he wins the primary that’s just three
weeks away.
Arlen has an impressive record of fighting for Pennsylvanians over the last 30 years. Let’s make sure he can keep it going.
Please sign up to volunteer for him today:
http://pa.barackobama.com/StandwithSpecter
Thank you for all you do,
President Barack Obama

Specter has a west philly office that I drove during work and had an event at his ne philly one on Sunday that I attended. Maybe if you left the comfort of the suburbs, you would know this.

I doubt that there is any truth in the claims by the Specter organization. 31 years of solid performance by Sestak is more like it. When do we see Arlen’s medical records. He doesn’t look too healthy,even for a 80 year old.

ne philly union guy address please. There’s no mention of offices anywhere on his web site other than Harrisburg.

Bailey: If there was any empirical evidence whatsoever that recent events had benefited Sestak, Specter would undoubtedly have pulled the ad. He has not done so. We can all safely assume, therefore, that the Specter ad is taking a heavy toll on what little support Sestak enjoys. Sestak’s only asset was his supposedly stellar military record; Specter has essentially stipped him of this asset.

Sestak’s ill-starred Senate bid has unquestionably been a diaster for the 7th District demagogue. Prior to this undertaking, Sestak was looked upon favorably, and was viewed as an emerging progressive leader. Now, Sestak’s reputation has been tarnished by unsubstantiated allegations against the incumbent Democratic President, an endorsement from an ex-congressman who gropes the gentials of innocent people, minimum wage payments to campaign staff, abrupt exits by prominent advisers, and of course, burning questions about his military record. Sestak’s ill-conceived and ill-considered Senate bid has all but ruined his once promising political career. And he knows it.

I just wrote back to the President:

President Obama:

I am deeply and personally disappointed to see you supporting Arlen Specter.

Arlen Specter cannot be counted on to be there for you or for the Democratic Party when his vote is needed. The only reason he has been a reliable Democrat thus far is because Joe Sestak is in this race.

For 30 years, Arlen Specter has opposed everything our party stands for. We should not reward him by annointing him as our candidate. I welcome him into our party, but I will NEVER work for him or accept him as my Senator.

Shame on you, Mr. President, for this endorsement!

A Proud Democrat and Sestak supporter,

Bruce Bailey
Democratic Municipal Chair and County Executive Committee member
Upper Providence Township (Montgomery County), PA

If Sestak’s military record is as sterling as he claims, he should release it. Maybe post it on his website. If it’s as impecible has he makes it out to be…there should be no problem and he could lay all these allegations to rest once and for all.

Sestak is running on his military service so it’s fair game for scrutiny.

Okay, it was an email. And I’m probably not the only one he sent it to.

Bill-
I think that’s a great deal. I hope Joe’s records include a mental health profile.

Lee-
Once again an astute analysis. This is the same name-recognition mistake that almost torpedoed Sestak’s 2006 campaign. Back then, he waited too long to define himself. What saved him was that Weldon failed to define Joe early. Weldon tried to ignore Joe’s campaign, rather than force Sestak to defend negative ads. A big mistake that Specter didn’t make.

Bruce-
People might not like Specter, but they know they are getting a fighter who will take it to Toomey. Lot’s of Dems, moderate Republicans, etc. have voted for him over the years. Even my parents, who pretty much vote straight Dem ticket, have given Arlen a few votes over the years for standing up to the GOP. I still bet you that even Sestak has voted for Arlen.

Bruce-
“For 30 years, Arlen Specter has opposed everything our party stands for.”
Pro-choice, stem cell research, civil rights, minimum wage laws, unions, stimulus bill, healthcare, …

To what party are you referring? Last time I checked, these were Democratic party principles. Arlen’s a better fit as a Dem than today’s radical Republican party (who hates him more than you do).

BTW, I don’t think Obama is going to withdraw his support for Specter.

Healey-
Specter’s medical records are a moot point. He’s not campaigning on them. Sestak is the one campaigning on his military record and has the burden of proof in this matter.

Healy: Sestak’s critics call upon him to disclose details concerning his supposedly stellar military record – and you respond by by suggesting that senior citizens are incapable of making a contribution? Rather than engage in ageism and promote prejudice, why not simply address the question at hand? Why is Representative Sestak reluctant to divulge details with respect to his military record? If his performance was phenomenal as he claims, then he should be prepared to corrobate this. Specter’s ad is already ebbing away at what little support Sestak enjoys. Sestak’s failure to furnish evidence is only exacerbating the situation futher. This spectacle is yet another calamity for Representative Sestak. And more await him, I guarantee you.

Mr. Diano: Avid support from the President of the United States, the Vice-President of the United States, every reputable labor organization in PA, every prominent Democrat in PA, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, etc. Senator Specter’s triumph is remarkable – and it is a testament to his efficacy as a political leader. Few, if any, envisioned such extraordinary success. Sestak, on the other hand, has been an abysmal failure. Specter’s standing is reaching new heights. Sestak, by contrast, has become a laughingstock and a pariah.

David – Arlen may have said he supported such-and-such during his three decades as the leading Republican in Pennsylvania, but his actions spoke louder: supporting and campaigning for Republican Presidents from Reagan through Bush, supporting and being supported by the most right-wing conservative PA Senator ever, Rick Santorum; smearing and distorting the testimony of Anita Hill in his support of Clarence Thomas for the Supreme Court. And on. And on. And on.

He cannot and should not be redeemed for this history. That’s why he will never be my Senator.

Bruce-
Specter’s “actions” were his votes. He voted for everything I listed.
Right now, Santorum is attacking Specter. Toomey is calling for Specter to take down his ads. For whom do you think the GOP is rooting? (future FoxNews contributor: Joe Sestak)

Try to get over f*cking Anita Hill. It was 18 years ago. Specter’s been elected 3 times since then. If you really care about treating women right, go ask Joe Sestak and Bill Walsh about the congressional staffer that quit his district office because she was told she was “hired for her looks, not her opinions” and her job was to “look good for Joe” out in public for his image. That’s the kind of candidate you are supporting.

That’s one of the many reasons Sestak will never be my Senator, or anybody else’s.

His health records are a moot point? Of course he’s not running on them, he might be a republican but he’s not stupid. He’s 80 years old with recurring hodgkins lymphoma of course his health records are important. Is he healthy enough to finish another 6 years in the Senate? He will be almost 90 then, or will he end up resigning for health reasons? I doubt Toomey will not call for his health records if he prevails in the primary. Pa. has historicaly switched parties on the Govenorship for at least the past 30 years do you think a repugnat gov. won’t appoint a Toomey to fill his term. Good luck with that. Not that there’s a dime’s worth of difference between Toomey and Specter. After Nov. he will go back to being the same old unreliable vote he has always been. Wouldn’t surprise me that if the Senate were to go repub,that Arlen wouldn’t change parties again. Arlen does what benifits Arlen.

Bill-
If health records are so important, will Joe submit to a health check, including a mental health examination?

As for Governor, you are making the case for working hard to elect a Democratic governor. Specter vs Toomey will be a high-turnout event. The Dems have a 1 million vote registration majority and lackluster Gov candidates. Specter at the top of the ticket is their best chance.
If Sestak wins the primary, it’s a GOP lock for Senate and Governor.
Since Sestak had NO party affiliation for over 30 years, it wouldn’t surprise me if he changed parties to Republican. We’ve all seen in Delaware county how Joe does what benefits Joe.

If you really think there isn’t “a dime’s worth of difference between Toomey and Specter” you are too far gone. Call the paramedics for Kool-aid poisoning. Even Bruce will back me up on this that Specter is far more liberal/moderate than Toomey and there a a VAST difference between them.

Bill, after May 18th, I hope you a speedy recovery on your trip back to reality.

It will be a GOP Lock for Senate and Governor regardless of the Democratic Primary winners.

Arelen voted for Sestak’s 3rd Star as Admiral in 2004

Per Alex Roarty at PoliticsPA.com, Sestak will speak on the Specter smear tomorrow in DC.

Here’s the lead:

“Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Joe Sestak will make a “major” campaign speech Wednesday in Washington D.C., his campaign said Tuesday, that will “set the record straight” about his time in the Navy….”

Should be an interesting day.

why are you all arguing about this stuff. does it really matter what the command climate is or whether senator specter is healthy. shouldn’t we be talking about the issues and who is best for pennsylvania and the country. would be nice if the people on this message board spent time actually discussing issues, instead of attacking people’s character and making insinuations that they can’t substantiate…

We are all losers in this state with these three as the choices for the senate seat.

Should should “set the record straight”… release the records.

Bruce-
I’m glad that Sestak is wasting his time campaigning in Washington (near where he lives with his wife and kid) and not in PA. Another brilliant campaign move.
Obama has rejected him with an email in support of Specter and Biden has called Arlen “his best friend in the Senate”.

Unless Joe is going to get Admiral Mullen himself to explain the sacking, it’s going to be another whining moment. Sestak might get Clark there, but according to the story, Clark was part of the problem for protecting Sestak in the first place.

BTW, will this CAMPAIGN speech be during normal Congressional business-hours?

Bruce-
Thanks for the link to PoliticsPA.com

PoliticsPA: Michael J. Fox cuts ad for Specter
The Arlen Specter campaign Tuesday unveiled a new ad that features actor Michael J. Fox, who famously suffers from Parkinson’s disease, asking voters to support the Democratic incumbent in the primary because of his support for medical research funding.

http://www.politicspa.com/politicspa-michael-j-fox-cuts-ad-for-specter/10076/

There’s playing chess, playing checkers, and eating the checkers. Specter’s playing chess.

Hey, JOE… Amateurs do tactics. Experts do logistics.

That’s the difference between having a broad record, and running on your cloaked pre-congressional record.

Healy-
So Sestak makes a “major” campaign speech in DC tomorrow. Unless Sestak provides some proof it’s just more hot air.

Sestak has made a lot of unsubstantiated arguments/comments: the White House offered him a job, Specter made a deal with Santorum, he wasn’t relieved for “poor command climate,” etc etc. When is Sestak actually going to back up his assertions with evidence?

Dem Voter-
Sestak’s all about image over substance getting him over the finish line before anyone checks.

talk about something that matters: Thus far, Representative Sestak has done little other than boast about his supposedly stellar accomplishments in the armed forces, and subsequently defend his supposedly stellar accomplishments when his credentials were called into question. He has devoted little, if any, energy to addressing the burning issues which confront PA voters: mounting unemployment, access to adequate health care, etc. Sestak’s platform is essentially comprised of his curriculum vitae (a vitae which, it appears, is not as impressive as he has contended). Nor has Sestak satisfactorily explained why he, and not the venerable, esteemed Senator is better suited to reckon with these issues. The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the two leading newspapers in the state of PA, concluded that Senator Specter was a more capable legislator and decision-maker. And PA voters should heed their words.

WESTPADEM6: Sestak’s reluctance to divulge the requested information is yet another grave mistake on the the 7th District demagogue’s part. It is definitely giving rise to suspicion -perhaps even among his few remaining supporters.

Bailey: If Specter’s claims constitute a “smear,” as you maintain, then why has Sestak failed to refute these claims in a TV advertisement? Why doesn’t Sestak invest his $5 million in TV ads to dispute Specter’s arguments? Thus far, neither Sestak nor his flunkeys have shed any light on this question. If Sestak has truly been “smeared,” he would launch ads immediately. Sestak should be striving to safeguard his blackened reputation via TV ads – but he is not. What are we to infer from this? Delivering a speech (a speech that few, if any primary voters will ever hear or attach any importance to) is simply not enough to restore his tarnished image.

Sestak’s reluctant to disclose military records, reluctant to launch TV ads, etc. Sestak’s conduct is clearly not that of a legitimate primary contender. It is the conduct of someone who has arcane motives – and more pressing concerns.

Dem Voter: Astute observation on your part. Sestak boasts that he served his country dutifly in the armed forces – but won’t furnish any empirical evidence to support this argument. Sestak gloats about his accomplishments as a congressman – but again, never cites any specific illustrations of his supposed legislative achievements. Sestak insists he is a viable contender – but won’t invest his $5 million in TV ads and demonstrate his commitment. As an elderly woman in a Wendy’s ad once asked, “WHERE’S THE BEEF?”

David – re: the Michael J. Fox ad.

They’re still hiding Waldo – er, Specter.

Ads so far: Steelworkers. Smear. MJFox.

Face time for Arlen: practically none.

His handlers do not want the public to see how badly this man has aged. They are hiding him as much as they possibly can.

95 South: Actually, if Sestak continues to refrain from TV advertsising, Senator Specter is likely to emerge from the Democratic primary with an overwhelming fundraising advantage over Toomey. This overwhelming advantage all but ensures that Specter will triumph in November. Specter’s resources will easily eclipse those of his GOP counterpart – which is precisely why Republicans have done their utmost to bolster Sestak. Republicans recognize that if Specter emerges victorious from this primary and commands upwards of $9 million, Toomey cannot prevail. This is the empirical reality – and everyone knows it.

Bailey: The “old-timer” to whom you refer has TROUNCED Representative Sestak in every way, shape and form thus far. Perhaps the elderly are a far more formidable group than you suspect!

Bruce-
How much “face-time” should Specter have in a 30-second ad starring Michael J. Fox?

Specter does appear at the end, and actually up and walking around. Were you expecting to see him in a hospital bed with tubes?

I knew you’d have to dig deep to find a way to criticize the ad. At least you didn’t accuse Specter of giving Fox Parkinson’s decades ago so he could use him in an ad.

BTW, speaking of aging. I asked another co-worker if he had seen the ads and what he thought. He said: “You mean ‘No Show Joe’?” “He’s using a lot of old footage. I recognize some of it from his first campaign.” “That’s an old picture of his daughter from years ago.” and “Did you notice how Sestak’s hair changes from dark black to gray?”
This guy’s not a Dem, so doesn’t have a horse in the race. He didn’t really care what they were saying, but was just giving me his “take-away”.

Where I work, the workers aren’t political, it’s interesting to see what they notice. My one boss is a BIG time GOP political donor. He’s raised money for Bush (at functions where he hosted and Bush showed up), he’s friends with head of PA GOP, raised money for Santorum, etc. He even had a fundraiser for Specter scheduled at his house for last spring (until Specter switched). Now he hates Specter for leaving the GOP. Well, my boss liked Bush, McCain/Palin, Gerlach, etc. That he doesn’t like Arlen is the best endorsement. He want’s Sestak to win, so Toomey can win in the Fall.

Bruce Bailey-
Democratic Municipal Chair and County Executive Committee member – and others……

You few that have pushed for Joe Sestak in this senate race have done him a disservice, when you all should have convinced him to step back and out of the race early on or before it even started!

Obviously you few had a stake in it, Joe elevates to the Senate, so does your status and being one to help get him there!

ME! ME! ME! ME! Sound familiar…..

There is a Tea party and a COFFEE PARTY! You few soles probably haven’t figured it out yet, but you are creating something different altogether and when you figure that out you let us know!

Get It Right-
I have to come to Bruce’s defense here. He’s not seeking to promote Joe in order to raise his own status. He genuinely believes Sestak to be a better Dem and less selfish than Specter.

He happens to be wrong on both counts (as you well know from your own interactions with him and his campaign). Bruce is merely lacking the personal experience with the real Joe. Bruce is in Montco where the Dems are in power, and decently funded. They don’t need Joe’s help, so don’t suffer when it’s been refused.

I think if Bruce lived in Delco and got to experience more of Joe, first-hand, he’d be with us.

I think Bruce is acting with integrity here. He just doesn’t realize that Sestak isn’t.

Did Arlen Specter serve in the military ?

John-
Yes, Arlen did.

No Show Joe is going down and rightly so for so many reasons.
Bill Bailey and friends et all that think they know so much it is very laughable. Are any of you taking a day off and working for free at the polls ?
I am, and I will be working in the 7th CD where I live. I have been working my area since Specter announced as I wanted my ducks in order to get rid of the Little Admiral as everything he has done was always for himself and not for the people that pay his salary. I am not only working the polls, I am also been calling people all the the State and I am very pleased at what I hear from the people.
If you don’t live in the 7th CD you have no idea just how bad the Little Admiral really is. If you do live in the 7th just ask a former staffer and that will change you mind right away if you are a thinking person. I know how uninformed most voters are so that is why I started long ago to get the truth out.
Any man that would his once sick daughter as a prop is discussing to me as there are so many people that have or had a similar problem but they lost their child
To my knowledge he has never had a real job in his life but lived on Military welfare for all those years. This kind of person does not have the ability to relate to the ordinary person so therefore should be sent a packin’

Back to the phones for Specter, can’t spend time with people that have been snowed by the Little admiral until we see his military record which we never will ! He is a big joke and he should never be elected to anything let alone the Senate as he has done nothing as a congressman from the little 7th CD of Delaware County.

All you have to do is your homework and a little research and you will see that Specter is the only way to go May talk a day or two as he is very sleazy but you will then find the truth. Try it if you dare or just listen to no show Joe it is up to you !

From Thomas Fitzgerald of The Philadelphia Inquirer:

Sestak has denied the account, though he did not ask the Navy Times to correct or retract its original story. Several Pentagon sources have confirmed, to the Inquirer and other media outlets, that Sestak was in fact dismissed from the job, which carried a three-star rank.

Nuff’ said.

Interesting…why didn’t Sestak ask the Navy Times to correct or retract the story? Why didn’t he file a defamation suit against the Navy Times?

Most likely, the article was true and factual and Sestak was in no position to.

They called Dick Vermeil the little dictator…..

Check out the ABC News 6 clip from an earlier broadcast of Joe Sestak in one of the latest interviews where he disputes the charge of being relieved of his command!

Joe said: My commanding officer said it well. He said I stood up to people who didn’t want to be challenged, I was a patriot’s patriot, I was courageous.” (How about a FOOL!)

Joe’s off the reservation, arcane snickering about being a patriot’s patriot clearly shows Sestak was off the reservation and paid the ultimate price for not being the team player and not fitting into the plan, like a kid hell bent on getting the square block into the round hole of a kids toy puzzle!

Sestak just doesn’t fit, we are now seeing and understanding more and more about this man and we must now wonder how he would carry himself in similar political situations that may mirror his military experience.

Joe has defended how he treats his staff and he related it to military style! Is this what we all have to look forward to!

Look out friends, he meant it when he said that everyone should have the same medical coverage that he had in the military!

I can see it now….at 18 years of age, not the draft, but everyone will serve the military! You won’t have a choice and he won’t treat you any worse than he treats his staff!

Watch ABC News 6 video:
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/politics&id=7414311