As I said before, an interesting dilemna for Fast Eddie Spendell. Does he pull votes for his old boss, Arlen Specter, or does he squash voting to help his chosen successor Beer Tax Dan?

I’m not sure where this meme about Philly voters, and especially African American voters, loving Arlen got started, but I’m calling it a crock.

Six years ago in the general election, with Joe Hoeffel running a quiet and underfunded campaign, here’s what the Philadelphia breakdown was in the general:

Specter: 181,922 (28.4%)
Hoeffel: 451,901 (70.5%)

Let’s compare that to the Philadelphia returns in the Presidential race that year:

Bush: 130,099 (19.3%)
Kerry: 542,205 (80.4%)

So Specter ran about 10 points higher than Bush. That’s a nice pickup, but it’s not huge.

With Bob Brady, Michael Nutter and Ed Rendell putting the entire Philly machine behind Specter, he will definitely run well in the city next Tuesday. But will it be overwhelming and enough to power him to statewide victory?

Nope. It will not.

The reality is that many Philadelphia Democrats, just like those of us statewide, are looking forward to defeating this Republican albatross next week.

The Democrats must be INSANE to support a Cantankerous creep like Specter especially since he still thinks he is running in the Republican Primary

Specter may not be the jolliest man around, but he is, by eons, the better choice against Joe Sestak. We in the 7th district had high hopes for this man in 2006, and he’s spurned us for the advancement of his own career time and time again.

Consider the following:

* For most of his race in 2006, he didn’t own a home in the 7th district. Rather, his domicile was in the Northern Virginia suburbs.

* He treats his staffers with a near-criminal disregard for the welfare, requires them to work fourteen hour days (including weekends) under the guise that “change takes hard work.” By the way, this “change” was his aspired change from the House to the Senate.

* He is forcing the Democratic Party to spend millions of much-needed funds for the general election in a primary race that serves NOBODY’S interests but Joe Sestak’s.

* Everyone with a sense of perspective in the 7th district knows what a chameleon and sell-out this man is. He has the WORST ATTENDANCE RECORD of any member of the PA delegation, both preceding and before he declared his candidacy. Why? Because being a congressman conflicts with pursuing a senate seat, and obviously the latter should prevail.

* He touts his military record (nothing to poo-poo’ed), but turns red in the face when anyone legitimately questions the suspicious circumstances surrounding his departure. You can’t have it both ways, Joe. Especially since anyone who’s worked for you will is inclined to believe that the accusations are true.

Specter is not an avuncular, happy-hearted liberal. He has, however, been a tireless advocate for the people of this state. His record deserves our vote.

GB – Stop the propaganda. Speak for yourself if you want to, but this “everyone in the 7th” business is just so much fertilzer and your talking points here are items that have been thoroughly debunked, not just this year but going all the way back to the race against Curt Weldon.

I wouldn’t be surprised to find you’re one of the disgruntled Weldonites that have been trying to get some revenge on Sestak throughout this campaign.

santorum oops I mean sestak still doesn’t live in pa!

Bruce – no propaganda here, and nothing I’ve said has been “thoroughly debunked.” I suppose you’re a 7th resident who’s loyalty to Sestak leaves you unperturbed by the fact that the party must spend double, if not more, of its already scarce resources in this state because being our congressman wasn’t good enough for Sestak.

I voted for Sestak twice, and with much enthusiasm. It wasn’t until he declared for the Senate race that I, and many others in our district, realized what he is truly after.

I live in the 7th and Joe commands overwhlming support from the Democratic party here. There are the occasioal malcontents who think Joe should just stay in the house and resent it that he would have any ambitions for higher office. I fully expected him to run for the Senate this year. Who would think that someone who already rose to the top in the U.S. Navy wouldn’t have ambition? Bryan Lentz is a fine candidate to succeed Joe in the Congress represneting the 7th.

I live in the 7th and Joe commands overwhelming support from the Democratic party here (he is the endorsed candidate here). There are the occasioal malcontents (GB,DD) who think Joe should just stay in the house and resent it that he would have any ambitions for higher office. I fully expected him to run for the Senate this year. Who would think that someone who already rose to the top in the U.S. Navy wouldn’t have ambition? Bryan Lentz is a fine candidate to succeed Joe in the Congress represneting the 7th.

Why does it have to be the “African American” vote? Why can’t it just be Americans voting? That’s the problem with this country. Inner city African Americans have done so well blindly voting for Democrats haven’t they? Just take a look at Detroit! They need to start thinking independently don’t just into the booth and automatically pull the ‘D” lever. Think about it!

I am happy and proud that Joe chose to be the one to stand up against Specter and the bunk that our leadership was trying to force-feed state Democrats.

There’s always a cost when you stand up for what’s right. I am certain that every Sestak supporter will do whatever they can to make sure that Joe’s campaign this fall is fully funded, so that he can fight toe-to-toe with radical-right fringe candidate Pat Toomey.

In defeat, maybe Arlen Specter can show us all what a truly great Democrat he has become and donate some of his leftover warchest to Sestak’s general election campaign.

Bryan Lentz is an outstanding candidate, and will make an outstanding congressman. I agree with you completely on that point.

You are, however, incorrect in designating DD and myself as “occasional malcontents:”

* After Sestak won the 2006 primary against Lentz, he virtually ignored Lentz and the other PA House and Senate candidates running for office in the district. It’s common knowledge among candidates running lower down on the ticket in the district not to expect anything from the Sestak team. Heck, he didn’t even endorse Lentz until after the other candidates dropped out of the race, but yet called it the “biggest” endorsement he’s ever made.

* I cannot understand how anyone who wants to keep this senate seat in blue territory could support what Sestak is doing. It simply doesn’t make sense. Money is scarce, and a tight primary challenge accomplishes NOTHING for the ISSUES that we care about, and for whose survival we need a Democratic majority.

* Every politician has ambition. None of them would be in this business if they weren’t effused with that trait. HOWEVER, the ambition ceases to serve the public interest when it puts self over the needs of the constituency. THAT is what Sestak has done by running in this race, and wasting his 2008 warchest on a senate primary rather than a House general election.

That is why, Bill Healy, I will no longer support Sestak, and why anyone with perspective in the 7th district and the state of Pennsylvania will abandon the notion that this man truly cares about anyone but himself.

GB-

I am with you brother, amen.

You “Get it RIGHT” and I am 100% with you on that and the only problem is too many do not want to look at reality square in the face!

Very well put….

Sestak and Lentz did not run a primary against each other in 2006…Lentz dropped out and focused on a State Rep race where he took out a 20sthin yr incumbent puppet of the delco repub machine while specter was helping republican candidates against Lentz and Sestak and governor rendell and every other dem on the ballot. some of the posters here are ignorant or stupid, or think the rest of us are.

Sick of it – I am well aware of the facts behind that 2006 primary. Nothing I posted nor intimated in that posting contradicts them. My remarks serve to remind everyone of how the Sestak team ignores and disregards the candidates running for seats lower-down on the ticket.

Many in the county party find the Sestak team’s chronic behavior in this regard to be disgraceful and an affront to the team effort. It is yet one of many measures of how purely self-obsessed Sestak is.

People are excited about Williams and the article says that the polling firm hasn’t inlcuded a lot of people who voted in 2008. Because they are ommitting a lot of inner city voters they are underpolling Williams. He is a lot closer to Onorato than the poll indicates. There will be a good city turnout and Williams will win when the votes are counted Tuesday night.

Why do people think Joe Hoeffel’s campaign didn’t make it off the ground?

In Fact The US Constitution says you shall Not Live in the District that you represent So Joe Setak is Simply following the Law

You have to Have a Ton of Money Now to Run for any Office Maybe Because Dayln Leach The Most Popular democrat In Mothgomery County Is Supporting D .O . For Governor Joe Is 2 Liberal He probably got that way From working for the Gay Molester Rep. Gerry Studds who was known for Grabbiing all the Male inturns He must have Turned Joe Out . Joe is way to Liberal for Pennsylvania He forgot Alabama is in the T in PA

“He is forcing the Democratic Party to spend millions of much-needed funds for the general election in a primary race that serves NOBODY’S interests but Joe Sestak’s.”

“HOWEVER, the ambition ceases to serve the public interest when it puts self over the needs of the constituency.”

Well I’m sorry but Sestak is serving my interests…me and about 42-47% (depending on the poll you’re looking at) of my fellow democrats’ interest in not having Arlen Specter represent us. I mean how can you (and DD) make this argument with a straight face? Couldn’t you say that Arlen Specter cost the party those much needed funds by switching parties? If he had never switched, or he bowed our gracefully, there would have been no challenge (at least not for him…but the argument falls on its face there too because someone was going to challenge him or Sestak in either scenario).

You fail to realize that when you say that you and DD and other Specter supporters do not represent the WHOLE of voting public. Sure, from your perpsective, its wasting money because how could anyone ever back anyone but specter…but try to see it from our perspective and maybe you might start to understand…I mean there are just so many democrats (myself included) who, even after carefully considering the issues, just cant get past his considerable voting baggage and the fact that he’s been a republican longer than I’ve been alive. I mean the truth is that Arlen Specter thought he could just walk through a Democratic primary… I mean why should we, the voters, actually decide whether or not he actually represents our values? The party establishment picked him, we should never question to the party leadership! All democrats are equal, however some are more equal than others! And yet, in the real world of issues and where we want the state/country to go, for many of us Sestak’s progressive record just appeals much more than Specter’s ENTIRE record. I mean the truth of the matter is that Arlen Specter is the same Arlen Specter if he has an R or a D next to his name…and thats a man I’ve voted against on the issues in the past and I would continue to vote against in the future…but thats just me…

The only “district” Joe represents is himself. IN that sense (and that sense alone) he lives in his district.

I think the most important part of all this is that I have the support of Chaka Fattah and Michael Nutter. Nutter is the most popular mayor in a century and Fattah has done so little in the House that there is nothing for people to object to.

I wonder if the loser of next Tuesday’s primary will consider a third party run, a la Charlie Crist. Specter might have the funds to mount a solo bid, but I doubt Sestak could pull it off, given that he’s presently running for broke.

But still…it’s an intriguing possibility. Especially for Pat Toomey.

Matt, it might be intriguing, but it’s also impossible. PA state law forbids anyone who loses a primary to run for the same office as an independent. It’s called the Sore Loser Law. Next Wednesday, somebody is going to have to explain it to Arlen.

yeah…specter has done just such a great job of helping democratic candidates…by his own admssion he hasn’t voted for a democratic candidate since JFK…except for ED RENDELL…hmmm….but we are supposed to forgive Arlen and vote for him? I think not.

@George Brendt…I am intimately aware of many things including the truth behind the 2006 primary and also how and why elections in this county have gone how they have gone…stop looking to blame others like Sestak…and do not use you bluster to try to speak for many of the county dem party…you don’t.

Yeah, yeah, yeah… the black vote. Fact is nobody knows. It is the demographic most resistant to polling. It is over analyzed after elections but very hard to predict before. Black voters I know like it that way.

Fact is nobody knows and Philadelphia black voters stopped voting for black candidates simply because they are black after Mayor Wilson Goode. Most famous case in point Mayor Nutter who did not garner a majority of the black vote and is still not highly regarded in the community according to recent polling.

Sestak is an oddity to this community and he will NOT win this voting block in any way that matters that much I can gaurentee but whether black folks in Philly are exciting enough about Spector to honor him with turnout… now that’s where the fun starts! Can’t wait to see…

LOL…

Sorry, corrections — “guarantee”
and “excited enough about Specter to honor him with turnout”

I should stop posting this late at night

Bruce-
Explain it to Arlen, so he can explain it to Sestak? Just like Arlen had to explain to Sestak that the debate rules permitted notes?

sick-
You talk a lot of smack for a gal with no name. Don’t be shocked if Sestak voted the same way. It’s a good bet that Sestak voted for Nixon, Reagan and Bush Sr.

suburban dem-
You are intimately aware? Please submit credentials: just your name will do, for a start

md-
Watch out with those “gaffes”. The Sestak drones will accuse you of dementia.

GB: You are one of countless 7th District denizens who have come to the realization that Sestak is a self-interested, self-serving, narcissistic charlatan. What causes has Sestak truly championed? What pivotal legislation has he implemented? Are the people are the 7th District better off now than they were prior to his ascension to office? There is a reason that Sestak has not been endorsed by any of the notable political actors, newspapers, interest groups, etc., in PA. The reason is simple: he has accomplished little, if anything, during his undistinguished, unremarkable tenure in office.

Matt M.: Independent bid by Sestak? Given his abysmal fundraising of late, one would think that would not be a viable option. On the other hand, running as an independent might keep law enforcement at bay for several more months…

Snarlin Arlen: Earlier, you maligned our nation’s first African-American President. Now, you are casting aspersions on two notable African-American office-holders. Tell me – are all Sestak flunkeys prejudiced and narrow-minded?

Go Anthony, the people of the downtodden will come to your aid, orange soda anyone?

Diano=America Hater!

BTW

One other note on the black vote in Philly (the topic of the article). People will support Tony Williams because he speaks to the issues people care about in and out the city. Therefore he will not only pick up black votes in Philly but in the suburbs and elsewhere and non-black votes all over the state. You heard it here first! Specter + Sestak- a nail biter but even Dave and HateSestak will have to agree that Sestak’s attack ad is brutally effective. The most demaging part is Specter’s statement when he says “re-elected” geez he sounds like a weasel of the worst order, like I said – brutal.

Here’s the rest of clip of Specter from that Sestak ad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpw5KTvZKBI

“The White House’s unwillingness to clearly and emphatically deny Rep. Sestak’s allegations of criminal conduct leads me to conclude that his account is accurate, reliable and truthful,” Republican Congressman Issa said in a statement. Issa is clamoring for an investigation into unfounded allegations lodged against the incumbent Democratic President – allegations lodged by the self-serving, self-interested Joe Sestak. Not the actions of a true blue Democrat, in my estimation.

What would you know about true blue Democrats,your a stooge for a true red Republican.

It is very hard to determine who is a so called “True Blue Democrat for SESTAK” or a “TEABAGGER”…..

They both have the same goal and both are causing a lot of collateral damage to the
ENTIRE DEMOCRATIC MACHINE!

There are some very, very stupid democrats out picking up for Sestak and I will say it a gain,

There are some very, very stupid democrats out picking up for Sestak and I will say it a gain,

There are some very, very stupid democrats out picking up for Sestak !

Thank You….maybe it will sink in,
but I doubt it !

Anthony WIlliams has as much a chance of being governor as Mickey Mouse.

Nick–

Maybe so but you have to admit it was dull as dishwater before he got in. It is even more exciting than no-chance Sam Rohrer against Tom Corbett or absolutely-no-way Peg against Toomey… long shot candidates but still predictably boring.

LOL