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Specter camp cries foul on Sestak’s ads (Updated)

Specter camp cries foul on Sestak’s ads (Updated)

Two of Democrat Joe Sestak’s campaign ads use a photo of incumbent Senator Arlen Specter from shortly after Specter underwent chemotherapy—and Specter’s campaign doesn’t like it.

The photo comes from Specter’s appearance at a campaign rally with former Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin during the 2008 campaign. It was used first in Sestak’s ad featuring Specter with George W. Bush, and again in an ad unveiled by the campaign Thursday.

“Has he no shame?” Specter campaign manager Christopher Nicholas asked in a statement Thursday.

Specter had just recently finished chemotherapy in the fall of 2008, and any photos of him with Palin at the time would seemingly show him in that state, having recently lost his hair from the treatment.

“I understand why Arlen Specter would be upset that we’re showing a photograph of Senator Specter standing next to Sarah Palin,” said J.J. Balaban, a media consultant to Sestak’s campaign. “But Senator Specter shouldn’t be surprised that real Democrats believe he should be held accountable for voting for and campaigning with Sarah Palin.”

share001btn Specter camp cries foul on Sestaks ads (Updated)

May 13, 2010 at 2:26 pm

--pa2010.com Staff

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  1. JIm F

    May 13th, 2010

    Sestak has no shame???? Give me a break! Specter is perhaps the biggest lying snake in all of Congress. Not to mention the fact that he is senile! Time to put Arlen out to pasture!

  2. bill healy

    May 13th, 2010

    I have a few dozen recent photos (taken the past month) of Arlen that look worse than the one’s the campaign uses,I’d post them here if I could. Does anyone remember the Cryptkeeper from HBO, Arlen makes him look like a spring chicken.

  3. bill healy

    May 13th, 2010

    The photo that appears with this story has got to be at least 6 years old or has been airbrushed to remove all the wrinkles.

  4. David Diano

    May 13th, 2010

    Sestak has no shame.

    He exploits his own daughter’s illness to illicit sympathy by showing photos of her from 4 years ago, even though she’s currently healthy with a full head of hair.

    Truly despicable.

  5. bill healy

    May 13th, 2010

    Part of his narrative Dave,she is the reason he entered politics, so we all can enjoy the same healthcare she got. you’re a pretty dispicable character to attack him for including his daughter in his campaign ads. Whose the little girl in the specter ad,just someone he picked up off the street to make him look human? I will post those photos of Arlen on the pa2010 facebook page for anyone who wants to see just how old and unhealthy he really looks

  6. Cry Baby

    May 13th, 2010

    Specter is the Biggest Cry Baby I have ever seen It Makes me sick when someone who makes his living in Politics Crys when he or she is attacked If You dont like it Arlen I Suggest you Stand Down NOW so we can put you out to pasture BYE BYE Arlen you are History

  7. Bruce Bailey

    May 13th, 2010

    I had no idea there was a pa2010.com Facebook page, Bill. Thank’s for the news.

  8. bill healy

    May 13th, 2010

    Just stumbled onto it myself Bruce.

  9. David Diano

    May 13th, 2010

    Bill-
    I don’t know who the girl is. Could be a grand-daughter. Specter certainly isn’t exploiting any illness of her.
    If Sestak at least showed a current picture of his daughter, that might make more sense.

    BTW, Specter appeared live in his debate against Sestak. Looked pretty lively to me.

  10. Lance Chang

    May 13th, 2010

    This website really seems to be in the tank for Sestak. Because on this issue they claim that Specter is “crying” but these same people didn’t use that type of language when Sestak was complaining about Specter bringing up his military record.

  11. Sheamus

    May 13th, 2010

    The last refuge of political cowards is to play the victim.
    He real complaint is that he is busted kissing up to carabou barby not that he looks sickley.
    How dumb is his campaign to keep bring attention to health weaknesses,amoral politcs and party jumping. Man up and try and go out with some class even if you are faking it.
    This is political circling the drain.
    Arlen better avoid being around the kitty as the cat might cover him with litter.

  12. JoeMontco

    May 13th, 2010

    Call it. Specter’s political career died today. Whining about photos of him with Palin? It’s over.

  13. Bruce Bailey

    May 13th, 2010

    Lance Chang – The headline reads “cries foul.” Not that he is “crying.” There’s a difference.

    Umpires “cry foul” when they rule on a hit in baseball. Candidates “cry foul” when they complain about an ad or a statement. “Cry” in this sense is to call out, not to weep.
    It’s a figure of speech.

    But of course, you’re welcome to cry foul about the use of “cry foul” here. Seems to be a lot of that kind of fine whine being uncorked in the Specter camp these days. (By the way, that’s called a pun.)

  14. Matt M.

    May 13th, 2010

    What’s the big deal? More importantly, Specter has very powerful photos and video footage with President Obama, the leader of the Democratic Party and, at the moment, the free world.

    Despite what all these ads and polls (with sample sizes of 200 people) say, the big elephant in the room is the turnout in Philadelphia. If Specter can roll it out, then he’s got in the bag. If it backfires, he’s toast. We’ll just have to wait and see.

  15. Sheamus

    May 13th, 2010

    You betcha.
    How’s that dopey changey thing working out for Arlen apoligists.
    Maybe Arlen can do a book with Palin and Beck and go on fox, errr MSNBC errr public access tv…..

  16. David Diano

    May 13th, 2010

    Sheamus-
    Between Specter and Sestak, I’ve vote Sestak as “Most likely to become a FoxNews contributor.”

  17. Jim F

    May 13th, 2010

    Diano=Loser!

  18. HateSestak

    May 13th, 2010

    Cry Baby: The Philadelphia Inquirer, MSNBC’s Chris Matthews and others have called upon Representative Sestak to disclose his military records and corroborate his claim that he served honorably. Sestak’s reaction? To snivel, whimper and complain like the namby-pamby he is. There is only one political PANTYWAIST in this primary – and it is most assuredly Joe Sestak.

  19. HateSestak

    May 13th, 2010

    Sheamus: Representative Sestak “plays the victim” at every turn. Legitimate questions are raised by news orgainzations and office-holders about his unremakable military career – and he alleges that he is being “swiftboated.” The incumbent Democratic President of the United States, and every major player in PA Democratic politics endorses his primary opponent, and Sestak claims there is a vast conspiracy being directed against him by elites. As was noted earlier, Sestak has even sought to exploit his daughter’s tragic health woes for political gain!

  20. HateSestak

    May 13th, 2010

    Matt M: Astute observations with respect to the polls in question, and to the ultimate outcome of this primary. Of course, as a growing number of people know, it what transpires in the hours, days and weeks following the primary that is paramount…

  21. Lee Levan

    May 13th, 2010

    This is a good sign for Sestak. If all Specter has left is to whine about how he looks in photos taken at voluntary public appearances that he (Specter) chose to make with half-governor Sarah Palin, it means that he’s shot his wad.

    Has anyone seen that today’s Suffolk poll has Sestak up by 9?

  22. goodnaturedcynic

    May 13th, 2010

    Specter and his snarky smugness is so creepy. i was willing to give him a look but the more I saw the less I like.
    This see the records talking point is a frank luntz birther sthick.
    If you say it, dont hint at it -prove it or give it up. With over 31 years where are all the peopel that have evidence or facts that the cyber snipers allude to.

  23. SICK OF IT ALL

    May 13th, 2010

    I’m with goodnaturedcynic…arlen’s schtick is too much politics for me…i still cannot see how sestak being a tough and demanding boss or passionate about his beliefs (many of which I agree with) is bad for me as a taxpayer…btw..if there are other pictures of Arlen embracing palin I am sure Sestak would have used those instead..

  24. goodnaturedcynic

    May 13th, 2010

    I had a friend call me and allegedly Arlen is gonna drop cash over all the african american wards in philly a pay out big cash to the election day “consultants”.

    Election day workers appreciate “street money” but it does not buy votes (Money wont buy love).
    PS Keep your $$$$ reciepts and id’s of the “workers” for the guys- its a federal election.

  25. David Diano

    May 13th, 2010

    cynic-
    “street money”? I’m shocked. Shocked!

  26. goodnaturedcynic

    May 13th, 2010

    This is the “progressive” Arlen running his own covert ( non city comitte) cash dump.
    My point is that he is gonna be ripped off and then will cry about how the election was robbed from him.
    David- Arlen could waste his money on you too- just put your cat paw out and hiss.

  27. K . Martel

    May 13th, 2010

    Specter has always delivered briefcases full of cash to the black Democrat ward leaders in Philadelphia . Usually however not getting much in return .In the 1986 election a now famous radio talk show host made the delivery for him .

  28. HateSestak

    May 13th, 2010

    SICK OF IT ALL: And just what are these “beliefs” to which you refer?! Sestak has never articulated a clear vision; his campaign is entirely comprised of his curriculum vitae (the contents of which he adamantly refuses to substantiate or verify). Sestak is fueled by megalomania and self-worship – not by issues or ideology. During the 2006 campaign, Sestak stressed that he was a vehement opponent of the ongoing Iraq War – a war he subsequently voted to finance and support. Sestak has no “beliefs” – he is a self-serving demagogue, and little else.

  29. HateSestak

    May 13th, 2010

    K. Martel: Sestak, by contrast, relies on illegal contributions from nefarious labor racketeers like Wendell Young IV. Guess a recent piece identifying Pennsyvania as one of the most corrupt states in the union was well-founded, eh?

  30. goodnaturedcynic

    May 13th, 2010

    I dunno- other pictures of Arlen “embracing” Palin might send us all to see Diano’s therapist.
    Thank god for self censorship
    really eeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

  31. sick of it all

    May 13th, 2010

    hey hater…your name says it all…crawl back in your basement and put on your tinfoil hat and change the litterbox…ur guy sphincter does not even know what party hes thanking…talk about a lack of credibility…

  32. David Diano

    May 14th, 2010

    cynic-
    Are you saying that you think the “african americans” are going to steal money from Specter? Do you think this because they black?
    That’s pretty racist.

    As for me, not only wouldn’t I take money to vote for Specter over Sestak, I’d pay for the privilege.

    As for Specter and Palin, the picture I like is this one:
    http://i.ytimg.com/vi/zbV480dvgEo/0.jpg
    It looks like either:
    1) McCain is making a funny (or rude) gesture behind Palin’s back, and making Specter laugh.
    2) The gesture could using his fingers to imitate pulling a trigger.
    3) Arlen is checking out her ass.
    4) The two of them are talking through gritted teeth and fake smiles to say:
    Specter: “John, I’m going to kill you for dragging me out here with this stupid twit.”
    McCain: “Arlen, I survived a P.O.W. camp, but one more day with this bitch and I’ll save you the trouble.”
    :-)

  33. Get it RIGHT

    May 14th, 2010

    A vote for SENATOR ARLEN SPECTER is a vote for President Obama and his agenda…

    A vote for Congressman Sestak is a vote for
    The “TEA PARTY” ! ! ! ! ! !

  34. goodnaturedcynic

    May 14th, 2010

    David{
    After seeing that pictureof Arlen paling around with Palin and McCain = you still dont get it?
    Maybe Rush Limbaugh and you can share a bunkbed in the basement when Sestack wins

  35. Dem Voter

    May 14th, 2010

    Sestak has no chance of beating Toomey! Specter has the experience, the organization, and the funds to win in November. (Sestak doesn’t even have a campaign manager).

    Sestak doesn’t have a message either. He’s says he’s “not Specter.” Well, that won’t work against Toomey. Specter’s TV ads show some of the good things that he’s accomplished for people while Sestak runs bio ads. Sestak hasn’t accomplished any thing for anyone to put in an ad.

  36. Notsure

    May 14th, 2010

    Toomey is a flaming tea bagger in the Santorum mold.
    Once he is outed for what he is the Dem candidate will win.
    November match up polls this far out from November
    is like trying to call the world series before the all star break

  37. David Diano

    May 14th, 2010

    cynic-
    You seem to have no problem with Sestak “paling around” with Eric Massa.

  38. HateSestak

    May 14th, 2010

    Notsure: Senator Specter, a venerable public figure, can indeed defeat Toomey. Specter has the financial wherewhithal, the newspaper endorsements, the support of prominent members of the Democratic Party and interest groups, etc., which are crucial to victory. Sestak does not possess any of these. Moreover, Sestak has made errors in judgment that would unquestionably come back to haunt him – paying his staff below minimum wage (Toomey would lambaste him as a hypocrite), making false accusations against the Obama White House (Toomey would defintely exploit this, demanding that Sestak furnish details of the alleged “bribe”), refusing to disclose his military records (Toomey would have many, many months to clamor about this issue), etc. Sestak, lacking both resources and the good will of the Democratic Party (remember, Dem Party chief Rooney asserted that a Sestak win would be “cataclysmic”), and repeatedly on the defensive, would be trounced by Toomey.

    And then there are the OTHER matters that Toomey would capaitalize on – matters that cannot be suppressed for much longer.

  39. HateSestak

    May 14th, 2010

    Get it RIGHT: There was a time when I would have differed with you on this subject. But that was before I was repeatedly exposed to the ageism and race hatred of Sestak’s flunkeys on this site.

  40. HateSestak

    May 14th, 2010

    sick of it all: Your uncivil, repugnant behavior speaks volumes about the candidate that you support. Apparently, neither Sestak nor his supporters are people of sterling character.

  41. 95 South

    May 14th, 2010

    Specter is a sissy…..

  42. Notsure

    May 14th, 2010

    Not getting the sestack-messa thingy.
    Is there a picture like the specter paling around three icons of the democratic party McCain/Palin/Specter I missed ? I was on google and could not find any repudiations by Arlen ever of hatefull paranoid drivel of Beck/Limbaug/Bohner/Hannity/Cheney and the rest of his old pals.
    Rooney is Rendell’s lame duck guy and he is doing his duty and going with the company line keeping the deal that Alren neogiated to trade his votes for keeping his job (you know like the deal he made with Santorum).

  43. Notsure

    May 14th, 2010

    The picture of Palin and Specter was run in the NY Dailey News in april of 09 and the Photo was in the 2008 Election.
    Carabou Barbie was mushing her dog sled in alaska before that.
    The McCain/Palin loss was the wrinting on the wall moment that he was out of a job if he stayed republican.
    Not a lot of philosophic pretense when he flipped.

    http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/04/28/2009-04-

  44. David Diano

    May 14th, 2010

    NotSure-
    Here is picture of Eric Massa, at his endorsement of Joe, within days of Massa’s resignation in disgrace (for trying to fondle his male staffers).

    http://specter2010.com/sestak_corrected/Sestak_Massa1.jpg

    Joe, who likes to pretend endorsements don’t matter, was desperate for endorsements from any of his congressional colleagues. There are over 200 Dems in Congress and over 50 in the Senate. The only endorsements Sestak got were Barney Frank and Eric Massa. No other Dem will endorse Sestak, not even in his own state.

  45. 95 South

    May 14th, 2010

    Dave, Barney Frank and Eric Massa, hmmmmmm, anything in common, based upon your post? Anyway, I have a hard time understanding Barney Frank when he talks, because he always sounds like he has something in his mouth.

  46. Go Joe

    May 15th, 2010

    What Specter does not like about the adv is the fact that he is standing with Bush and Palin and he does not want you to know what a great Republican he is.

    Go Joe: http://joesestak.ning.com/

  47. David Diano

    May 16th, 2010

    95-
    Barney Frank endorsed Sestak as a quid-pro-quo because Barney needed a military prop for the repeal of DADT.
    Massa was probably just tickled to support Sestak.

    The point they have in common was that they were fellow Congressmen, though Massa resigned (and self-destructed) within days of his Sestak endorsement.

    I think the Sestak endorsement was a one-day delaying tactic to keep people off the resignation rumors.

    So out of over 200 current Democratic congressmen, Sestak has only one endorsement.

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