Specter recycles endorsements in race against Hoeffel

[Kire]

Specter recycles endorsements in race against Hoeffel
By LARA JAKES JORDAN
The Associated Press


WASHINGTON - Philadelphia Sheriff John Green last week endorsed Sen. Arlen Specter's re-election bid.

Again.

Specter, whose campaign first rolled out Green's endorsement six weeks ago, recycled it for Philadelphia reporters at an event last Friday. Similarly, the four-term Republican incumbent announced in late June that he is being backed by former Democratic Rep. Frank Mascara in his race against current Democratic Rep. Joe Hoeffel - an endorsement that was rolled out again at a media event nearly a month later.

Such recycling of campaign endorsements is not unethical or dishonest. But it is highly unusual and aims to milk out as much media coverage as possible, said independent campaign watcher Brooks Jackson.

"This is something I haven't heard of before," said Jackson, a former reporter and director of the University of Pennsylvania-based Annenberg Political Fact Check, a Web site that evaluates the accuracy of campaign rhetoric.

"It's a little weaselly, but he's playing a game with you more than the voters, I think," Jackson said.

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/103-09132004-365090.html