Specter is too old to campaign effectively. Sestak has the best chance of holding the seat.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

Watching Specter on Hardball (will be repeated at 7PM EST I assume) he sounded like a really sad old man... almost whining about how he should win because he has no place else to go.

He wasn't sharp. He wasn't strong. I found it uncomfortable to watch.

Everyone ages at their own pace. I am not saying that nobody Specter's age can do things. Just that he he is seeming bad.

Since the only reason to vote for Specter was presumed electability I would say there is no reason to vote for him.

The man I just saw is not capable of being an effective candidate.

[Ernesto]

1. works for me nt

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

2. Whatever I have to do to get Sestak in that seat. I'm in Maryland but will gladly

drive to Philly to campaign on his behalf should he win the primary. I'm so excited about it. :)

[polichick]

9. What do you like about Sestak? I don't trust either of them...

...but will vote in the primary.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

11. Sestak is no liberal, sadly. But Specter is a self-serving idiot. Don't trust him.

No one likes a turncoat. And worse, an arrogant turncoat. :)

Sestak may not be all he's cracked up to be, but it's time for Specter to retire, in my opinion.

[polichick]

16. I just hope we can count on Sestak to show up for votes! nt

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

17. True dat. n/t

[MH1]

19. you do realize his Dad was in the hospital for a few months before he passed away?

That was some of the missed votes.

The other was, truthfully, involving campaigning - he visited each of PA's 67 counties as a "listening tour". I think this might have been before he decided whether to get in the race, or it was shortly after. (There was a huge "draft Sestak" movement after Specter switched and we learned Sestak was pressured to stay out. To be honest I was ambivalent at first, for many of the reasons that other people now use when they say he shouldn't have run, but I was convinced by others that now was the time.)

The thing is, he wasn't known except for in Delaware County, so once he decided to run (or seriously consider it), it was a given he would have to do something like that and take the inevitable heat. It's fair criticism, BUT:

check out lcv.org on both Specter and Sestak. In 2009, Sestak missed 1 out of 15 KEY environmental votes. Specter missed 2 out of 11 KEY environmental votes. So it may be that he managed to schedule his absences for the dedication of post office votes or something, I don't know, but from the LCV site, Sestak has a better voting attendance record than Specter when it matters. Of course, environment is my top issue, that might not be the case for you, and if you find a similar ratings site for your top issue, you might not find the same thing. Again it's a fair criticism, but should be put in perspective.

[polichick]

20. Thanks for the info - the environment is my top issue and that does matter! nt

[MH1]

22. glad to hear it

I think you will find that Sestak is considerably better on the environment than Specter. I know Sestak worked hard on some bills that Penn Environment was pushing with him, and David Masur told me they were very pleased to have him as an ally.

[MH1]

15. What I like about Sestak

He is liberal on the issues I care most about: environment and women's rights. For this primary he has been endorsed by NOW, NARAL, and Sierra Club at least (those are just the ones I know about). Oh and ages ago, a group called Council for a Livable World. You can also go to lcv.org to compare his and Specter's voting scores on the key environmental issues.

I've served in the military and I am no pacifist, but I despise war and wasteful military spending (not all military spending, just the obviously wasteful stuff). Sestak seems very much in tune with how I feel about the military. According to the boss he had prior to Mullen (the guy who re-assigned him), he was proposing strategic cuts and realignments in the Navy to make it more efficient and effective, and that pissed people off. That sounds about right, too, from how he talks.

One of his first acts in Congress was to author legislation (not passed, of course, sadly) to set a deadline and scheduled withdrawal from Iraq. But as a military guy he knows you can't pull out overnight. He also knows you can't withhold supplies from troops in the field when there is NOT a withdrawal plan. That got him in a lot of hot water with some activists who helped him get elected, but he held town halls with them and took their questions (and let's be honest, a few rants) for hours.

Sestak seems to have broad support from the LGBT community around here. He has been strongly in favor of ending DADT and repealing DOMA (which Specter voted for).

Of course I live in DelCo and have the pleasure to speak with him on multiple occasions, both as a campaign volunteer and as a constituent. I have met with him on environmental issues and found him VERY receptive.

He is also whip-smart and I just happen to like that in my representatives.

Well I could go on but I guess you get the gist. :)

[polichick]

18. Thanks - great to know! :)

[wisteria]

3. I saw him in person the other day and he was in fine shape. I wouldn't go the age route if I were

you. Specter may be older than Sestak, but he is still sharp and could show a thing or two to Sestak. Frankly, since he has pulled his numbers back up, I would say he is an effective candidate. He has been all over the state in the last week, I couldn't keep up that pace myself. Specter has been an affective leader for 30 years, I see no sign of him slowing down now. This must be wishful thinking on your part.

[JI7]

10. yeah, i wasn't too impressed with Sestak in his tv appearances

i just think he might not be able to handle the general election campaign.

[MH1]

21. there's a couple things Sestak needs to sharpen up

but he will get A LOT of help if he wins the primary.

And once people know Toomey's real positions, and once those positions are framed in devastating ads, many people will care a lot less about the superficial stuff. (true, some will ALWAYS be swayed by superficial. See Massachusetts Senate race to replace Ted Kennedy, sigh.)

[JI7]

23. actually it's the substance part which i find lacking with Sestak

i'm not paying that much attention to this race and watching most of their appearances so i could be wrong overall.

i worry he might not be able to handle a GE campaign.

at this point as with Florida i jsut hope the republican doesn't win.

[wisteria]

29. Who is going to help him? The Republicans that have been supporting him are going to be gone.

And, why hasn't he gotten this help now? I think you are wrong if you think Democrats are going to all rally around him if he is the winner. What I think will happen is most Democrats will not care about November and since 77% of Democrats voted for Specter, Sestak will have only lukewarm support.

[MH1]

34. the dem establishment will back the primary winner

your favorite pol (and one of mine) - John Kerry - will jump right behind Sestak if he wins the primary, I guarantee it. (Funny now that I think of it, Kerry's been known to muff his lines now and then, and he's done just fine as a Senator.)

ETA: you really should be precise, the 77% was Dem committee at the state convention. It is not a secret vote.

[wisteria]

51. Not necessarily. And, the support he receives will be mediocre.

This is coming from not only me. Sure, they will give him lip service, but it won't be as much of an enthusiastic support as you seem to think. I have been clear about the 77% vote. I have mentioned many times that it was the delegate votes at our convention in Feb. Specter received 77% of the vote, more than the 2/3rds needed to win the majority. Sestak presented his case then and he only was able to convince a third of the delegates. I have never presented it any differently.

[MH1]

57. In your previous post you said '77% of Democrats', NOT

77% of democratic convention delegates.

HUGE difference. There has never been a single poll of any sort that gave 77% to Specter over Sestak among Democratic voters. Not even close. Yet by omitting the 'delegate' term you imply that.

[MH1]

58. And we know Rendell's machine is twisting arms (and worse) for Specter

the dem convention vote is not a secret vote like the actual ballot on May 18. If someone doesn't do what they're told at the convention, everyone knows about it.

[wisteria]

69. Rendell doesn't have to twist arms. Rendell can vouch for Senator Specter's

record in PA. They have been friends for years. Specter gave Rendell his first job. They have always spoke kindly of each other. No need to twist arms when most of the Democrat delegation voted in favor of Specter. They are willing to fight to defend their vote.

[MH1]

81. Whether or not there is a 'need' to, it is happening

are you unfamiliar with Philly-style politics?

[wisteria]

89. Says who? Sestak? Oh and don't make me laugh. I was born and raised in Philly.

I know all about the Democratic machine, my parents were involved in Philly politics. So you think "all this arm twisting" is going on because all these twisted arms really want to go for Sestak? Is that the idea? They support Sestak because he says he is the real Democrat?

[MH1]

90. Sestak isn't saying it, people in Philly I talk to are saying it.

[wisteria]

26. That is a concern of mines and also, that the primary has not been about what really is important.

It has been reduced to a game of who is the better Democrat. What great plans does Sestak have for the state of PA? I know about all of Specter's excellent work, but the important issues have never been present by Sestak. Senator Specter however, has many ads in which he talks about what he has done and what he plans to do for PA. He also has people he has helped over the years talk about how you could always count on him. And, as you mentioned about the the general election, Sestak was terrible in his debate with Specter. He won't get away with such a terrible appearance in a general election with Toomey. Toomey has run in a state wide election for Senator before and lost against Specter and he has been stockpiling money running unopposed in the repub primary.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

12. You sure seem to have me pegged (comically wrong, but at least you're self-assured.)

You seem convinced on the strength of nothing whatsoever that I have some interest in the race beyond what I just wrote.

Whatever.

Specter came on TV. Seemed like Grandpa Simpson.

I wrote what I wrote.

[wisteria]

49. Well I saw Sestak on TV yesterday and I though he looked like he was holding something back

and appeared to be flashing a very phony smile with his teeth clenched together. It looked like he was ready to explode.

[dumpdabaggers]

4. I fully agree.

I would not mind Specter going 3rd party. He would probably suck some votes from Toomey.

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[wisteria]

5. I bet you aren't from PA. n/t

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

14. You are so smart

As everyone who knows me here knows --and you must be in that group since you just posted some bizarre mind-reading shit about my secret motivations up-thread-- I do not live in Pennsylvania.

And I never have.

And I am not a Sestak fan. He gives me the creeps.

My only interest is holding the seat and my stated opinion is what it is.

[phleshdef]

7. If he does manage to get re-elected, I'm pretty sure its his last term.

[polichick]

8. Tweety did a good job reminding us of his presidential and S. Court votes. nt

[blue neen]

13. Those votes keep running though my mind,

especially the Supreme Court votes. Specters' questioning of Anita Hill during the Clarence Thomas hearings was not a particularly stellar time in his career.

[wisteria]

24. So, he was a Republican than. And, that shows loyalty to his party he was associated with.

We really don't know who he may have voted for when he actually voted. His time with the Republicans don't bother me, he is a Democrat now, and I know about the excellent job he has done for PA-regardless of party affiliation.
This entire primary has been a job because it has been reduced to a childish game of who is and who isn't. I would of much rather of heard a hell of a lot more about positions on issues and policy differences. Sestak has not provide me with any good reason to vote for him-he has never really make it well known how he was going to serve PA better than Specter has.

[polichick]

25. Sorry, but choosing to be a Republican for decades shows a giant lack of judgment. nt

[wisteria]

27. Sorry, I disagree. My parents were both Republicans for years.

And, both changed parties-my father actually holding an elected office. My mother just changed over recently. I never questioned their judgement-the republican party at the time represented thier view-points more clearly at the time. I don't vote for the party all the time, I vote for the person. If that makes me a bad Democrat so be it. The Democrats aren't always right and the Republicans aren't always wrong. What matters most is what they do with the job they have been elected to, and Specter has been dedicated to the people of PA for 30 years.

[polichick]

30. The Republican party has been anti-environment, anti-women's rights, anti-civil rights...

...pro-war and pro-corporate welfare since the 60s at least. If you've never questioned your parents' judgment for signing on to that, shame on you.

[wisteria]

32. and, Specter has always been for women's rights, the environment and civil rights.

What you don't understand is that Specter has always been his own man on issues of importance. In most circles a man or woman who stands alone and makes an unpopular decision, but one that he or she feels is the right decision to make, would be admired as a leader, but not here. Any more it appears some Democrats want all Democrats to be purists and are pursuing efforts to eliminate those that do not toe the line.

[polichick]

33. Check out his record...

www.votesmart.org

I'm particularly unimpressed with his environmental record.

[wisteria]

50. Who Sestak? He hasn't voted on that much over his four years.

I don't know what Sestak will do for PA, I do know what Specter has done. This is a local election and I don't think Sestak represents the mindset of most of PA. PA is not known for being as progressive as Sestak's followers make him out to be.

[MH1]

55. Project Vote Smart

votesmart.org

You can see what he has voted on, how he is rated by advocacy organizations, and compare the facts on him and Specter.

I think PA is more rational than you seem to give it credit for. Sstak will do fine.

[wisteria]

73. I don't like some of Sestak's votes and he hasn't really had to make any tough votes.

And, I am glad you have confidence in Sestak because I don't and won't.

[polichick]

122. I meant for you to check out Specter's record...

You say he's pro-women's and civil rights, and the environment - but his votes over the years on those things don't show that.

You seem to think that liking a candidate is a reason to support him, no matter what his votes show. Makes no sense.

[uberblonde]

93. Even if it was...

Sestak is nowhere near as progressive as he wants donors to think. He took more than a half-million in contributions from the netroots when he ran against Weldon - and then immediately voted for the war and FISA - even thought he promised not to.

And can I remind you all that Sestak has only been a Democrat for three years longer than Specter? He was an independent until Rahm Emanuel recruited him against Weldon - and as we all know, Rahm only recruits DLC-type Blue Dogs.

[MH1]

106. Sestak immediately authored a bill to end the war in Iraq

It failed to receive enough support - thanks to republicans like Specter.

Since it failed and there was no withdrawal timeline, Sestak as a military man knew better than to leave MY NEPHEWS in Iraq TO DIE WITHOUT EQUIPMENT - which is what some of those leftwing activists seemed to want.

After those votes Sestak did MANY town hall style meetings with those groups and explained his reasoning and let them rag and rant at him for hours. The man did the best he could being stuck between the conservatives in Congress (of which Specter is one - a dependable Bush ally remember), and the nutjobs on the left WHO DIDN'T FUCKING CARE IF MY NEPHEWS WERE LEFT WITHOUT FOOD OR BODY ARMOR IN A WAR ZONE. (because after all they're torturers and baby-killers, right?)

Do I sound pissed? Good because I am. I am tired of hearing from clueless people who have never and would refuse to serve in the military, about Sestak "voting for the war" when what he did was vote to take care of troops who had already been sent to war.

SENT TO WAR BY ARLEN SPECTER. so don't you dare accuse Sestak of 'voting for the war' in a discussion comparing him and Specter.

[saltpoint]

115. The ACLU begs to differ with you. They gave Congressman Sestak

a 100 percent rating in 2007.

Specter's rating was 57.

And don't get me started on Specter's career-long votes in support of initiatives by Reagan, Poppy, and Junior.

[saltpoint]

116. For those interested in an issue-by-issues comparison

relative to endorsement from key constituent groups, here is this:

http://garnetdonkey.com/2009/05/27/specter-v-sestak-by-the-numbers/


Sestak is far and away the more progressive of the two Democrats seeking the Senate nom in Pennsylvania next Tuesday.

[MH1]

39. No, he hasn't

unless you have an odd definition of those things.

Like polichick said, check the record.

[MH1]

41. NARAL, NOW, and Sierra Club endorsed Sestak

does Specter have any primary endorsements from major environmental or women's rights groups?

[wisteria]

54. I use to be a member of NARAL, and NOW, many years ago.

They mean little now and I have many issues with both organizations. So their support for Sestak doesn't move me. Specter's record is middle of the road, he carefully weighs his full support for an issue. He is more apt to vote for some things and not for others. It is what he does for the people of PA that matter the most to me. These other issues-expect for the environment are just party line issues that we raise money on.

[saltpoint]

56. I don't really care how much those organizations mean to you. They mean

a lot of many others.

Some of us are members of both.

[wisteria]

64. Members of NOW and NARAL of PA are not strong enough nor do they have enough members to really

make a difference in this race. And, many older residents-who are the majority of our population in PA, have negative opinions of both organizations.

[saltpoint]

71. Many older residents have a positive opinion of them also.

As you well know.

[polichick]

123. You keep talking about what Specter does for the people of PA...

Are you just interested in pork for the state?

Those "party line issues that we raise money on" mean A LOT to the people of our state - that's why we're Democrats!!!

[saltpoint]

45. As MH1 has pointed out, The Sierra Club, the National Organization for

Women, and Barney Frank have endorsed Sestak, among other groups in the areas you mention in your subject line.

[wisteria]

59. The Sierra club can do what they want. They are the only group you mentioned that I care about

any more. NARAL and NOW, are a joke. And, maybe Barney Frank has a personal friendship with Sestak. My vote is not swayed by any of these endorsments.
Specter has the endorsments of all the major papers, the labor unions, the teacher's unions, the Business Trade Group, the Fire Fighters and VP Biden, President Obama, Senator Kerry, Senator Casey, and our governor, Rendell. And, they are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

[saltpoint]

60. Once in a while the newspaper endorsements get it wrong.

This could be one of those times.

I'm rooting for Joe.

[wisteria]

65. All of them except for Scaife's paper, The Tribune Review? n/t

[MH1]

What about the repuke owned Inky? That gives Santorum column space?

Oh yeah they endorsed Specter so they must be right.

[wisteria]

72. Oh, please. Santorum needs a job and it is a fair and balanced paper that presents

readers with commentary from more than one perspective. The Tribune Review is the exception. They bash Democrats and promote Republicans daily. Seems Dem's can not do anything right. And Scaife takes swipes at Senator Kerry or Teresa at least once a month.

[saltpoint]

70. Be careful. The light voters have to follow is from more than one

source.

You've been on this Scaife kick for a week now, and Specter's approval ratings are still in the 40s.

I think he's going down next Tuesday.

[wisteria]

74. I don't. It will all be in the end game and it will depend on turn out.

Specter has already at least recovered and tied with Sestak. This after you and others claimed Sestak's dumb, dubbed add was the nail in Specter's coffin and created a lot of media hype around it. Specter is a fighter and this isn't over till it is over. But, I am waging my bets on Specter. Do the people of PA really know Sestak? I don't think so.

[saltpoint]

77. One or the other of them will be smiling next Tuesday night.

The polling indicates a perilously close race.

Arlen Specter's approval ratings are in the 40s, described by one analyst as "lethal" territory.

I agree.

I also think the White House knows it has a very volatile situation on its hands.

Specter knows he has no other recourse but to hope Rendell and other heavy-hitters can somehow pull this out for him. Because his candidacy in and of itself is in serious jeopardy.

Sestak came from almost nowhere in the polling, wisteria. He was way, way down. Those people in Pennsylvania you say don't know Sestak evidently either know him well enough to have pulled him even or ahead of Arlen or else they know Arlen too well and prefer Sestak.

That's the basic arithmetic.

[wisteria]

86. Blah, Blah, Blah. All your polling data comes from the same sources.

Disgruntled voters don't vote- they stay at home. Angry voters come out to vote against someone, but I don't know of many people who are angry at Specter. I won't be smiling if Specter loses, but I know I voted for the better man. But, I don't think I need to worry about the tissues-because he is going to win.

[saltpoint]

102. No, it doesn't, as you know. And you're mistaken on the

important of approval ratings, wisteria.

Forty-percent or mid-forties is dangerous territory. Arlen has less than a week to find a way to overcome that.

And that is all Pennsylvania polling, not just for the Democratic primary, by the way.

[uberblonde]

95. Yeah, you and Pat Toomey.

He's made no secret of the fact that he wants to run against Sestak. Easier to beat!

[saltpoint]

99. The polling among Pennsylvanians says different, uberblonde.

In fact, Sestak runs closer to Toomey than Arlen.

Toomey is in trouble, actually. He's a kook and I don't think he has the chops for the general.

He's loaded to the gills with kook money but when you surround yourself with rabid animals, you're going to get bitten sooner or later.

[MH1]

100. Do you have links for that theory?

Don't like Rasmussen? F&M has it a dead heat with either matchup, but Sestak 1 point better than Specter.

Other analysis shows that Sestak has far more room to grow in his favorables. People already have their minds made up about Specter, and his favorability is barely 50%. That does NOT bode well for Dems if Specter is the nominee. (those poll data are linked on Real Clear Politics which carries a lot of different polls)

[MH1]

63. Does Specter's lousy environmental record not mean anything to you?

I guess that's an even bigger shocker to me about Kerry's 'endorsement' than anything else. But I won't say anything more about that, they are ALL politicians. MY calculation is based on who will vote for what I care about. Specter clearly will not. Sestak clearly will, most of the time (more than almost anyone else in the Senate now).

Sestak also has a few union endorsements - the smaller unions. Interesting, that. The big corrupt national organizations play out the political game, the independents go with the guy who actually supports their supposed values. Go figure.

[wisteria]

67. Well, Kerry's bill just might be bipartisan enough to win the vote of Specter. n/t

[AlinPA]

40. A pollster said the other day that many are driven to vote for Sestak because they are suspicious

of Specter for making the switch just before the election and that they may not really know much about Sestak.
Many of the comments that I have heard in my small world (I do come in contact with a lot of Democrats) about this race point to a distrust of Specter. I hear "will he switch back if he wins? Will he vote with the republicans after he wins? If he loses the primary will he retaliate by voting with republicans or switch back?" (I am also one of those who distrust Specter so I have some of those same concerns.) Indeed, they don't start first by trumpeting support for Sestak and that confirms that pollster's comments. But that does not make Sestak a bad choice. Because of his leadership background in the Navy, his education and service in congress (as was pointed out last night on DU) he is well qualified.

In my case, I have not been able to get past Specter's campaigning for Sarah Palin because it shows more than simple party loyalty - to me it shows a total lack of judgment.

I have observed that Specter is doing a lot of defense now, pointing out how he has voted on some issues to claim Democratic credentials.

At this point it is a matter of opinion as to who would do best against Toomey. Recent polls say that Sestak would do better.

[wisteria]

61. Yes, so. This is the what Sestak has based his entire campaign on.

Some may be suspicious, but many others know that Specter has always done things independent of the party he is associated with. This argument doesn't sway me.

[MH1]

66. Yeah, Thomas, Alito, Scalia, Roberts

very independent.

[wisteria]

75. Party votes and for balance on the court. I don't see anything wrong in this.

Specter says he has an open mind towards Kagan. If he doesn't go with her, I think that might say something about the pick.

[MH1]

79. Wow. You support Thomas, Scalia, Alito, and Roberts?

:wow:

[wisteria]

94. I am bored with this. All you Sestak supporters talk among yourself and

confirm each others points of view.

[uberblonde]

96. That's because Toomey just started running his ads.

That gap will close quickly if Sestak gets the nomination.

[krawhitham]

28. Specter can win the general while Sestak can not

[wisteria]

31. Exactly. And, Specter will have the massive Democratic machine behind him.

Even though Sestak is claiming Democrats don't like Specter, he is wrong. Many progressive Democrats don't like him, but Specter has a lot of powerful and influential friends within the party who will be working their asses off for him.

[MH1]

38. Sestak will have that same machine

Didn't Rendell work hard for Obama, after first supporting Hillary?

Same deal will happen here.

[wisteria]

48. Nope, Clinton did not thumb her nose at the party and try to claim there were insider games going on

You can't screw over the party and expect to bring everyone back on board if you win. And, I know many Democrats who are pushing for Specter-including myself, who figure we have lost the general election to Toomey if Sestak wins and will invest our time in other candidates. I just don't know how enthusiastic Democrats across the country and in PA are going to be about contributing to Sestak. My opinion and gut feeling about this, of course-no link.

[MH1]

52. So you go with the "sit down and shut up" line of the party?

Not me.

[MH1]

53. The Dems WILL back Sestak if he wins

they don't want to lose the seat. And they won't.

But they damn sure seem to be willing to give it to a DINO. The DSCC will never see another dime of my money, that's for sure. (okay that's been true for awhile, didn't take me long to figure out how they play)

[saltpoint]

68. Agree. Democrats in Pennsylvania are not going to sit the general

out if the candidate they hoped to win the primary is defeated.

Toomey is a strong motivating factor for Democratic Party chairs to work many overtime hours (they do this already, actually) to elect the blue guy over the red guy in November.

The polling indicates that quite a damn few Pennsylvania Democrats are now backing Joe over Arlen. Arlen's facing extinction here in about 6 days unless the heavy-hitters do some serious behind-the-scenes work.

I'm rooting for Joe.

[wisteria]

80. I said, they will provide support, but it will be mediocre, because the idea of him losing the

general election is very ingrained in the mindset. You forget, these people have seem Toomey run before. Rendell has said, that the road to beat Toomey would be better with a candidate like Arlen Specter. He stopped short of saying that Sestak didn't have a chance in hell, but was politically correct when he said, Specter's internals were better than Sestaks in the general election. I know I have no intention of supporting Sestak, I will put my efforts elsewhere.

[saltpoint]

82. And several posters have indicated that you are wrong about the general,

wisteria.

I'm not seeing county Dem chairs sitting out the November election, whether they endorsed Joe or Arlen for the primary. They'll turn out, in huge numbers, to whip Toomey.

You're just completely wrong on that, IMO.

[wisteria]

87. And, do they have inside info like I do? Or are they just expressing their opinion. n/t

[MH1]

92. where is your inside info? you claim that, but never have links.

so nothing you claim can be verified.

"inside info" is really convenient isn't it.

[saltpoint]

107. Well, you have one slice of experience. Others appear to have other,

differing slices.

I like the whole range.

[uberblonde]

101. Not to mention how he screwed Obama...

By proclaiming he was offered a job to step aside for Specter. What a dumbass thing to say. Politicians count on each other's word - and if you can't be trusted to keep quiet, you won't go far.

And by the way, Bryan Lentz was offered a deal to step aside for Sestak, who'd just become a Democrat and hadn't lived in the district for three decades. But deal-making by party bosses is okay if Joe is the beneficiary!

[MH1]

36. Why do you say that?

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2010/senate/2010_pennsylvania_senate_race.html

look at all three and notice the trend.

[WeDidIt]

37. Actually, Sestak is polling better against Toomey than Specter

Last Rasmussen poll showed specter would lose bad while Sestak is neck and neck.

[wisteria]

91. Rassmusen is a repub poll and their polling always is wrong.

Repubs have a vested interest in seeing Sestak take this, for one, many Republicans dislike Specter because he is a RINO, and 2, they know enough now about Sestak to know they can bet him in the general. Why do you think so many Republicans contributed to Sestak's campaign?

[saltpoint]

118. Agree that Ras leans right but their Pennsylvania polling over the last

half-decade especially has been razor-sharp, often within half a percentage point of the final results.

They aren't my favorite national polling group but they own Pennsylvania.

[MadBadger]

44. Can you back that up with any polls?

[saltpoint]

46. Current polling indicate that the reverse is true --

-- that Sestak is far closer to Toomey -- within the margin of error, in fact -- and that Specter is decidedly the weaker opponent in the general.

[WeDidIt]

35. He's really gone downhill since the fitrst polls showing Toomey would clobber him in the GOP primary

and it's been a fast downhill run, too.

It's kind of sad, but not a complete surprise.

He'll do fine as an "expert" on the talking head circuit, though.

[tekisui]

42. knr! Fugg Specter.

[saltpoint]

43. Their ages notwithstanding, I'm rooting for Joe.

[TexasObserver]

47. Sphincter is going down, finally. Good riddance, too.

The only thing he's always stood for is Arlen Specter.

[depakid]

62. Ain't that the truth

[wisteria]

85. Well not living in PA I would like to know how the hell you would know anything about the man

and our state. Think what you want. Your opinion doesn't equal votes for Sestak in this race.

[MH1]

97. unless he sends Sestak lots of money to run TV ads

like the not-living-in-Pennsylvania DSCC is doing for Specter.

[TexasObserver]

98. There's this thing called the Internet and this other thing called TV ....

Go to your state forum if you only want to hear from people who are from Pennsylvania.

If you only want to hear from people who agree with you, well, you're out of luck.

[saltpoint]

113. But Pennsylvania Senators' votes affect the lives of all U.S. citizens.

One hundred Senators draft bills and vote up or down on their passage, and once the laws are enacted they affect citizens in any of the states and in all of the states.

So it is natural for someone who follows public service and politics to pay attention to other states' political races.

Including the Democratic primary in Pennsylvania.

In which, I'm rooting for Joe Sestak.

[Jennicut]

76. Both are matching up better against Toomey per this poll:

The latest Franklin & Marshall University poll of the Pennsylvania Senate race out today suggests that whichever candidate is chosen as the Democratic nominee May 18, the bitterly-fought primary could leave the party in a better position in the Fall.

According to the poll, both Rep. Joe Sestak and Sen. Arlen Specter are running neck-and-neck with likely Republican nominee Pat Toomey. Past polls have shown Toomey well ahead in a general election matchup.

Toomey has a 35-33 lead over Specter in the F&M poll, which was conducted May 3-9 and included 1023 registered voters. Toomey has a 29-28 lead over Sestak in the poll, which has a margin of error of 3.1%. http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/05/poll-both-dems-doing-better-against-toomey-in-pa-sen.php

So, I would vote for Sestak as he was always a Dem if I were in PA. If Specter wins, I would get behind him to avoid Toomey.
Also, I would take Specter any day over Lieberman, my current Senator.

[saltpoint]

78. HI, Jennicut. On Toomey -- yes, he's something of a

monster.

A VERY scary individual.

[Jennicut]

84. He needs to be avoided at all costs.

Since both Sestak and Specter are most likely to do well, I think Dems may naturally gravitate to Sestak out of original party loyalty. But I don't know PA as well as CT. I have only been to the West Chester/Philly area a few times to visit a childhood friend. I did like it there a lot.
Toomey seems very nutty. Specter is not the best but a moderate old school Rethug is not as bad as a Toomey-type.

[saltpoint]

112. Toomey is bonkers on a good day and this Dracula-in-a-suit ogre

the rest of the time.

I agree with your take -- Dems are going to show up to defeat Toomey, no matter who wins the primary.

It's interesting that Specter changed parties in part to avoid a primary contest with Toomey, who almost whipped him last time. It was a very close finish.

Now, Arlen face's a strong challenge from Joe in the OTHER party's primary.

There's no rest for the wicked.

[wisteria]

83. This poll is not reliable-period. And, Sestak does not have a chance in hell against Toomey.

The Republican machine is going to crush him. He is to great of a risk in the general election.

[Jennicut]

88. I am looking for more polls. All I have is Rasmussen.

Likely Republican nominee Pat Toomey still runs strongly against incumbent Senator Arlen Specter, but Pennsylvana’s U.S. Senate contest is a dead heat if his Democratic opponent is Congressman Joe Sestak.

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely Pennsylvania voters finds Toomey earning 50% support for the second month in a row against Specter, who picks up 38% of the vote.

For the incumbent, that’s down slightly from the 40% level he’s been at since the first of the year in match-ups with Toomey. Seven percent (7%) now opt for another candidate, while six percent (6%) are undecided.

Against Sestak, however, Toomey gets just 42% support, while his Democratic opponent earns 40% of the vote. Ten percent (10%) prefer some other candidate in the race, and nine percent (9%) are undecided. Last month, Toomey posted a 47% to 36% lead over Sestak.http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/pennsylvania/2010_senate_election/election_2010_pennsylvania_senate

I don't dislike Specter, actually. You do what you have to do to survive in politics. Like Crist. With Lieberman, he got more Rethugs, some independents and some Dems to vote for him. He went too far to the right and lost the indies and Dems so his approval is like 30% now. Idiot. I voted for Lamont, not trusting him anymore. Plus, he ran as an indie and did not switch parties. Maybe people were fooled. Oh well.

[saltpoint]

103. Not sure about Hell, but in Pennsylvania, Sestak runs closer than Arlen

in a proposed matchup with Toomey.

[uberblonde]

104. Sestak was NOT always a Dem.

He became a Dem four and a half years ago, right after Rahm recruited him for his Congressional seat.

Geeze, people are so damned naive about this stuff.

[saltpoint]

105. But we know that. We also know that Arlen Specter is a

Bush-supporting hack who switched parties "so I could get re-elected," in his own words.

I'm rooting for Joe.

[MH1]

108. Sestak worked for Clinton in the 90's.

he may not have been registered as a democrat but he worked for Clinton.

[Jennicut]

109. You are correct. Sestak was an independent and then became a Dem in 2006.

I did look it up. Had no idea. Well, that makes me wonder why all the jumping on Specter then? I guess it should really come down to who is better on the overall issues and can Specter be totally trusted?

[MH1]

110. Sestak worked for Clinton in the 90's.

maybe that doesn't count, I don't know.

But you can check voting records at Project Vote Smart.

[saltpoint]

111. Agree. IN that Project Vote Smart is a key stat. The ACLU in 2007 gave

Joe Sestak a 100 percent rating.

Specter's rating was 57.

[AlinPA]

121. Please see post 120.

[AlinPA]

120. He was in the Navy as an Admiral until 2005 and at that rank (as Army Generals do),

was Independent. At that high rank they do not display party affiliation and stay neutral as far as registration goes.

[saltpoint]

114. Specter, speaking to Allegheny County Democrats, thanks Allegheny Republicans

instead.

http://www.politicspa.com/politico-specters-verbal-slip-ups-dont-aid-his-effort-to-sway-dems/10911/


He meant to say Democrats.

I think.

[saltpoint]

117. This is a good contrast page for Sestak vs. Specter:

http://garnetdonkey.com/2009/05/27/specter-v-sestak-by-the-numbers/

-- showing that Sestak is by far the more progressive candidate for the primary next Tuesday.

[ProgressOnTheMove]

119. I at first felt a bit sorry for Specter facing all those tea partiers, but Sestak is the way to go.

[Donnachaidh]

124. sestak comes across as an smarmy, oozy, oily used car salesman to me

That annoying habit he has of kicking into his *political lingo* in a voice that just oozes *I know I need to say I care, but I don't* just irritates the shit out of me. I know he's a Dem, but I'm glad I don't live in Pennsylvania. I'd have problems voting for EITHER of them.

And nice AGEIST op dude. Do you push old ladies out of the way when they go too slow for you? :sarcasm: