Primary may yet trip up Specter

[Earth Bound Misfit]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/regional/s_624663.html

Ask U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak about the wisdom of taking on the leading names of the Democratic Party to run against Sen. Arlen Specter in the 2010 Democratic primary, and he'll laugh.

"I very much have an appreciation for the Washington political establishment, but I don't think it's their choice," said Sestak, a two-term congressman from Delaware County. "It is Pennsylvania's choice."

Sestak, 58, is a retired Navy admiral-turned-politician. He's weighing a possible Senate run against Specter, 79, whose recent abandonment of the Republican Party drew promises of support from President Obama, Sen. Bob Casey and Gov. Ed Rendell, all popular Democrats among the state's electorate.

snip

Sestak appears to be gaining support to run against Specter, a five-term incumbent. On Monday, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, a coalition of former MoveOn.org staff, union organizers and Democratic campaigners, debuted a "Draft Sestak" campaign fund. The online effort will raise money that would be signed over to Sestak -- who has a $3 million-plus war chest -- if he runs for the Senate.

Committee spokesman Adam Green said his group started the fund after reviewing an online straw poll in which about 85 percent of voters participating preferred Sestak over Specter (www.Sestakpoll.com).

Western Pennsylvania Democrats say they will weigh their choices carefully.

"The approach of the Democratic rank and file is, let's wait and see," said Allegheny County Democratic Committee Chairman Jim Burn.

State Rep. Bill Kortz, D-Dravosburg, and former Rendell aide Joseph Torsella of Philadelphia say they intend to seek the Democratic nomination. Pundits and politicos are watching Sestak.

snip

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce rated Sestak 60 percent on its issues in 2007, compared with 82 percent for Specter. The AFL-CIO gave Specter a 68 percent rating in 2007, and Sestak a 96 percent rating for his votes on organized labor's priorities.

Both Specter and Sestak rank health care reform high on their agendas.

Labor leaders are pressing Specter for his failure to support the Employee Free Choice Act, commonly known as card check. The legislation would have made it easier for labor unions to organize.

More at link.

[mth44sc]

1. I so want to write a check or contribute on-line

to any viable dem who takes on this race.

[Purveyor]

3. I'm with you on that... eom

[Dinger]

13. Me Too

I hope he runs against specter.:patriot:

[rpannier]

2. What a novel idea...

Put it to a vote.

Don't let DC politicos decide it for the people

[Wednesdays]

4. K&R

:kick:

[Cha]

5. Joe Sestak sounds so

cool. I heard him on a radio interview with Cenk last week and he was superlative!

[Earth Bound Misfit]

6. Agree, he is impressive. n/t

[billyoc]

7. I'll move to PA to campaign for Sestak if Specter fucks us on EFCA.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

8. Need a roommate?

SERIESLY!!!11!!

[billyoc]

11. Hell, it's a day trip for you.

:hi:

[Earth Bound Misfit]

15. Yeah, but gas is rising again.

:fistbump:

[Cha]

9. There could be a huge influx to PA

in 2010 like when a lot of New Yorkers, etc, etc, went there in 2008 to help out President Obama.

[billyoc]

12. Exactly. The AFL-CIO will come down on Specter like a plague of locusts.

[tabbycat31]

22. it's an hour's drive for me

I spent Election day in PA last year doing a massive GOTV effort. I'm willing to do it again in 2010

[wisteria]

10. Your article comes from the Scaife owned paper who's owner is personally pushing Tomey.

Richard Mellon Scaife wanted so bad to get rid of Specter. I don't care if you oppose Specter, but please don't post links to Republican rag newspapers.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

14. Done.

Obviously, I had no idea this was the case.

It's Toomey, btw.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

16. Good

NO pol should ever be "guaranteed" or promised a slot. They should have to earn it- by rightly winning it. Seems pretty normal for a free society.

[CK_John]

17. Age and health will be too big a factor for Specter to overcome. IMO,

he should resign early while he can enjoy it.

[TexasObserver]

18. Why would any Democrat vote for Sphincter?

I believe he will be history no matter what party's primary he runs in.

He's stayed around too long, and he's never been worth a shit.

[quiller4]

20. You may be right but not for the reason you think.

I've been looking at photographs of Spector and comparing those taken in Nov-Jan with more recent shots. He looks like his health is deteriorating. It would not surprise me greatly if he did not live out his current term in office and that Biden knew that to be likely and convinced him to switch so that the Democratic governor would appoint his replacement.

[Clear Blue Sky]

19. Specter is a snake, regardless of which letter comes after his name now...

[mgcgulfcoast]

21. i will also support sestak

he is a real democrat.

[ShadowLiberal]

23. I think Sestak is just trying to scare Specter to the left, he won't challenge him

I think the actions of Specter's other opponent, Joe Torsella, say just how powerful the pressure of the establishment is to not challenge Specter (plus Sestak who hadn't even announced he's running for the senate was getting all the attention at taking Specter down in a primary, not Torsella).

A 538 analysis of Specter' votes shows that the pressure is working to, and Specter's moving to the left.

[IndianaGreen]

24. Specter is a POS. Let Pennsylvania Democrats choose a real Democrat.

Torsella is not a blue dog Democrat, like Sestak is, but I would rather have Sestak than the man that gave us the single bullet theory.