Nope, Sorry, Sestak Is Not Officially In Senate Race
Joe Sestak’s deliberations continue. It turns out that he has not officially made the decision to challenge Arlen Specter in the 2010 Pennsylvania Senate primary, his spokesperson confirms.
This morning Sestak made a big splash by telling a local paper, The Wayne Independent, that he would definitely enter the race. “I am going to get into the race against Arlen Specter,” Sestak said, in what was billed as the first media interview in a barnstorm tour of all of Pennsylvania’s counties.
But Sestak spokesperson Jonathon Dworkin tells me that in fact, Sestak has not made a final decision. Dworkin says Sestak told the paper what he’s been saying to everyone else: He’s still talking to his family about whether to run.
“He mentioned his daughter in the interview,” Dworkin said. “He hasn’t made a final decision. He’s still on the same timeline as before. That has not changed.”
Dworkin confirmed, however, that Sestak had set forth on a tour of all of Pennsylvania’s counties. But is he in the race yet?
Nope. Sorry.
Update: Commenter sgwhiteinfla says all the deliberating and consulting with family will leave Sestak vulnerable to a political attack along these lines: “Will he have to ask the family dog when tough votes come up in the Senate?”
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Greg, has this EVER happened with any senate candidate wanting to run? Jeez, the old saying, “$hit or get off the pot”.
That dude is really damaging himself at this point.
Is it really any different than forming an “exploratory committee”? Does it really matter when he announces…patience is a virtue.
sgw- I agree… I like the guy, but this is really needs to get it together.
Jack
Honestly I wouldn’t care if he just stayed quiet about it or if he gave a date certain about when he would decide. But when you go from interview to interview invoking this family member and that family member the stuff gets old. Just shut up about it already, we get it. Hell if I was in a primary with him I would make fun of it. I would be like “Will he have to ask the family dog when tough votes come up in the Senate”. I like him and I think he is a good Rep and could potentially be a decent Senatory but he is turning himself into a cartoon.
sg — that family dog line is genius.
LOL thanks.
How does Sestak have time to talk about a potential run with every CNN/Fox/MSNBC commentator with a time slot opening yet still can’t find time to sit down with his daughter for an hour? He should be ashmaed of the way he is using his daughter as a political shield/tool.
Yeah, this deliberating really isn’t helping, especially since his road to a victory is a steep uphill climb.
I’m not familiar with the state’s financial disclosure laws, but is there some advantage for him to wait it out a little longer?
–Is it really any different than forming an “exploratory committee”?–
Well…Not many exploratory committees have the final say by an 8-year old.
This all sounds like great fodder for a political cartoonist. Can someone draw an outhouse with a sign: “Do not disturb. Sestak Senate Deliberations”
Mark-
It’s not state, but Federal rules. He has to disclose his June 30th fundraising numbers by July 15th.
Perhaps this is why, as a constiuent I have not been able to get an appointment to see Congressman Sestak. I’m conducting dissertation research in the field of health reform which I have shared with the congressman’s office since he first became a Member of Congress. In November I sent a follow up email requesting a meeting to share my research. I received a voice mail acknowleding receipt of the request and that’s the extent of the constituent service; maybe he’s asking around to determine if he should see me.
Sestak can ill afford to squander resources on a Senate bid. He must conserve his resources for those legal bills looming on the hroizon. Right, Congressman?