Sestak Discusses Senate Race With Family; Dad Tells Him To Run
Joe Sestak — who has been saying that the last thing standing between him and a challenge to Arlen Specter is a conversation with his family — has now started discussing the race with family members and has even gotten a thumbs-up from his father.
Sestak revealed the discussions — which suggest that he’s about to get into the race — in a fundraising email I obtained. Sestak writes:
I wanted to relay to you a conversation I recently had with my 88 year-old Dad … the man I admire most in life and whom I always wanted to be like.
I asked my Dad if I should run for the U.S. Senate and, with a heart-felt smile on his face and in his unassuming way … as so many members of his “greatest generation” were … he simply said “absolutely, why not”.
The letter also previews Sestak’s campaign strategy, which is to describe Specter as a pro-Bush Republican — despite his switch — and indict the Democratic establishment for foisting him on rank-and-file Pennsylvania Dems:
The Washington D.C. “establishment” has told us that THEIR standard-bearer for Pennsylvania Democrats should be a 45-year Republican Party member who stood “shoulder-to-shoulder” with George W. Bush on the President’s failed policies that we are now suffering from … and now the D.C. insiders are telling us we are to vote for this Republican.
This one could really happen.
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No it can’t. I would like to say it could, and as far as him being in the race I think that part will and should happen. But he is going to get crushed like a bug. Especially now that Specter is shifting left on stuff like EFCA and defending Sotomayor. If he keeps bending left Sestak won’t have a chance in hell. Which is a shame because it would mean he will also lose his House seat. What I really hope is that he keeps playing this “What if” game through out the summer and into the fall until we get to see if Specter actually toes the line then, if he does, pull back and just go for his House seat. Now if Specter doesn’t follow through he should absolutely stay in but I still am beginning to think it will be a hard slog either way.
To go further, what has me discouraged is that some labor leaders have actually spoken up in favor of Specter since he crossed over. Especially after he spoke at a rally a month or so ago saying stuff like “Specter has always been with us when it counted”. To me if labor doesn’t back Sestak he has no chance.
Sestak needs to raise a lot of money to compete with Specter. Everyone is going to adopt Obama style new media web/social network/email messaging.
@sgwhiteinfla
I agree that Sestak’s flanking of Specter forces Specter to the left, which lessens Sestak’s ability to compete. It’ll be interesting to see how big an “R” Sestak trys to hang around Specter’s neck, and how successful that strategy is.
Also, in the fundraising letter is a 7 day/$70,000 fundraising goal, which I believe is a critical component to Sestak’s decision.
There’s new polling from F&M which shows Specter vunerable, even among dems.
And I don’t think rank and file labor is all too pleased with Specter’s machinations. See this post about a Steelworkers event:
Sestak Cheered By Steelworkers, Specter Disinvited
http://www.openleft.com/diary/13901/pasen-sestak-cheered-by-steelworkers-specter-disinvited
Better a conservadem like Sestak than a weathervane like Specter. How can you trust Specter once he’s reelected?
He beats Specter
Sestak has impeccable military credentials that he can use even against a veteran like Specter.
Mark – regarding campaign finances, he has appreciable surplus from the congressional campaign that will give him a great head start. Folks who voted and contributed to his congressional campaign are a good base to tap into for a senate campaign.
Check the linkage between Sestak, his District Manager Walsh & an entity called the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA). This is a trade/lobbying group for the porkers that feed at the defense budget trough. Sestak & Walsh have been honorees of these folks, among whose membership includes the likes of Bechtel, BlackWater USA etc. A big bit of hypocrisy…criticizing torture while “palling around” with the likes of BlackWater.
Also, if Sestak is so effective & such a good leader, why does his office lead (or come close to leading) in staff turnover? Perhaps he still thinks he has all that scrambled egg on his cap.