Comments on: Sestak Discusses Senate Race With Family; Dad Tells Him To Run

By: Richard Saunders

Richard Saunders — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:42:11 +0000

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.

By: Steve Spence

Steve Spence — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:43:13 +0000

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.

By: Phil Bill

Phil Bill — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:27:39 +0000

He beats Specter

By: par4

par4 — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:29:07 +0000

Better a conservadem like Sestak than a weathervane like Specter. How can you trust Specter once he’s reelected?

By: RSR

RSR — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:36:12 +0000

@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

By: Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:17:09 +0000

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.

He needs to figure out something special beyond this bag of tricks – perhaps roping in activist groups like MoveOn etc. to bank roll his campaign.

By: sgwhiteinfla

sgwhiteinfla — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:07:04 +0000

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.

By: sgwhiteinfla

sgwhiteinfla — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:58:32 +0000

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.