Sestak Predicts Unions Won’t Back Specter Without EFCA Shift
* Dem Rep Joe Sestak, who’s mulling a Dem primary challenge to Arlen Specter, just flatly predicted after meeting with SEIU chief Andy Stern this afternoon that the unions won’t back Specter in the primary if he doesn’t drop his opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act.
“I cannot see the unions across the board supporting Specter if he cannot support EFCA,” Sestak said in an interview with me a few moments ago. “[Stern] let it be known that it’s very much on the top of their agenda.”
Sestak cautioned that Stern didn’t directly address the 2010 primary. But he said the meeting went “great,” strongly suggesting that SEIU is seriously considering supporting him or another primary challenger to Specter. “It was very clear that there were a number of issues we agree on,” Sestak said of his much-anticipated meeting with Stern.
Sestak also confirmed that he’d almost certainly get in the race if Specter doesn’t show a major ideological change of heart. “If he doesn’t demonstrate that he has shifted his position on a number of issues, I would not hesitate at all to get in,” Sestak said.
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Happy Hour Open Thread:
* It turns out that Sarah Palin will work with the GOP’s big new initiative to remake the party, after all.
I reported earlier today that she had yet to respond to invitations from the office of Eric Cantor, who’s running the effort. But now Cantor spokesperson Brad Dayspring confirms to me that Palin’s camp told them she’d be on board. Earlier, a spokesperson for Palin confirmed her involvement to The Politico.
* Speaking of the potential Sestak-Specter matchup, Sam Stein reports that Howard Dean is warning of a primary, too.
* Brian Beutler talks to someone with a unique perspective on GOP Senator Jeff Sessions’ new influence over the SCOTUS battle.
* Michael Calderone and Steve Benen are appropriately skeptical Arlen Specter’s claim that he never promised to be a “loyal Democrat.”
* Jed Lewison describes the sensation of watching Mitt Romney suggest that Sarah Palin’s looks alone earned her a spot on the list of Time’s most influential:
It’s like watching Ken attack Barbie for being plastic.
Ouch.
* TPM reports on RNC chair Michael Steele’s latest outreach to moderates: Feel free to join the party, just don’t try to change it.
* Dan Froomkin skewers the notion that public awareness of torture should absolve those who committed it.
* Markos Moulitsas predicts that organized conservative opposition to Obama’s eventual SCOTUS pick will eventually fizzle — just as liberal opposition to conservative SCOTUS picks did.
* Did Senator Jim DeMint shove Specter out of the GOP? Congressional Quarterly makes the case.
* Here’s today’s installment in the Michele Bachmann chronicles.
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Looks like this Specter deal is shaping up as another potential train wreck for Harry Reid and the Dem establishment. Trouble ahead.
Agreed, it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that this is going to be potentially difficult to navigate. I’d say that unless Specter translates into real gains for Dems, they’re going to have a tough time explaining the opposition to any kind of primary.
I agree with Greg Sargent. Hopefully there will be good competition for Specter in the primary, especially if he continues to be the bluest dog “Democrat” we’ve seen in a long time.
When Specter voted against the cram-down provision he showed he was a traitor to the Democrats, as well as the Republicans.
He is a relic that needs to retire or get his *** whipped in the Democratic primary in 2010.
Where do I contribute to Sestak at?
Sestak may be a Dem, but he easily assumes the manner of a blowhard, flagwaving Republican. He is not ready for the big leagues. And he needs to stop posturing himself as some sort of big combat guy. He was a master ship driver admiral and nothing more. Luckily for him, he never had the opportunity to win a lot of combat medals. He needs to learn his craft and earn his spurs before taking on Specter.
Sure glad Arlen is now your headache. Enjoy.
I’ll give the first $100 bucks if he doesn’t support efca. What good is 60 if it is only on BS issues
I got a $100 bucks for Sestak to run against Specter. It’s time for PA Dems to put Specter out to pasture.
Specter’s good as gone if he votes against EFCA and UNI-HC!! and he knows it. he’s probably going, ‘damn i thought going DEM was gonna liberate me’!!?? be careful what you ask for Arlen ole boy!!!
The unions offered to back Specter in the GOP primary in exchange for EFCA support. In GOP primary, union support wouldn’t have been enough anyway.
If Sestak was in a Dem primary, unions would be very important.
Right now, it’s in the GOP interest to back Sestak to do their dirty work.
Specter has 6.5 million in the bank, Sestak 3.5. Without a Dem challenger, Specter could have 10 million against GOP. If these two fight it out, they’ll both be broke after the primary.
None of these polls take into account the bank accounts, which will be depleted after a Primary.
I can’t stand Specter and my friends and I are NOT going to vote for him. I wish we can get rid of those rabid ‘blu-dogs’ and ‘blu-face conservadems’ but what can we do when PA is just as bad as those other states not sending REAL DEMS to assist the President! I don’t understand how they can face their homeless and those who are being foreclosed on and explain why they voted in favor of the banks! I just don’t understand it at all…
Specter is like my Daddy always said about some, “He is anyones dog that will hunt with him” May the dem have a long hunt with their new DOG Arlen Specter. I hope they send him the the kennels to stay….May his retirement be long a nd happy
Hello. I am Jenny. Im new to the forum and just wanted to say i welcome all of you and hope we will have some fun here together
Good points, I think I will definitely subscribe! I’ll go and read some more! What do you see the future of this being?