Democratic Rep. Sestak Considers Primary Challenge to Specter

Source: Associated Press

Thursday, May 07, 2009

Rep. Joe Sestak, a former Navy vice admiral, says he's seriously considering challenging newest Democrat Arlen Specter in next year's Pennsylvania Senate primary.

Sestak told The Associated Press Thursday he's concerned that Washington's Democratic establishment has picked a candidate who may not be the best for the party's voters in Pennsylvania.

The suburban Philadelphia congressman says he has concerns about Specter's voting record -- particularly his recent vote against the Democratic-backed budget.

He says Specter's decision to break with the Republican Party and become a Democrat moved him closer to running. He anticipates a decision in the coming weeks.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/05/07/democratic-rep-sestak-considers-primary-challenge-specter/

Your only chance for survival is to get on the bus.

Hill during her testimony. Also what is to keep him from returning to the GOP as soon as he is re-elected? He has made quite clear that he has no allegiance to the dems. He is a moderate and so I will not be totally offended if he is returned to Congress, but there has to be someone better. Sestak would likely be that person. Sestek needs to start now, however, to get enough momentum to defeat a multi-term senator. Sestek should get the unions easily. The one thing that I hope does not happen is for the Toomey right sing hack to take this seat.

sharply criticized for and everything came out for the better. Could this possibly be what is happening here? Could this have been what was "planned" all along? Just wondering.

The most likely scenario:

--Sestak will challenge Specter.
--Obama & establishment Dems will support Specter.
--Sestak will win the nomination (Pennsylvania Dems aren't idiots).
--Specter will run as an independent.
--Obama and establishment Dems will support Specter instead of Sestak, the Democratic nominee.
--Lieberman will win and we'll be stuck with him for another six years (Oh wait... did I say Lieberman? Sorry, I meant Specter).

For starters, I doubt the Dem establishment would support an independent over a Dem, any more than they supported Lieberman after the primary.

Second, PA has a "sore loser" clause. If you lose a primary, you cannot run as an independent.

They (dlcc) did not give money to real Dem candidate. They did nothing to discourage Lieberman from running against the Democrat, which they should have. HOw did they NOT support him?
ok, maybe they did not stand on a box and say "I support Joe Lieberman".
When a progressive runs against the blue dog Dem they spend real money to get rid of the challenge. But not when a right winger runs against the chosen Dem.

"I doubt the Dem establishment would support an independent over a Dem, any more than they supported Lieberman after the primary."

Think again.

-- A standing ovation at a caucus meeting when their buddy Joe got back to the Senate after his primary loss.

-- Bill Clinton on Larry King Live September 20, 2006... KING: "Are you supporting Lamont?" CLINTON: "I am but, you know, my -- I don't have the same view of this as some people do. My view is Connecticut is an unmitigated blessing for the Democrats because Lieberman has said if he wins he's going to vote with us to organize the Senate." A blatant stab in Lamont's back... telling Connecticut Dems that there's no difference between Lieberman and Lamont. Pure treachery.

-- After the primary, Obama offered tepid support to Lamont online, while avoiding appearances with Lamont in CT during the race.

-- Harry Reid promising Lieberman seniority.

-- Chuck Schumer refusing to get involved and practically being forced to not back Lieberman after the primary.

...and on and on.

We have Dem establishment treachery to thank for Lieberman, and they'll do anything they can to help Specter beat a Dem.

On your other point, I did not know a loser of the PA primary cannot run as an independent. Thanks for the info.

Nobody wants him, and he will not be a good candidate.

Card's kids. http://www.dkosopedia.com/wiki/Stephen_Colbert

Only problem is, Obama said he would help Arlen raise money. So where does that leave this guy?

Think I'll call my cousin in Pennsy and see what he thinks. He's a smart Democrat--and a union man. If he thinks Sestak has a chance, even if Obama campaigns for Specter, I'm calling Sestak's office to ask if I can contribute to his Senate campaign yet.

:kick:

no way ole magic bullet can withstand the onslaught of the netroots.
yes we can.

He's awfully impressive. And Specter is not.

I hope the good Democrats in Pennsylvania pick the real McCoy in the primary.

I mean, Specter's move is fun for the poke-in-the-eye effect on the GOP.

But long-term, he's always been about Arlen, and that will continue. Ridge might have been a serious contender, but if he's out, then we ought to have Sestack (sp?) run in a primary and win.

and back to f away. The last thing we need is a primary battle and the Grand Old Pubes take advantage of it. If the President is backing Specter then there has to be a good reason. Personal ambition isnt whats important here.

nnnm