Sen. Jack Reed Says Thanks But No Thanks To Sestak Endorsement

Sen. Jack Reed appreciates the sort of bizarre endorsement he received for majority leader from the man trying to unseat one of his colleagues, but says he isn't interested.

A few days ago TPMDC interviewed Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA), who is challenging newly turned Democrat Sen. Arlen Specter in the state's primary this spring. Sestak minced no words about a lack of leadership in the Senate, and was silent for several moments when I asked him who in the Senate would make a better majority leader than Harry Reid.

"I don't know them all well enough. I like Jack Reed. ... No one jumps to mind," Sestak told me.

It was an off-hand and sort of funny remark since Reed (D-RI) is highly regarded but not currently a member of the party's leadership team.

Reed spokesman Chip Unruh emailed me a comment, unsolicited, after the Sestak piece came out.

"Senator Reed respects and appreciates Congressman Sestak's service to the nation, but he strongly supports both Leader Reid as well as his colleague Senator Specter's reelection," he said.