Roundup

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | October 18, 2009, 1:02PM

Jarrett: Obama 'Not Demanding' Public Option
Appearing on Meet The Press, White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett made it clear that President Obama is not demanding that a public option must be included in the health care bill: "He's not demanding that it's in there. He thinks it's the best possible choice. But I think, David [Gregory], let's not underestimate how much progress we've made. The fact that there's agreement on so much means that we are right on the brink of delivering for the American people, and that's a positive sign for our country."

Specter: GOP 'A Party Of Obstructionism' With No Plan
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) blasted his former party: "On the Republican side, it is no, no, no -- a party of obstructionism. You have responsible Republicans who had been in the Senate -- like Howard Baker, Bob Dole, or Bill Frist -- who say Republicans ought to cooperate. Well, they're not cooperating ... Take a look at the absence of any Republican plan."

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Arlen Specter

New Sestak Site to Hit "The Real Specter" as a 30-Year Republican

Brian Beutler | October 5, 2009, 10:05AM

Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) probably saw this one coming. His primary challenger, Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA), plans to launch a new website called TheRealSpecter2010.com highlighting Specter's 30-year career as a Republican, his support for the McCain-Palin ticket, and his early (though now reversed) opposition to a number of Democratic policies, including a public health insurance option.

The site will feature the below video, which compares statements Specter made earlier this year with those of the Democrats' likely Republican challenger Pat Toomey:

Sestak has taken shots at Specter for his Republican past before, but it's shaping up to be one of the key themes of his campaign going forward.

Afghanistan

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | October 2, 2009, 8:58AM

Obama Meets With McChrystal
President Obama met today with Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the head of American and NATO troops in Afghanistan. McChrystal flew to Copenhagen from London, and the two met for 25 minutes on Air Force One.

Obama's Day: Campaigning For The Olympics
President Obama arrived in Copenhagen at 2:10 a.m. ET (8:10 a.m. local time). He delivered remarks at the Chicago 2016 presentation at 2:50 a.m. ET, and he and other Chicago 2016 panel members participated in a 3:40 a.m. ET question and answer session with IOC members. Obama and the First Lad attended an informal IOC reception at 4 a.m. ET, and they were greeted at 4:45 a.m. ET by Queen Margrethe II and Prince Consort Henrik. Obama met at 5:20 a.m. ET with Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen. They departed from Copenhagen at 6:55 a.m. ET, and are scheduled to arrive back at the White House at 3:30 p.m. ET. Obama will deliver brief remarks at 4 p.m. ET.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | September 15, 2009, 9:07AM

Obama Privately Calls Kanye West A Jackass; ABC Apologizes For Publishing It
During an interview with CNBC, President Obama called Kanye West a "jackass" for his behavior at the MTV Video Music Awards -- which ABC News then published on Twitter, even though that was intended to have been an off-the-record comment. ABC has now apologized: "This was done before our editorial process had been completed. That was wrong. We apologize to the White House and CNBC and are taking steps to ensure that it will not happen again."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will depart form the White House at 9 a.m. ET, arriving at 10:15 a.m. ET at Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport in Ohio. At 10:40 a.m. ET, he will host a roundtable discussion with workers at the Lordstown Complex General Motors Plant in Warren, Ohio, and he will deliver remarks on the economy at 11:10 a.m. ET. He will depart from Warren at 11:50 a.m. ET, arriving at 12:20 p.m. ET in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He will speak at 1:40 p.m. ET at the AFL-CIO Convention, then leave at 2:45 p.m. ET for Philadelphia. At 4:10 p.m. ET, he will speak at a fundraiser for Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA), and also at another Specter fundraiser at 6 p.m. ET. He will depart form Philadelphia International Airpot at 6:55 p.m. ET, arriving back at the White House at 7:55 p.m. ET.

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Arlen Specter

Specter, Sestak Vie to Demonstrate Great Support for Public Option

Brian Beutler | September 9, 2009, 11:38AM

Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) wants there to be no doubt: "[T]his member of congress, this United States senator is going to tell [President Obama] emphatically that we need the public option," Specter said.

As a Republican, and in his first days as a Democrat, Specter opposed the public option, but eventually came to the view that a public option should be included in health care reform, and now says the country 'needs' the public option.

His move to the left no doubt has something to do with the pressure he's facing from Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) who's challenging Specter in the Pennsylvania primary. Sestak has launched a petition calling on Congressional leaders to hold an up or down vote on the public option in both the House and the Senate.

Joe Sestak

Sestak: I'd Have A Hard Time Voting For A Health Care Bill Without A Public Option

Brian Beutler | August 18, 2009, 1:43PM

He left himself some wiggle room, but, in what appeared to be a challenge to Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA), Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) said he'd have a hard time voting for a health care bill without a public option.

Sestak is challenging Specter in the 2010 Democratic Pennsylvania primary.

Though Sestak said he could back something "similar" to a public option--a co-operative, for instance--he said that the co-ops that are on the table right now do not meet his criteria.

Specter now supports the creation of a public option, after having opposed it as a Republican and in his first days as a Democrat, but he hasn't drawn a line in the sand over the issue. Though progressive members of the Senate have been more reticent than their House counterparts about the importance of the public option, Sestak's statement does leave Specter an opening to stake out more liberal ground, and insist on one.

We'll have video for you shortly.

Barack Obama

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | August 16, 2009, 1:00PM

Obama On Death Panel Smear: "I Just Lost My Grandmother Last Year"
At his town hall meeting on health insurance reform yesterday, President Obama fired back at the "death panel" smear. "I just lost my grandmother last year. I know what it's like to watch somebody you love, who's aging, deteriorate and have to struggle with that," Obama said, attacking those who would put forward "the notion that somehow I ran for public office or members of Congress are in this so they can go around pulling the plug on grandma."

Sebelius: Death Panel Scare Attack Is "Horrific"
Appearing on This Week, of Sec. of Health and Human Services fired back at the "death panel" attack, -- but also conceded that end-of-life counseling is likely to be taken out of the bill. "And I think it's really horrific that some opponents of the health reform bill have used this painful, personal moment to try and scare people about what is in the bill," said Sebeilus.

Read more »

Arlen Specter

Septuagenarian Twitter Flame War: Grassley Warns Specter He Never Said "Death Boards"

Brian Beutler | August 14, 2009, 2:07PM

Well, Grassley never picked up. So Specter tweeted all about it.

And Grassley is not pleased.

And in a narrow sense, Grassley's right. He didn't use the term "death boards" or "death panels." He said "There is some fear because in the House bill, there is counseling for end-of-life. And from that standpoint, you have every right to fear.... We should not have a government program that determines if you're going to pull the plug on grandma."

But in the broader sense, Specter's got Grassley pegged.

And in the broadest sense, it's easy to imagine these guys starring in an Internet-themed sequel to Grumpier Old Men.

Arlen Specter

Specter: I'll Call Up Grassley Today And Tell Him End Of Life Counseling "Not A Death Squad"

Brian Beutler | August 14, 2009, 11:55AM

Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) just told a crowd of skeptical progressives that he's willing to take up and dispel the death panel rumor with perhaps its most respected proponent: Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA).

Specter said he'd call Grassley from back stage and tell him "it's not a death squad."

Progress. Earlier this week, Grassley endorsed the false rumor that Democrats were proposing a "pull the plug on granny" provision in their health care reform legislation, then turned around and scotched an end of life counseling measure the Senate Finance Committee's bill, alleging that it could be "misinterpreted" by the public.

Late update: Awwww. How sad. Seems Grassley didn't pick up the phone when Specter called him. Wonder if he got tipped off!

Arlen Specter

Specter: I Expect To Vote For Cloture On Democratic Bills, Particularly EFCA

Brian Beutler | August 14, 2009, 11:27AM

Just a quick data point. Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) fielded questions at a Netroots Nation panel this morning about whether he'd encourage his colleagues to support cloture on Democratic bills. Though he elided the specific question, he did say that, unless Democrats flew off the handle and began trying to limit the first amendment, or civil rights for gays, he will vote with the party to bring legislation to the floor for an up or down vote. Specifically, he said he'd support cloture on the Employee Free Choice Act, even if he disagrees with the underlying bill.

He's also recently assured labor organizers that they'd "like" how he votes on EFCA. Before he switched parties, and even for a while thereafter, he said exactly the opposite.

Late update: Specter also said that he never asked President Obama to clear the primary field for him.

Late late update: Here's video.

Arlen Specter

Poll: Sestak Gains On Specter, Both Men Still Lead Toomey

Brian Beutler | August 14, 2009, 11:12AM

A new Research 2000 poll reaffirms what a separate Rasumussen poll found earlier this week: that in the last month Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) has made serious gains on his Pennsylvania Senate primary opponent, Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA).

Specter now leads Sestak 48-33 among likely voters. But that 15 point margin is down by 30 from May when Specter lead 56-11. And 40 percent of voters still don't know who Specter is.

Meanwhile, according to R2K, both men still lead Pat Toomey--Specter 45-40, and Sestak 42 41. Both men have lost ground in recent weeks, though. Specter was throttling Toomey 55-31, and Sestak enjoyed a more comfortable 37-32 margin three months ago.

Though Toomey's clearly gaining ground, Rasmussen recently found that Toomey had actually surpassed both of his potential rivals.

Arlen Specter

Rasmussen: Toomey Now Leads Specter, Sestak In Statewide Poll

Brian Beutler | August 13, 2009, 9:03AM

There might be one beneficiary of the flame war between Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) and Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA): Republican Pat Toomey.

Whomever wins the Democratic Senate primary in Pennsylvania next year will battle Toomey in the general election, and now, for the first time, Toomey shows a lead over both men. A Rasmussen telephone survey of likely voters, released today, shows 48 percent would vote Toomey, 36 Specter if the election were held today. Four percent opt for a third option, and 12 are not sure.

Specter's taken a beating in recent months for switching parties at a crucial political moment, and though he enjoys extremely wide name recognition, the attacks seem to be taking their toll. But the situation's no better for Sestak, who until recently was also beating Toomey. Toomey now has a 43-35 lead over Sestak, down from June, when Sestak enjoyed a six point lead over Toomey.

Arlen Specter

Specter Dips Below 50 Percent Support In Pennsylvania Democratic Primary

Brian Beutler | August 12, 2009, 5:52PM

Via Taegan Goddard, Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) is currently sitting on a 13 point lead over Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) in the 2010 Pennsylvania Senate primary. A big lead, to be sure, but one that's dipping rather quickly. In June, Specter's lead was significantly greater. At the time, according to Rasmussen, Specter led Sestak 51-32--a 19 point margin.

Now, the spread is 47-34, meaning, among other things, that his support among Pennsylvania Democrats has dipped under 50 percent for the first time since he switched parties.

According to Rasmussen, "Among voters who favor the congressional health care plan, Specter leads 55% to 26%. However, among those who oppose the plan, Sestak leads 61% to 25%." It's unclear how this divide emerged, but since support for reform among Democrats in the state is around 70 percent, don't be surprised if you see both candidates try to stake out the reformer position on health care.

Health Care

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | August 12, 2009, 9:02AM

Dem Talking Points: We Won't Kill Old People
The Hill reports that Senate Democrats have circulated a set of talking points, entitled "Responding to Opponents of Health Insurance Reform." One criticism that Dems are to rebut is, "The government will kill old people because they're too expensive to keep alive," responding that this is "outrageous and absolutely false."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama and the First Lady will host a reception in the East Room at 10:15 a.m. ET, honoring Justice Sonia Sotomayor. At 3:10 p.m. ET, the President and First Lady will host the Medal of Freedom ceremony.

Read more »

Arlen Specter

Toomey: Town Halls Show "Political Extremism" -- Of The Democrats' Health Plan

Eric Kleefeld | August 11, 2009, 6:41PM

Former Rep. Pat Toomey (R-PA), who is running for Senate in 2010, released this statement on the rough town hall experience today for his long-time nemesis, Democratic Sen. Arlen Specter:

Allentown, PA - The negative reaction Senator Arlen Specter received today at a town hall meeting on health care in Lebanon, PA is a demonstration of the growing frustration and concern shared by taxpayers across Pennsylvania.

"The health care plan Senator Specter supports reflects the kind of political extremism that results from complete Democratic control of Washington," said U.S. Senate candidate Pat Toomey. "Arlen Specter is giving the Democrats in Congress a blank check that will take us down the wrong path."

"People across Pennsylvania have real concerns about the cost and intrusiveness of the government-run health care plan Arlen Specter supports. They deserve reforms that will lower the cost of health care and give them more choices, not government control, higher taxes, and a larger deficit. If elected to the U.S. Senate, I will work tirelessly to find real solutions to our health care problems through increased choice, personal ownership, and competition."

Arlen Specter

Town Hall Attendee Thanks Specter For Visiting The Republicans

Eric Kleefeld | August 11, 2009, 9:59AM

A conservative heckler just got off a shot at Sen. Arlen Specter's (D-PA) town hall.

"I'd like to thank you for having the courage to come to this meeting, with the people who have sent you to Washington" the man said, with apparent sincerity, "the Republicans."

Arlen Specter

Town Hall Attendee Tells Specter: "One Day, God's Gonna Stand Before You"

Eric Kleefeld | August 11, 2009, 9:50AM

An angry man just confronted Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) at a town hall meeting in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

The man was nearly in a physical fight with another attendee, and some shoving was involved. Specter calmed everyone down before it got out of hand, and then the man confronted the Senator with a speech about how he doesn't have the ability to influence his government like special interests in Washington do.

"One day, God's gonna stand before you," the man concluded. "And he's gonna judge you and the rest of your damn cronies up on the Hill -- and the rest of your damn cronies up on the hill -- and then you can get your just desserts."

Arlen Specter

Sestak Officially Announces Candidacy, Will Challenge Specter For Senate Seat

Brian Beutler | August 4, 2009, 8:48AM

It's official! (No, really! It is!)

Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) will make a bid for the Senate, challenging Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) in the 2010 Pennsylvania primary. Obviously, he's been working up to this morning's announcement for months, but it comes just weeks after his political campaign announced an impressive fundraising haul in the second quarter, allowing them to present what they believe will be a viable challenge to Specter, who will enjoy name recognition, and the backing of the Democratic party, but who became a Democrat just a few months ago after spending most of his career in the GOP.

Health Care

Teabaggers Try To Shout Down Health Care Reform At Town Halls

Rachel Slajda | August 3, 2009, 12:05PM

Angry teabaggers and other opponents of health care reform are heckling members of Congress at their town hall meetings back home in an effort to sway the debate and drown out reform supporters.

This weekend, a group of teabaggers showed up at a town hall in Philadelphia with Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. They shouted and booed to drown out remarks from both officials and questions from the audience. The Philadelphia Tea Party Patriots reportedly brought 40 people. Watch:

In Austin on Saturday, protesters followed Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) out of a forum at a grocery store, chanting "Just say no!" after he told the crowd he'd vote for a health care reform bill even if his constituents opposed it. Watch.

These aren't the first incidents of this kind, but we think it's a pretty safe bet they'll continue and intensify throughout August.

Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY) has suspended town hall meetings after screaming protesters disrupted a June 22 forum in Long Island to the point where residents called the police to escort Bishop to his car.

Last week, a crowd erupted into thunderous applause after a soldier demanded an apology from Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) at a town hall with her staff. (The senator wasn't there.) The meeting was moderated by Americans for Prosperity's Missouri chapter. AFP was a major organizer of the tax day "tea party" protests.

Make sure to check out the teabaggers' strategy memo obtained by Think Progress.

Late update: We'll be adding more incidents as we track them down.

On July 6, Rep. Dan Maffei (D-NY) held a town hall meeting that devolved into a shouting match, with tea party protesters loudly interrupting whenever someone mentioned a public plan. Maffei threatened to break up the meeting, and has since said he plans to hold smaller, less publicized events with constituents.

Late late update: On Saturday, Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA) showed up to a restaurant, where he was supposed to hold one-on-one meetings with constituents, to find 150 angry people who demanded it be a Q&A, town hall style meeting. Murphy and his staff obliged, and changed the format at a second event held later in the day.

The crowd "erupted in a chorus of boos and catcalls" when Murphy said he thought Obama was doing a "pretty great job." Murphy tried to keep the crowd cool, admonishing hecklers from time to time to be respectful.

Late late late update: Saturday was a red-letter day for these protesters. A group shouted the Pledge of Allegiance at Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) as he left a local Democratic Party picnic, where he had pushed for universal health care. Watch:

Arlen Specter

Sestak Says Major Campaign Announcement Coming Tuesday

Brian Beutler | August 3, 2009, 10:38AM

During the first week of the August congressional recess Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) will kick off a major series of events tomorrow with what the campaign is calling a 'major announcement' tomorrow morning in Folsom, PA.

As first reported by TPMDC, Sestak began raising money for a Senate campaign in May, telling supporters at the time that he intended to challenge Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) in the Democratic Senate primary in Pennsylvania. Since then he's raised a significant amount of money, toured his entire state, and doubled down on his criticisms of his likely challenger. But he hasn't officially announced his candidacy. With an impressive haul in the second quarter, though--and with polls showing an appetite for a challenger in Pennsylvania--that could change tomorrow.

Sestak will also appear in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Scranton, as well as on The Colbert Report as part of his campaign push this week.

Arlen Specter

Specter: I've Been Perfectly Consistent On EFCA

Brian Beutler | July 29, 2009, 10:12AM

Yes, that headline is accurate. In a letter to the editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Specter defends his record on the Employee Free Choice Act as "consistent."

"My views on this subject have been consistent," Specter writes, "and suggestions to the contrary by those intending to run against me are incorrect."

The last half of this sentence is a jab at Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA), who's made an issue of Specter's unreliability. But the first half could raise the hackles of labor supporters, who might have noticed that Specter once cosponsored EFCA, then, under attack from the right, said he would support a filibuster of it, then switched parties and told a crowd of organizers that they'd be "satisfied" with his vote on the issue, though he still opposes card check.

As the good folks of PA2010 point out, Specter may have consistent, secretly held views. But his political positions have varied pretty wildly.

Arlen Specter

Specter To Address Icy Audience At Netroots Nation

Brian Beutler | July 24, 2009, 11:44AM

Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) is probably the last person you'd expect to see courting the affections of the Netroots. The freshly minted Democrat has long been one of the progressive movement's most reviled betes noir. But next month, he'll address a large crowd of activists and bloggers at the annual Netroots Nation...at a forum that will also feature his rival--and burgeoning Netroots star--Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA).

Each participant will be featured on stage separately and sit with the moderators for a question and answer session. The participants will be offered an opportunity to make brief opening remarks after which the moderators will engage them in questions of their sole choosing. The forum will solicit questions online in advance, from Pennsylvania voters and other interested citizens, and the moderators will exercise editorial judgment and discretion in selecting official topics and questions for the event. In addition, there may be some questions will be taken live from the audience at the forum, time permitting. Participants will then be given the opportunity to make closing remarks.

The two men have rallied voters at the same event before--but this is the first time the two will be courting a national progressive base. In June, the two addressed a crowd of union organizers in Pennsylvania, and, later the same month, a crowd of Pennsylvania-based health care and union organizers in Washington, DC.

Arlen Specter

Poll: Specter In Dead Heat With Toomey For 2010 General Election

Eric Kleefeld | July 22, 2009, 9:12AM

A new Quinnipiac poll shows Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) in a dead heat with Republican former Rep. Pat Toomey, whose challenge against Specter in the Republican primary triggered Specter's party switch a few months ago.

The numbers: Specter 45%, Toomey 44%, with a ±2.9% margin of error. Back in May, shortly after he'd become a Democrat, Specter had a much better lead of 46%-37%. When Toomey is pitted against Specter's Dem primary challenger, Rep. Joe Sestak, Toomey has a lead of 39%-35%, with high undecideds because both candidates lack heavy name recognition.

In the Democratic primary, Specter currently leads Sestak by 55%-23%.

Only 40% of voters say Specter deserves another term, to 49% who say he does not. From the pollster's analysis: "Voters see Sen. Specter much less favorably than they once did and are net negative about giving him a sixth term in the U.S. Senate. Independent voters have shifted narrowly to Toomey 46 - 42 percent and say 53 - 35 percent that Specter does not deserve reelection."

Jim DeMint

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | July 22, 2009, 9:01AM

DeMint Stands By "Waterloo" Comment Against Obama: "We've Got To Stop His Politics"
Appearing this morning on the Today show, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) refused to take back his statement that Republicans can make health care policy into President Obama's "Waterloo," and that it will "break" him. When asked whether he stood by it, DeMint responded: "It's not personal. We've got to stop his politics."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will meet with Treasury Sec. Tim Geithner at 11 a.m. ET. At 2 p.m. ET, he will have an expanded meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, and a one-on-one meeting with Maliki at 2:45 p.m. ET. AT 3 p.m. ET, the two will hold a joint press availability. At 8 p.m. ET, Obama will hold a news conference.

Read more »

Joe Sestak

Sestak Spokesman Responds To Rendell: "People Are Looking For Leaders Of Conviction, Not Convenience"

Eric Kleefeld | July 21, 2009, 10:13AM

Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) is firing back at Gov. Ed Rendell, who has called upon him to drop his primary challenge against Sen. Arlen Specter. Sestak's spokesman gave a statement to Greg Sargent, casting Sestak as the underdog taking on the establishment:

Joe Sestak has great respect for Governor Rendell -- but we have to ask ourselves, what would happen if our leaders only stood up to challenges when the odds were in their favor? That isn't the spirit that created this nation, led Barack Obama to the Oval Office, or allowed Ed Rendell to become Governor of Pennsylvania when everyone said a Mayor of Philadelphia could never win.

What will happen if only those from what the establishment deems "safe seats" are advised to run for higher office? Where will the audacity come from, if not from those who have demonstrated the ability to galvanize a constituency against the odds? Political calculation is not what put the Democrats in power, and it isn't what's going to keep us there. The people are looking for leaders of conviction, not convenience.

The people of Pennsylvania don't want to hear that someone won't face a challenge because it will be too difficult. We should demand more from our leaders.

Arlen Specter

As PA-Dem Primary Fight Heats Up, Republican Toomey Weighs In Against Specter

Brian Beutler | July 20, 2009, 12:15PM

Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) and Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) are officially trading blows in the opening rounds of what promises to be a bruising primary fight over Specter's Senate seat. And now conservative Pat Toomey, the winner's likely general-election opponent, is weighing in...against Specter.

This comes via pa2010, which concludes that Toomey "still considers Senator Arlen Specter to be his eventual general election opponent."

That's a perfectly plausible interpretation. But, as always, politics can be a hall of mirrors, and this is just as likely a sign that Toomey wants Specter to lose the primary, because he thinks he'd have an easier time defeating Sestak in the general.

Whatever the logic here, though, it should be perfectly clear, if it wasn't already, that Specter will be contending with his abrupt party switch and mad dash from right to left for the duration of his candidacy.