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.

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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.

Arlen Specter

In Wake Of Senate Compromise, EFCA Co-Sponsor Sestak Hits Specter

Brian Beutler | July 17, 2009, 7:43PM

Depending on whom you ask, the news that Senate Democrats have agreed to scrap card check from the Employee Free Choice Act is an acceptable compromise, or a knife in the labor movement's back, or both. But for Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA), it's also an opportunity to remind voters of Sen. Arlen Specter's role in precipitating the compromise in the first place.

"As an original co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act, I strongly support the legislation as it was originally written," says Sestak. "Arlen Specter, however, announced that he not only opposed Employee Free Choice, but would prevent it from coming to a fair up-or-down vote."

"Arlen will have to explain to working families across Pennsylvania why he took the side of every Senate Republican to oppose this legislation as originally written."

Since becoming a Democrat, Specter has softened on EFCA considerably. Last month, he told a crowd of union organizers, "I think you'll be satisfied with my vote on this issue on union organizing and on first contract just like you've been satisfied with the 22 times I voted for Davis Bacon."

But in his last days and weeks as a Republican--and in his first days as a Democrat--Specter, a former EFCA co-sponsor himself, sang a remarkably different tune. Facing a primary challenge from conservative Pat Toomey, Specter said he would oppose both EFCA, and a filibuster on the legislation. The move was a big blow to organized labor--one some in that movement won't soon forget.

You can read Sestak's full statement below the fold.

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Arlen Specter

Specter Raises $1.7 Million In Second Quarter

Brian Beutler | July 14, 2009, 6:51PM

Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) raised just over $1.7 million in the second quarter--not quite double his rival Joe Sestak's take--giving him about $7.5 million cash on hand going into the third quarter.

Sestak's shop was certainly prepared for this--Specter, after all, is being treated as an incumbent by the state and national Democratic parties. But, they say, things are fine. "Joe...has added more to his cash on hand this quarter than Arlen Specter," says campaign spokesman Joe Langdon.

And that seems to be true. Though he's taken in $1.7 million since last quarter, Specter's cash-on-hand has only increased by about $800,000 since April. Sestak's increased by slightly more than that, despite raising a lower haul of $1.2 million this quarter.

With that, they say, they raised enough money to get their message out and to viably challenge Specter in the Pennsylvania Senate primary.

Arlen Specter

Specter Had $6.7 Million On Hand Last Quarter

Brian Beutler | July 13, 2009, 11:07AM

Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) pulled in an impressive haul this past quarter, but he's still at least a few million behind his primary opponent, Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA).

Specter had $6.7 million on hand at the end of the first quarter, after raising about $1.2 million--just about the same amount Sestak raised this quarter. But remember, that money was collected when Specter was a Republican. Since then he's become a Democrat, and has won the backing of almost the entire Democratic establishment. With that in mind, we eagerly await Specter's forthcoming financial disclosure.

Joe Sestak

Sestak To Enter Campaign Against Specter With $4.2 Million On Hand

Brian Beutler | July 13, 2009, 10:42AM

This spring, TPMDC broke the news that Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) was raising money from supporters ahead of an intended Senate candidacy. Now, with the fiscal quarter over, we know how well that effort worked.

"Many have doubted that we would be able to raise sufficient money for our upcoming race against Arlen Specter," Sestak writes in a letter to supporters, "but we raised over $1 million last quarter ... thanks to you ... and now have over $4.2 million cash-on-hand, making us the number one Senate challenger in the nation!"

The letter, though, is also a fundraising appeal. "But we can't stop there; here's why we need to raise additional funds to continue this extraordinary momentum -- Arlen has decided to start running his 'GOP negative style campaign' against us!"

Sestak's referring to a recent dust-up, which touched off last week when Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) launched his first attack against his new rival.

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Joe Sestak

Sestak Fires Back: Dem. Specter Makes Republican Swift Boat Attacks On Dem. Military Veterans

Brian Beutler | July 9, 2009, 6:48PM

Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) isn't taking being called a hypocrite lightly. In response to Sen. Arlen Specter's attack on his voting record, Sestak--who plans to challenge Specter in the 2010 Pennsylvania Senate primary--is setting the record straight. And he's not pulling any punches: "We've learned today that Arlen Specter can abandon his party, but he just can't quit making Republican swift-boat attacks on the integrity of Democrats who served in our military.

"Let's be clear," Sestak said, "I voted for Bill Clinton, Al Gore, John Kerry, and Barack Obama while Arlen Specter was voting for George Bush and Bob Dole and John McCain. My question to Arlen Specter is this: do you regret voting for George Bush and John McCain? Why should Democrats support someone like you who actively campaigned - as recently as last year - for politicians with values like George W. Bush?"

Specter accused Sestak of not taking an active interest in politics, citing the fact that Sestak didn't become a Democrat until 2006. But Sestak says that's all about being a military officer.

"Like Colin Powell (who was also registered as an Independent while he served), I believe that military officers should be nonpartisan," Sestak said. "The military depends on cohesion and unity, and the defense of this nation must never be political. I'm proud that I was an Independent during my 35 years in the Navy, and I was proud to register as a Democrat as soon as I retired from active duty. "

You can read the full statement below the fold. But one things clear--Specter better be cautious about attacking Sestak on any grounds that leave him an opening to pivot back to his military service record.

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Joe Sestak

Specter: Sestak A Hypocrite For Calling Himself The 'True Democrat' In PA Senate Race

Brian Beutler | July 9, 2009, 5:37PM

After taking heat from Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) for weeks, Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) is fighting back. "Congressman Sestak is a flagrant hypocrite in challenging my being a real Democrat when he did not register as a Democrat until 2006 just in time to run for Congress," Specter said in a statement today. "His lame excuse for avoiding party affiliation, because he was in the service, is undercut by his documented disinterest in the political process."

According to the website pa2010.com, the Specter campaign has been building up to the charge for days. "Specter's campaign," they report, "pointed out Sestak's registration history, first in a message to supporters Monday, later in follow-up messages to a reporter and again in a fierce statement against Sestak Thursday."

The attack is based on the allegation that, until recently, Sestak often did not vote in major elections, and didn't register as a Democrat until 2006. It's hard to say whether it'll stick, but it does seem to indicate that, with a primary challenge all certain, Specter's getting riled.

Whatever the merits of Specter's statement, it certainly more reasonable than the attacks Sestak's old rival levied against him in 2006. In that race, Republican Curt Weldon hit Sestak--a navy admiral--for having not lived in the district for years and years. Gee, I wonder why that might've been.

Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | July 8, 2009, 9:02AM

Poll: Most Americans Wouldn't Vote For Palin
A new Gallup poll finds that 54% of Americans say it is not too likely or not at all likely that they would vote for Sarah Palin if she ran for President in 2012, compared to 43% who say it is somewhat likely or very likely that they would support her. In addition, 70% say her resignation as Governor of Alaska has had no effect on their view of her, with 17% saying they now view her less favorably, and 9% more favorably.

Obama's Day In Italy
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama arrived in Rome, Italy, at about 4:20 a.m. ET (10:20 a.m. local time). At 5:10 a.m. ET, Obama met with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, and the two delivered brief statements to the press. At 6:45 a.m. ET, Obama arrived at the Guardia di Finanz School, greeted by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. There was a G-8 working lunch at 7 a.m. ET, and Obama will attend a G-8 session on global issues at 9:30 a.m. ET. At 11:45 a.m. ET, Obama and Berlusconi will tour L'Aquila historic center, and Obama will attend a G-8 working dinner at 2 p.m. ET.

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Joe Sestak

Candidate Sestak Begins Tour...Of Every County In Pennsylvania

Brian Beutler | July 6, 2009, 8:57AM

Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) has now all but officially announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate. Over the holiday weekend, the retired Rear Admiral--who's been dancing around the question for weeks now--continued a listening tour of every county in Pennsylvania.

At a stop in Northampton County yesterday, he spoke of his candidacy as a fait accompli. "This isn't something I wanted to do four months ago, but it has to be done," Sestak told Lehigh Valley Live. "Someone has to be in this race that's credible."

In late May, TPMDC broke the news that Sestak had been raising money from supporters for an intended Senate primary run against freshly minted Democrat Arlen Specter. Sestak has been critical of Specter since Specter switched parties earlier this spring, calling him an unreliable Democrat and questioning his fitness to serve another term.