Arlen Specter

Sestak Hits Specter For '08 Campaign Ties To Palin

Brian Beutler | November 23, 2009, 9:57AM

The 2010 primaries are just around the corner, and the big guns are coming out. For his part, Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) will be making an issue of Sen. Arlen Specter's (D-PA) ties to vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin in the 2008 campaign.

The new attack comes as Palin makes media rounds in support of her new book, Going Rogue. Polls indicate that the former Alaska governor is one of the most polarizing political figures in the country.

Joe Sestak

Sestak: Repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

Eric Kleefeld | October 12, 2009, 6:17PM

Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) appeared on CNN today to discuss a Navy hazing scandal, commenting as a retired three-star Admiral, and strongly called for a repeal of the ban on gays in the military.

Sestak is also running for Senate, challenging incumbent Sen. Arlen Specter in the Democratic primary.

"How could I, having gone to war, where public surveys let us know we did have gay members, come home and say they don't have equal rights?" said Sestak. "We are losing good men and women, and we're not adhering -- we're absolutely not adhering to the ideals of our nation, that everyone is treated and respected equally."

He also added: "And I hope that this year, prior to December, that our president, having taken care of the cratering of our economy, having dealing (sic) with health care, takes care of something having to do with our ideals, and that's repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Our Service would be better for it."

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.

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.

Fox News

Fox Chyron Refers To Rep "Joke Sestak"

Brian Beutler | August 17, 2009, 10:25AM

It's a new evolution in the continuing saga of Fox's error-ridden chyrons. This time, instead of referring to some scandal-plagued Republican as a Democrat, they referred to Senate hopeful Joe Sestak (D-PA) as "Rep. Joke Sestak"

Take a look for yourself.

In fairness to Fox, the "O" and the "K" keys are pretty close together on the QWERTY keyboard. But given Fox's track record, it's hard not to wonder whether this might've been another Freudian keyboard slip.

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.

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.

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."

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.

Read more »

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.

Read more »

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.

Joe Sestak

Former Sestak Aide Now Working On Political Campaign...For Joe Sestak

Brian Beutler | July 6, 2009, 1:40PM

File this away under house keeping and/or leading indicators. After bidding farewell to his boss earlier this year, a one-time spokesman for Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) has returned--as spokesman for Sestak's political campaign.

Joe Langdon departed from his position as Sestak's communications director in May, about two weeks before we revealed that Sestak was raising money from supporters in advance of a run for Senate. Now, he confirms, he's back with the Admiral--this time working for Sestak's political campaign, "Sestak for Congress."

The news comes as Sestak continues a three-week long marathon tour across Pennsylvania.

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.

Arlen Specter

Torsella Endorses Specter In Pennsylvania Senate Primary

Brian Beutler | June 30, 2009, 1:16PM

When Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) announced that he would switch parties and run for re-election as a Democrat he all but forced Joe Torsella--former Deputy Mayor of Philadelphia--out of the race. Were it not for the likely candidacy of Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA), that would have cleared the field for Specter, who would almost certainly have sailed to the Democratic nomination.

But Sestak didn't go the Torsella route. And so, the Democratic establishment--which immediately lined up behind Specter--has been forced to roll out the endorsements. The latest name on that list? Joe Torsella.

In my campaign I spoke often of the need for new ideas and a new approach in Washington. In the weeks since I ended my candidacy, I have spoken at great length with Senator Specter and watched his work in Washington to advance the President's agenda for change. I have become convinced that years of service do not preclude the ability to promote change; in fact, under the right circumstances, they enhance it. My conversations have convinced me that Arlen Specter will work hard to do just that on the issues most important to me and families across Pennsylvania.

According to Greg Giroux at Congressional Quarterly, Specter once hired Torsella's wife to serve as a counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee back when he was a Republican and the Republicans were in the majority.

Arlen Specter

Poll: Specter And Sestak Both Lead Toomey In 2010 Pennsylvania Senate Match-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | June 18, 2009, 12:28PM

A new Rasmussen poll in Pennsylvania finds that both the newly-Democratic Sen. Arlen Specter and his primary challenger, Rep. Joe Sestak, lead Republican former Rep. Pat Toomey for the 2010 Senate general election.

The numbers: Specter is ahead of Toomey 50%-39%, while Sestak leads Toomey 41%-35%, with the higher undecided numbers presumably coming from Sestak having lower name recognition than Specter with his nearly 30 years in the Senate. The margin of error is ±4.5%.

Specter has a favorable rating of 53%, to 43% unfavorable. Sestak's favorable ratings are 42%-33%, and Toomey's are at 50%-35%.

Arlen Specter

Poll: Specter Leads Sestak 51%-32% In 2010 Dem Primary

Eric Kleefeld | June 17, 2009, 5:20PM

A new Rasmussen poll of Pennsylvania finds Sen. Arlen Specter with a lead over Rep. Joe Sestak in the 2010 Democratic primary -- but it does seem a bit surprising that Specter's lead isn't even bigger, given his built-in advantages of incumbency and high name recognition.

The numbers: Specter 51%, Sestak 32%.

Both candidates have solid favorable ratings. Specter is at 72% favorable, including 35% very favorable, to 26% total unfavorable. Sestak is at 57% total favorable, with 18% very favorable, to 21% total unfavorable.

Specter has been in the Senate for almost 30 years, and has the full support of the Democratic establishment from President Obama on down, in the wake of his recent party switch (which, as we all know, was triggered by a Republican primary challenger). But there clearly is a genuine base of anti-Specter Democrats willing to support Sestak, so this could be an interesting primary.

Arlen Specter

Sestak: Union Reaction To Specter Shows They Worry He's A 'Flight Risk'

Brian Beutler | June 9, 2009, 3:43PM

Over the weekend, Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) broke some news when, in response to the heckles of some frustrated union organizers, he suggested very strongly that he'd ultimately vote for a compromise version of the Employee Free Choice Act.

"I believe you'll be satisfied with my vote on this issue," Specter said.

Well, Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) was also on hand that day. He's a cosponsor of EFCA in the House, and in a statement to TPMDC, he said that the welcome Specter received is telling. "The reaction by many people at the rally to Arlen's speech was simply one demonstration that Pennsylvanians want to be represented by someone they can trust to approach their work in a consistent and accountable way," Sestak said.

The leaders of the Democratic political establishment have not confirmed to this point that Arlen will not be a 'flight risk' after the election. This is a concern that many people attending last weekend's events in Pittsburgh expressed to me, including when I spoke at the rally.

I am a cosponsor of EFCA, and cosponsored and voted for it last year, because very unfair labor practices are being done in America. I would also be in agreement with a compromise that labor supports and that addresses their concerns.

Read more »

Arlen Specter

Specter Tweets His <3 For Joe Sestak...Then Deletes It

Brian Beutler | June 9, 2009, 12:35PM

Yesterday, I reported that Barney Frank had raised concerns about what he called Sen. Arlen Specter's pattern of erratic behavior. That, though, was before this happened.

Vindication. According to Think Progress, the tweet has been deleted, and a subsequent tweet simply notes that Specter spoke at a labor rally with Sestak and Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA) on Saturday. For the uninitiated, that symbol doesn't mean "less than three." It's Internetese for "heart." Which means someone at Specter's campaign office might just have a crush on his (or her) boss's rival.

Barney Frank

Frank: It Would Be Reasonable For Dems To Challenge Specter

Brian Beutler | June 8, 2009, 4:32PM

GQ's Lisa DePaulo conducted a long interview with Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA)--the quick-witted, at times acerbic, chair of the House Financial Services Committee--and among many other things, she asked him about his party's newest member. "[A]s a Democrat," Frank said, "I'm glad to have him."

But as an elected official, I have to say I don't think he did our profession any good. First of all, to announce that it was done purely so he could survive. Secondly, his performance since then has been very disappointing. In particular, what troubled me was when he was quoted as saying, "Well..." In terms of no Jewish Republicans, the answer should have been, Who cares? That's not a relevant issue. But then, when he said, Oh, but I'm confident the courts in Minnesota will do justice to Norm Coleman, and then said, Oh, I forgot which side I'm on!--forget about forgetting which side he's on. What that says is, his view of what the law should be depends on what party he's in. This notion that your view of what's an appropriate legal decision depends on your party is shocking for a guy who's supposed to be this great lawyer.

So what does that mean, in his mind, for the 2010 election? Frank said, "there's an erratic behavior pattern there that's very troubling. I think at this point it's entirely reasonable for some Democrats to think about challenging him." Unfortunately, the interview doesn't touch on Specter's most likely challenger--Frank's House colleague Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA).

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