David v. Goliath? Should Joe Run?
By Pat Racimora on May 31, 2009 at 12:30 PM in Ed Rendell, Pennsylvania, US Senate
In the 2010 Senate primaries, should the dashing retired Navy Admiral who currently represents Pennsylvania’s 7th district as a Democrat in Congress take on the grisly, high-profile, five-term Republican Senator who only recently dumped the GOP to declare himself a Democrat? Either man would likely prevail over the right-wing conservative Republican contender.
Rep. Joe Sestak says that he “intends” to challenge Sen. Arlen Specter . Sestak has apparently set a date of June 30th (an FEC quarterly deadline) to be more forthcoming about his plans, although he recently stated on CNN that he also needs to discuss the matter fully with his family.
I have heard arguments about Joe Sesrak taking on Arlen Specter going both ways.
In favor of Sestak entering the race and making it interesting, at the very least:
1. Joe has paid his dues to the Democratic Party and should have a chance to be the Democratic candidate for the Senate.
2. The people of Pennsylvania should be able to choose who they want, not what the Washington Democratic Establishment dictates.
3. Joe has guts to stand up to the Establishment that is trying to dissuade him, and we need more people of courage in government.
4. Specter is self-serving. All polls show that he could not have won as a Republican this next time around. His primary concern is keeping his career going.
5. Is Specter really a Democrat? How can Democrats know for sure? Will he really compromise on issues important to Democrats?
6. Specter is too old (80 next birthday) and has health issues.
In favor of Sestak staying put in the House:
1. The House is a good place for Sestak to be. He is valuable there.
2. Specter received instant high level support from the President and later the Vice President and Governor of Pennsylvania.
3. Everyone in Pennsylvania knows who Specter is. Sestak is not yet well enough recognized throughout the state and does not show competitively in the current polls.
4. It is best for the Democratic Party to avoid a mud slinging battle in the primaries. Specter has already declared, so first come first served.
Both men have had impressive careers. And right now it is kind of a David v. Goliath situation. But early polls can change, as Hillary Clinton discovered the hard way.
I personally like Sestak best. I’m tired of these big money politicians. Sestak strongly endorsed Hillary Clinton very early on, which made him a favorite of mine. But, I have admired Specter’s sometimes moderate views, and I don’t think age should be an issue if someone can do the job. And if the two men could agree to stick to the issues and not get into the cannibalistic duel-to-the-death that we saw in California in 2006 when Phil Angelides and Steve Westly decided to blow each other up, it might be an exciting and educational race. Otherwise the party could suffer more damage than it needs. (In California, Arnold Schwarzenegger retained the Governor’s mansion without breaking a sweat. He only had to recite the primary loser’s [Angelides] TV ads!)
So, what do you think? Should Joe run?
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