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Joe’s Running! A Race to Watch

By Pat Racimora on August 4, 2009 at 8:00 PM in Pennsylvania, Rep. Joe Sestak

Here is his heartfelt declaration–worth a watch!

Last May, my cartoon (reposted below) was about “David” (Joe Sestak) thinking of running against “Goliath” (Arlen Specter) for United States Senator from Pennsylvania. When long-time Republican Specter dumped the GOP because polls showed that he would not win a 6th term in 2010, he decided to run again anyway—as a Democrat.

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Along comes Joe Sestak, a retired Navy Admiral, who currently represents Pennsylvania’s 7th district as a Democrat in the House. After weeks of reflection and traveling the state, Joe Sestak will take on the grisly, high-profile, Senator Specter. Either man would likely prevail over the right-wing conservative Republican contender.

Here is a run-down of Joe and what he faces.

In favor of Sestak:
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 should retire (80 next birthday) and has health issues.

What Sestak has to worry about:

1. Back before Sestak decided to run, Specter received instant high level support from the President and later the Vice President and Governor of Pennsylvania.
2. Everyone in Pennsylvania knows who Specter is. Sestak will have to work extra hard to make up for his lower profile.

I am delighted, personally. I always liked Joe Sestak. I like his courage. Even if I don’t agree with all of his votes, I know he was true to himself and those who he represents. I’m tired of these big money politicians. Sestak strongly endorsed Hillary Clinton very early on, which also 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.

I do hope that a mud slinging battle in the primaries will be avoided. Both men have had impressive careers. 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 will be a very exciting and educational race for the whole country to watch. Otherwise the Democratic 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 replay the Democratic primary loser’s [Angelides’] TV ads!)

If you want to help Joe–and he is looking for any level of assistance–make your secure donation here.

  • don tufts

    and since he has supported pelosi in recent votes i should get excited why?

    • MBC

      Exactly! He was one of my favorites when he supported Hillary, but he quickly turned and drank the kool-aid. He won’t be getting the 4 Democratic votes from this household. unless he demonstrates some really backbone and stands up to Pelosi. Certainly Arlen “Sybil” Specter won’t be getting them either.

  • Shainzona

    Go Joe!

  • http://annienyc.blogspot.com annienyc

    I’m with Joe!

    • Ani

      I certainly like Sestak a helluva lot better than Specter and I’m happy to give him my support. If for no other reason than I’m glad he is not letting himself be muscled out of running.

  • http://www.rabblerouserruminations.blogspot.com/ Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy

    Love the toon, Pat!

    Honestly, Specter has proven himself to go whichever way the wind blows. Oh, he may talk a goo game, like against Bush a few times, but when push comes to shove, he voted however Bush wanted him to vote. He caved. And he’ll cave for Obama, too.

    Specter’s already proven that by flipping over to the Dems as soon as the Dems held all of the power. I think that should tell Pennsylvanians all they need to know abt Specter.

    I figured the Powers That Be were supporting Specter since Sebelius was with him at his Town Hall meeting. So, yeah – glad Joe is giving Arlen some competition! :-)

    Thanks, Pat!

  • AnneinPa

    I predict the Republican will win this one. The two
    Dems. are just weak in so many ways. I will vote for
    Sestak in the Democratic primary, but not in the Nov. election.
    Can’t stand Specter, but Sestak aligning himself with everything Pelosi or Obama just turns me off.

    • Tricia Spiegel

      I think Joe will be more independent than some of yuo think once he has the seat.

      He’s in a difficult position right now…

      Sometimes I just hate politics. I cuold never be a politician. too much game playing to get where you want to go, even those with the best creds and integrity.

      • don tufts

        hows that ?the party is backing 0l prune face.if there was anytime to stand up to pelosi and reed and be his own man it would be right now anything less and he is just another part of the problem.

  • Doc99

    Sorry I don’t live in PA. It’d be so worth it to rid the state of the Spectacle that is Arlen.

  • AnneinPa

    Toomey is supposed to be a conservative Republican, but only a RINO will win PA, a blue state. He just came out and said if he were Senator now he’d confirm Sotomayor. If he just sticks to the economic issues he’ll win PA.
    I voted for a RINO in 2008, I guess I’ll vote for another in 2010.
    My, how far I’ve gone right since Hillary conceded and O is the Pres.
    Nothing feels good anymore in politics.

  • Clara

    I’ve been watching and waiting for Joe to take this step. He’s got a very upstanding character and is a fine man. You don’t rise to the rank that Joe attained in the Navy without smarts and tenacity. I will support him as I can with money since I can’t vote in PA.

  • HARP

    Isn`t it time for Arlen Specter to receive his visit from a government health official to determine his choices.

    • Stan Davis

      That’s hilarious, HARP! I wish I had thought of it.

      Stan Davis
      Lakewood, CO

  • http://liberalrapture.com/ John (from Liberal Rapture)

    If I lived in PA I would support Sestak. This will be fun to watch. I predict a huge GOP year in 2010 which will make it hard from Sestak if he gets past Spector.

    • listing starboard

      John I think you are probably right! In my neighboring lower slower Delaware a Republican beat a Democrat that was running for her late father’s seat in a special election, and LOST! The seat has been held by Democrats for 40 years. The trunout was 60% for the Republican.

  • Anti-Harkonnen Freedom Fighter

    hey folks – i figured yall would like this polling…america thinks ole hillary might just run in 2012

    http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/august_2009/clinton_51_palin_39

    Clinton performs better against Palin than President Obama who in a hypothetical 2012 match-up beats last year’s GOP vice presidential nominee by just six points, 48% to 42%.

    Women overwhelmingly favor Clinton over Palin, 59% to 32%. Men favor the GOP ex-governor by eight points, 48% to 40%.

    Palin gets 71% of the Republican vote, while Clinton captures 81% of Democrats. Voters not affiliated with either party break down almost evenly between the two candidates, giving Clinton a slight 44% to 41% edge.

    (Want a free daily e-mail update? If it’s in the news, it’s in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter.

    However, most voters (52%) do not think Clinton is likely to be the first woman U.S. president. Thirty percent (30%) say it’s not very likely, and 22% say it’s not at all likely.

    Thirty-eight percent (38%), on the other hand, say it’s at least somewhat likely that Clinton will be the first woman elected to the White House, with 15% who think it’s very likely.

    Forty-six percent (46%) of women say Clinton is at least somewhat likely to achieve this milestone versus 29% of men. Fifty-seven percent (57%) of Democrats agree, but that’s a view shared by just 23% of Republicans and 31% of unaffiliated voters.

    Perhaps surprisingly, voters are almost evenly divided over whether Clinton, now serving as secretary of State, will challenge Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2012. Forty-four percent (44%) say Clinton is at least somewhat likely to do so, with 18% who say it’s very likely.

    Forty-six percent (46%) say Clinton is unlikely to challenge the incumbent president for their party’s nomination, including 30% who say she is not very likely to do it and 16% who say it’s not at all a possibility. Obama narrowly defeated Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008, although the former first lady had been the early favorite to win.

    Fifty percent (50%) of women believe Clinton is likely to challenge Obama, compared to 37% of men. Among Democrats, 46% say Clinton is at least somewhat likely to challenge the sitting president, while 43% say she is not very or not at all likely to do so.

    • politicalidentitycrisis

      Clinton had better numbers than Obama in 2008, too, but no one from the Democratic party cared, did they? The one will never voluntarily leave office, even (God forbid) he should still be there in 2016. We’ll need to drag him and MEchelle kicking and screaming. Haven’t you noticed? He thinks he is King of the World.

  • Kass

    I live in Sestak’s district. My husband, who is a Republican, is considering switching his party affiliation so Sestak can be defeated in the Democratic primary.

    • Pennsylvania Caucasian (but not exactly White-Y)

      But then he’d give up his vote in the Republican primary.

      • Kass

        I think Democrats and Democrats in PA alike don’t want Specter regardless. He’s shown that he can’t be trusted on either side.

        • Pennsylvania Caucasian (but not exactly White-Y)

          I can’t imagine why any PA Democrat would vote for Specter, unless they truly believe he has the best chance of winning in the Senate general election.

          Specter went from RINO to DINO.

          I’m just picturing the campaign ads now – how will they trash Joe Sestak?

  • MrMike

    All I need to know is Obama supports Specter so I’m voting Sestak in the primary. Come the general I’ll vote for the republican loon over the Democrat.

    • Pennsylvania Caucasian (but not exactly White-Y)

      This is interesting.

      Yesterday I wondered who the Dem party would be supporting in PA.

      I like Congressman Sestak, his office has been of great help to our family. However, if he has voted straight down the line with Pelosi I am reluctant to vote for him.

      I have heard that he hasn’t come out in full support of 0bamacare, do you have any info on this?

  • I’m a Linda too

    I gave my 2nd donation to Sestak today.

  • CentralMass

    The current monarchy doesn’t need another rubber stamp.

  • DAB

    Sestak is an impressive and appealing candidate. If he and Spector debate, I think I know who will win.

    I also don’t like that Obama and the Democrats assume that they can crush those who defy their wishes by running when asked not to. Sestak’s candidacy helps to keep democracy alive by not folding to the back-room boys.

  • http://www.pumas4palin.com sharmajee

    The best way Joe Sestak, a true patriot, can serve his state is to make up for the deficit that the hypocrisy of Specter represents. Admiral Sestak should switch political affiliation himself, to the GOP. Not only will he be welcomed, feel quite at home, and done the Senate a favor, he will have redeemed Penna for the error of having Arlen in the first place!

    • Pennsylvania Caucasian (but not exactly White-Y)

      Agree.

      I think I’ll pass this reommendation on to his staff!