Election 2010: Specter & Rendell Slam Sestak's On Ad
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Election 2010: Specter & Rendell Slam Sestak's On Ad
Chris Brennan
U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter and Gov. Rendell took some shots at U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak this morning, in advance of next Tuesday's primary election. They were both clearly peeved by a Sestak campaign ad that features video of Specter saying he switched from Republican to Democrat in order to be re-elected. The ad says Specter's switch was made "to save one job...his."
Specter insisted that his vote for the stimulus package proposed by President Obama had helped save and create jobs in Pennsylvania, while putting at risk his political career. Specter is seeking a sixth, six-year term in the Senate. Rendell said he was offended by the Sestak ad. "He wasn't thinking about saving his job," Rendell said of Specter. "He was risking his job." Rendell said state statistics show there are 20,558 people currently working on jobs created by the stimulus package. "So don't tell me Arlen Specter doesn't create jobs by taking a risky vote," Rendell said.
Specter said he could have glided to a sixth term if he had voted against the stimulus package and remained in the GOP. "If I had stayed with the obstructionist Republican caucus, I would have had no problem," Specter said. "This claim of opportunism is outlandish in the context that I had a clear path to re-election if I had not voted for the stimulus package."
Rendell and Specter spoke as the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity endorsed Specter in the offices of a Center City law firm. Specter said it vital for city voters, especially the African-American community, to turn out on Tuesday. Mayor Nutter agreed. "This is a serious and important election," Nutter said. "We've got an open seat for governor. We've got the hottest race for Senate in the country."
A visit by Obama would probably help drive that turn-out. But the White House has no plans to come to Philadelphia for Specter, who said he did not find that disappointing. Specter noted that he is running a "dynamic commercial" with Obama praising him and Vice President Joe Biden appears in his radio ads. "He's done everything I asked," Specter said of Obama. "We've gotten terrific support from the White House."
Comments (43)
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Maybe Obama isn't campaigning for him this weekend because he wasn't willing to OUTRIGHT LIE to Pennsylvanians like our Governor and Mayor have found so easy to do. Specter became a Democrat when the polls showed that he was going to be creamed by Toomey in the Republican primary.— MtAirygrl
Specter = Benedict Arnold. Sestack = Puppet of Pelosi, Reid, Dodd & Frank.- Rendell and Specter should both retire and get a life. There rhetoric is tiresome.— LibertyoverTyranny
- Obama is a loser for anyone he endorses, he is 0 for 3 on candidates he has endorsed in person.— BFlint
- Sestack has my vote. Goodbye Specter— tomc
- Oh good God. "I could have stayed with the Republicans and glided to a sixth term." Tell me he actually said that. The old coot has totally lost touch with reality.— Montco PA Dem
- Rendell was wrong on Hillary Clinton and will be wrong on Arlen Specter. It's all the old boys network with the Gov. Specter is not a Democrat. Vote Sestak.— PattyB23
Desperation move! Two pea's of a pod there...— dogman5- What utter BS. So Arlen is saying that had he voted against stimulus he would have been able to beat Toomey hands down. Don't think so. Truth is he was worried about Toomey and figured that when he switched parties and got Obama and the Democratic machine to back him he'd glide to the Democratic nomination instead. He didn't count on Sestak bucking party orders. That's the truth.— Venerable_Bede
- You people can't be serious. Sestak is a fool and only a fool would vote for him. You really want to vote for someone in the Pelosi camp? Come on.— Echo
- Good 'ole Aaaaaaarlen.. Still peddling the single-bullet theory...— USAFirst1
- I think I'll write-in John Street.— Briarwood
- Why would Rendell stick up for ole' Arlen? Would he have done this if ole' Arlen were a Republican, not? Of course ole' Arlen switch to save his job. It's so obvious. And this little matter of ole' Arlen creating and saving jobs. Put him on a late night comedy show. What a joke. Where do these politicians get off claiming they create jobs for us. And I mean a "real" job. Voters have to stop being taken in by these lies from both parties. Sestak will most likely be a hack also. Nothing ever changes with these people.— teksys
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- If Rendell is backing Specter then the vote is simple and easy. A vote for Sestak. It's time for new blood, those two old blowhards have done enough damage to Pennsylvania.— unclejed
- I heard he said the same thing - he would have lost had he run against Toomey and so he switched back to the Democrats. From what I've read Toomey makes Santorum look center/left. I'm definitely voting for Sestak. Arlen needs to retire.— PotteryPete
- what a joke listening to fast eddie......he has to be the biggest liar of the century.....and arlen the biggest traitor as well.....what a deal to see both of them ride off on a camel together.— frank1121
- Time to put Arlen out to pasture. We don't need the republican party's castoffs.— lostInPhilly
- I don't recall Sestak's ad mentioning anything about how Specter voted on the stimulus, only the fact that Specter changed parties to save his job....the truth, in my opinion. He didn't need to switch parties to vote for the stimulus. Nice try, fat Eddie. Go eat another hot dog and dream up something else to say. Specter knows he can't win as a Republican...plain and simple. Now it looks as if he won't even win as a Democrat. I'm voting for Sestak....just to get rid of Specter. He needs to retire anyway. He is too old for the job.— cpepe
- The fact of the matter is that Spector is bay far the candidate who is best for he interest of Pennsylvania. He's a moderate so the Republican/Democrat label is insignificant. He hs the power to partner with the next govenor to make things happen for PA. A freshman senator does not have uch influence regardless of party. Spector can work with either a Republican or Democrat. The vast majority of Pennsylvanians are moderate. Toomey is far to the right and there are no significant differences between Sestak and Spector other that seniority. That's why Rendell and Nutter are supporting him. Bottom line: Spector will produce results that they other can not. The Philly area needs to vote. This is critical to PA.— MikeP
- Go Joe Go. Dump the geezer. Anyone see the laughble "different positions" statement on his website about his no vote against Kagan? What is Obama loses in 2 years? Specter will rediscover his republican roots? Time for the pasture.— boomartin
- im a philly transplant but i do know that for a very long time democrats have been in charge around here. Doesnt anybody think that REAL CHANGE would be a good idea? Does everyone in this city want a handout? When are these people gonna start taking responsibilty for their lives? This Arlen Spector is a complete joke , hes def. not intouch with the people .. Vote Independant or Republican. its time for a change.— karona
- With Republicans being an minority in the state and City of Philadelphia. How did Senator Specter win 5 terms? Sizable amount of Democrats voted for him. Let's face it, many of you would change parties to save your job.— jasper729
- Let's see. Career politician or Admiral in the Navy. Both know politics, but only one has really worked in 35 years for a cause....like running the NAVY. Sestak for the future...— Live
- I wasn't sure who i was for but now I know who Eddie is for I certainly am going to have to vote for Sestak.— Bender
- If Specter had made the vote and maintained his Republican affiliation, Rendell would be right. Specter instead ran for cover and thought that he could be a Democrat by merely filling out a form and announcing it. He is going to find out Tuesday that loyal Democrats who have been voting against Arlen Specter for YEARS are going to do so again.— citizenkane
- Truth is devastating to liars. That's why Rendell and Specter are upset about the ad.— junethe4th
- I wasn't sure who i was for but now I know who Eddie is for I certainly am going to have to vote for Sestak.— Bender
- Some people here should really learn how to spell - perhaps their opinions would be weighed a bit more.— Favorthabold
i say vote for Specter. He left the party to save his career because Toomey had to much support and he saw no chance of winning. Vote for Specter, he will be easier to beat than Sestak when the General Election comes around.— R.P.B.- Senator Specter was right about the "single bullet theory" --- he was right on the stimulus bill and, ----he was right to switch to the Democratic Party.— gary ledebur
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- Sestak is simply unelectable. If he were he would be my candidate too. he is much too liberal for most people. he doesn't come close to appealing to independents.— steve19149
- Sestak is a fraud. Why hasn't he released his service record? What is he hiding. If he is the water walker he claims to be why hesitate to show the facts to the public.— vc bear
- Arlen--Jumped the Shark. Rendell--Jumped the Shark. Let's face it---The main threat here is Toomey, with views that, as someone pointed out, make Santorum look progressive. If your views are progressive, do you want to put an opportunist like Specter out there---a guy with no moral compass himself? A guy whom every Republican and independent will oppose? Or do you want a guy like Sestak--moderate in views and without the awful baggage? It's a no-brainer. That's why I wonder about these polls---no self-respecting Democrat can vote for Specter. It's all the Fat, er, Fast Eddie influence. He's really the most disappointing of all of the players in this story. Can you believe he once was the "Hope of the City?"— Palestra Jon
- Anyone with any common sense knows he switched parties to save his old *%*. Watch, if he loses to Sestak, do not be surprised if he runs in November as a Independent.— ALJ
- Sleezstak can not be trusted until he releases his military records. Im not about to take him on his word that he was super-admiral. Its like going to a job interview and refusing to show the employer your resume. PA needs Specter and all of the seniority he comes with. Your a fool to think otherwise.— tdoc
- All politicians are a bunch of non caring thieves who only care about themselves. It takes an act of God to see them, if you have an issue, and they forget that they are elected ,by the people, to serve the people, not to help themselves to a hefty pension and great benefits. As in the "Brewsters Millions " movie....Vote "none of the above"— ghostmarine
GW Bush campaigned for Specter and he won, if he switches parties and is endorsed by the The Chosen One, I won't be able to stop laughing if he loses. In fact I'm laughing already!- ALJ...why do Sestak's military records matter? No one has suggested that he did anything disloyal or negligent. This is even worse than the Swift Boating of Kerry--at least there, there were people who came forward to disparage him, albeit they were full of it. Here, Sestak was a 3 star admiral, who was demoted to 2 star and retired. However, he served with distinction in both the Clinton administration and in the Middle East. So your baseless speculation is ridiculous. Sestak is running as a real Democrat, with principles and positions in line with the vast majority of Democratic voters. If you don't like him, the odds are that you are either a Republican or a stooge of the Rendell/Nutter machine, which needs to be crushed.— Palestra Jon
- If Sestak's service records don't matter why did Sestak duck the issue during the debate with Specter. We all saw him react in public to the question. He looked like a deer caught in the headlights. If Sestak is such a water walker why is he hiding 31 years of the facts? You would think he would want to share the detail.— vc bear
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Chris Brennan, a native Philadelphian and graduate of Temple University, joined the Daily News in 1999. He has written about SEPTA, the Philadelphia School District, the legalization of casino gambling, state government, the mayor, the governor, City Council and political campaigns. E-mail tips to brennac@phillynews.com
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David Gambacorta spent a small eternity writing about cops, drug dealers and serial killers. Now he’s writing about power and politics – which sometimes reminds him of the old crime beat. He joined the Daily News in 2005. And yes, he knows you’re not quite sure how to pronounce his last name. E-mail tips to gambacd@phillynews.com
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Jan Ransom, a native New Yorker, joined the Daily News in 2010 after graduating from Howard University. She has since written about the difficulty of filing police complaints, tax deadbeats and life after violent home invasions. She joined the Daily News City Hall Bureau in 2011 and has plunged headfirst into reporting on administration budget battles and City Council shenanigans. E-mail tips to ransomj@phillynews.com
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Sean Collins Walsh is from Bucks County and went to Northwestern University. He joined the Daily News copy desk in 2012 and now covers the Nutter administration. Before that, he interned at papers including The New York Times, The Dallas Morning News and The Seattle Times. E-mail tips to walshSE@phillynews.com
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Follow Chris on Twitter
David Gambacorta spent a small eternity writing about cops, drug dealers and serial killers. Now he’s writing about power and politics – which sometimes reminds him of the old crime beat. He joined the Daily News in 2005. And yes, he knows you’re not quite sure how to pronounce his last name. E-mail tips to gambacd@phillynews.com
Follow Dave on Twitter.
Jan Ransom, a native New Yorker, joined the Daily News in 2010 after graduating from Howard University. She has since written about the difficulty of filing police complaints, tax deadbeats and life after violent home invasions. She joined the Daily News City Hall Bureau in 2011 and has plunged headfirst into reporting on administration budget battles and City Council shenanigans. E-mail tips to ransomj@phillynews.com
Follow Jan on Twitter
Sean Collins Walsh is from Bucks County and went to Northwestern University. He joined the Daily News copy desk in 2012 and now covers the Nutter administration. Before that, he interned at papers including The New York Times, The Dallas Morning News and The Seattle Times. E-mail tips to walshSE@phillynews.com
Follow Sean on Twitter
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