Party-switching Sen. Arlen Specter and U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak previewed the themes of their probable primary battle last night in back-to-back appearances at a meeting of the Delaware County Democratic Party’s executive committee in Broomall.
Sestak got a standing ovation from the crowd of about 100 packed into the Marple Library, in the heart of his political base. Specter received a polite reception – and some sharp questions - as he sought to reassure the party leaders and activists in attendance that he would stand up for Democratic values in the Senate.
Nearly two months ago, Specter abruptly jumped from Republican to Democrat, acknowledging that he could not accept the likelihood that voters in an increasingly conservative GOP would discard his 29-year Senate career as a leading moderate in next year’s primary. The last straw for many Republicans: Specter’s crucial vote for President Obama’s $787 billion economic stimulus.
Immediately after the switch, Obama, Vice President Biden and Gov. Rendell endorsed Specter for re-election in 2010 as a Democrat.
Sestak, in his second term in the House, is ramping up a challenge to Specter, arguing that the party establishment should not force an inauthentic Democrat down Pennsylvania voters’ throats for the sake of expedience.
“People almost laugh at me at this point, but I am getting in this race,” Sestak said last night. “I’m a Catholic and I understand conversions…but there has to be a choice.”
In his remarks, Specter stressed the stimulus vote – “a helluva vote, the biggest vote of my life” – and instances of bucking Republican orthodoxy over the years, including his championing of stem cell research and 1987 blocking of right-wing Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork. He referred repeatedly to his White House and gubernatorial endorsements while asserting that he never asked to be handed the Democratic nomination.
“Should I turn down Ed Rendell’s support? Should I turn down Vice President Biden’s support?” Specter said. “But for (Sestak) to say that his reason for running is I’ve been anointed – it’s just not so.” He added, “I’m ready to roll and rumble.”
Sestak mixed praise of Specter’s long service with barbs about his record, including his role in installing conservative justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and John Roberts on the Supreme Court, as well as support for Bush’s tax cuts for the rich and the Iraq war.
“I honestly think change means change,” said Sestak, a retired Navy rear admiral. “I believe it means having new ideas and the energy to execute them, through 2016.”
Specter faced some skeptical questions from the party leaders and the audience, especially over his opposition to so-called “card check” legislation that would allow unions to organize a shop if a majority of workers petitions to certify the union. Specter says he wants union certification to be decided by private ballot, as it is now, and told his audience he is among a group of lawmakers working on a compromise that would make it easier for unions to grow yet preserve the secrecy of the voting booth.
Peter Halloran, a union sprinkler fitter from Ridley Township, was not buying it, pointing out that two years ago Specter had voted to cut off Senate debate that was blocking an identical version of the bill in order to bring it to a vote.
“So you voted to bring it forward and then you were going to vote against it?” said Halloran, 33. “That doesn’t make sense.”
As Specter tried to explain the ins and outs of the Senate, Halloran grew frustrated. “This is the main question for the working people in this party – unlike you, the people who work for a living,” he said.
“We all work for a living,” Specter said.
“You’ve worked for the government for 40 years, what are you worried about a pension, health care?” Halloran responded.
At the end of the event, Specter said, “This is just the beginning of a dialogue. I understand it’s something new for you to be asked to support Arlen Specter when you’ve been working for three decades to beat me.”
Posted by Thomas Fitzgerald @ 9:48 AM
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12 comments
I'm 100% for Sestak. Senator Specter's days in the Senate are overdue for an end. Does anyone remember him saying he wouldn't run again in 2010 after his last election, or is that just me?
Sestak is a phony. Give me a break. The only reason Specter has been continually been re-elected is because he has always had wide support from democrats in this state. "card check" lkegislation is ridiculous for the unions and what they want. They hate secret ballots because they can't muscle and use scare tactics to intimidate workers to get the votes they want. Votes to bring in unions should be by secret ballot. What are they afraid of? Would want your vote read to everyone? It is a private matter. That is democracy. The unions are here because of democracy, now they want to act like nazi storm troopers to get their way. Specter is right and his moderate voice in the US Senate is needed and respected by most senators. You don't throw out a Senator with huge seniority, that has done much for Pa for a 1 term house rep. Sestak has done nothing and needs to chill his heels for 6 more years and do something in the interim.
Brilliant move for the Republicans! Faced with losing his Senate seat next year, Specter switches parties and BOOM! the Republicans get to field two candidates for a seat they were clearly going to lose. The Democrats are left scratching their heads. People! Just because Specter suddenly declares himself a Democrat, doesn't mean he is one. Go SESTAK!!!
D's enjoy this fence sitting two faced liar. I remember one time many years ago, he faked a heart attack so he could avoid a vote on gun control. I don't know much about Mr..Sestak but I think we would all be better served by him.
Any Democrat dumb enough to vote for this weasle,after the damage he has done to working Americans ,needs a lobotomy.This is an opportunity to kick this piece of human waste to the curb
What we need is more Democrats in office...they have done a fabulous job in Philly...a Democrat orgy...elect more Democrats...if you love what is happening in Philly...
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pahzed, once again you are someone who beleives only what he hears from the anti-union groups. Card check is only part of the bill. There is nothing, repeat it slowly, nothing in the bill that does away with secret ballots if the workers so desire. The reason for the card check provision is that it puts the onus on management not to drag its feet to hold anelection until it thinks it has enough support. Management stalls for time and uses it to coerce workers not to vote for a union ny subjecting them to manditory "educational" films and meetings, prohibiting workers from speaking with union reps and threatening them with losing their jobs. Of course, you don't hear that from the C of C and management types, do you?
Basement,go back and read a history of Philly under the republlican leadership. Those guys made the Dems of today look like rank amateurs. Their leadership was so bad and so rotten the party hasn't recovered in 50 years.
Basement,go back and read a history of Philly under the republlican leadership. Those guys made the Dems of today look like rank amateurs. Their leadership was so bad and so rotten the party hasn't recovered in 50 years.
I am getting sick about hearing about card check. Who really cares besides a bunch of union bosses and corporate hacks? With the economy in shambles, healthcare needing reform, and fighting a couple of wars, why are we wasting time over card check? How many jobs is this legislation going to create or save? Lets move on and let Specter and Sestak go at the real issues
I am getting sick about hearing about card check. Who really cares besides a bunch of union bosses and corporate hacks? With the economy in shambles, healthcare needing reform, and fighting a couple of wars, why are we wasting time over card check? How many jobs is this legislation going to create or save? Lets move on and let Specter and Sestak go at the real issues
12 comments
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