Source:
National JournalSen. Arlen Specter (D) has staked out Afghanistan as the next issue on which to prove his Dem bona fides after his party switch earlier this year.
Specter has come out against a troop buildup in Afghanistan, a position his campaign cites as farther to the left than that of his opponent, Rep. Joe Sestak (D).
The move, which comes as Pres. Obama is expected to announce the addition of as many as 30K troops in a prime time speech next week at West Point, also puts Specter in the curious position of being to the left of the WH itself, which has thrown its support behind his bid.
But perhaps more troublesome for Specter, it could give Sestak more fodder to use against what his camp sees as Specter's Achilles' heel -- the argument that Specter's issue positions are motivated by political calculation rather than personal conviction.
Specter made his first remarks in opposition to a troop increase early last week, telling a group of PA high school seniors 11/16, "My view is not to stay or increase troops unless Afghanistan is indispensable in a war against al-Qaeda."
more:
http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2009/11/specter_sestak.php