Sestak is already declaring victory in the PA primary.

[wisteria]

Just now on the Big Ed show. I am just stunned at the ego of this man.

[lamp_shade]

1. I don't trust him.

[polichick]

4. Me either - or Specter for that matter. nt

[MrMickeysMom]

58. Would you trust him more than Specter?

If not, why not?

The only thing that irritates me thus far is his insistence of the word, "irregardless"!

[babylonsister]

2. He's a politician. Did you expect something different? nt

[wisteria]

39. Sestak is the one who claims not to be the politician in the race.

I expected a more humble response and one that deferred to the results of the primary next week. I did not expect the answer he gave followed up with a speech about how it is time to come together and how everyone is really wonderful. It sounded like an acceptance speech.

[MrMickeysMom]

59. I don't think you expected that at all...

In fact, I keep seeing you populate the PA group with much of this nay-saying, without backing it up?

That's so troll-like, come one, why not have an analysis of why?

[MH1]

70. Actually Specter's ad implies that he, Specter is not "just a politician"

after all he accuses Sestak of being "just another politician" so isn't he saying that he, Specter, is not?

[polichick]

3. Specter isn't exactly egoless - at his age, why doesn't he retire? nt

[wisteria]

7. Because he likes helping and serving the people of PA. His whole life has been devoted to public

service. His age shouldn't even be an issue. He is still extremely sharp and energenic. He doesn't want to retire, why should he if he loves what he does?

[lamp_shade]

9. I feel the same way you do. I hope the people of PA do too and vote him in again.

[wisteria]

13. I think you will see the support for Specter at the polls. This support is not being shown in the

poll that has been done and the one on which Sestak is using to suggest his momentum. Rasmussen also has a new poll, but interestingly it mirrors the other and Rasmussen is notorious for being RW leaning and wrong. But, never mind the polls, this race will depend on turn out and I am hoping that the Dem machine and all the unions and fire fighters working for Specter will take him over the top. All the people I know who are not progressive say they like Specter and are voting for him.

[lamp_shade]

17. I hope so. I've always had a deep respect for him... even when he was on the other side.

I'll do what I can to help him.

[wisteria]

20. Thank you. People in PA have always voted for Sen. Specter the man,

not the party.

[polichick]

28. You really think it doesn't matter that Specter voted for Bush's tax cuts and fake war? nt

[wisteria]

34. It is old news. I am over Bush and have moved on. n/t

[WinkyDink]

38. "Over Bush"? Well, good for you. The tax-cuts and war-crime invasions are on-going ruinations.

[MrMickeysMom]

61. Oh man.... that's it...

These are the words of a troll.

Weave this, "I am over Bush" stuff up a rope!

[MH1]

67. wisteria is not a troll, I can vouch for that

but I confess I do not understand some of the statements being made.

[MrMickeysMom]

78. Well, that makes 2 of us, MH1...

What else do you call a person who does shit like that? A cheerleader?

[WinkyDink]

37. Some of us DEMOCRATS never voted for Specter the REPUBLICAN.

[wisteria]

40. And some of us did. I am probably older than you are and some times I find myself voting for the

person, not the party. Only, occassional, but I admit that I have- Specter is one of those times.

[MrMickeysMom]

62. Can you say....

single bullet theory?

Sure.

[polichick]

87. To hell with the person and the party - what matters is POLICY. nt

[WinkyDink]

36. Respect for a Republican? Whatever.

[wisteria]

45. Maybe you have to live in western PA to understand. n/t

[MrMickeysMom]

63. Bullshit... I live in Western PA...

... and I understand perfectly well.

[saltpoint]

66. I think Joe Sestak will do quite well in the western counties generally

and in and around Pittsburgh especially.

[polichick]

10. Just saying - it takes a pretty big ego. nt

[napi21]

5. He was responding to Ed who asked him if he was going to

stand here on THIS SHOW next week as a winner? Yes Sestak has an ego, but all politicians do.

[wisteria]

8. That makes no difference, he said he was going to stand there as the winner.

I have never heard a candidate claim that so bluntly. Usually, they exhibit humility and defer the question. Not Sestak, he is claiming that Obama is only supporting Specter because he owes him and suggests that everyone else who throws there support to Specter is only doing so because they have to. This guy is in need of an ego check.

[napi21]

24. You must not have been paying attention for long. I remembe

people asking McNuts ( when his poll #'s were down a LOT from Obama's) Are you going to win next week, and he said ABOLUTELY! We Ill WIN on Tuesday!

All po;iticians answer YES when asked a direct question like that! I can't recall even ONE who didn't!

[wisteria]

27. There is something different in a rallying cry and one in which you matter of factly state you will

be standing there in a weeks time as the winner then goes on to give a part of his acceptance speech about coming together. Oh and I love this one, he went on to suggest that all of the endorsements Specter has received are because the party made him a promise and they have to honor it. In other words, they had to endorse him.

[vi5]

6. Wait, are people anti Sestak now?

Did I miss something?

[wisteria]

11. Some of us have never liked him and others have found out some things they don't like about him now.

Did you know that he has people from McCain's team holding fundraisers for him.
And, that he has taken much of his money to run on from Republicans? One of those Republicans being Richard Mellon Scaife- of Ken Starr fame.
Sestak also claims to be the real Democrat in this election, but he has only been a registered Democrat for four years and became one to run for office.
Sestak was released from command for a "poor command climate"- a charge which he denies, but when asked to release his military records he refuses and become evassive.
Sestak's voting record is more conservative than Specter's.

[MH1]

18. nah, the pro-Sestak people are busy at work

except me, I just got home. :)

[wisteria]

21. And, me I have been working for Specter all day along with many others.

I am just taking a break before going back to help out.

[AlinPA]

12. That's OK, he just said he's going to win. What should he say, "No, I'm going to lose"?

Calling it "Declaring victory" is hyperbole.

[wisteria]

15. First, it is a premature declaration and it shows a lack of politcal correctness.

But, hey you go with what you think. I think it isn't over till it is over and the only polls that matter are the ones done at the voting booth on election day. I think you are going to be surprised at the turn out for Specter.

[lpbk2713]

14. That's what Coleman said to Al Franken as I recall.

That was before he ended up with egg on his face. :rofl:

[wisteria]

16. Interesting. n/t

[stray cat]

19. Spector helped me get a job as he has been the top supporter for medical research

with one other dem. Sestak hasn't done anything for me and I doubt if he will be as avid a supporter for research. I want to keep my job!

[emulatorloo]

22. Since he switched he has been a solid Democrat on HCR, etc.

I don't know much about Sestak. Can he win in Pennsylvania? Or will we get stuck with TOOMEY?

[wisteria]

29. Sestak has a more conservative voting record than Specter.

And,Governor Rendell has said that internal polls show that Specter has a lot better chance of beating Toomey in the general election.

[saltpoint]

42. I wouldn't lean too heavily on Ed Rendell as a reliable source.

And the most current poll indicates that Toomey would soundly defeat Arlen while Joe's percentage is within the margin of error.

Rendell is wrong.

[wisteria]

44. Rendell has internals, what are you working with-Rasmussen?

Rendell is the Governor of PA, and he use to be the DNC chairman. I think he is a better source than Rasmussen.

[saltpoint]

48. Haven't checked Ras yet, but stumbled across it here:

http://www.pa2010.com/2010/05/poll-sestak-fares-better-than-specter-in-november/

Not a good sign for Arlen.

[wisteria]

53. They refer to the Rassmussen poll. And, like I have said, it is the end game that will matter. n/t

[saltpoint]

55. If you go back with Ras in Pennsylvania -- say the Rendell race

for governor and the Casey race versus Santorum, and also the Obama totals versus McCain, Rasmussen was deadly accurate.

I don't care for their GOP-tilt but in the Keystone State, they've got the right mustard in the potato salad.

[wisteria]

25. Sen. Specter has saved a lot of PA jobs through the years.

And, as you said, he has been a strong supporter of stem cell research. These are the kinds of things people need to be hearing about Senator Specter- he has an excellent record of service to the people of PA. Sestak is running on nothing but being the "real Democrat"-which isn't true, and being a Navy man. It seems like a slim resume to me. Why would PA want to give up a senator who has done so much good and someone they can count on, for someone they know little about and is running on nothing more than attacking Specter on silly matters like who he has endorsed in the past. Frankly, I don't like Bush, but really, Bush is old news. And, I would bet most people don't even remember who Santorum was. Palin for some strange reason is liked in PA and not just among Republicans.

[AlinPA]

30. I have seen the remark "been in the Navy" or words to that effect in some other posts,

thrown out there as if he just had a stint in the Navy and that's all. Check out his record. He deserves a lot more respect than "he was in the Navy". Read through the following (it's from Wikipedia)and look at the the huge responsibilities he had. Those medals he got are not just thrown out there. They are very meritorious. The job of Admiral is a large responsibility.


As a surface warfare officer, Sestak served division officer tours as damage control assistant, combat information center officer and weapons officer on the guided missile destroyer USS Richard E. Byrd, and then was weapons officer on the guided missile destroyer USS Hoel. He then served as aide and flag lieutenant to the admiral in charge of United States Navy surface forces in the Pacific.

In January 1986, Sestak became executive officer of the guided missile frigate USS Underwood. He then served in the Politico-Military Assessment Division of the staff of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. On August 30, 1991, Sestak took command of the guided missile frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts, which was named the Atlantic Fleet's best surface combatant in the 1993 Battenberg Cup competition.

In July 1993 , Sestak became the head of the Strategy and Concepts Branch in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations. From November 1994 to March 1997, he was the Director for Defense Policy on the National Security Council staff at the White House, where he was responsible for national security and defense strategy, policies, programs, inter-agency and congressional coordination and regional political-military advice. In May 1997, he became the commander of Destroyer Squadron 14.


Vice Admiral Sestak then directed the CNO's Strategy and Policy Division (N51), and led the Navy's efforts toward the 2000 Quadrennial Defense Review, for which he analyzed the economic value of U.S. defense spending. After September 11th, he became the first director of the Navy Operations Group (Deep Blue), which sought to redefine strategic, operational and budgetary policies in the Global War on Terrorism. He reported directly to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Admiral Vern Clark, as policy adviser and administrator. Sestak told The Hill that as the designated policy adviser and administrator to Clark, it was his job to revamp the Navy, a process that necessarily ruffled feathers. “Change is very challenging,” Sestak said. “It did not sit well with a lot of people...I worked hard, and I did not ask anyone to work harder than me."

In the summer of 2005, Sestak was administratively reassigned from his positition as DCNO due to a "poor command climate," effectively ending his naval career. His removal was one of the first changes made by Admiral Michael Mullen when he took over as the new Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) in July, according to Navy Times.

Sestak's decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legion of Merit awards, two Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Navy Commendation Medals and the Navy Achievement Medal.

Because Sestak left the Navy before he had been a Vice Admiral long enough to be able to retire at that rank, he retired at the lower rank of a two star Rear Admiral.

[wisteria]

33. He was an Admiral in the Navy. Is that better. I mean no disrespect

for those who have served. Senator Specter was in the Army and he serves on the Veterans committee in Congress. I only mean to imply that his Navy background and claiming to be the real Democrat does not qualify him to be a US Senator-especially when compared to the 30 years of service Specter has.

[AlinPA]

47. An Admiral in the United States Navy is not qualified to be a US Senator?

Check out the background of the 100 Senators and I'll bet you'll find a majority of them never had the huge responsibility that an Admiral or a General has. What are the qualifications?

[wisteria]

52. Not as much as a man who has served in that position for 30 years.

He won't be commanding a regiment in the Senate, he will be trying to fight for the people of PA and no one has a better record of doing that than Specter.

[MH1]

64. "commanding a regiment"?? I doubt he did that in the Navy either.

Although he did command a battle group. And was NOT "relieved of command" as some Specter smear merchants keep saying.

[MH1]

65. Sestak's qualifications (include Master's and Doctorate from Harvard)

http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/people/s/joe_sestak/index.html

Sestak, who retired as a two-star admiral after 31 years in the Navy, is the highest ranking former military officer ever elected to Congress and to serve in the House. (Navy Admiral Thomas Hart was appointed to the Senate from Connecticut.) He grew up in a large family in Delaware County, and followed his father, a World War II captain, into the Navy. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy second in his class, and rose through the ranks to become a three-star admiral; he holds a master's and doctoral degree from Harvard University. During his career, Sestak held various operational commands and high-level policy positions. He was a defense adviser for the National Security Council during the Clinton administration. He commanded the George Washington aircraft carrier battle group during combat operations in Afghanistan. After the September 11 terrorist attacks, Sestak became the first director of "Deep Blue," an anti-terrorism think tank within the Navy. In July 2005, he was reassigned following a shake-up of top leadership and shortly thereafter his young daughter was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, forcing his family to live in a Washington hospital for four months. He said his experience there with families lacking quality health insurance caused him to rethink his life priorities. After officially retiring from the Navy in January and after his daughter was declared free of cancer, in February 2006 Sestak launched his campaign for Congress.

Plus a couple terms in Congress.

You won't find many relatively young Senate candidates who are more qualified. In fact, point out ONE - just ONE - non-incumbent of ANY age who is more qualified. (And I only say non-incumbent because you seem to think incumbency trumps absolutely everything else.)

Seriously, Specter will go sometime ... do you think in 6 years we will have someone as qualified as Sestak to run against whoever the republicans put up?

[AlinPA]

86. Well stated. nt

[Horse with no Name]

68. Arlen is a paid shill

He needs to go.

[AllentownJake]

23. This race isn't over till the votes are counted

We will see what the ground game looks like on election day.

[wisteria]

26. That is what I think too. n/t

[saltpoint]

31. I'm rooting for Joe.

[wisteria]

32. WE know, but can you vote in PA? Republicans and Supporters

from out of state can support him all you like, it is the people in PA right now who will decide this.

[saltpoint]

35. Polling in Pennsylvania shows Sestak up 4, current to this morning's

percentages.

[wisteria]

41. Yeah, he is down one point. And, from the same old polling source.

This race is close- no doubt, but I believe it will be decided by turn out.

[saltpoint]

43. No, Sestak is up 4.

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/05/11/sestak_keeps_lead_heading_into_final_week.html

[wisteria]

46. He was up 5 in that poll the day before. He is down 1 point. n/t

[saltpoint]

49. Tomorrow's published poll will show the same spread. The election

is now less than a week away.

I think Arlen Specter is going down.

[wisteria]

54. Ah, how do you know that. And sorry my support for Specter remains strong.

I will never support Sestak-period. It will be the end game and the force is behind Specter.

[saltpoint]

56. How do I know what? The polling has been published pretty regularly.

Pert near anybody can read it if they have a library near by or web access.

[wisteria]

57. It is the same Mullenburg poll all the time. And, besides I'll wait for the election results.

Maybe Specter will win or maybe he will lose, but I will not give up on who I think is the better and more honest candidate. I firmly believe Sestak will lose the General election and Toomey will be our Senator.Any way, I resent Sestak for setting us up to fail whether he wins or not. It was all about his ego and getting even with the party. Frankly, IMO he has screwed PA.

[saltpoint]

60. If you don't like Muhlenberg, you can try Franklin & Marshall, due out

tomorrow, which will show Sestak up 4-5 points over Arlen.

Salon has the updates on sveral angles:

http://www.salon.com/news/specter_sestak_pennsylvania_senate_primary/index.html?story=/news/feature/2010/05/11/specter_should_have_run_independent

[MrSlayer]

50. Should he be declaring defeat?

Fuck Specter and his magic bullet bullshit. I've never had any respect for him, he's an opportunist and a parasite.

[wisteria]

51. He seems a little to sure of himself. And, right back atcha about the BS about Specter. n/t

[bemildred]

69. Well I hope he is right, Specter was one of the tools that gave us USSC Justice Clarence Thomas. nt

[MH1]

72. Specter also voted for DOMA and advocates elimination of the estate tax.

Just a couple of his 'progressive' positions.

[bemildred]

74. Yep, he has a long, self-serving history of lacking either principles or scruples.

Sort of a Republican Joe Lieberman.

[wisteria]

75. Specter is for civil unions which is what most of PA is for. But, he is a reasonable man

and I am sure he would listen to others points of views on the issue.

[MH1]

84. DOMA outlaws equal benefits to same-sex unions

whatever you call them.

Personally I prefer the term "domestic partnership" to "marriage" for reasons I won't go into here, but in ALL other respects it should be equivalent to marriage - and DOMA outlaws that. So Specter can claim to be "for civil unions" but isn't that trying to have it both ways?

(and to my LGBT friends: I'm not hard over on the terminology anyway. I have my reasons. But at this point I don't give a shit what anyone calls it, it needs to be functionally equivalent to marriage. So don't get too mad at me just because I prefer a different term.)

[MrMickeysMom]

71. I just want to say....

Go Joe!

[MH1]

73. Nice!

Thanks for the great pic to brighten up this thread. :)

[wisteria]

77. Not a PA resident are you. n/t

[MrMickeysMom]

79. Look back at all the threads you shit on and you'll find that I AM...

(cheerleader)

Reading is your friend!

[PM Martin]

81. +1

[wisteria]

76. Vote Arlen Specter, the real Democrat-77% of Democrats say so.

He is the candidate that has a record of serving the people of PA for 30 years and one that he can be proud of.
Time Magazine voted him one of the top ten Senator's in Washington because he made a difference in Washington and in the lives of the people of PA.

[MrMickeysMom]

82. Send the single bullet theory senator to the home for the politically insane!

... then, check your polling, you have no idea what you are even saying.

[MadBadger]

83. Does the campaign pay you?

Everything you've said in this thread sounds like a campaign commercial.

[TexasObserver]

80. It's impossible for him to be worse than Arlen Sphincter.

[AtomicKitten]

85. Glad it's not my state.

Truth is I don't like either of them. What I do know is that I hope whoever wins this primary beats the every lovin' crap out of Toomey.