Sestak, Specter Clash Over Pay for Staffers

Pennsylvania Congressman Joe Sestak isn’t disputing the fact many of his staffers are paid salaries at or below the minimum wage, but he says Senator Arlen Specter’s campaign is only pointing that out because they’re worried about the incumbent Democrat’s approval ratings.
A day after Specter’s campaign put out a press release charging Sestak with paying several staffers salaries that equate to a bit more than eight dollars an hour, the suburban Philadelphia Congressman fired back.
He doesn’t dispute his campaign payroll, but said his staffers are making a “personal sacrifice” to change Washington.
Sestak says Specter is going negative because of bad poll numbers.

"I don’t think it’s a coincidence at all that Arlen Specter’s negative personal attacks came immediately after another poll that shows after 30 years, only 25 percent of Pennsylvanians think the Senator, Senator Specter, deserves reelection. And I think they’re panicking."

The recent Franklin and Marshall College poll gave Specter a 33-16 percent lead over Sestak, with 44 percent of respondents undecided.
Specter’s campaign manager, Chris Nicholas, calls the salaries “pathetically low,” and inconsistent with Democratic principles.
According to information provided by Nicholas, the lowest-paid Specter campaign staffer makes 23-hundred dollars a month.

Specter Easily Wins Endorsement

Pennsylvania's senior U.S. Senator Arlen Specter won the Democratic Party’s official endorsement of his re-election bid this weekend.
The night before the vote, he and Congressman Joe Sestak tangled in a heated debate.
During the first half of his debate with Congressman Joe Sestak, Specter ignored his opponent and focused on his own record.
But halfway through the session, Specter went on offense, calling a Sestak answer “rambling.”
During his closing statement, the Republican-turned-Democrat challenged Sestak’s voting record...
"I’m going to ask him to explain why he has the worst voting record of anybody in the Pennsylvania delegation, and 9th-worst…in Congress. I’m going to ask him, if he was AWOL in the Navy if he wouldn’t have been court-martialed?"

Sestak was aggressive, too. Talking about the economic stimulus package, Sestak said Specter’s GOP votes helped cause the recession.

"We never should have had such a bill. He brought a fire hose to the fire that he, voting 2,000 times with George Bush on the economic and tax policies that gave us this recession, actually drove this state aground. "
Again and again, he hammered Specter for votes he cast as a Republican, saying the incumbent voted “with President Bush more than two thousand times.”
Party officials voted 229-76 to endorse Specter in May’s primary.

"PA Society" Gathered in NYC

The state’s political power players gathered in New York City over the weekend for an annual event. If you’re a Pennsylvania politician – or if you’re trying to win an election to join that club – then Pennsylvania Society is the place to be. It’s a tradition that dates back to 1899. Pennsylvania’s political scene migrates to the Waldorf-Astoria in Manhattan for a weekend of parties packed with schmoozing, black ties, cocktails and gossip. Nearly every gubernatorial candidate held a reception, and there was an unspoken attendance competition going on among them. It is believed a well-attended soiree means a strong campaign. Standing in the middle of a packed ballroom he had rented, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato said he was in New York to build relationships with supporters. He says, “Pennsylvania Society is a unique situation because you can get all corners of the state, the middle of the state, a lot of people from all over in one area for three days. And as you can see, I packed the room with a lot of supporters tonight. And I think it’s an indication of the viability of my candidacy.” Attorney General and Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett says it was worth the trip, “You know, there’s a lot of potential fundraising ability here, contacts here. Networking. I certainly like the reception that I have received this weekend, and continue to receive. I mean I’ve been coming to this since 1993 or 1994. It’s nice to get to see everybody. It is a lot of seeing the same people over and over again.” Along with campaigning there are a lot of discussions about upcoming legislative efforts. House Majority Leader Todd Eachus says Democrats have the votes they need to pass a table games bill. He says he is taking a different approach than the governor, “I always worry about the work. The governor’s got to worry about his press conferences. My focus is trying to get the job done.” At the same time, US Senator Arlen Specter of PA was talking about health care. Specter says the Senate will pass a health care bill by month’s end, but he shied away from declaring support for a compromise on the public health care option. He says, “We’ve talked a lot about it, but I want to read the fine print before I take a final stand on it. Getting 60 votes—getting 60 out of 60—is a tough job when you don’t have any Republican support.”

Toomey: Obama, Wrong on Economy, Right on Afghanistan

Republican Senate candidate Pat Toomey is criticizing President Barack Obama's economic policies, but says the president is making the right call by sending 30-thousand more troops to Afghanistan.
Pat Toomey lives in Allentown, and says he disagrees with the economic plans President Obama touted during a town hall meeting there.
Toomey says the government is making the recession worse with what he calls out of control spending, and he wants to see the federal budget capped.
Toomey doesn't think Obama's doing everything wrong, though-he supports the decision to increase the US military presence in Afghanistan.

"I do think that we can win in Afghanistan. I think it's vitally important that we not allow the Taliban to reestablish Afghanistan as a sanctuary for terrorist groups like al Qaeda. So I support the president's decision."


Democratic incumbent Arlen Specter opposes the increase. Toomey calls the stance "unfortunate," arguing Specter's making a political calculation to appeal to liberal voters.

PA Delegation on President's Afghanistan Plan

Members of Pennsylvania's Congressional delegation are weighing in on President Barack Obama's new war strategy for Afghanistan. Senator Arlen Specter says he opposes the president's plan to send an additional 30 thousand troops there starting in January. Specter says Al Qaeda can operate out of other countries like Yemen and Somalia, so it doesn't make sense to center the fight in Afghanistan, where no one has succeeded in the past.
Senator Bob Casey, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee, travelled to Afghanistan in August. He issued a statement saying the country deserves a full accounting of the challenges posed in Afghanistan. Casey's committee plans to question Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Democratic Congressman Jason Altmire of Pittsburgh's North Hills says he fully supports the Administration’s decision to provide commanders in Afghanistan with additional troops. "Make no mistake, the war in Afghanistan is still the central front of the war on terror. In order to keep our country safe, we must take the actions necessary to stabilize Afghanistan and to ensure that it will never again be a safe haven for Al-Qaeda or other terrorist groups.”
Congressman Joe Sestak, who is challenging Specter in the May Democratic Primary, says
the president has presented a plan to allow the nation to complete a mission that is as indispensable today as it was 8 years ago....
"It is a difficult decision. After years of war and with economic challenges at home, the American people are justified in their concern about an increased commitment in Afghanistan. But the President has made the right call. If we leave Al Qaeda behind in a safe haven and are struck again, what can we ever say to those we swore to protect?"

Sestak added that the clear emphasis of the overall goal must remain focused on eliminating the safe haven in Pakistan. And second, we should measure our progress not by a fixed timetable, but by benchmarks of achieving America's security.

Specter, Sestak Disagree Over More Troops in Afghanistan

Pennsylvania’s two leading Democratic Senate candidates have different opinions on whether more troops are needed in Afghanistan.
Senator Arlen Specter says he opposes sending 30-thousand additional troops to Afghanistan, unless their mission is “indispensible in [the] fight against al Qaeda.”
Challenger Joe Sestak supports the increase, as long as it’s accompanied by clear goals and benchmarks, but both men agree that US forces should be focused on disrupting terror networks, rather than rebuilding the country.
Specter says American troops shouldn’t spend resources propping up Hamid Karzai’s government, which he calls unreliable.

"We don’t want to fight a war against the Taliban. That’s not in the US national interest. Al Qaeda, yes, but if al Qaeda can organize elsewhere, then I’m opposed to sending more troops to Afghanistan.

Sestak says he’s also lost faith in the Karzai government, and wants to see US officials build more partnerships with regional tribal leaders. He says he’s opposed to an Afghanistan mission focused on rebuilding the country and its government.

"It needs to be primarily and near-exclusively on al Qaeda, but with a sub-goal of leaving behind conditions that leave a probability that al Qaeda will not come back."

Specter agrees, saying he doesn’t support “a war on the Taliban,” instead of al Qaeda terrorists. Both men are calling for an increased focus on Pakistan.
President Obama will announce his new Afghanistan strategy tonight at 8. WDUQ-FM will broadcast the president's address.

Casey Wants Changes to Obama Health Care Overhaul

Pro-life Democrat Bob Casey says he wants to see changes to President Obama's health care overhaul, but he's confident the measure will pass the Senate by year's end.
Casey says Democrats don't have the votes they need to pass health care legislation yet, but argues the reform movement has gained momentum, and will clear the Senate in December.
Casey supports a push to make sure the proposed public option doesn't use public dollars to fund abortions.

"I think there's a consensus in the country not to have federal tax dollars pay for abortions and I think that's the intention of people in both parties here in Washington. But I don't think we're there yet in the current version of the bill."

Casey didn't say whether he'd support barring private plans offering abortion coverage from the public exchange, saying the proposal "complicates" things.
He says since there's no template for that type of initiative, it's difficult to tell whether the Hyde Amendment would apply.
Both Casey and Democrat Arlen Specter voted to begin debate on health care this past weekend.
Specter says health care may not pass this year--but he's confident it will pass the Senate.

"We're going to work at it, but it is more important that it is done right than it is done fast. We're dealing here with a big chunk of the economy. We're dealing with health care for America, and we're going to do it right. And if it takes a little longer we are going to take our time."

Specter says he thinks the final bill will include a public option.

Specter: Good Health Care Reform Coming

U.S. Senator Arlen Specter says he is not worried about Republican efforts to “Sink” health care reform legislation as it moves through the Senate. “They have become the party of no,” says Specter, “Republicans are vowing to sink everything. They tried to sink the stimulus package, they are trying to sink health care reform. But there are 60 votes in the Senate and we are moving it along.” Specter says the nation will get, “a good healthcare reform bill.” He says, “I believe we will have the public option one way or another and we will be insuring millions of Americans and we will save money.” Those savings would come through more people seeking preventative care and help during the early stages of illnesses. Many of those watching the debate closely are using the end of the year as a milestone. Specter says he does not want to put a time line on the process. “It is more important that it is done right rather than done fast," says Specter.

Specter to Address Democrats

Political observers are billing this weekend's Democratic State Committee Meeting in Pittsburgh's as Senator Arlen Specter's big debut with his new party.
When Senator Specter takes his place at the lectern on Saturday, he'll be facing a slightly skeptical crowd. County-level party officials throughout the state are saying they like Specter, but they want to hear him explain himself on a range of issues before they fully back the longtime Republican.
Party Chairman T.J. Rooney, a Specter backer, says he's confident the new convert can win over wary Democrats.

"Well, I think Senator Specter needs to remind the leaders of our party just how strong a leader he's been on issues we care about. Whether you talk about alternative energy, whether you talk about labor issues."

Allegheny County party chairman Jim Burn says he and other party leaders are looking forward to hearing their new ally explain himself.

"All of them are anxious to hear what he has to say about, a, why he switched. And b, what will his platform be, with respect to issues and values that are important to the Democratic voters and residents of the state?"

Burn and Diane Bowman, who chairs the Dauphin County Democratic Committee, say they both want to hear Specter spell out his stance on the Employee Free Choice Act. Specter's viewed as the swing vote on the controversial federal measure. Earlier this year he announced he wouldn't support the legislation as it stands right now.
But some Democrats are hoping he'll reconsider now that he's crossed the aisle.

Specter to Address PA Democratic Committee

When five term Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Arlen Specter announced in April that he was switching parties and would run in the Democratic Primary in 2010, he received the backing of President Barack Obama and Governor Ed Rendell. This week he will try to court Democratic officials at the local levels. Specter is to address the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee Friday in Pittsburgh. Over the last two weeks, Specter has been participating in conference calls with groups of regional and local Democratic officials to discover their concerns. A spokesman says the senator and his aides have been working on Friday's speech for a week. Congressman Joe Sestak of suburban Philadelphia, who is expected to challenge Specter in the Democratic Primary, says he'll be on hand for Specter's speech.

New Name in Dem Sen Primary Ring

Suburban Philadelphia Congressman Joe Sestak says he’s preparing to challenge incumbent Arlen Specter in next year’s Democratic senate primary. The two-term Congressman says he intends to enter the race, but adds he’s putting off an official announcement so that he can discuss the decision a bit more with his family. Democratic grassroots activists have been urging Sestak to enter the primary and challenge Specter’s commitment to liberal issues. Sestak says Specter’s vote against President Obama’s budget was a major factor in his decision to run. He says, “This is now how he had indicated he might vote, for the good of Pennsylvanians. Because in that budget is exactly what we need for the educational opportunity [and] for the energy security.” Specter switched to the Democratic Party in late April, and was immediately supported by President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Governor Rendell and other party leaders. Potential Democratic candidates Josh Shapiro and Joe Torsella have backed away from the race since Specter’s switch, but Sestak says party leaders “anointing” Specter as the Democratic nominee concerned him.

Sotomayor Debate Begins in PA

Hispanic communities in Pennsylvania are excited about Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court. None of the 110 Supreme Court Justices in United States history have been Hispanic. Philadelphia lawyer and the president of the Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania
Teresa Rodriguez says Hispanic representation on the court is overdue, but adds that even without this historic factor, Sotomayor is a dynamic court nominee. She says,” This is a person with great educational fortitude. Someone who also brings diversity of perspective. And someone who has led an amazing, incredible and compelling personal story.” Interest groups are already gearing up for the nomination process. Liberal advocate Keystone Progress is urging supporters to email Pennsylvania Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey, to ask them to support Sotomayor's nomination. The nomination is stirring groups on both sides of the political spectrum. Michael Ciccocioppo, the president of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, says he's concerned Sotomayor will be another vote in support of abortion rights, and a judicial activist. He says he disagrees with President Obama's call for a Justice with "empathy." “That's not the role of the Supreme Court, to be empathetic. The role of the Supreme Court is to look at the Constitution, to look at the law, and then to decide whether the law is Constitutional or not” says Ciccocioppo. The liberal group Keystone Progress has already begun an email campaign directed at Pennsylvania Senators Bob Casey and Arlen Specter. They're asking supporters to contact the two Democrats to urge them to support Sotomayor's nomination.

Group Pushes for Sestak

Now that Philadelphia civic leader Joe Torsella has exited the Senate primary, a small but growing group is pushing hard to convince a fairly well known name to jump into the race against Sen. Arlen Specter who recently switched his party affiliation. Organizers of the online "Draft Sestak" movement say the eastern Pennsylvania congressman is the best bet liberals have to put an early end to Specter's reelection campaign. Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg is the editor of political blog Young Philly Politics, and helped put together the "Draft Sestak" website. He says a strong primary challenge would force Specter to move to the left, “I think if he runs, at worst he will keep Specter sort of more in line with Democrat-Democratic positions on labor and health care and the economy.” He goes on to say, “I think if he gets out, all of a sudden Specter has the freedom to do whatever he wants to do.” Allegheny County Representative Bill Kortz says he's staying in the Senate race, but Urevick-Ackelsberg argues Sestak would have better fundraising abilities, and could give the longtime incumbent a real challenge. Governor Rendell, President Obama and other party leaders have all rallied behind Specter's primary campaign, saying the recently converted Democrat deserves another six-year term.

Online Liberals Try to Draft Sestak to Challenge Specter

With another potential Democratic Senate candidate dropping out of the 20100 primary, online liberal activists say they're ramping up efforts to get Congressman Joe Sestak to challenge incumbent Arlen Specter next year.
Now that Philadelphia civic leader Joe Torsella has exited the Senate primary, organizers of the online "Draft Sestak" movement say the eastern Pennsylvania congressman is the best bet liberals have of defeating Specter's reelection campaign. Specter switched parties last month and announced he would run in the Democratic primary next year.
Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg is the editor of political blog YoungPhillyPolitics, and helped put together the "Draft Sestak" website. He says a strong primary challenge would force Specter to move to the left.

"I think if he runs, at worst he will keep Specter sort of more in line with Democrat-Democratic positions on labor and health care and the economy. Judges, the core stuff. I think if he gets out, all of the sudden Specter has the freedom to do whatever he wants to do."

Allegheny County State Representative Bill Kortz says he's staying in the Senate race, but Urevick-Ackelsberg argues Sestak would have better fundraising abilities, and could give the longtime incumbent a real challenge.
Governor Rendell, President Obama and other party leaders have all rallied behind Specter's primary campaign, saying the recently converted Democrat deserves another six-year term. According to Specter, Mr. Obama indicated he would come to Pennsylvania to campaign for him.

Anti-Abortionist to Run for Senate

Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter can expect competition from at least one right-wing colleague next year. Peg Luksik, a conservative anti-abortion activist from Johnstown, says she is considering a run in the 2010 Senate race. Luksik, who ran for governor three times in the 1990s, may vie against former Senate candidate Pat Toomey as well as the incumbent Specter. Toomey fell to Specter in the 2004 race, losing by a narrow 1.7% margin, but has mentioned interest in campaigning again. Luksik says competition from Toomey could divide conservative state Republicans and allow Specter to easily win his 6th term.

Specter Praises Obama on Stem Cells

Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter is applauding President Barack Obama's executive order reversing the Bush Administration's stance on stem cell research. The Republican says the restoration of federal funding will help scientific research. The Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation is upset with the move, calling the decision a "tragic mistake," and arguing the research destroys the potential for life in embryonic cells. Specter disagrees with that argument. “It is not a matter that they're going to be used to produce life. They're going to either be discarded or used for scientific research. If these frozen embryos could be used to produce life I certainly would never advocate their use in scientific research.” Specter says he's hopeful embryonic stem cell research can help scientists battling cancer, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease and other illnesses.

Specter Stands by Vote

Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter says he's not sure whether the recently passed federal stimulus package will lead to economic recovery, but he's confident it's worth trying. Specter says he knows nearly all of his Republican colleagues in Congress were skeptical of the stimulus, but he has serious concerns about the country's economy. He says he'll stand by his "yes" vote, even if it costs him a Senate seat or invites a primary challenge. At a recent public appearance Specter acknowledged that it's tough to tell whether President Obama's $787 billion bet will pay off. He says, “I'm asked if this stimulus package is going to work, and I give a candid answer. As I said before, economics is not a science. But I do know that if we did not have the stimulus package, things would get a lot worse and the economy would fade into a depression.” The White House says the stimulus will create or save 143-thousand jobs in Pennsylvania. Specter says he thinks that figure is accurate.