Sestak's 'Short-Term' Democrat Problem....

[PADEMJES12]

Rep. Joe Sestak has been the "real Democrat" for quite a short, short time. It appears that Sestak only registered
as a Democrat just prior to his Congressional run in 2006. Until then, he was an independent who voted for
Democrats and Republicans. This makes Sestak come off as a "flagrant hypocrite" because he parades around the state
with short-term memory championing himself as thee Democrat of Democrats.

http://community.post-gazette.com/blogs/earlyreturns/default.aspx?PageIndex=2

However, what explains Joe's dis-interest in not even voting in 23 general elections? If that's a 'real Democrat'
were are in trouble. Luckily we have Specter, who is off to a great start with the Democrats in voting for Obama's stimulus,
Favoring the confirmation of Judge Sotomayor, and has been a consistent party vote.

[RamboLiberal]

1. You must work for Specter

Specter who has been a real Republican for what 40 some years then sticks his finger in the wind, figures out he's losing as a Republican and switches party but still tries to straddle the fence.

Better Sestak who as a military officer I have no problem with being Indpendent. Better a guy who looked at what the Republicans were doing to this country and signed on as a Democrat than can't be trusted Specter.

[PADEMJES12]

2. Specter looks like he may be the REAL Dem

given Sestak's shoddy absentee-ism and hypocrisy to run around pretending he's a veteran Democrat. People know Arlen, and here as Sen. Specter
stated is a list of what he stands for as our real democrat. (Not to mention he has the best chance of winning and helping THE REST
of our ticket, which are obvious no-brainers particularly after tax hikes could be the kiss of death for the dems).

And if I've been popular with Democrats, it's because I've stood for what you've stood for.

Yes to increasing the minimum wage, because every working man and woman deserves a living wage.

Yes to the right of a worker to organize a union.

Yes to the right of every citizen to be healthy, to get healthy and to stay healthy.

No to those who would eradicate stem cell research.

Yes to liberating science to cure cancer and Parkinson's and Alzheimer's and other maladies.

Yes to reproductive freedom.

Yes to civil liberties even in time of war, because the defense of the Constitution is a battle to be fought and won in every war.

No to judges who are stuck in the 18th century like Robert Bork whom I helped defeat and caught hell from the far right along the way.

Yes to educational opportunity for every American of every talent or skill.

Yes to a clean environment and to the green jobs we need to create.

And last but not least, yes to a stimulus for our economy when we are facing the greatest threat to our economic security in three generations.

Sestak should tell people the truth when he goes around, that he skipped all those elections.... and he switched to democrat only
just before the election.

[Number9Dream]

3. Rep. Sestak explains...

Quoted from a Rep. Sestak e-mail:

While Arlen may have abandoned his party, he just can't quit making Republican "swift boat attacks" on the integrity of Democrats who served in our military:

Arlen said, "Congressman Sestak is a flagrant hypocrite in challenging my being a real Democrat when he did not register as a Democrat until 2006, just in time to run for Congress. His lame excuse for avoiding party affiliation, because he was in the service...."

I was registered as an Independent during the 35 years I served in the U.S. Navy protecting our country because, like Generals Colin Powell and Wesley Clark - who were also registered as Independents, I believe it is important that military officers should be nonpartisan.


I'm proud that I was an Independent during my military service; proud that I immediately registered as a Democrat upon retiring from active duty in 2006; and proud that I opposed President Bush's policies that year beating a 20-year Republican Congressman who had the full-throated backing of both President Bush and Arlen Specter.

Let's be clear: I voted for Bill Clinton, Al Gore, John Kerry, and Barack Obama while Arlen Specter voted for George Bush, Bob Dole, and John McCain.

Running in a Democratic primary, Arlen knows he cannot win on his three decade Republican Senatorial record, where he steadfastly supported the Republican agenda, including the last eight years of the failed Bush Presidency. Instead, Arlen has decided his only shot at winning in the primary is to run a "negative campaign" against me; hence his attack on my military service and integrity.

Guess that answers that.

[JPZenger]

4. Exactly, top military officers register as independent

Sestak worked in the top levels of the Clinton Administration, along with Wesley Clark.

As noted above, it is common for 3 star admirals to register as independent, because they are supposed to follow orders regardless of partisan politics.

As far as "voting for Republicans", how do you know? To confess, at times in my life, I have voted for a Republican or two.

[PADEMJES12]

5. Yes, so the 23 elections Sestak failed to even

show an interest in the political process by bothering to vote is a BIG FREE PASS for Sestak, but it's ok
for him to run around bad mouthing our new democratic Senator and hurting our
whole parties ticket in 2010. Come on Joe where's your party-building skills?

Oh and also... since Joe is in the mood of confessing has he ever voted for... say Arlen Specter, who has
consistently enjoyed a 70-80% approval rating throughout his tenure from Dems. I think its bad for our
party to be divisive. Whomever the candidate is im glad to support against Toomey. Im 110% behind
Arlen because it will give our ticket the best chance in a mid-term Congressional environment and
booster our gubernatorial candidate.

[Number9Dream]

6. Sen. Specter's actual votes

Don't take this the wrong way, but would you please provide links to substantiate the following statements:

"Joe's dis-interest in not even voting in 23 general elections"

"Specter, who has consistently enjoyed a 70-80% approval rating throughout his tenure from Dems". (I honestly don't know a single Democrat who likes Sen. Specter).

Regarding what Sen. Specter says he now stands for as a Democrat, I'm just worried that talk is cheap.
For example: "Yes to a clean environment and to the green jobs we need to create."
But when it came to actual votes... Specter scores 32% by The League of Conservation Voters on environmental issues, indicating generally anti-environment votes.
http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Arlen_Specter_Environment.htm

Voted NO on repealing tax subsidy for companies which move US jobs offshore.
Voted YES on restricting rules on personal bankruptcy.
http://www.ontheissues.org/Social/Arlen_Specter_Corporations.htm

Voted FOR telecom immunity.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/12/politics/politico/thecrypt/main3821504.shtml

Spectors Directs $50 mil to Aide's Spouse
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=439146

I too will support the Democratic candidate, but Specter hasn't earned my trust yet.

[PADEMJES12]

7. Dont take this the wrong way Number9Dream

You can find them yourself (sorry short on time, but i enjoy these little blurbs).
First one...It is a post-gazette link under the politics early returns section.

You can also travel down and get some "primary source material"
at the Delaware County Courthouse.

As for Sestak, he needs to start showing up in Congress as
opposed to missing all of these votes. His tardiness has been
rampant of late. Specter is off to a very good start as a Democrat with his
progressive voting record and party alignment. Sestak
will try to smear him for personal gain however.

Im going with Barack Obama... he's the man and he says: Arlen Specter!

[PADEMJES12]

8. Sestak "Swiftboat charge" absolutely false, divisive, and distracting

in reference to Sestak's swiftboat charge against Sen. Specter. When before did Arlen Specter
ever swiftboat anyone? He has never questioned the value or record
of Congressman Sestak's military service. However, rightfully the Specter campaign pointed out
that Mr. Sestak has not voted in 23 general elections and appeared to have a
disinterest in the political process before his run for congress in 2006. Objective facts...
see the Delaware County Courthouse.

#1 Sestak military service super

#2 Voting record in past elections not super.

It may be appropriate to probe into why Sestak has been "swiftbooting" his staff
what is it, 61 already he's gone thru or maybe more now. I like him and will support him
for congress. However, im concerned as a constituent about the continuity problems constituents could
face if he continues his abusive behavior.

[blue neen]

9. When did Arlen Specter ever swiftboat anyone? Try October of 1991.

"The Hill-Thomas hearings took place the weekend of October 11th. Hill testified that after she had refused to date Thomas, he had initiated a number of sexually oriented conversations, some of which alluded to pornographic films. She provided vivid details about these conversations, but her credibility was questioned by Thomas supporters who suggested, among other things, that Hill might have fantasized the conversations. Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) interrogated Hill as if she were a criminal suspect and suggested that she might be charged with perjury. Other senators wondered why she had followed Thomas from the EDUCATION DEPARTMENT to the EEOC if he had sexually harassed her. She replied that the harassment seemingly had ended and that she was uncertain about the future of her job at Education."

Read more: http://law.jrank.org/pages/10222/Sexual-Harassment-CLARENCE-THOMAS-ANITA-HILL-HEARINGS.html#ixzz0LOFYc8OP



Once again, I am not sure who I will support in next year, however I refuse to forget Specter's history.

[PADEMJES12]

13. If Anita Hill was "swiftboating", then Sestak is "swiftboating" Specter

since Sestak attacked Specter first. Ummm... get it???? Swiftboating is discrediting a veteran's military service (what happened to Senator Kerry and Max Cleland)
Those bums also tried and are still trying to get John Murtha.... dishonoring and questioning his military service.

Was Anita Hill in the military? Get the context of a word right before you throw them out there to inaccurately misrepresent a situation. As I said before,
Senator Specter has never swiftboated anyone, contrary to Joe Sestak's "all of a sudden" allegation that "he continues to swiftboat".

It is also inappropriate for a former officer turned politician after Mullen dismissed him to use his military service
as a shield and divisive distraction when some simple facts that he never bothered to vote in 23 general elections
were published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Why would Joe feel so quickly compelled to do so? No one, including Joe has been "swiftboated". Joe's long military service is commendable. It has nothing to do with his ineptitude and refusal to participate.... IN 23 GENERAL ELECTIONS, which showed he was disinterested in the political process at the time.

Let me repeat again....

1. Sestak military service yay!

2. Sestak interest in turning out to vote... not very good.

[blue neen]

14. From Wikipedia:

"Swiftboating is American political jargon that is used as a strong pejorative description of some kind of attack that the speaker considers unfair or untrue—for example, an ad hominem attack or a smear campaign."


Umm...get it???? "Swiftboating" is now a term used in America to describe a smear campaign...which, of course is what Specter did to Anita Hill.

"Get the context of a word right before you throw them out there to inaccurately misrepresent a situation".
I did get it right. Maybe you should do some research.

I think it would be advisable for you to NOT come on here and lecture long-time Pennsyvlania DU'ers. From what I have noticed you are posting on one subject and one subject only, and that's to cheerlead for Arlen Specter. Stop trying to ram the idea of Specter being a "good" Democrat down our throats and let us decide for ourselves. All you are doing with your current tactics is driving people away.

Why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live in Pennsylvania? What is your experience in working in political campaigns?

[PADEMJES12]

16. I ve been expelled from your exclusive club :)

I must have made u mad. U folks can dish it out but cant take it. However, buck up little camper,
Im on ur side in 2010.

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Freddie Stubbs]

19. He didn't explain why he failed to vote in so many elections

[PADEMJES12]

20. heres some sober analysis from pa2010

The Quinnipiac poll that came out Wednesday morning didn’t have a lot of good news for Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7). He would get killed by Senator Arlen Specter in the primary, it said. Even if he knocked off Specter, he’d lose to Republican Pat Toomey in the general election. He’d barely even beat underdog Republican Peg Luksik.

http://www.pa2010.com/2009/07/in-sestaks-rough-poll-numbers-a-big-opportunity-for-growth/

[Number9Dream]

21. Please see reply #15 n/t

[PADEMJES12]

24. thats because they can not Freddie

[SteelPenguin]

10. Oh please

As another poster up thread mentions he was a registered independent because he was in military service. That's extremely common, and nothing to attack.

Specter is in it for Specter, not the people of Pennsylvania. He even stated the reason he switched to being a Dem was because he couldn't win the Republican primary, and stood a better chnace winning as a Democrat without having to put up with a primary challenge.

Sorry. If Specter wins the primary I'll hold my nose and vote for him in the general, but he won't get my vote in the primary. Period.

[Number9Dream]

11. Only a problem for Sen. Specter

The burden of proof is with the poster. Suggesting that other DU members should drive hours to some courthouse to verify unsubstantiated statements is unrealistic.

The original post attacked Rep. Sestak on his "short-term Democrat" status. When that smear was laid to rest by Rep. Sestak's explanation, there was no concession on the soundness of those facts. Other unsubstantiated attacks simply replaced the original post. It seems bizarre for Sen. Specter, who has been a Democrat for only a few weeks, to attack someone else for being a short-term Democrat.

Unsubstantiated statement: "Specter is off to a very good start with his progressive voting record."
According to Keystone Progress, Specter is merely one for two since switching. Not worth bragging about after George W. Bush called Specter his "firm ally when it mattered most".
http://www.keystoneprogress.org/page/content/spscore/
Some of his votes before switching in reply#6.

Joe Sestak has voted with a majority of his Democratic colleagues 97.2% of the time during the current Congress.
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/s001169/

[PADEMJES12]

12. Here's your burden of proof- courtesy of Post Gazette

"Delaware County records showed that he voted in only 12 of 35 general elections (34%) from 1971 to 2005. He did not vote from 1989-99, missing President Clinton's 1996 election despite working in the White House at that time as well as missing the 1992 Presidential election."

Delaware County voting history for Joe Sestak -- taken from official records on file at the Delaware County Office of Voter Registration.

1. Joe Sestak registered to vote as an Independent in August 1971.
2. He did not vote in any primary elections from 1971-2005.
3. He did not vote in these 23 general elections during that same time: 1973,74,75,77,79,81,83,84,85,87, 1989-1999, 2001, 2002.
4. He re-registered as a Democrat in February 2006, just weeks before he began his campaign for Congress in Pa-7.
5. In last Sunday's Express-Times, Sestak said he was the only 'real Democrat' in the race.
6. From an AP story that appeared in the 7/7/09 edition of the Phila. Inquirer: Sestak, the highest-ranking former military officer ever elected to the House, said he registered as an independent throughout his military career because he believed it is inappropriate for a military officer to be affiliated with a political party. He registered as a Democrat shortly after retiring in January 2006.

[Number9Dream]

15. Statement from Rep. Sestak and more

Okay, I'll be polite and take your word that the statements and quotes are from those sources (even without links or attributions). We can have friendly debates here at DU.

Regarding these negative attacks...
1. Joe Sestak registered to vote as an Independent in August 1971.

As explained above, it is customary for high ranking military officers to register as Independent to appear nonpartisan. The military depends on cohesion and unity, and the defense of this nation must never be political.

2. He did not vote in any primary elections from 1971-2005.

In PA, one must be registered as Democrat or Republican to vote in primary elections.

3. He did not vote in these 23 general elections during that same time: 1973,74,75,77,79,81,83,84,85,87, 1989-1999, 2001, 2002.

From a statement released by Rep. Sestak: "As for my voting record, Arlen Specter should get his facts straight. Obviously, I didn’t vote in any primary elections because Independents are prohibited from voting in party primaries in Pennsylvania. Arlen Specter claims I didn’t vote, for example, in the 1992 general election, even though voting records show that I did. In other years – for example, in 1994 -- the records show that I requested an absentee ballot because I was serving out of Pennsylvania. And I also clearly remember voting at other times by absentee ballot, such as in 2002, while I was leading an aircraft carrier battle group in the war in Afghanistan. Unfortunately – as multiple reports have documented – it is all too common for service members serving in our military to not have their ballots counted because they arrive too late."

It's also noteworthy that Arlen hit Joe for "not voting" -- when really his ballot was not counted due to the rampant problems with military absentee balloting -- problems so widespread legislation to fix it was co-sponsored last month by Arlen himself: S1026, The Military Voting Protection Act of 2009.

Here's an article about the problems with military absentee voting:

http://www.sftt.org/cgi-bin/csNews/csNews.cgi?command=viewone&id=165&database=DefenseWatch%202005.db

4. He re-registered as a Democrat in February 2006, just weeks before he began his campaign for Congress in Pa-7.

Admiral Sestak retired from active duty in 2006 and immediately registered as a Democrat.

5. In last Sunday's Express-Times, Sestak said he was the only 'real Democrat' in the race.

Many here and elsewhere have made this same argument. Arlen Specter switched parties primarily because he had serious doubts about being able to win the Republican primary. (Reply # 1 & # 10).

We're not hearing any defense of Sen. Specter's anti-liberal, anti-environment voting record touched on in reply # 6, or his actively campaigning for Rick Santorum, George Bush, and John McCain.

[JPZenger]

17. Thank you, Number 9, Number 9, Number 9

Its funny how facts can get in the way of an attack.

[Number9Dream]

22. Welcome back PADEMJES12.

I'm glad your resignation was short-lived. I've enjoyed our debates. Our differences have pushed me to learn more about topics like military absentee voting problems. Hopefully, you've learned things too. I guess you've also discovered that you need a thick skin and not take this too seriously if you're going to post not just on DU, but anywhere on the web.

Your original post "Sestak's 'short-term' democrat problem" was an attack on Rep. Sestak. He was called a "flagrant hypocrite" among other things. JPZenger and others think reply # 15 effectively countered those attacks.

We're still not hearing any defense of Sen. Specter's anti-liberal, anti-environment voting record touched on in reply # 6, or his actively campaigning for Rick Santorum, George Bush, and John McCain.

So now, because of a couple of polls over a year before the election, Democrats should forget about Sen. Specter's dismal voting record, believe a couple of speeches touting his new-found liberal beliefs, and all fall into lock-step behind a no-competition primary.

I'll grant you it appears at this date that Sen. Specter has the best chance of winning the Republican, I mean Democratic primary. Maybe he'll switch back if Rep. Sestak gains in the polls. If Specter does win the primary, I'll hold my nose and vote for Specter over the repuke candidate. However, the election is over a year away and Rep. Sestak has yet to campaign all over PA. Toomey was only known in the Lehigh Valley before the 2004 primary, and he came close to upsetting Specter in a short time.

It should be apparent from the responses in defense of Rep. Sestak that many Democrats don't appreciate attacks coming from a Specter camp which they highly distrust. Many Democrats will need a lot more convincing that Specter's switch was not just a purely political move.

[PADEMJES12]

23. Just dropping off some poll numbers for you folks...

On the bright side, Joe did edge Peg Luksik. Im rooting for Specter
for US Senate and Joe Sestak to win his re-election for congress!


Thanks for the welcome back Number9Dream...

[PADEMJES12]

25. Yes, that was one SERIOUS case of military absenteeism for Joe

Im not sure Pennsylvania families can afford absenteeism from our US Senator.

You state above: "Your original post "Sestak's 'short-term' democrat problem" was an attack on Rep. Sestak"

I see it as a logical conclusion based on Joe's voting record (or lack thereof) and registration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rEXP2xAZCo

My response, Number9Dream in regards to calling Sestak a hypocrite is that
sometimes the truth hurts because it is Joe that has been the one traveling around the state
bad mouthing Senator Specter because Joe wants a promotion. The way I see it... Sestak threw the
first punch, and if he persists... Specter will throw the one that matters, the last punch. I have decided to
go with Arlen, who has been endorsed by Governor Rendell, Senator Casey, President Obama, and Vice President Biden.

It is okay in your logic, however for Joe to go around the state and go on talk shows
as he has and attack our newest Democratic Senator instead of welcoming him, but it's all of a sudden an attack if he is called
a hypocrite??? This is divisive, when we should be uniting as Democrats and setting our sites on Pat Toomey.

Toomey is beating Sestak in the Quinnipiac poll 39-35. Specter is handily beating Joe 55-23, which is worse than
the last poll. This, however... is after Rep. Sestak FINISHED his 67 county tour. We need to save all of
our punches for the Republicans in 2010 to get Senator Specter re-elected to the Senate and Congressman
Sestak re-elected to Congress. If one cannot take a candidate on this blog being called a hypocrite lightly,
and insists its an attack, boy they must not have very thick skin....