Andrea Mitchell keeps asking why Obama isn't in Pennsylvania

[apples and oranges]

The answer is simple. There is very little overlap in Specter supporters and Obama supporters. Sure, people would turn out for an Obama rally, but they'd turn right around and vote for Sestak. Obama and the democrats are only supporting Specter because he did do them a big favor with his votes, but I think everyone including Obama would be pleased if a real democrat won (Sestak).

[Captain Hilts]

1. But VA and NJ also showed they would just stay home. nt

[karynnj]

10. He came to NJ and did a large event in Holmdel

Very, very good. It is too bad the governor did not use the themes Obama did, but instead ran a nasty demoralizing campaign.

[Captain Hilts]

12. For whatever reasons, voters stayed home in both races.

[karynnj]

18. Exactly - Corzine was very unpopular - Codey could have won

[zipplewrath]

2. You're dreaming

Obama wants Specter. He's a close buddy of Biden, and he's a confirmed, demonstrated centrist, just like Obama likes. He didn't have to campaign nearly as much as he did for Specter. He definitely didn't have to bring OFA into the mix. He did because he wants him.

[apples and oranges]

5. I don't think so. Specter is old and set in his ways

Friends or not, I'm pretty sure they want Sestak, or they would have done some last minute rallies.

[zipplewrath]

8. Nope

If they wanted Sestak, they wouldn't have fired up OFA. They wouldn't have shown up either. They'd a helped him raise money, and they'd worked the phones to try to avoid a primary challenger. But they did much more than that. They actually put their boots on the ground, they had OFA sending out messages to people not even in PA. They did robo calls. And there was probably other things of which we do not yet even know.

They pulled out in the last week because they didn't want to be associated with another loser.

Sorry, Specter is the kinda guy Obama likes.

[polichick]

16. Sadly, I agree - the prez likes Republidems. nt

[polichick]

3. imo he doesn't want to be associated with the loss he sees coming...

Mitchell was tough on Sestak a while ago but he held his own.

[Uncle Joe]

7. And I believe that's Mitchell's motivation for asking, she wants to tie Obama to a loss in order

to personalize the race instead of allowing the decision to stand on it's own merits and to weaken Obama should it happen, making it easier for a Republican to win in 2012.

[polichick]

13. Yeah, she's not even close to being an impartial journalist. nt

[Uncle Joe]

22. I believe that's endemic to the institution, from my observations, the last thing the

corporate media want are for American Elections to be decided on the issues instead of the personalties or horse race aspects.

That's because the corporate media has far more power regarding their own influence when personalities or horse race aspects are involved over issues.

They can camouflage a candidate's shortcomings, and demonize, a superior candidate with ease by using their one way top down corporate owned and subsidized megaphones, however issues are more complex, although that doesn't stop the corporate media from trying to obfuscate or ignore those as well.

[NJmaverick]

4. Andrea should understand that historically presidents have used little political capital

on primaries. They prefer to such a valuable commodity only when it gets, which is in the real election.

[zipplewrath]

9. Which is how ya know he really wanted Specter

No way he does this for anyone he doesn't want, and ain't Biden's buddy.

[baldguy]

6. Obama is hedging his bet.

He's got to "officially" support the incumbent Dem - Specter - but needs to be able to throw his weight behind the winner of the primary, no matter who it is.

[sabrina 1]

19. He does not have to do anything in a primary, unless he WANTS to

He wanted Specter to win. Presidents normally stay out of primaries, unless they want something.

[AllentownJake]

11. The administration

Would not have put out feelers to how to get Sestak to not challenge Arlen if they were ambivalent of the primary result.

[spanone]

14. it's fucking easy, andrea, he's in youngstown ohio

[Barack_America]

15. Actually, Specter is very popular in Philadelphia with Obama supporters.

African American voters, in particular, are expected to turn out heavily for Specter.

The real reason may be that with issues like the oil spill, now may not be the best time for the President to be seen politicking. Besides, Philadelphia elections run more on street money anyway.

[sabrina 1]

17. I disagree. I think Obama and everyone in the WH wanted

and expected Specter to win. He is after all, far closer to them on the issues, being center right.

Now, they see the possibility of a Sestak win and don't want to damage the president's image by having him be seen backing a loser.

Sestak is the obvious choice for democrats, his voting record on important issues is far more Democratic than Specter's.

But the party backs Blanche Lincoln and Specter and any other right leaning 'democrats' they find.

It was a big mistake for Obama to support anyone in the primary season. Presidents should remain neutral in those races. But they WANTED Specter, just as they WANTED Liebermann.

Please don't try to soften the fact that this WH supported two rightwingers when they could have remained silent with no political consequences.

[librechik]

20. Mrs. Greenspan wants The President to run down there and save Specter's ass?

sigh. I guess he's obligated, and he certainly has done nothing for DEMOCRAT Joe Sestak. Is he hiding?
Or did he just lose interest because it looks like Specter is a big fat Leeeeoooooser?

[mfcorey1]

21. Andrea Mitchell and Wolf Blitzer

These are two who like to instigate situations that will provide toxic results. Wolf did it all through the Haiti disaster wondering if the people were being violent as they fled for their lives. Andrea can never see the glass as being full. It is always half empty and will not fill until there is some chaos to tip it off.