Joe Sestak: I "Intend" To Challenge Specter In Primary

Rumors that Rep. Joe Sestak, (D-PA) intends to challenge Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) in the Pennsylvania Democratic primaries have been confirmed, TPMDC reported today. The site received a handwritten note from Sestak to a supporter asking for donations. Sestak's sister, Meg Infantino, who works for Sestak for Congress, confirmed the report.

Specter is planning to run for re-election next year after recently switching parties to avoid a primary challenger in the Republican field.

Sestak confirmed that he intends to throw his hat in the ring in a conversation today with Wolf Blitzer on CNN's "The Situation Room." Said Sestak:

Wolf, I personally have made a decision that I intend to get in this race with one other item. I haven't sat down and had the time to sit down with my 8-year-old daughter or my wife to make sure that we are all ready to get in.

Sestak emphasized that he is not worried about clashing with the White House, although President Obama has thrown his weight behind Specter and has vowed to campaign for him. Sestak noted that he had not been contacted by the White House and expressed dissatisfaction with the administration's decision to line up behind Specter:

As I said weeks ago, Wolf, I was disappointed that the Washington political establishment had decided to anoint someone for Pennsylvanians. And so I said I would wait and listen. And I've spent the last weeks going around Pennsylvania to see if others felt like me.

Sestak also appeared on MSNBC's "The Ed Show". Watch the video:

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Comments

[hapaglloyd]

Retire Specter ,he will not be a true Democrat . Please turn out in the hundreds of thousands and vote for Sestak. thanks.

[den1953]

When you have Senator's that are seated in Washington for years is not good for the state it's time for new fresh blood with new idea's and selling out your party because you think you can't win is cowardly. I hope for Pennsylvania's sake there's more candidates in the primary let the best man or woman win!

[davemilk32]

Rep. Sestak is a lot better that Specter. I don't live in pa but i will send him money for his campain. Specter is a snake

[bellenoir55]

I'll be sending Sestak a check,too,from CA.
But I would like to know what Arlen "I won't be a loyal Democrat"
Specter is bringing to the table that gives him the president's backing.
I'm a strong Obama supporter,but NOT in this case!
And I'm sure the people of PA. will have a lot to say
about this race!

[t iessa]

He's wasting his time and his money. Arlen is Obama's guy.

[WilliamL]

A retired Naval Admiral might very well be of interest to this new administration and people in the region. He makes spector look like a clown.

Spector needs to be show the door.

[BPCentrisAmerican]

Rep. Sestak is a real leader, and Specter isn't, the chose is clear, at least to me, although there are people in PA, who are slow on the uptake. I know this, my father was born and raised there, he went back every year to visit family and friends he grew up with, but never to live.

[ladydragon]

I saw this guy on the ED show yesterday. I grew tired of him dancing around the question. Be a man, nobody's going to beg you to run, there's always someone out there to step up to the plate if you don't.

[buzzy]

Rep. Sestak voted for the BAILOUT, against the wishes of 90% of his constituents. He voted his wishes and not those who elected him. That is disturbing. That aside, I made my call to his office and asked that he enter this race, 'cause he'd be better than Specter(the man who supported the single bullet theory in JFK's assination....INSANE).

[BPCentrisAmerican]

Was the Bailout a disaster, or the 7 years of a aggressive mid evil crusade and the orgy on Wall Street, which also created $140.00 oil, which drove up everything else? I think the latter, the notion that militant conservatives have, that this country can in constant state of war and not pay for it is void of common sense reality. I remember the time when being a conservative meant you had common sense, no more.

[sandals]

I say go Joe!
Specter needs a run for his money of these politicians get into office and think that they are entitled to stay there for as long as they want. He is our of step with the country and it looks like his state too, so time to go Arlene.

[mamala4]

Good idea Joe...Pennsylvanians deserve a REAL democratic senator, not the phony Specter...let's not forget how Spector attacked Anita Hill during the Clarence Thomas hearings...Clarence THomas is the worst associate justice, with a very thin record, never asks a question when on the bench and also described by Bush Sr. as "empathetic." So what is the right sqwaking about?

[LooktotheLeft]

Goodbye Arlen. Your legacy will be your major role in having ushered Clarence Thomas onto the Supreme Court for, likely, the rest of my existence. How proud you must be.

[Imzadi]

Good luck, Joe! I support you all the way.

[KarateKid]

You go, Joe!!!

[Charmed]

I dont' anything about him so I'm looking forward to the debates and the primaries. I know spector is a opportunist and will probably provide the critical votes but this Joe guy may be a blue dog democratic which wouldn't be much different than evan bayu (sp).

[rain33]

run man run!..somebody beat spector because she can't be trusted at all!

[Imzadi]

She? I'm hoping that was a typo...

[LooktotheLeft]

Hmmmm

[LooktotheLeft]

You must be talking about Sen. "Arlena" Specter

[JiminNC]

He'll be getting some North Carolina money.