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

[gbrooks]

All of you guys getting excited about Sestak--have you checked out his voting record and made sure he's worthy of your support yet? I'm doing that now as I'm a PA resident and can actually vote for the guy. Just because Congress doesn't read the bills they vote for doesn't mean we shouldn't check out the voting records of the person we're supporting.

I'm currently a Republican, but I wouldn't vote for someone just because they have an "R" next to their name.

What are Sestak's pros and cons? We already know Specter's and I agree that he has to go, but once a person is voted in they tend to stay in unless they do something atrocious, so make sure this guy is worth it.

[Doofus]

Sincerely, I hope you can make this work. Just remember, as a Rep in
Congress, they really only know you in your home district. Get out &
around early & often. Get support from other PA Reps - John Murtha!
Do not, DO NOT, forget independents, even though the can't vote in
the primary. Secure their support anyway! Make this work for you & US!

[marinade]

The DCCC called and asked for a donation today. Sorry, I donate directly to candidates or to DFA or ActBlue.

[Querent]

Exactly. That's the only way to assure that your money only goes to progressives.

[Mysticalsister]

I LOVE Joe! I want him to run and win against that disgusting opportunist, specter.
I want to know where to donate to his campaign -- and in about 8 years,
I want him to run for president.

ActBlue and Act often!!!

[raphaeljo]

here

http://joesestak.com

[AKaurora]

Good! I've liked Sestak during his various appearances on TV shows. I like his manner, his personality, and how he handles himself. He's a good man, and I think the Dems in PA will be smart enough to choose him over Specter. I don't dislike Specter as much as I consider him to be too conservative and a non-player in Obama's plans. As angry as Lieberman has made me, at least he still was mostly a Dem. Specter is likely to vote on anything Dem about 3 times a year. Time for him to retire. Go Sestak!

[Mycorrhizae]

I will gladly donate to Sestak-- fund raising shouldn't be a problem.

[blues101]

Many of us Pennsylvanians are thrilled that Sestak's running - we're not happy with the specter routine, he hasn't done much for us and he's certainly not going to vote with democrats on most issues. Nothing's worse than adopting a turncoat. It's like marrying the guy who cheated on his wife with you. You can't trust him. I'm behind sestak as are many pennsylvanians and i hope the president realizes that it's not his call - the voters will speak if given the chance. We don't want a fixed or railroaded election. And we don't want a republican in democrat's clothing.

[masha2008]

let's hope obama doesnt talk to him and "discourage" him to run by promising something else.

[Mysticalsister]

I think he has more substance than to fall for that routine. And the DNC better stop trying to force this kind of cra.p down our throats or their going to wonder where the money went.

Specter is an insult.

Go JOE!

[gymrat23]

Maybe this will make Spector act and vote like a true Democrat now. I have a feeling that Rep. Sestak is saying he's going to challenge Spector to get the Senator to vote more down party lines with EFCA and any health care bill that may be introduced in the Senate.

[Opygollopy]

Good. I hope he wins and that Obama does back him. Specter is a back stabber looking towards getting a seat no matter what the label. I also hope someone runs against Ben Nelson in Nebraska. He is another one that only thinks about his career.

Specter is a fossil and he should be retired. His ideas are old and his attitude sucks. Ben Nelson is a Republican in Democrats clothes. He cannot be trusted.

[masha2008]

maybe if obama sees a movement that cannot be stopped he wont put a stop to the sestak candidacy. it would be very hard for him to support sestak in the open after promising to support specter. obama can just say while he supports specter it is eventually up to the voters of pennsylvania to decide.

[NYed]

I vote in PA and Sestak has won my vote.

[poochkers]

I vote Dem in PA and Sestak has my vote also.

[GeoLee]

Where do we send our monetary support for his campaign. This is a brilliant poitical move even if he ultimately does not ultimately run. It puts the senator on notice that he better vote the party ticket a little more often..

[raphaeljo]

here

http://joesestak.com/

[purplefishies]

YES !!!!

Finally some Dems with some Cajones !!! Get rid of the party of Rahm, Reid, and Spectre. Time to force this country to be liberal and embrace ideas that are good for the people and not just corporations.

[Hopalongpoppyseed]

Rahm is far from perfect, but he isour bahstad.

[ChelseaC]

lol.

[LiarLiarIraqsOnFire]

Where can I send my contribution? I want my party back from the opportunist hacks like Specter, Lieberman, Bayh et al.

[raphaeljo]

here

http://joesestak.com/

[RGKahn]

As a resident and voter in New Jersey I cannot vote for him. As a citizen and a long time liberal-progressive Democrat, I can and will support him in both the primary and in the general election, after he wins the primary. Pennsylvania does not need another DINO in the U.S. Senate. There are 16 of them now. Some are not just a DINO, but more republican than DINO. We have way too many Senators who call themselves Democrats, but don't put their votes where their mouths are.

[Mysticalsister]

ActBlue and act often!