Specter Accuses Sestak Of Being AWOL In Congress (VIDEO)

The Democratic primary to watch in the 2010 elections is already heating up, with Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) releasing a minute-long web ad attacking Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.) for having the "worst voting record in Pennsylvania."

Specter also accused the former Naval officer and three-time winner of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal of being "AWOL" for Pennsylvanians.

"Joe Sestak has missed more votes this year than any other Pennsylvania member of Congress. Eighty four times working families needed Joe Sestak's vote and 84 times he didn't show up to work," the spot reads. "Where is Joe? Out campaigning for a promotion to the U.S. Senate."

The spot is quite critical, especially for a primary that should be months away from starting. But Specter seems to be sending a message here: That any race will be personal and hard-fought. Sestak has said, more or less, that he is running against the long-time Republican turned Democrat. But his entrance into the primary contest has been tentative so far. This might be an attempt by Specter to get him to rethink his decision.

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Comments

[bluemike]

06:10 AM on 07/21/2009

Is this Arlen Specter the same Arlen Specter who served as staff attorney for the discredited Warren Commission? Specter is no enemy of political attacks. Ask Anita Hill.

[ReedYoung]

01:52 AM on 07/21/2009

As much as I liked Specter's work on the hearings of Alberto Gonzales over illegal wiretaps, he hasn't gotten much else right lately. I was pleased to see him switch to the Democratic Party, but then he almost immediately ruined it by emphasizing that he isn't a Liberal. Maybe that was reassuring during the McCarthy hearings, and what one was expected to say during the Nixon, Reagan and Bush years, but to say it this year showed me he doesn't get it. I still think he means well but I want him out of the Senate.

[Justin Gibson]

12:52 AM on 07/21/2009

DINO Specter is still behaving like a Lieberman Democrat. A Dem who sides w/ the Repubs too much too me.

[PatriciaB]

11:11 PM on 07/20/2009

I'm from Pennsylvania and I will be voting for the real Democrat--Joe Sestak.

[Stirner]

09:16 PM on 07/20/2009

I'm from Sestak's district (PA-7). The ex-Admiral was voted into office on his promise that our troops would be out of Iraq by the end of 2007. Well, as soon as he got to Washington he immediately proceeded to support Bush's war by voting three times for additional funding for the war. It seems relevant to add that the City of Chester, in Sestak's district, has an unemployment rate of 16.7%, -- this according to www.simplyhired.com/a/local-jobs/city/l-Chester,+PA No one is unemployed in the Navy.

[MED1025]

10:53 PM on 07/20/2009

The city of Chester has been a basket case for decades. Back in the day, it was the home of Sun Shipbuilding and Scott Paper. Now it has no real industry, a failing school district and former mayors have been sent to state prison for corruption. Implying that the city went to h3ll on Congress Sestak's watch is something other than the truth.

Whether I agree with the wisdom of bringing a casino or a soccer stadium to town to create jobs, several of these initiatives have been undertaken and I applaud the effort.

[Stirner]

07:01 AM on 07/21/2009

Yes, quite right... one really cannot blame Sestak for the unemployment in Chester. Would Chester be any better off if Sestak spent more time in Washington, in Congress? Probably not, but still, old Arlen did make a point.

[Lilliputianm]

07:12 PM on 07/21/2009

Chester is not in Sestak's District. It was gerrymandered into Bob Brady's.

[barackobama4prez]

07:33 PM on 07/20/2009

I don't know Sestak, but I know enough to know that PA should vote old @ss Spector OUT.

[MaryanneAZ]

07:13 PM on 07/20/2009

My money, literally, is on the Admiral. I live in AZ, but I understand that money is often the deciding factor in a race. I want to see a legitimate Dem in the role of PA Senator. I see a very bright future for Rep. Sestak. 2016?

[bobtr900]

05:06 PM on 07/20/2009

I wonder if Specter remembers how often his friend GWB was out of the WH and on so many vacations. I remember that GWB worked on 2-4 big issues in a week. While Clinton worked on 3-4 per day.

Specter still seems to be a Rethug!

[Rastageneral]

05:25 PM on 07/20/2009

GWB: The prez with the most vacation days & most foreign travel ever logged while in office. Un-be-flippin'-lievable! Especially considering that he didn't do much foreign travel while having all the priviledge to do so before being in office.

[JakeMontero]

04:30 PM on 07/20/2009

Sestak's staff h8te him... he thinks he still an admiral. Specter is still a Repug in my view. I'm hoping for Rendell.

[Christian]

04:29 PM on 07/20/2009

Sestak is an up and coming star in my book. His career is going to get interesting.

[AbstractionAction]

04:00 PM on 07/20/2009

Lol, that ending: "So, uh, Arlen, just make it look like you're working all the time. How? I dunno, uh, try signing something for the camera. Oh yeah, that's the shot baybe."

[roch20]

03:52 PM on 07/20/2009

Sestak is a great American hero; Alan Specter has to be thinking; "Americans are stupid people, this is a done deal, I will not win re-election, so I'm going to change parties, then, I confess my loyalty and support for the Democratic Party and viola, the dummies will vote for me ..."!

Yeah right, this will be a real test for all voters in Pennsylvania, we are watching, Sestak is the right man for the job, but hey, this is the same state that voted for Hilary Clinton over Barack Obama, helloooooo!

[an observer3]

03:19 PM on 07/20/2009

I'm voting for Sestak!!!!!!

[BannedNBoston]

03:01 PM on 07/20/2009

I love watching desperate Republicans.

[jubei]

01:59 PM on 07/20/2009

America its time to bring back morals, intelligence,honor and integrity back to the white house,yall want public health care vote DAN QUAYLE 2012 for president

[StevenevetS]

02:15 PM on 07/20/2009

Does Dan know as much about health care as he does about spelling "potatoe"?

Par for the course for the GOP.