Arlen Specter, Ed Rendell Charge Joe Sestak With Airing 'Distorted' Ad

Sen. Arlen Specter's (D-Penn) campaign and allied lawmakers are charging primary opponent Rep. Joe Sestak with deliberately "distorting" the senator's words in an effort to make him appear more concerned about holding onto power than political principle.

For the past few weeks, the Sestak campaign has been running a television ad throughout the state that quotes Specter saying that he switched from the Democratic to Republican Party because it would "enable" him "to be re-elected." The footage was taken from a statement Specter had made back in May 2009 and it fit right into the theme that the long-time Senator was a political opportunist above all else.

Specter's camp had been urging reporters to locate and air the totality of the statement. And on Thursday, local TV station WGAL did just that:

"My change in party will enable me to be re-elected and I've heard that again and again and again [from people] on the street: 'Senator we're glad you'll be able to stay in the Senate and help the state and the nation.'"

The full statement doesn't change the fact that Specter clearly saw a switch in party affiliation as the one possible avenue for holding on to public office. It does, however, offer a seemingly fuller explanation for the switch. Instead of holding on to power for power's sake, Specter was arguing (as he had in other forums at the time) that there was a broad constituency within the state that wanted him in the Senate no matter what letter -- R or D -- came after his name.

"This is another example of Congressman Sestak believing there is a special set of rules just for him," said Christopher Nicholas, Specter's campaign manager. "The distorted clip of the Senator was so important to Sestak that he repeated it twice. His claims to the contrary, Joe Sestak is just another politician."

The Sestak campaign did not immediately return a request for comment.

As it happens, one of Specter's prominent endorsers, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, happened to be in Washington D.C. on Thursday to discuss the implementation of health care reform in the states. At the end of the event, he fielded a few questions on the Pennsylvania Senate race, affirming his belief that Specter would win and asserting that Sestak with misleading voters with the aforementioned ad.

"Arlen Specter voted to end his career as a Republican when he voted for the stimulus and he was cajoled by me, by the Mayor of Philadelphia, by the Vice President of the Untied States to switch and become a Democrat years before this year," Rendell explained.

Asked why Specter seemed to be in such trouble in the polls, the governor replied:

"He is a 30-year incumbent. If you told me in January that [Utah Sen. Bob] Bennett wouldn't even get on the ballot I would have told you, you were crazy. Bennett was a terrific conservative, a good guy. It is a tough year to be an incumbent and Specter is a 30-year incumbent."

Comments

[huffcom09]

04:47 PM on 05/16/2010

Sen. Specter, a grateful nation - including members of all the various political parties you were a member of - salutes your long service. It is time to stand down. Enjoy your coming retirement in good health and in good spirits, sir.

Ladies & Gentlemen, please join me in welcoming the next senator from the great state of Pennsylvania, Joe Sestak.

[KarateKid]

11:04 PM on 05/15/2010

Sestak is spot on. Once an R, always an R, just like a certain Greek lady we all know. Spector only wanted to save his career; he needs to go.

[littlemonster]

05:37 PM on 05/15/2010

Polls show voters prefer Democrats, but don't like incumbents. So why doesn't the Obama administration do us all a favor and make Arlen the ambassador to Arizona? Look... I'd rather have him than a lot of other Dems, flip-flops and all. I thought he was pretty genuine at the Netroots Nation forum last year. But he is no Sestak. It's time for some fresh progressive blood from Pennsylvania. And while we're on the subject, Arkansas too...

[Hokey Pokey]

04:16 PM on 05/15/2010

Specter is an opportunistic politician. It is not Sestak's ad that makes him so. Specter's defensiveness grows especially weary with his advanced age. Does he think we can't judge character?

[txgrandpa6]

12:41 PM on 05/15/2010

In the second paragraph of this article it states that Specter switched from the Democratic to the Republican Party, I expect better fact-checking from HP. He, in fact, switched from the Republican to the Democratic Party. Other than that Specter is just an opportunistic politician. He saw problems coming in the Republican primary, so he made his move. Now he is facing the toughest primary of his career. So much for opportunism Senator Specter, and say goodbye to the Senate.

[Sebbybear]

11:29 AM on 05/15/2010

It's time for Specter to retire and spend his twilight years dreaming up more Magic Bullet theories and reminiscing about the good old days of helping Ira Einhorn skip bail.

[reverence]

10:12 AM on 05/15/2010

This information does not change the facts. The fact is that Spector switch parties, because he realized that he would not be able to win the Republican Party nomination. His best opportunity lies with the moderate Republicans and the moderate Democrats who have voted him into office time and time again. So yes, Spector did switch parties to improve his chance of saving his job. His switching parties has nothing to do with the people of the state, but it does have everything to do with Spector wanting to keep his job.

As a past voter for Spector I was appauled by his support of the destructive Bush Administration. He demonstrated then his willingness to sell out the public to hold his job and I decided then that I would never vote for him again. As a moderate voter I recognize that Toomey is an extremist and will only represent a particular portion of the Pennsylvania constituancy therefore, I will cast my vote for Sestak who will represent a wider population of the Pennsylvania. By the way, most of us could care less about Rendell's opinion.

[masslass]

05:22 PM on 05/15/2010

I have read that Sestak fared much better against a republican candidate in a recent pol. Spector should have bowed out gracefully. He has had cancer twice, he is in his seventies for god's sake. Can we agree that running a country takes a lot of stamina and endurance. I think a lot of problems in this government come from the fact that our "leaders" like Spector, McCain, my beloved Ted Kennedy and of course Mr Tubes himself - Ted Stevens, not to mention Robert Byrd were and are just worn out, sick and too old. I have made a vow not to vote for any candidate who will be over 70 during his or her term. John Paul Stevens should have been gone years ago too. I think it's just plain ego not the good of the country that keeps all these guys in the race.

[Charles Krummel]

07:22 AM on 05/15/2010

Benadict Arlon Spector betrayed my party and he will betray yours Pennsilvania run a real democrat I hate traiters and self servig polotitions-they are the lowest in an already scummy bottom feeding proffession-little better than child molesters

[S22]

01:10 PM on 05/15/2010

Please learn how to spell!

[drbob601]

10:39 PM on 05/14/2010

Arlen Specter is 80 years old. Sorry, but it's time for him to retire from his cushy, taxpayer-funded job.

[Gwiwer]

06:19 PM on 05/14/2010

Heh, this is a fine example of a politician using fauxtrage to try to gin up some free advertising by getting on the news, and it definitely worked since a bunch of Pennsylvania stations have run the story on their new programs. Specter probably knows the full clip really didn't alter the message much, but he also knew that getting people talking about him on t.v. more than they already are would mean an extra few minutes of airtime that could be had for free. The news programs bought it hook, line, and sinker, as the saying goes.

[gtt]

11:18 PM on 05/15/2010

Exactly right. Sestak has gained momentum and has now planned to finish the race on a positive note. Specter knows that he is in trouble and is attempting to make Sestak appear unfairly negative so as to halt his mo. It is a false complainant but the media bit.

[miketothad]

06:12 PM on 05/14/2010

A couple of weeks ago, I would've give Arlen credit for his work, since switching sides.
But, that TV ad attacking Sestak was truly ugly.
It'll be nice to have someone on the hill we don't have to worry about.
I like Joe.

[dadumdee]

04:38 PM on 05/14/2010

Let me get this straight...Specter is running a trashy, negative ad campaign, and Sestak just moves forward. Sestak uses Specter's own words to highlight Specter's self serving political switch and Specter cries foul. Between Specter's Rendell endorsement and Bush endorsement, he's up the creek. Nobody likes those crooks in PA.

[vonPinto]

04:18 PM on 05/14/2010

PEOPLE (Democrats) WAKE UP.

ARLEN SPECTER IS STILL THE BEST BET TO WIN THE GENERAL ELECTION AND STILL RETAIN HIS SENIORITY IN THE SENATE.

JOE SESTAK REMINDS ME OF MARTHA COAKLEY OF MASSACHUSETTS.

While Arlen Specter has been mild in questioning Sestak's military records, the republicans and Pat Toomey will fry his butts with that question. Joe is too slow for this race. I hope the Dems. will drop their passion at the door and face reality in picking Arlen Specter.

Moreover, it it was not for Arlen Specter's vote, there will be NO TARP. A vote for Arlen Specter will encourage more republicans who may want to change parties to switch to Democratic party if the tea baggers chase them out of the party.

I suspect Charlie Crist is watching what treatment the Dems. will met out to Arlen Specter for his loyalty and vote.

VOTE ARLEN SPECTER, pleeeeaassssssssssse.

[CANTHATBE]

03:51 AM on 05/15/2010

I don't see it. You play to win the game. I am not from PA but I am hoping Sestak wins. I feel like people know where he stands more than they do Spector.

[gtt]

11:22 PM on 05/15/2010

BS/ Sestak is no Martha Coakley. He has a strong record and is a well spoken advocate for the democrats. Coakley's problems were multiple - none of which I see in Sestak. These fears are hardly a reason to vote for Specter.

[trish333]

12:05 AM on 05/16/2010

Yes, by all means...please vote for Specter. It will make is easier for the Republican to win.

[lindabear]

02:01 PM on 05/14/2010

I haven't liked any of Sestak's ads here in PA. When he has to use his little girl's health concern and then he takes Spector out of context he loses my attention. I will stick with Spector since he has earned my vote for what he has accomplished for PA.

[CANTHATBE]

03:53 AM on 05/15/2010

Sounds like he said pretty much the same thing in the ad. Listening to it several times Sestak ads looks correct.

[SouthJerseySteve]

01:47 PM on 05/14/2010

After all the bull---- going on in PA, I used to say, "thank goodness I live in Liberal NJ". Then the rednecks in NJ elected Christie!

[vonPinto]

04:27 PM on 05/14/2010

So creepy, isn't it?

The Liberals will not do themselves any favor if they sit back and watch the rednecks route them out by trooping to the polls to vote.

Though the Liberals think they are not getting their red raw meat from Pres. Obama for now, it will be suicidal to let the GOP gain back the Congress and State offices. It took 12 long years for the Liberals to gain back the Congress and they are giving it away just because everything is not going their way?. At least, you got Health care (which will be perfected with time), there is Financial reforms going on and so on and so forth.

This elections is your to lose. The choice is yours. My vote can only make a difference if you too come out and vote for cause.

[Charles Krummel]

07:35 AM on 05/15/2010

your state is broke and falling apart and you want more of the same?thereis a quoat from "ForestGump" that would sum you up-"STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES"

[S22]

01:07 PM on 05/15/2010

Hahaha! And you spelled "quote" like that?