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Pennsylvania Senate Primary RESULTS

First Posted: 05/18/10 10:29 PM ET   Updated: 05/25/11 05:30 PM ET

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Republicans, Dems Press White House On Sestak Job Offer
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Republicans and Democrats pressured the White House on Tuesday to disclose whether it offered a federal job to Pennsylvania Rep. Joe Sestak if he would drop his Senate primary challenge against Democratic incumbent Arlen Specter.

Sestak has said repeatedly that he received an offer to join the Obama administration if he abandoned the race against Specter, who had switched from Republican to Democrat last year and was the White House's preferred candidate.

Republicans have criticized the offer, saying it was grossly inappropriate and demanding an explanation from the administration.

Sestak said he rejected the job offer. Last Tuesday, he defeated the five-term Specter, capturing the party nomination.

White House officials have insisted that "nothing inappropriate" took place. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs declined to say if Sestak was offered a job, but did say on Sunday that White House lawyers and others have looked into the matter. Political adviser David Axelrod hinted that the White House might have more to say.

"I don't think that any questions will be left unanswered on this," Axelrod said during a Monday appearance on CNN.

That hasn't quieted the calls for the administration, which frequently says it is the most transparent in history, to make a full disclosure.

To continue reading click here.

-- AP
Posted: 05/25 08:12 PM
Total comments: 119 | Post a Comment
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Follow the latest news and discussion about the 2010 Pennsylvania Senate race below. Email TwitterLists2010+PASen@gmail.com if you know someone who should be added to one of our Twitter Lists. ...
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10:25 AM on 05/19/2010
Another failure for Obama, he endorses a candidate and they lose. Good work Sestak
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RuralLib
11:33 AM on 05/19/2010
President Obama probably felt an obligation to support Specter in light of his recent votes, but I think he'll be happy with a Sestak win in the fall.
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11:53 AM on 05/19/2010
We voted for a Democrat rather than a Republican.
Guess what will happen next election?

We'll vote for the Democrat rather than the Republican.
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RuralLib
10:16 AM on 05/19/2010
It was time for Arlen to retire. After watching a televised debate between him and Sestak, I thought I might vote for Specter. Mr. Sestak seemed to be playing Mr. Niceguy, speaking in an affected, obsequious manner that reminded me of the servers at Perkins Restaurants. Specter, on the other hand was as tough and cranky as ever. After reading of the congressman's approval in his district, his work ethic, his resume, and his liberal voting record, I decided that he must have more gumption than he had showed in that debate. Then Arlen slipped up in public, addressing the Democratic crowd as his fellow Republicans. His ads were old school nastiness. His age was obvious. Thanks, Senator Specter, for time served and for helping our new president (regardless of motive). May you enjoy good health and happy days.
10:25 AM on 05/19/2010
One day, Obama might make the same "slip" and address his crowd as his "fellow republicans".
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RuralLib
11:39 AM on 05/19/2010
Or maybe he will follow Lyndon Johnson: "My fellow Americans......"
09:54 AM on 05/19/2010
So, democrats voted for a democrat instead of the guy who admitted he only switched parties to increase his chances of winning re-election. And the media spin? Obama can't get democrats elected. Yes, clearly the democrats picking the real democrat in the race means that the democrats are rejecting democrats.
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11:55 AM on 05/19/2010
You're right.
Arlen Specter had never won a single election (except the bogus one in 1965) as a Democrat.

He won all of his Senator elections as a Republican.

We Pennsylvanian Democrats saw Arlen as a Republican.

Its pretty simple.
09:36 AM on 05/19/2010
lol a US congressman claiming his victory over Arlen was a victory over DC. How stupid does he think we are?
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csoloveshp
avid reader and music lover
09:41 AM on 05/19/2010
My thoughts exactly.
10:23 AM on 05/19/2010
I think he said that because D.C., namely Obama and Biden, supported Arlen Specter. (!)
It is a reasonable conclusion that a victory over Specter is also a victory over his big shot supporters.
09:23 AM on 05/19/2010
I have to say that this was in no way a comment on Obama, as much as the media wants you to believe, but rather a comment on the elitist Specter. I remember waiting on the Specter's back in the late 80's in Philadelphia, and how terribly they treated the staff from the maitre de to the busboys. We were all very obviously beneath them. I think that most of Pennsylvanians never really believed that his switch in parties was for any other reason than his own job. See you later.
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09:58 AM on 05/19/2010
I think it might be a comment on Obama as well. If nothing else it shows that his coattails have frayed to the point that they don't do that much good for fellow Dems. And, honestly, I'm sick of how much Obama has embraced the status quo myself.

In the words of Dr. Horrible, "The Status is NOT Quo!"
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teapot90
90 yrs since Teapot Dome, GOP corruption unabated
10:19 AM on 05/19/2010
Or maybe, just maybe, Obama's endorsement (which he promised he would give Specter back when he agreed to join the Dems) is the reason Specter got 46 percent of the votes in the first place, instead of say... 33 or 34 percent. The outcome of this election reflects more on the resolve of Democrats not to settle for half measures. We are tired of phony Democrats, like Specter, Baucus and Blanche torpedoing reforms.
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11:57 AM on 05/19/2010
Specter isn't a fellow Dem.
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09:16 AM on 05/19/2010
NEWS FLASH!!

Democrats vote for a Democrat!
Wow!
It must be a referendum against the Democratic President that we just voted for!

Or, maybe....just maybe...its a referendum on someone who we have known as a Republican for over four decades?

When we PA Democrats think of Arlen Specter, we think of a Republican.
So, we PA Democrats didn't vote for Republican.
Just because Specter isn't one of these super crazy Republicans like Palin, Boehner or Bachmann, doesn't mean we want him as our Senator.
10:28 AM on 05/19/2010
The Democratic President that we just voted for campaigned for Specter last September in Philadelphia, where he said, "I love Arlen Specter."

May he enjoy his love as he reminisces about the time they shared together.
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11:51 AM on 05/19/2010
Sure.
Last September, Obama should have told Specter to stay with the Republicans.
Good grief, this is so ridiculous.

I'm sure when Obama said "I love Arlen Specter," he it meant it in the deepest, most meaningful way.
He truly loves him.
He is nursing a heartbreak.
Probably in mourning.

No way will Obama ever be able to work with Sestak because he will be such a painful reminder of his beloved Arlen Specter, that 44 year Republican that had never once won a single election since 1965 as a Democrat.

And all of us PA Dems who voted for Sestak did so because we are angry with Obama. We're all going to run out and vote for Republicans next time (even though we didn't vote for Specter because he is a Republican).
Makes sense.
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wwrd1472
Loud, Proud and Country by the grace of God
09:14 AM on 05/19/2010
I just heard Arlen Specter is switching he is now a Tea Party candidate lol
10:29 AM on 05/19/2010
More likely the Pee Tardy candidate.
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darkstar528
09:00 AM on 05/19/2010
Specter(Ind)
jrfromdallas
I find squirrels untrustworthy too...
08:37 AM on 05/19/2010
Maybe Specter can come up with a "magic ballot" theory as to why he lost...
08:39 AM on 05/19/2010
(Grin)
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JFaye
My micro-bio is not empty. Thank you.
08:36 AM on 05/19/2010
The good news here too is that PA Democrats were not fooled by Mr. Spector's switcheroo... It is great to see voters waking up again and seriously using the power of the vote. We ... voters ... can overtake the power of lobbyists and big corporations/businesses with their hefty contributions used to influence (buy) Congress resulting in laws designed to protect corporations.
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08:25 AM on 05/19/2010
YEAH!!!!! TAKE IT BACK AMERICA!!! Sestak is the man. Eat it, turncoat.
08:23 AM on 05/19/2010
I live in PA and I'm a lifelong Democrat. I was undecided for a long time on who I would vote for. However, in the end, I choose Sestak because I couldn't stomach voting for Specter who has been a Repub for most of his life and just made this change because he had no hopes of getting the Repub nomination. ALSO, I feel like he's 80 years old, and not in the best health ever so maybe it is time for him to rest and enjoy life and take care of himself. I wish him the best!
08:38 AM on 05/19/2010
Specter is a tough bastard, you have to give that to him. He is, however, a tough moderate Republican bastard who voted with the Democrats on a few issues. That does not make him a Democrat, it makes him willing to work with the other side. The Republicans will be worse off without him. We Democrats did not want him.
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carlgt1
08:47 AM on 05/19/2010
same here, I also voted for Dr. Manan Trivedi (PA 6th district) for Congress and it looks like he won a very close primary race, and was outspent by Pike by 5:1 and didn't even have any TV ads! it shows the power of people who are just motivated to "get out the vote" over just having money & TV ads.
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StJames
In absentia luci tenebrae vincunt
08:16 AM on 05/19/2010
WOW! The November elections are going to be fascinating.
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wwrd1472
Loud, Proud and Country by the grace of God
08:10 AM on 05/19/2010
Good thing for Sestak Obama didnt throw his support behind him. Seems whoever the President backs goes down i flames.
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08:57 AM on 05/19/2010
That's for sure!

But, it could also be a coincidence. If Obama and the DNC support incumbents, and it's not just the Tea Party, but people on the left that are mad, incumbents will lose.
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09:09 AM on 05/19/2010
Except that Obama didn't really throw his support behind Specter.

The real point here is Democrats voted for a Democrat.
Why would we PA Democrats think of Arlen Specter as a Democrat?
He's been a Republican here for over four decades!
When we think of Arlen Specter, we think Republican.
So, we didn't vote for the Republican because we're Democrats.
10:20 AM on 05/19/2010
Obama declared his love for Arlen Specter. How can you say he didn't "really throw his support" behind Specter?

"Obama campaigned for Specter last September in Philadelphia, where he said, "I love Arlen Specter." Specter used the clip in recent TV ads. Obama also e-mailed his supporters on Specter's behalf, and he was the first person Specter thanked in his concession speech."

I'm glad that Specter lost.
He was always on the wrong side.

This is going to be a nightmare for the status-quo folks like Obama.
Now, if he were to end the war in Afghanistan - and return our troops home - he'd sail into a second term.
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A dean89
08:09 AM on 05/19/2010
Anchors Aweigh Adm. Joe, you'll be the next John MccAIN but the Democrat Version.