Joe Sestak, Dems Ramp Up Attacks On Republicans Over Social Security (VIDEO)

With three weeks left before Pennsylvania's Senate race is decided, Democratic candidate Rep. Joe Sestak staked out social security as a battleground, lambasting Republican opponent Rep. Pat Toomey for supporting privatization and dropping two new attack ads to drive home the message.

"Social Security is the cornerstone of our retirement security," said Sestak in a statewide conference call with seniors Tuesday. "It's outrageous that Congressman Toomey wants to gamble our social security on Wall Street."

As Sestak sought to highlight his Tuesday endorsement from the labor-backed Alliance for Retired Americans, Toomey made an appearance in suburban Harrisburg to receive the endorsement of the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association.

Sestak's campaign also unveiled two new ads Tuesday, criticizing Toomey's support for a more private market-driven system. "Pat Toomey: he'd take the security out of Social Security," said one ad. "Keep your hands off of my Social Security," an elderly woman growls at a GOP candidate in another.

Sestak, who gave up his House seat to run for Senate, is facing a close race against Toomey to replace five-term Sen. Arlen Specter, who lost to Sestak in May's Democratic primary.

WATCH the new ads below:

The renewed Democratic focus on the program, however, extends far beyond Pennsylvania.

"In race after race, securing Social Security for our seniors and future generations has become a defining issue as voters look toward November," liberal advocacy group Americans United for Change said in a statement Tuesday.

Indeed, while many have argued that Democrats and Republicans may be able to strike a deal on Social Security later in the year with only moderate adjustments, clips compiled by Americans United for Change suggest how difficult such a compromise could really be.

WATCH Democrats bash their Republican opponents for their openness to trimming benefits or partially privatizing the program in the future:

UPDATE: Sen. Russ Feingold's (D-Wis.) campaign has new ad on Social Security entitled "Off the Table," in which the senator says he firmly opposes any efforts to privatize Social Security.

WATCH:

Comments

[SisterAnn]

11:25 AM on 10/18/2010

The republican leader's agenda is so bad they can't tell it to the voters or they would lose.

[Lucia Graves]

09:58 AM on 10/13/2010

Funneling Social Security funds into Wall Street would be a bonanza for the financial services industry---they get money whether stocks go up or down, and they would love to have the huge funds of SS run through their hands, a little bit of it sticking to them at every passage. Of course, all the risk would be taken on by the seniors who depend on Social Security for their basic subsistence. Sounds like a great deal for the brokerage houses--and a potential disaster for the seniors. Not surprising that Republican Toomey is looking out for Wall Street: that's his base.

[Abo]

08:35 AM on 10/13/2010

PA has a lot of seniors--no surprise here, but it is unfortunate that so many Democrats are compromised on this issue they can't make a stand to win the support of the voters at the expense of bipartisan plans to gut Social Security while bailed out Wall St receives record bonuses. Voters can be manipulated or strung along with the lesser of 2 evils, but that pandering for funding greases the wheels.

[Dunkleberger Karl]

02:18 AM on 10/13/2010

never too late never give up!

[themagicdog]

02:07 AM on 10/13/2010

Too late, guys.

[Demidan]

09:33 AM on 10/13/2010

You repugs can't remember yesterday, too late is after lunch.

[WaveRhydr]

12:46 AM on 10/13/2010

Hel1, Im just glad to see Dems fight back

[meko]

11:13 AM on 10/13/2010

Yep. They're only working to cut social security with that commission Obama created for that purpose. It's a big improvement.

We need a third party.

[jerrypl]

11:30 PM on 10/12/2010

JOE, it is about time you began to kick Toomey in his Wall Street butt. The guy is a con just like Angle, Bachmann, and the rest.

http://eye-on-washington.blogspot.com

[Dunkleberger Karl]

02:20 AM on 10/13/2010

social security , net neutrality , social security Net Neutrality the first age 45 through 85, the latter 16 through 35! 36-44? Just keeping their jobs so their spouse dont leave!

[Peb]

10:30 PM on 10/12/2010

Republicans are trying to turn the US into a pre-civil war feudal society.

A few big plantation owners and everyone else is dirt poor or a slave.

[WaveRhydr]

12:46 AM on 10/13/2010

And to their credit, they are doing a dayum fine job of it.

[meko]

11:14 AM on 10/13/2010

It's a push on both sides. That's why Democrat Blanche Lincoln was always known as "Plantation Blanche."

[ChicagoBob]

09:25 PM on 10/12/2010

GOP type candidates, especially those supported by the T-Party folks are a real danger to our social structure, and our economy.

From what I can see, they are mostly white, well-off, selfish, irrational people who are placing their personal situation above all else regardless of the long term outcomes. They are the individual versions of the Wall Street bankers and the 'anything for profit' business models.

Both the T-Party and the GOP feel they have it made and don't want to pay anything into the general good. They are willing to kill social security and Medicare to save a little money, knowing that people will be made homeless and hungry as a result.

The real irony is that most of them identify themselves as Christians.

The GOP, as it exists toady, seems to be totally bought and paid for. The Dems seem to be just mostly bought and paid for.

This election is important. Vote democratic and maybe we can keep enough control of the system for long enough to make the vital changes that really need to be made, like campaign reform, banking reform, and some restructuring of the media, away from large corporate owners.

[Salukeitis]

07:05 AM on 10/13/2010

I hope you're right CB, but it looks bleak to me in terms of campaign finance reform.
The Rthugs may gain a few seats. They said no and filabustered everything and they will be worse after the elections.
I listen to only Keith and Rachel. I don't do the MSM.

[meko]

11:16 AM on 10/13/2010

Keith and Rachel are the MSM too. They're just as rah-rah about the wars as the others.

[meko]

09:21 PM on 10/12/2010

80% of senate Democrats refuse to sign Sanders pledge not to cut social security.

[jfh]

09:00 AM on 10/13/2010

tell the whole story...

100% of the GO(B)P senators refused to sign Sanders pledge not to cut social security.

[meko]

11:15 AM on 10/13/2010

So we have bipartisanship.

Obama was the one to create the commission to cut Social Security. Congress passed.

[tacevad]

09:18 PM on 10/12/2010

GO Admiral Joe! Your service to our Country and to Pennsylvania will be rewarded.

[Whipper Snapper 61]

11:22 AM on 10/21/2010

Yes!!!!

Go Joe, Go!!