TPM Exclusive: Sestak Intends to Run for Senate in PA against Specter

[flpoljunkie]

EXCLUSIVE: Sestak Intends To Run For Senate

By Brian Beutler - May 27, 2009, 4:02PM

Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) is privately telling supporters that he intends to run for Senate, TPMDC has confirmed.

"He intends to get in the race," says Meg Infantino, the Congressman's sister, who works at Sestak for Congress. "In the not too distant future, he will sit down with his wife and daughter to make the final decision."

The move would constitute a primary challenge to Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA), who intends to run for re-election in 2010, after having switched parties earlier this year.

Earlier today, a Sestak volunteer and contributor received a handwritten note from Sestak himself, announcing his intent to run and asking for a contribution. The source provided us a scan of the letter, which we'll post here.

The note says, "I am writing you as especially dear supporters to let you know I intend to run for the U.S. Senate...my candidacy's credibility will have much to do with my fundraising success by the 30 June FEC filing deadline at the end of this quarter. Would you help me bring the change for the future we Pennsylvanians need..."

Infantino confirms that the note is genuine and that "Joe Sestak has written a number of similar notes."

We'll provide you with any more details as we receive them.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/05/exclusive-sestak-intends-to-run-for-senate.php?ref=fpa

[babylonsister]

1. GOOD! I know the WH and others have been trying to dissuade

him, so I'm glad he's going there. :applause:

[flpoljunkie]

18. Specter will appear tonight with Obama at the DNC fundraiser in Beverly Hills

[flpoljunkie]

19. More on this from TPM...

Specter To Join Obama At DNC Fundraising Event Tonight

By Eric Kleefeld - May 27, 2009, 1:06PM

At his big fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee tonight in Angeles, President Obama will be joined by a prominent Dem Senator in a sign of party solidarity, The Hill reports: Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, who was of course a Republican until about a month ago.

Specter has been raising money on the West Coast, and will be swinging by the Beverly Hills Hilton for the Obama event. "He will be with President Obama tonight, and we're glad to report that many of the president's West Coast fundraisers have agreed to help us," Specter campaign manager Chris Nicholas told the paper.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/05/specter-to-join-obama-at-dnc-fundraising-event-tonight.php

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. I'd be more enthused if his NJ liberal score were higher.

He's the 150th most liberal congressman right now, according to National Journal, voting the liberal side of issues 68.3% of the time. Honestly, Specter's not going to be far from that once all is said and done.

While I'd prefer someone besides Specter, if this is the best we can do, I'd rather not have a bloody primary.

[FrenchieCat]

3. If this pulls Spector more to the left, than so be it!

Competition can be a good thing....

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

4. Absolutely

I just hope no one goes on thinking that Sestak is the second coming of Ted Kennedy or anything, leading to this being a bloodier primary than need be.

[T Wolf]

5. If it "bloodies" Spectre, what would be bad about that. The piece of shit is NO Democrat. nt

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

6. Right now, he's very, very barely "less" of a Democrat than Sestak. (nt)

[rvablue]

7. Yes, it will be interesting to see how he performs on the Jud. Comm. during the confirmation

hearings of Sotomayor.

If he proves to be a "team player" during this, a primary challenge may be difficult.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

9. His comments thus far seem to indicate that he will do just that.

For me, if he flips on EFCA, which I'm sure he will, that'll be enough to secure a primary win.

[BlooInBloo]

21. If he proves to be a team player, there's no need for a challenge...

So it's win-win.

[MadBadger]

8. According to the NJ, Obama was the most Liberal Senator

Something tells me that thing isnt accurate.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

10. Obama had a primary to win that year.

In prior years, he was middle of the pack.

I appreciate Obama for what he is, and he's nothing if not pragmatic.

[MadBadger]

11. Obama's record in the senate that year was not more liberal than Bernie Sanders

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

14. It's not like they were separated by miles.

They probably only differed on two or three votes on a hundred pieces of legislation.

[emsimon33]

12. I'll contribute! Specter needs to go and the sooner the better!

[Bucky]

13. I'll gladly donate.

It's nice of ol' Arlen to help out marginalizing the neocons, but he's just not representative of PA's Democrats.

Run, Joe, run!

[Cha]

15. This is great..I like

that guy!

[Lugnut]

16. All right!

Run, Joe, run!

[livefreest]

17. fantastic. so where do we donate to him? bty is actblue.com a good site to donate

to Democratic candidates?

[BlooInBloo]

20. Exxxxcellent.