A Double Standard: Sestak should offer to refund PA-07 $$$

[PADEMJES12]

Three may be a crowd in the PA-07 District this year, where Democratic candidates Brian Lentz, E. Teresa Touey, and (possibly) Greg Vitali vie to become the Democratic nominee and defeat Pat Meehan, an opponent that is well-known and well-financed. We will find out more about the three candidates in the months ahead. Touey just entered the race the other day according to PA 2010.

http://www.pa2010.com/2009/09/former-aide-to-kennedy-sestak-to-run-in-pa-7/

Touey told PA2010... "I just don't want the seat going back to Republicans." The National and State Democratic Party have spent alot of $$$, time, and resources to capture the seat in 2006. Now, in 2010, it appears that the Democrats will be put into a disadvantageous position of diverting resources to defend this PA-07 seat. These resources, as well as those which will be thrown into the Senate race are resources that could have been used elsewhere, such as to ensure taking Gerlach's seat and helping our incumbents Carney, Murphy, and Dahlkemper. These PA-07 candidates will likely be at a fundraising disadvantage after the primary in defending this seat against Meehan, who like Toomey will likely be able to warchest money.

Congressman Joe Sestak raised over 3 million dollars while representing the distrct. Donors donated money to Rep. Sestak to defeat Kurt Weldon, then again in 08, and now to defend their seat in 2010. Most donors were not giving money a year or two ago for Congressman Sestak to abandon ship and take the treasure chest to use in another race. I agree with Ms. Touey, and im sure Mr. Lentz and Mr. Vitali, that defending this seat is crucial. Therefore, Congressman Sestak should offer to make any refunds to donors so that it could be used to defend the PA-07 seat, for whomever emerges. As it stands now, Sestak's maneuver and entry into the Senate race is indisputably going to force the DCCC, DSCC, and PA Democratic Party to spend resources that could be used elsewhere in this gubernatorial and midterm election cycle.

Rep. Sestak should not take the PA-07 treasure chest and abandon ship and leave the DCCC and PA Democratic Party to pick up the tab. He should offer refunds to help do what the donors a year or two ago intended... defend their PA-07 seat. Will he offer to do this, or will he "take the money and run" leaving the Democratic Party to pick up the tab... at the risk of losing this seat in 2010.

[MH1]

1. Obviously you're not from PA-7

so stop trying to speak for those of us who are.

I've been very happy with how Sestak has used my (substantial) contributions and will continue to be.

He has done nothing different than how EVERY other candidate plays the game, as far as transferring funds from one campaign account to another, IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW.

It appears to me that you are just a Specter fan and don't want to see a real Democrat representing the state.

[PADEMJES12]

2. MH1... i cant believe you are

naive enough to not realize how foolish this is in a gubernatorial and mid term election year. Joe must have you bamboozled, you being his cheerleader and such. I am speaking for the candidates and Districts in the rest of the state that this maneuver is taking away valuable resources from. I havent mentioned anything about Specter. I just said, Joe should offer to refund the money. Nothing wrong with that... it was donated for PA-07. Not for him to abandon ship.

[JPZenger]

3. I gave to Sestak the man, not the office

I made contributions for Sestak to run for public office. He never said that they would only be used for one race. He's still running as a progressive Democrat, and hasn't changed his views from the time I made my first donation to him. In fact, I didn't donate to him during his last House re-election, because it appeared he didn't need the money that time.

[daviddiano]

4. Man vs Office

MH1 and JPZenger-
  Fine. YOU gave to the man. But many of us gave our hard
earned money (and time) to the party/office to have any Dem
there, and Sestak was merely the candidate of the moment.

  In 2008 and 2009, Sestak relentlessly sent out fund raising
letters for his re-election to congress in the 7th district.
In 2008, he raised an extra $3 million that he clearly had no
intention of spending on said re-election.
  
  In the world of business, that's called criminal fraud. But
in politics, it's "business" as usual. 

  I know people that gave to Sestak in 2008 who had NO idea
that he was hoarding the money for a Senate run, and who never
would have donated.

  My question to you two: WHAT ARE YOU SO AFRAID OF IN ASKING
SESTAK TO OFFER TO GIVE BACK MONEY?
   
   If you like the way Sestak does his fundraising and you
don't want that money going to help the Dem's candidate for
the 7th district, then FINE, don't ask for your money back.

  But, if you are a donor that believes he/she was DECEIVED or
MISLED by Joe's fund raising and wanted that money to stay in
the 7th district, then what's wrong with Sestak showing a
little honor and respect for your wishes.

  How about if you were a supporter of Specter who also gave
to Sestak for the 7th because you thought Sestak isn't ready
for the bigger chair? Why should you be tricked into
supporting Sestak's Senate bid, if you don't think he is ready
for it and prefer him to stay in congress?

  Where's the integrity in Sestak keeping money that received
under false pretenses?

  Specter offered to give back money to donor that felt
tricked. Why can't Sestak? 
  Is he afraid people will actually take him up on the offer?
  Does he not care about making that money available for the
7th?
  
  If Sestak is as great as you two think he is, then maybe no
one will ask for their money back.
  

[JPZenger]

5. Welcome to DU in your first post ever

[PADEMJES12]

6. Yes, welcome to DU....

A very good post for your first. Very good points. I couldnt agree more.

[PADEMJES12]

7. u r from out east i take it?

[Freddie Stubbs]

8. Has anyone who actually donated to Sestak during this election cycle asked for a refund?

Or is this just Arlen Specter supporters grousing?

[daviddiano]

11. Sestak give-back

The point is that Specter IMMEDIATELY offered to give back money.

Sestak has never made the offer. Many of his donors might not realize it's an option.

Of course, Sestak would more than likely REFUSE to give back money because it would "set a precedent".

That was his excuse back in 2007 for not give money to help a local borough council candidate with a mailing.
The candidate had sample pieces already made up. It was a one-precinct race
and this candidate had busted his a$$ for Sestak in 2006. He comes to Sestak asking for a lousy $200 bucks for the mailing.
Sestak even makes the guy drive all the way out to Sestak office at 7:30am on a weekend, just to refuse him.
Gee, sorry. That would set a bad precedent. If I gave you money, I'd have to give every candidate money.

Total selfish a$$-hole.

When Sestak's brother/campaign manager was asked in 2007 if Sestak would help with fundraising, his response was:
"Why should he? It's not his contest. No one here did anything for him."
That's a direct quote, verbatim.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

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[Number9Dream]

9. Specter uses Democratic money to refund repukes

On 9/15/09, Arlen Specter held a major fundraiser with Democratic donors where President Obama made an appearance. The next day, with funds in-hand, Arlen posted on his website, for the first time, that anyone wanting a refund because of his party switch could now contact his office.

Using Democratic donors' money to pay off outstanding obligations to Republican donors ... that's just plain wrong.

[daviddiano]

10. Number9Dream - Dream on

Specter had made the announcement of returning funds to donors that wanted them, since the day he switched parties.

This has never been hidden or a secret and as of a few months ago he had given back 1/4 million.

On the other hand...
Deceiving 7th district voters about your needs, then using that 7th district money to fund a a self-indulgent (and poorly run) ego trip for Senate should be criminal fraud. For someone as unethical as Sestak, it's business as usual.

Sestak likes to claim he learned about honor and integrity during his 30 years in the military.

He should apologize for insulting the military, if he would have us believe that they would condone his leave-every-man-behind behavior. Sestak is a disgrace and should be ashamed of himself for abandoning the 7th district after robbing them blind.

Sestak's a reverse Robin Hood.

He's afraid to make the same offer that Specter did to give back funds. He'd have to double his staff to handle all the refund requests.

[PADEMJES12]

14. JP Zenger post earlier....

Dont worry folks, the post earlier of someone accusing me of posting under a false name has been removed.
I only post under my own name obviously. DU is a great site, lets respect it and each other. But its okay, everyone makes mistakes.
The person who replied to my well-written article on the objective reality facing the PA Democratic Party and
the PA-07 District should not tie me to some story that happened to someone across the state (apparently), as I know nothing
about it. I was merely relaying my feelings and thoughts from the west.

I can only see things through my own lenses as I guess we can all say. This is an awesome site! Regardless...
we need to work together to have the best candidate in November 2010, to defeat Pat Toomey and his Club for Growth
powerful nonsense.