Sestak Dismissal from Navy post in 2005 fair game

[PADEMJES12]

Joe Sestak is upset over the recent TV ad by Sen. Arlen Specter. Rep. Joe
Sestak claims that the Specter campaign is swift boating him. However, in looking to the articles,
indeed Sestak was dismissed immediately by Mike Mullen on the first day of the job according
to a 2005 Navy Times article for "poor command climate"

http://www.navytimes.com/legacy/new/1-292925-995180.php

Note: the article was written BEFORE Sestak even thought of running for office.

Looking further for an explanation of what "poor command climate" actually is, I found this from the
Defense and Acquisition Journal on Sestak:

http://www.dodbuzz.com/2008/12/04/sestak-possible-for-navsec/#axzz0lpljhwMX

"In plain English, the driven naval leader treated those who worked for him badly, often using his temper to lash
those who worked for him. Some of his staff quit without new jobs."

I decided to check for other instances of "poor command climate" and what it actually means for my own interest.
I started with this http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/pub248.pdf lengthy study to get an idea
of what command climate is.

According to a recent article, a good command climate was explained by a Coast Guard officer
as one in which there is open communication between supervisors and subordinates, mentoring of junior personnel
and a sense of mutual respect among colleagues.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011618492_coastguard16m.html

So, if that's a good command climate, then a poor command climate would be quite the opposite. I will continue
to look into this. This whole situation with Sestak reminds me of this Cain Mutiny clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtqf0CCVUek&NR=1

If anyone finds anything else on poor command climate, lemme know! I am very proud of Rep. Sestak for his 31 year commitment
to our country and we should all be. However, it was noticably odd and sudden for Sestak to switch to wearing his military
bomber jacket after first appearing in a suit and tie on the campaign trail. It comes off puzzling to me as to
why his dismissal for "poor command climate" would not be fair game, particularly after having the worst track record with staffer
retention in DC and the revelations about the low pay of his campaign staff.

These are legitimate concerns for voters. I wonder if Rep. Sestak would be willing to release his military records and evaluations so
we can put this behind us? As a PA voter, i would like to talk about the issues sometime soon....

[daviddiano]

1. Captain Queeg rides again!

Sestak must watch that movie and not understand what Bogart is doing wrong.

[polichick]

2. Thanks for your post - I don't know what to make of this situation...

...or of Sestak's missing votes. He avoids questions about the votes so if anyone knows the facts, please share!

[AlinPA]

3. So was Specter in the service? I hope so.

[PADEMJES12]

4. Specter was in the Air Force i think Alin

Polichick-

You are very astute with your observations.

Sestak missed 127 votes the most in pa. Here's the site Specter
dedicated to Sestak's rampant absenteeism.

http://www.noshowjoe.org/

I guess the site tells you what Sestak did during those missed
votes. I hope that answers your inquiry Polichick.

[PADEMJES12]

5. Sestak response to Specter Ad fails to address track record of abusive conduct

Sestak conveniently fails to address his abusive behavior towards his subordinates,
treatment that was so bad, they were forced to quit.... the meat and potatoes substantive details of
his dismissal as Deputy CNO was for "poor command climate" not for making a recommendation to make
Navy cutbacks. That seems more of a policy/ managerial issue.

Sestak's explanation is certainly convenient and even truthful, but however, we have well documented proof
that Mr. Sestak has a track history of abusive behavior since he has been out of the Navy.
If he would have us belief he started being a lousy boss after he was fired as
Deputy CNO, its a losing proposition.

Command climate appears to focus on the morale of the men, mentoring of juniors, etc. as my post
mentions above, more behavorial and relationship components... as opposed to any policy/ managerial
disagreements.

[howaboutme]

6. I personally knew a Specter staffer

who told me directly (after a few drinks) a number of years ago that Arlen Specter was a pompous arrogant ass and he did not consider him that competent. At the time he got into some other details that I don't fully recollect so I am not going to attempt to repeat them. You could call this hearsay and be 100% correct. I repeat it only because there are always candid opinions coming from those who actually know those in celebrity or power that one rarely hears from the media. BTW this is not coming from a low level Senate staffer, and he was also a neighbor. He worked for Specter a number of years and knew him well. This was something I never repeated to anyone at the time. Perhaps Arlen at 80yo has become less arrogant and more competent than he was in his 50s.

Obviously every individual candidate will have detractors just as they have supporters. I know neither Specter nor Sestak personally, but my vote will go to Sestak. Specter has been around far too long for my comfort level. I don't see longevity in office or 80yo as a plus. I see it as more opportunity to become disconnected with the real world and his constituents. Specter certainly doesn't see himself as an average Pennsylvanian, but as US Senator with all the connections, trimmings and perks of office. He as a professional politician understands and participates in quid pro quo deals such as with Rick Santorum on USSC Justices. He's been there too long and almost all of it as a Republican. No thanks. Arlen will not get my vote in the general election if he wins.

[PADEMJES12]

7. The key difference is...

Sestak knows how to change lightbulbs, while Specter knows how to operate the switch,
which is precisely why we need Sen. Specter, as the Philadelphia Inquirer also
thinks so as it has endorsed Sen. Specter this morning.

[howaboutme]

8. Is political experience and longevity in office a plus or minus?

If Sestak made Rr Admiral he knows how to operate a switch. I would suggest that we need more fresh ideas and idealists, and fewer experienced politicians in Congress. I can't quote a poll off hand, but I categorically will state that most Americans believe that political experience and longevity in office is more detrimental than helpful. Longevity leads to disconnect from the people and corruption through entangling alliances. We need more churn but incumbents have a far easier time than challengers and they stay in office.

[PADEMJES12]

9. To answer your question

I think political longevity and experience is both a benefit and a detractor. I am an admirer of idealism, but when the "rubber hits the road" realism comes calling it is important to have someone who has clout. I think it is a balancing measure between both. I regards to a "disconnect", I am not so sure a "disconnect" is an issue with Sen. Specter. Sestak is trying to run as the outsider. Problem is that he's been an insider the past four years, so regardless of what you and i think, im not so sure thats going to be an effective sell.

I think people are genuinely disgusted with the lack of bi-partisanship and a results oriented approach. For Specter, it took alot of courage for him to vote for the stimulus package. He knew what would happen to the people in Pennsylvania if he didnt and knew it was vital to change the economic course.