In a sad day for Pennsylvania Democratic politics, charlatan Joe Sestak managed to pull the wool over their eyes. In a classic case of "it takes one to know one", Sestak convinced the voters that Specter was the one who was self-serving. This was an irony that could only be appreciated by those who have met the real Sestak.
Tonight was a victory for the GOP on several levels.
1) The PA Dems were divided, and now face a very united and discipline GOP. Despite almost zero advertising and barely contested primaries, the GOP managed to turn out about 28.5% of their voters, compared to 26.5% for Dems who had two heavily advertised and contested seats: Senate and Governor. That does not bode well for November.
2) Sestak managed to embarrass the PA State committee, PA elected official, unions and President Obama, thus making their jobs harder in the future. Sestak made no friends tonight in the Democratic party.
3) Outreach efforts to moderates for expanding the Dem base have been set back. Instead of rewarding Specter for his commitment to join the Democratic party, we've punished him and sent a negative signal to others that might join us.
4) Around $10 million was raised and spent, with none of it going against Toomey. This leaves Toomey about $4 million ahead of Sestak in fundraising, 5 1/2 months before the election.
5) By positioning himself to the Left, Sestak will have a harder time capturing the middle from Toomey. Toomey got the opponent he wanted.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I like how Sestak claimed that this was a victory "against the establishment." Not only was this an insult to the people whose support he'll need in November, but completely ignores the reality that Sestak IS part of this establishment - he worked for the Clinton administration and is a member of Congress.
ReplyDeleteIt should be noted that this was not a victory for Joe Sestak, but a referendum on Arlen Specter. His party switch was, admittedly, too little too late, a gambit where the deck was too highly stacked against him. He made a heavy bet, but he lost.
This is a sad, sad day. I've not checked the pa2010 postings, as I assume they're full of Sestak encomiums that will only inspire those of us who know the truth to run for the toilets to empty the contents of our stomachs.
I'm sure OFA will support him name now that he's the nominee, but I wonder how the actual division of labor will be split between the House candidates and Sestak. Do you thin it's possible that they'll bank more heavily on the House and let Sestak fend for himself if he keeps up this holier-than-thou attitude?
Sestak's race will screw over the House candidates. It now has become less likely that Lentz will be able to retain Sestak's seat in the 7th.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if OFA is smart enough to support the House with the Senate race being higher profile.
David, why the view that Lentz will have more trouble in the 7th? I figured the conventional wisdom was that Sestak higher on the ticket helped Lentz, not hurt him.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I HATE to say it, that assistance seems like *one* positive outcome from yesterday's calamity.
Because Sestak will target GOP split-ticket turnout that will vote Sestak+Meehan.
ReplyDeleteThat is why we haven't made gains any with St. Leg under Sestak. Bryan did it in 2006 despite Sestak, not because of Sestak.
Also, Lentz will have more difficulty getting volunteers, donations, resources and attention.