Sleestak for Senate

THIS is Democracy in Action

2010-11-03T02:34:00.004-04:00

Those were the opening, arrogant words of Joe Sestak on the night of May 18th, 2010 when he destroyed any chance of reuniting the party. Now that the shipwreck known as Joe Sestak has finally sunk, I'd like to offer a final goodbye:

Joe-
You fooled us all in 2006.
We had no idea you would betray us and roll over for Bush on Iraq War Funding without "timetables". (Twice)
We had no idea you would vote to fund Cheney's office.
Warrantless wiretap. Telecom Immunity.

You sold us out, violating your campaign promises and our trust.

You proved repeatedly that your word given in private was no good. You failed to help the majority of candidates in 2007 and 2009 (and undermined the St. Leg candidates in 2006, 2008 and 2010).

In 2007, when I asked your brother if you would help us fund raise, he said "Why should he? It's not his contest. No one here did anything for him." This was 5 minutes after you gave a speech telling the assembled Dems that your win was "their victory, not your victory" and you couldn't have won without them.
This shows what a disloyal, disrespectful ungrateful fraud you have always been.

We had no idea what an egomaniac you were and how your ego and quest for power would destroy the Delaware county and PA Democratic parties. Your candidacy caused the DSCC to spend millions of dollars that were needed in other Senate races. You've cost us seats beyond PA due to the money DSCC wasted on you.

I was one of the few Dems who had the guts to criticize you and spell out exactly who and what you are (publicly), and how you would run your campaign roughshod over the party. Many listened, but few were in a position to do anything about it. Now, everybody has seen the "Sestak effect" and your true nature stands exposed.

The odd thing is that you and I are alike in many ways. We part company when it comes to ethics. You've shown you have none. So, you are like a version of me, without conscience or scruples. That is frightening.

Though you likely would have won in 2006 without any help from me, I still made a contribution to building your early infrastructure and supported you. So, I feel partially responsible for unleashing you upon an unsuspecting Democratic party.

While I'm sorry we are stuck with Toomey (and the other losses you have caused), I am comforted that your political career has run aground before you tried leaping to a presidential run or inflicting further damage upon the party.

You have been a blight on the party, costing us millions, and leaving us poorer overall. I am glad to be rid of you, for the good of the party.

Have fun packing up and moving back to Virginia.

Sincerely,
David Diano

Sestak Not Getting Enough Beaver

2010-10-30T17:25:00.005-04:00

Click image to view full size.

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports...
Senate hopeful Joe Sestak does not get the preferred finger pointy graphic next to his ballot placement. Why? Because his campaign didn't pay up in time.

"Our by-laws state each candidate is to pay an assessment for election expenses. By Joe Sestak not paying his share, a burden is placed on the other candidates and on the Beaver County Democratic Party Committee. If we would have overlooked Joe Sestak not paying at the time the ballot was produced and mailed, we would be violating our by-laws and would be setting a precedent for future endorsed candidates not to pay...."

The Boy Who Cried "Job"

2010-05-30T13:09:00.006-04:00

After months of controversy the White House has come out with an official statement that Sestak was never actually offered a job, but rather an "unpaid position" on a Presidential Advisory Board. And Sestak now says that's what he was talking about.
At a minimum, Sestak has shown himself to be an out-an-out liar on this issue. Sestak has claimed, repeatedly, that:

1) He was offered a JOB

2) That this job was a "high ranking" "federal job".

3) That the offer was made by the White House (not an intermediary) in exchange for Sestak not entering the Senate race.

4) That it was only one conversation, and he turned the offer down immediately.

5) That there was no misunderstanding, when he was offered some wiggle room that he might have misinterpreted a suggestion of possible opportunities as a job offer.

6) When asked if it was Secretary of Navy, Sestak gave a coy "no comment", but in a way to suggest/mislead that the interviewer had guess correctly.

Joe's use (or rather misuse) of the word job, for an unpaid position, is a slap in the face to millions of unemployed Americans struggling to put food on the table.

Joe's non-denial of the Secretary of Navy position was so firmly implanted as a rumor (that Sestak had nurtured), that the White House memo had to specifically address it. Besides the fact that Obama had selected a Secretary of Navy a few months before the alleged job offer, Sestak is ineligible for SecNav until 5 years after his resignation from active duty.

Sestak has also implied that he had so much integrity that he was turning down a bribe for a lucrative job. Not only was the position unpaid, but several news articles have reported that Sestak would have been ineligible to be on such an advisory board unless he left Congress. How much "honor" does Sestak need to turn down a offer that would not only be unpaid, but require him take a 100% pay cut himself by quitting Congress.

Of course, Sestak doesn't pay many of the people working for him. So, maybe in Joe's mind an unpaid position counts as a "job". Is that going to be Sestak's solution to the unemployment crisis...offering unpaid advisory positions to the jobless?

The White House account (and Sestak now agreeing to it) seems contradictory. First of all, as it's been laid out in their memo, it wasn't even a decent, reasonable, or plausible offer. It was almost an insult, so I find it hard to believe this was the best/most the White House offered. Secondly, the claim is now that there were a series of conversations over the months of June and July 2009, but Sestak has insisted there was only one call, from Clinton, that briefly touched the subject. My take on the mostly likely explanation is that Sestak is lying about the one call, and made a counter offer that was rebuffed when the White House wasn't willing to meet Sestak's price.

Sestak has shown himself willing to allow a scandal to taint the White House, merely to make himself seem important enough to be bribed, and honest enough to turn it down. Self-promotion at the expense of the President's Administration, and feeding fuel to Obama's critics are not activities in which we need Democratic candidates engaging.

Sestak could have ended this whole thing months ago by stating that he wasn't actually offered any job (let alone a high ranking one). The White House could have shut him down as well by exposing him as a liar. (Like I said, my guess is that Sestak may have been offered a job, but also asked for a job as part of a negotiation that failed to offer him a big enough bribe.)

Since Sestak has been blowing smoke about this job, I guess it's just another blow-job.

Admiral Shipwreck: Secretary of the Navel

2010-05-24T00:24:00.004-04:00

Today on Meet the Press Sestak continued his accusations that the Obama Administration offered him a job as a bribe. There has been much speculation that the job was Secretary of the Navy. But, considering how Sestak left the Navy under a cloud, such an important job seems unlikely.

There is now a rumor (I'm starting it right here) that Joe is claiming the job was actually Secretary of the Navel. His job was going to be finding words that rhyme with orange. Furthermore, Joe has indicated that he already knows a word that does rhyme with orange, but won't say what it is in interviews.

When asked why he won't reveal the rhymed word for reporters, the explanation boiled down to the same excuse why he won't answer questions surrounding his other controversies: Please don't call me on my bluffs or bullshit, or you're attacking the military.

Keep on Truckin

2010-05-21T00:14:00.003-04:00

I was all ready to let this domain expire next week and not renew it.

However, a couple of douche-bags in my township committee, and surrounding area, pissed me off by demanding that I take the site down.

Well that was a dumb f*cking move... because they are getting the exact opposite outcome they wanted. If they had just kept their mouths shut for one more week, this domain would have been gone. Poof.

Now it's going to be up another year.

It won't be posting as often because there's less news, etc. going on for a while. Sestak may yet get his final comeuppance, and I'll be sure to comment on it if/when it arrives.

PA Democrats Shoot Themselves in the Foot

2010-05-19T02:43:00.003-04:00

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.

Sestak: New Dumbest Statement

2010-05-16T11:23:00.003-04:00

In a CNN interview this morning, Sestak was asked if he would endorse Specter, if Specter was the victor in the Primary. Sestak refused to agree to endorse Specter. Moreover, Joe was in complete denial about the possibility that he could lose and face that question. Then Joe said the dumbest, fucking thing I've heard him say in 4 years:

"What I know is this, that, in a war, you always know you're going to succeed."
That just shows how blinding stupid and unqualified he is. What kind of military training did he have in 31-years that would lead him to make such an idiotic declaration about the nature of war? Did his training consist of watching Dr. Strangelove? This statement was so stupid, it calls for TWO graphics in this blog entry. Imagine he's riding $5 million dollars.

Joe Sestak: A Modern Marvel

2010-05-12T23:41:00.007-04:00

Of course I'm referring to Marvel comics characters.

This week I got to see the new Iron Man 2 movie. Robert Downy Junior plays Tony Stark as a man with an insatiable ego and the need to be the center of attention. He also has an amazing amount of drive and energy. This reminded me of Sestak.

However, Tony Stark is basically a decent person, interested helping humanity. He also doesn't yell and scream at his staff, or act in anger.

For this we need another creation from the mind of Marvel: The Hulk. He is the personification of mindless rage, and you never know what might set him off. Like.....Google Maps!!

Snarlin Arlen versus Smiling Joe (Stepford)

2010-05-12T01:15:00.006-04:00

Has anyone noticed the painted on grin of Joe Sestak? We see it in Joe's commercials, like a creepy version of Mr. Rogers. In their debate, Specter hammered Joe over his Navy "reassignment". And Joe kept on smiling like a Stepford wife. No emotion. Just a happy grin. This is hardly the image of the kind of Naval man that commands men, barks orders, and rises to the rank of Admiral. Nor is it the image of irate, tyrannical boss that has plagued Congressional and Campaign staffers alike.

Who requires that much forced and unnatural self-control to stop himself from spilling out all over a debate on TV? In private, Sestak probably has more in common with Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" when he went after Nurse Ratched. In public, Smiling Joe had more common with Nicholson after the lobotomy.

If you like the Stepford imagery, check out this link.

Sestak: Send in the Clones

2010-05-11T02:34:00.005-04:00

This past two weeks, Sestak's had some rallies. He had an Obama Supporters for Sestak rally in Jenkintown. He had supporters with signs in Philly for the debate with Specter. He had an event this weekend in Philly.

What I noticed from the pictures.. is that either Sestak has perfected cloning technology... or it's the same people (and staffers) from Delaware County traveling to these events to fill out the "crowds".

This picture from Philly's Mother's Day "rally" shows six people from Delaware County that I recognize (including one of Joe's sisters), not to mention the guy taking the picture, and various staffers in Sestak t-shirts.

In this picture, from the Media office, we can see the girl in the front, and Joe's sister in the back on the couch.
Here are two others at the opening of a Media, PA HQ. And then here there are again in Philly.

It would be different if all the people at the rallies were from the locality of the event. But, no, Joe is shipping in his own entourage and staffers from Delaware County. This makes me wonder if Sestak really has a ground-game for May 18th to cover all these areas, since he has to keep trudging out staffers and supporters from his home county to these far flung events.

The election is in one week. Delaware County clones can't vote in the other counties.

Sestak Doesn't Take the High Road

2010-05-08T02:12:00.005-04:00

Joe Sestak declined an opportunity to take the high road.

The PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW reported that at an event yesterday, Sestak was asked if he would endorse Arlen Specter, should Arlen be the victor in the May 18th primary.
"If you lose" the Democratic primary against Sen. Arlen Specter on May 18, Everhart asked Sestak yesterday, "will you endorse Sen. Specter?"

Sestak, citing Specter's answer to the same question a few days ago, declined to say. In an increasingly bitter contest that, according to one poll, is dead even, the closest he came to the cause of party unity was saying the likely Republican nominee, Pat Toomey, "must be defeated."

This is a question that's going to come up a lot. Joe could have tried to be the bigger man with a definitive "yes" (and so could Arlen), but Joe's the one touting his honor and pretending to take the high road. Also, Joe was aware of Arlen's answer several days before, and couldn't come up with something better.

Is Joe pondering a run as an Independent 3rd party candidate? I'm not sure if the PA ballot rules permit this after one has lost a Primary, and Joe would have a tough time getting the necessary signatures. Joe is quite the slippery eel and doesn't give up easily, especially if he has the opportunity to damage the Democratic party chances.

Sestak: Release the Kraken (ie Navy Records)

2010-05-07T00:27:00.000-04:00

In yesterday's Philadelphia Inquirer, the lead editorial was a call for Sestak to "Handle the Truth" and release his Navy records. Here is an excerpt:

The best way for Sestak to resolve the issue would be for him to release his Navy records. The dispute centers on an ad by Specter's campaign that said Sestak was relieved of his post as chief of planning for the Navy because he created a "poor command climate." That's according to a 2005 Navy Times article cited by the TV ad. Pentagon sources have confirmed the Navy Times report to multiple news organizations.

The Kraken is a monster of destruction. Similarly, Sestak's records must contain something monstrous and destructive to Joe's campaign: The Truth. But, like the Inquirer article implies, by his refusals, Sestak can't handle the truth.

After reading the editorial
I watched a clip of the ranting, raving Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men. One line struck me as almost a verbatim quote of something Sestak said to me back in 2006 when he was ranting: "I have more responsibility here than you could possibly fathom."

The other line that kind of matches Sestak's attitude when he is questioned is:
"I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then question the manner in which I provide it. I prefer you said thank you, and went on your way."

Well, Joe, soon you'll be on your way.

Sestak Invents New Cure for Insomnia

2010-05-06T01:16:00.000-04:00

The poor little cat clicked on a link to one of Joe's "Sestak Stories". These are character stories about Joe told by members of his family. The latest one from one of his sisters was so dull, I couldn't even make it past the 30 second mark before I felt my brain functions starting to shut down.

You see, Joe Sestak doesn't have any significant endorsements (other than his pal, Eric Massa). Joe already has 3 siblings on the payroll at $3,000/month (while he underpays the rest of his campaign staff). Now Joe has roped in two other sisters and his dear, sweet, gray-haired old mother to tell personal stories about Joe.

After about 30 seconds of bio, the mother tells a story about how when Joe was a kid in school, he jumped in and stopped a delivery truck that was rolling down a hill towards a playground. It's a nice story, but it hardly qualifies Joe to vote on complex legislation in the Senate. It's a nice story to tell her friends over a hand of Bridge, but it is fluff in a US Senate race.

The problem with Joe is that he's all image and very little substance. Joe's not running for High School class president. He's nearly 60 years old, he served 31-years in the Navy (in case you hadn't heard), he's running for the US Senate, and yet he needs his 85-year old Mom to tell some story about him as a kid? Will there be a sequel where she mentions that he "always ate his vegetables"?

There is less that two weeks of this nonsense left. I feel like a kid who's been on a long trip and I'm at the "Are we there yet? Are we there yet?" stage.

12 more days until this jackass gets off the stage.

Just Keep [PL]ucking that Chicken

2010-05-05T01:04:00.000-04:00

Team Sestak is clucking about some recent polls that show a smaller gap in the PA Senate race. The Quinnipiac poll yesterday showed the race at Specter 47% Sestak 39% (a +8 lead by Specter, down from +21 a month ago). The Muhlenberg College tracking poll is all over the place, Specter +6, +9, then +4 in three successive 4-day moving average polls.

The picture illustrates how team Sestak wants to count 3 chickens in one egg.

Update: May 5th Muhlenberg tracking poll has the race Specter 48% Sestak 40%. So, it's Specter +8, like the Q-Poll.

How Little Admirals are used to getting their way.

2010-05-04T00:30:00.000-04:00

if above Flash video fails to load, try this link or install Flash player

Some people want everyone to "respect their a-thor-a-tie". They have trouble dealing with civil-ian life where they can't just bark orders and expect everyone to jump or obey.

They fail to understand that TRUE authority and leadership are earned through the respect of the people one hopes to inspire (and also by example). For some, their experience with leadership has been that they've been "assigned" leadership of a group, often to the dismay of the members (who have no say in the matter). In these situations, tyrannical "leaders" are beholden only to their superiors in the organization. They are adept at shielding their actions from scrutiny, as long as they are producing the desired short-term results.

In the long-term, the work suffers while the high quality people will do the minimum to avoid being chewed out, as they look to take their talents where they'll be appreciated. The result is high-turnover, difficulty recruiting new talent, loss of institutional knowledge, and low morale. In short... a poor command climate.

Hmm... where have we heard that term before?

What's the Deal with Sestak's Naval Records?

2010-05-03T23:11:00.000-04:00

Joe seems to be digging himself a bigger hole as the details behind his involuntary reassignment from DCNO and voluntary early retirement (at only two-stars) remain buried.

In their May 1st debate, Specter pounded Joe with questions about releasing his Navy records, and clearing up the matter. Even the moderator asked Joe point blank about releasing them.

Sestak ignored all attempts to engage the issue of how he treated the men under his command. Instead, Sestak merely quoted some self-serving praise from his former boss and mentor, Adm. Vern Clark, about how Sestak was "a patriot's patriot".

Seems to me, that one would have to be "a fool's fool" to accept only one side of the story (i.e. upper management's), when all the objective reporting quotes sources backing up the "poor command climate" version of events.

Sestak is "Flushed" with Success

2010-05-03T00:19:00.000-04:00

After begging for money all throughout 2008 to fight off a "tough" challenge, from his unknown and underfunded opponent, Joe Sestak didn't spend one dime on TV or radio advertising. He ENDED his 2008 re-election campaign with about $3 million cash on hand.
During the first half of 2009, he raised about another $1 million, while alternately claiming and denying he was running for US Senate.
On March 31, 2010 Sestak transferred about $4.17 million from his 7th District Congressional campaign account to his PA Senate campaign. What's going to happen to that money? Now we know.

The Sestak Hillbillies

2010-05-02T00:12:00.001-04:00

(sung to the tune of the Beverly Hillbillies)

Come and listen to a story about a man named Joe
An old Navy boy, runs a campaign with his bro.
Then one day he was shooting off his mouth
All of the money started going south.

Down that is, bad polls, Staffers flee.

Well the first thing you know Joe's blown four million bucks,
Dem folk said "Joe, your campaign really sucks."
Said Virginia is the place you ought to be
That's really where you live with your dog and family.

Home, that is.
Heading back, not three stars.

Well now its time to say good-bye to Joe and all his clout.
And we wish you could have saved us time by kindly dropping out.
You're not invited back again to this locality
We've have our steaming helping of your Admiral-i-ty.

Ungrateful that is. No Show Joe. Shoo now, take off. Don't come back now, y'hear?

Welcome to Sleestak for Senate

2010-05-01T18:46:00.000-04:00

Greetings, fellow lovers of parody and satire!

This site is a last bit of poking fun at one of the stiffest and most humorless candidates that PA politics has seen for a long time.

While I will continue to post on PA2010.com (the BEST political blog in the state), here I am free to post uncensored, unfettered, and unrestrained. Those wishing to engage in debate with me are advised to wear a cup.

Profanity is permitted (and encouraged as a valid form of expression).