Sestak vs. Specter, taking off the gloves

It took awhile, but the heat is finally being turned up in the expected Democratic donnybrook that is the primary battle between longtime Sen.
Arlen Specter and U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak.

Not surprising, it comes at the same time the two camps finally rolled out their TV ads this week.

Specter struck first. Now you know why he is sometimes referred to as “Snarlin’ Arlen.”

Specter went negative, blasting Sestak as “no-show Joe” for his voting record, and questioning his leadership qualities, saying the retired admiral was relieved of duty in the Navy “for creating a poor command climate.”

Sestak returned fire, calling the ad a “Swift Boat” tactic and rallying veterans who asked Specter to pull the ad. Don’t hold your breath, was the senator’s reply.

Sestak also rolled out his first TV ad this week.

Guess who plays a minor supporting role? We do. By that I mean this newspaper.

In the ad Sestak talks about why he first ran for office, the situation involving his daughter, who successfully battled a brain tumor, and how grateful he was for the health care benefits afforded him in the Navy and how it was his mission to make sure all Americans had something comparable. He then talks about other things he pushed while in D.C.

That’s where we come in. You have to look quick, but a couple of newspaper articles flash on the screen.

One of them lauds the candidate with the headline, “Sestak works hard to create new jobs.”

But there’s one thing about that article. It’s actually a letter to the editor. We printed it. It was from a Sestak supporter.

This newspaper is often accused of being in Sestak’s pocket. No doubt that will continue since we’re now in his ads as well.

We are about a month away from the primary. Get used to seeing Sestak and Specter on TV.

And buckle your seat belts. This one looks like it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Phil, do you think it was unintentional that some of your editors create headlines that are positive for candidates like Sestak and Lentz and negative for candidtaes like Civera and Meehan? Even if those headlines are buried in the middle of the paper and in ther letter to the editor sections? These creations are not unintentional and are known to be coordinated. It doesn't take a genius to figure out the types of headlines that will come out on Mondays.