05 August 2009

Sestak vs. Specter in 2010 senate race

Reelection may not come easy to U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) next year.

Yesterday, Joe Sestak announced his plans to challenge Specter in the Democratic primary. Sestak is a former Navy vice admiral who currently represents a suburban Philadelphia district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

I am not convinced that Sestak has the name recognition in this state to beat a household name like Specter, let alone whoever turns out to be the Republican challenger. Still, my gut tells me to throw my support to Sestak over Specter.

Specter was a Republican for a long time. He switched parties in April when he realized that he might have trouble winning the Republican primary next year.

Perhaps Specter realized that his reputation as a "moderate" might not sit too well with the Republican voters in 2010.

But will the Democratic voters realize that Specter's record of support for some of George W. Bush's most egregious policies is a good reason to vote for Sestak instead? Will the average Democratic voter support this relative newcomer who seems to be much more interested in working for the people rather than the powerful?

In any case, we cannot afford to give up that seat to the GOP. So the real test will be the general election in November 2010. Stay tuned.

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