I wrote a comment about this and realized I needed a diary to discuss this.
As Tapper put it, is there "anything that Specter could do" that would persuade Obama not to back him against a Democrat "more in line with the president’s priorities"?
Gibbs’ answer: Not really. "Senator Specter has his full support and he’ll do what — what’s necessary to see him reelected," Gibbs replied.
The Plum Line: Gibbs: Obama Will Back Specter No Matter What He Does
Come around after the fold to talk.
Well, isn't that sweet. No matter what.
I can only guess Obama's unconditional support if Specter had to become a Democrat was the cost for the stimulus vote by Specter. Okay, that was the cost, but the Pennsylvania people were not part of the deal and I certainly was not.
If Specter is allowed to continue as a Democrat while voting as a Republican, so be it. But I will donate to Joe Sestak, if he runs, even if he is not a perfect progressive, because he is a Democrat and he has the courage to fight for our shared beliefs against Specter.
Sestak today on CNN:
Yesterday, he did an interview with TPM:
Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) hasn't been shy about criticizing Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) for switching parties last week, but his harshest words came last night in an interview with TPMDC: "He left the fight," said the former admiral and highest ranking military man ever to serve in Congress. "In the military, we just don't leave fights."
snip
"I can't figure out...why the deal was done," Sestak told me, saying he's concerned that the party was so quick to embrace Specter for reasons of "expediency," and without regard to the needs of Pennsylvania voters. "It isn't Washington's prerogative to tell us what to do," Sestak insisted.
I asked him whether he'd been on the receiving end of establishment pressure -- from people like Vice President Joe Biden and Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell -- to stay out of the race, and he insisted, "I haven't heard from anyone."
TPM: Sestak: We Don't Need The GOP's Benedict Arnolds
So the President will support Specter no matter what. Okay, a deals a deal.
But we are not part of that deal. Specter does not deserve to wear the letter "D" after his name. We WILL defeat him.
Donation link to Joe Sestak for Congress. If he runs for Senate, he can use this money.