Congressman Sestak spoke in the state Capitol rotunda yesterday.
The spin is 'Sestak is distancing himself from the president' - which is interesting, considering that my reading of this means Sestak is pushing Obama to be more diligent and transparent in his assessment of what's happening overseas. In other words, he's pushing Obama to the left.
This comes days after Sestak testified on improving transparency in the VA, too - in support of a bill he sponsored after leaked closed reports revealed atrocious negligence in some number of cases. (Go ahead, Google "maggots," "foot wound" and "Sestak" to read all about it.)
I think this is a great move in reminding voters of his unquestioned military expertise. Hopefully, it will lead to increasing support in the run-up to the debates, scheduled on Oct. 20 and 22.
Quotes, ways to help, and more news after the fold.
First things first, of course - anyone, anywhere can help the campaign by Donating or Calling (through the campaign's virtual phone bank) --- this is one race the Netroots should get behind. Sestak challenged Republican-turned-Democrat Sen. Arlen Specter in the primary and beat him, despite a complete lack of support from the establishment, and is now in a serious contest with one of the most extreme right-wingers this election cycle. Get involved (from anywhere) at GoJoe, the social networking tool that helped win the primary. It only takes a minute to sign in.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer coverage of the speech:
The administration has not been forthcoming with useful benchmarks for its strategy of increasing troop strength and taking the fight to al-Qaeda and the Taliban with counterinsurgency measures, Sestak, a retired Navy admiral, said, speaking in the rotunda of the state Capitol.
"We need a tangible way to assess whether we're winning or losing ground," Sestak said, addressing about 75 people three days shy of the ninth anniversary of the U.S. attack on Afghanistan's Taliban regime.
Military forces must have a "clear, narrowly defined mission" focused on neutralizing the threat of al-Qaeda and removing the terrorists' havens along Pakistan's border, Sestak said.
---Philadelphia Inquirer
The article also points out that Sestak's "contest with Republican Pat Toomey has revolved around their diametrically opposed views on economics..." to date. I think it can probably only help to point out the discrepancy in expertise on military matters, too.
As I said in the Intro, debates have been scheduled for 7PM on Oct. 20 in Philly and some unnamed time on Oct. 22 here in the Burgh.
And as I said in an earlier diary, the media narrative is changing in the wake of some better polling numbers - now also reported by NPR, Pennsylvania 'May Not Be As Bad For Democrats As We Thought' (audio available at the link):
One veteran observer of Keystone State politics, though, tells NPR's Don Gonyea that "it may not be as bad for Democrats as we thought months ago."
— "Unlike 1994, when the difficulty crept up on the Democrats (and they lost control of Congress) ... now they are full cognizant that they are in deep trouble" and are working hard to head it off.
— "The Republicans cannot yet be secure that Pennsylvania will be completely in their column on Nov. 2."
[snip]
— The Senate race between Republican Pat Toomey, a former congressman, and Democratic Rep. Joe Sestak is an "ideological dogfight." Sestak, he says, "wants to one-up the president" by going even more "liberal" on many issues. The, "on the right, we have Pat Toomey, who hasn't found a single element in the Obama program he likes."
--- NPR
Help make sure Sestak can close this one.
Here are the important to-do items:
- Donate (I set up a new ActBlue page, it seems to me this series ought to be able to get at least 50 contributors - my email - feel free to cut-and-paste - got us several new donors!)
- Canvass --- getting out the vote is critical. You can also go to their contact us page --- they just opened four new offices!
- Call - they have a Virtual Phone Bank, so you can make calls from anywhere! (h/t angel65)
- Send email (link takes you to the diary yesterday with a template) or call or talk in person with those you know in Pennsylvania about this race.
- Go to go.joesestak.com (GoJoe for short) create an account, and look for ways.
- And, if you are in Pennsylvania, plan to vote, and bring as many people with you as possible.
Other diaries in the series:
#13 - GoJoe site is back and today is voter reg deadline! (can't seem to get this link to work right now but you can go to my page to view)
#12 - The narrative begins to change.
#11 - Matching funds until tonight! And, Sestak in his own words.
#10 - New Poll, We're Gaining Ground!
#9 - Toomey's outlandish beliefs on parade
#8 - Knocking on doors in Pittsburgh this past weekend
#7 - The Admirable Admiral weighs in on tax cuts.
#6 - Sestak v. Toomey on crime
#5 - Mobilizing Pennsylvania's Progressives
#4 - Why is dKos advertising for a Tea Party Republican?!
#3 - Obama's other engagement today
#2 - Lies, Damn Lies, and Pat Toomey's ads.
#1 - Let's do better than the teabaggers in DE. Seriously, people, fight for it.
Thanks for reading, and make sure to check in tomorrow to see what a new day brings in this incredibly important contest.