After yesterday's proclamation by Specter that ‘I Did Not Say I Am A Loyal Democrat,’ it's time to look at Senator Specter's votes last week and positions on key issues. Last week, he joined every Republican in voting AGAINST the Obama budget and AGAINST the bankruptcy cram down supported by Obama, reiterated that he will vote AGAINST President Obama’s pick to head the Office of Legal Counsel, Dawn Johnsen. In March, while still a Republican, Specter said that filibustering Johnsen was "under consideration." He opposes any government option in health care reform, thereby putting himself in opposition to President Obama's plan that has one.
And he will support a filibuster of EFCA. Yep, not a loyal Democrat.
Looks like Andy Stern of SEIU notices. He's meeting with Congressman Sestak today and I think a primary is the topic of the day. :-) More, after the fold.
Specter voted FOR the Bush tax cuts; FOR the AUMF; FOR Chief Justice Roberts; FOR Justice Alito; and AGAINST President Obama's budget. Specter may look moderate in light of the far right Republican Party, but he is right of center. Not a Democrat. He disagrees with core Democratic positions.
Tax cuts for the rich. Against the Obama budget.
Last week, I wrote a diary about Senator Specter and a possible primary opponent, Congresman Joseph Sestak: Congressman Sestak on Specter: Will He Vote Like a Democrat?
Congressman Joe Sestak is leaving the door open for a run against the new Democratic Senator Specter in a primary.
SEIU also had a message to Senator Specter that I quoted in that diary:
"We applaud the Senator on showing the political courage we know it took to change parties--and to move to a place we believe is more closely aligned with his personal convictions. But SEIU has always been an organization that supports candidates and elected officials based on their commitment to working families, not their party labels.
The issues that face working people in Pennsylvania have not changed, and the support we need from our representatives in Congress hasn't changed, either.
We know there have been contradictory and confusing reports about what Senator Specter's decision means for the priorities of working families in our state. In a word: our fight for Employee Free Choice and quality, affordable healthcare continues, as strong as ever."
Congressman Sestak on Specter: Will He Vote Like a Democrat?
Well, after Senator Specter's arrogant FU to Democrats yeasterday on Meet the Press in which he proclaims he won't be a loyal Democrat, but merely seeks to use the Democratic Party primary and vote against President Obama's agenda, it appears the Congressman Sestak may have a very influential supporter if he chooses to run for the Democratic nomination for Senator. Andy Stern, head of the SEIU twittered today yesterday the following:
"Congressman Sestak impressive on CNN. Visiting him tomorrow."
TPM makes the following interesting point:
Keep in mind, though, that it comes a day after Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) insisted on Meet the Press that he's not a loyal Democrat, and opposes significant aspects of the President's agenda. That outburst (unsurprisingly) hasn't done much to quiet calls from the left for Sestak to challenge Specter in the Democratic primary next year.
Congressman Sestak is a "New Democrat," a moderate, but he is a DEMOCRAT.
He supports labor overall, although he has suggested a compromise on EFCA. In 2007, AFL-CIO gave him a 96% rating.
Here's a little about Congressman Sestak:
Joe Sestak is serving his second term as the Representative from Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District, which includes most of Delaware County and parts of Chester and Montgomery Counties.
Born and raised in Delaware County, Joe Sestak spent 31 years serving our nation in the U.S. Navy, rising to the rank of three-star Admiral.
snip
During his distinguished career in the Navy, Joe led a series of operational commands, culminating in the command of the George Washington aircraft carrier battle group, which consisted of 30 U.S. and allied ships, 15,000 sailors, and close to 100 aircraft. Under Joe's watch, the George Washington battle group conducted combat operations in Afghanistan and precursor operations to the war in Iraq.
Joe also served in President Clinton's White House as the Director for Defense Policy on the National Security Council. After 9/11, he was selected to serve as the first Director of "Deep Blue," the Navy's anti-terrorism unit where he worked to establish new strategies for the Navy to fight the Global War on Terror.
After graduating from Cardinal O'Hara High School, Joe followed in the footsteps of his father, a Navy captain who served in World War II, and attended the U.S. Naval Academy, where he graduated second in his class. Joe also holds a MPA, and a PhD in Political Economy and Government, from Harvard University.
Biography
Congressman Sestak Voted for Credit Card Holders’ Bill of Rights
"Americans are hurting," said Congressman Sestak. "They’re hurting, and they do not need unfair lending or credit practices compounding the most difficult economic challenges we’ve seen in generations. We’re all in this together—government, the public, and business. Lenders are entitled to earn a profit, but they must do so by acting transparently and in good faith."
A little more from Congressman Sestak from State of the Union with John King yesterday. Congressman Sestak bluntly says that Specter is not a Democrat "yet":
KING: So I want to put up a screen because I want you to address your answer to the president and those Democrats who say Arlen Specter is their guy, but also to Democratic primary voters in the state of Pennsylvania.
Do you think the person they want as their next United States senator for six more years is someone who, as Senator Specter did, voted yes on the bush tax cuts; yes to authorize force in Iraq; yes to confirm Chief Justice Roberts; yes to confirm Justice Alito; and just this past week voted no on President Obama's budget -- is that the kind of person you want to sell to the Democratic primary electorate in Pennsylvania?
SESTAK: No -- and the person who's sitting, as you and I speak, in Landmark (ph) [Llanerch] Diner, in Upper Darby, Delaware County of my district, I think, would say the same thing.
Too many jobs have been lost for us to worry about somebody else's job who has switched parties. I don't know for sure it's about political survivability, but I know this. It's not about trying to maintain a legacy or somebody's job.
KING: Is he a good enough Democrat?
SESTAK: I'm not sure he's a Democrat yet. And that doesn't mean we don't want bipartisanship. My gosh, I won in a district that was 53 percent Republican, 36 percent Democrat. What I need to know is, what's the principles you're running for...
Crooks and Liars: Joe Sestak on Specter: I'm Not Sure He's a Democrat Yet
With SEIU behind him, Congressman Sestak will have a good chance of defeating Senator Specter in the Democratic primary and Pennsylvania can elect a real Democrat who supports President Obama's agenda for change.
You can learn more about Congressman Sestak here
I hope he runs with SEIU's support. I'll donate.
Update I: Donation link to Joe Sestak for Congress If he runs for Senate, he can use this money.
Update II: I mentioned the "compromise" bill by Congressman Sestak on EFCA. In the comments, Savage provides more details on this bill, including sharing his own personal conversation with Congressman Sestak about it:
Sestak introduced a "compromise bill" to the Employee Free Choice Act in March. It's designated H.R. 1355 and contains provisions, as TomP notes above, for so-called "equal access" for Unions to employees during the period between filing for an election and the actual election. It also contains somewhat better provisions for speedier elections, mediation and arbitration for a first contract, and stiffer penalties for employers who violate the law. It does not, however, contain any provision at all for the employee to make the choice of how to form a union. Overall, it's an unacceptable "compromise" as written.
The good news, however, is I had a chance to have a lengthy (and rather frank) discussion with the Congressman regarding HR1355. He is not "in love" with his own compromise bill and admits it is not the answer. He is not pushing it (hasn't even sent out a "Dear Colleague" letter on it) and is aware that George Miller intends to bury it. According to Joe, he felt that the House had failed in its responsibilty to be a part of the process, conceding all decisions to the Senate, and desired to be a "part of the solution."
Savage's comment
Update III: Joe Sestak on Firedoglake last night answering questions:
Firedoglake: Blue America Welcomes Back a Real Keystone State Democrat: Joe Sestak
Tokar in the comments summarizes Sestak's position, many of which are quite progressive.
Here is a summary of his responses: http://firedoglake.com/...
Does not agree that we have enhanced our security or intelligence thru torture. Believes it has placed service members at greater danger from countries that do torture.
Supports the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell". Would like to take the lead along with Murphy (D-PA) and Murtha (D-PA)
Supports Sec. Gates' recent proposal to transform the military to where it is not numbers but capability which measures the military.
Supports a health plan similar to one in Mass. which he says is similar to Obama's. Supports Medicare, Medicaid and public plan standards.
Supports stem cell research. Says "It's great having President Obama here."
Completely aware of same things we are: budget reconciliation requires only 51 votes to pass, and healthcare reform package has been virtually guaranteed the same fate...not sure why there was a Specter deal.
Supports labor/EFCA (co-sponsor)
Supports public healh care opinion [option]
Supports Obama's budget resolution (voted for it)
Supports cramdowns (voted for it)
Supports Cap and Trade (co-sponsor of Waxman's bill and Markey's bill)
Voted on bailout bill even though he received over 3500 e-mails and letters from constituents telling him not to. Said he read research
which said the bill was absolutely critical and voted with his brain and not his ideology.
Supports regulation in the Federal Reserve, and other institutions. Says we need proper reserves, transparency and reporting of trades. Comments ms. Brofsky of the CFTC who in 1998 tried to implement such.
Supports a commission to find out what really amount of torture occured. Supports using the justice system to punish those responsible for designing the policies.
Will turn down a bid for Senate IF and ONLY "If Arlen Specter truly embraces the principles and policies necessary for good governance and the economic, health, energy/environment, education, and defense securities needed by Pennsylvanians and by our nation...and we believe he will stick to them for the full 6 years"
Supports re-institution of the Assault Weapons ban, child locks, ATF Surprise inspections, etc.
by Tokar on Mon May 04, 2009 at 09:25:20 AM PDT
Better than I expected. As a "New Democrat," he has some progressive inclinations. Sestak may not be as progressive as Teddy Kennedy, Jeff Merkley, or Bernie Sanders, but his core beliefs are that of a Democrat.
That makes a hell of a difference to me.
More:
JoeSestak May 3rd, 2009 at 5:58 pm 76
In response to ToddBeeton @ 64 (show text)
EFCA- Yes- co-sponsor of it.
Public Health Option- Yes, but best by public healthcare standards for every plan.
Budget- Yes and I voted for it. However, I believed reconciliation should have been done on a second budget resolution if necessary. The reason is that, while I would never sacrifice good policy at the altar of bipartisanship, I believe that per President Obama’s statement (that everyone should be around the table, at least at the beginning) the congregation should begin praying together and not have a schism before they even begin. At least some effort should have been made and, as necessary, pass the second budget resolution, which we could readily do with reconciliation.
Cramdowns- Yes. Voted for it.
Cap and trade- Yes. Cosponsor of it.
Update IV: Richard Trumka, the secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO sends a message to Specter:
On today's "Top Line," Richard Trumka, the secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO, warned that union leaders may drop their longstanding support for Specter, D-Pa., if -- as he has promised to do -- he votes against them on their legislative priority, the Employee Free Choice Act.
"Those decisions will be made by people in the state, and our members in the state know who will stand with them. And if Arlen Specter -- he stood with them in the past -- if he continues to stand with them, they'll support him. If he doesn't, they won't support him," Trumka told us.
snip
"We have a lot of members that are elected into that establishment, and our members generally do what's right by workers, and we don't care who's lined up against us," Trumka said. "If a candidate isn't good for workers, we won't be there. If they are good for workers, we will be there regardless of their party.
Abc: The Note
Update V: From the Plum Line:
"I cannot see the unions across the board supporting Specter if he cannot support EFCA," Sestak said in an interview with me a few moments ago. "
snip
[H]e said the meeting went "great," strongly suggesting that SEIU is seriously considering supporting him or another primary challenger to Specter.
snip
Sestak also confirmed that he’d almost certainly get in the race if Specter doesn’t show a major ideological change of heart. "If he doesn’t demonstrate that he has shifted his position on a number of issues, I would not hesitate at all to get in," Sestak said.
The Plum Line