December 7, 2009 3:08 PM

Barney Frank Endorses Joe Sestak Over Arlen Specter

By
Stephanie Condon
Topics
Senate 2010
(AP)
Rep. Joe Sestak, the Pennsylvania Democrat hoping to unseat Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Penn.), received the endorsement of Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) on Monday.

Upon announcing in August his bid to unseat Pennsylvania's senior senator, Sestak appeared to face an uphill battle: President Obama and Democratic leaders had already sided with Specter, who switched from the Republican to the Democratic party after it became clear he would not survive a Republican primary challenge.

Specter helped the Democrats secure their 60-seat majority in the Senate, and he has made clear efforts in recent months to prove his loyalty to the party. He declared his support for a pro-union bill he earlier opposed, and he continues to speak out in favor of the public option, or government-run health insurance plan, currently in the Senate health care bill.

Yet at a news conference at Philadelphia today, Frank suggested Specter's allegiance was disingenuous.

"Joe Sestak is a true Democrat who cares about the working families that have been hit hardest by the failed economic policies of the Bush Administration," Frank said. "He'll be a reliable vote for Pennsylvania's next generation instead of having the same loyal Bush Republican we've seen over the past generation. I have to say I don't think it did our profession any good for someone to announce that he switched parties purely so he could survive."

As chair of the House Financial Services Committee, Frank has played a prominent role in Congress over the past year as Washington grappled the recession and the turmoil in the financial sector. His endorsement could give more momentum to Sestak, who hopes to overtake Specter in the 2010 election.

An October poll (PDF) from Franklin & Marshall College shows Specter leading Sestak 30 percent to 18 percent, but it also shows Specter's approval rating declining.

Add a Comment
by kissesfrogs December 8, 2009 1:47 AM EST
Arlen Specter is voting progressive now, and Sestak is a Bluedog/New Democrat. If Barney Frank is endorsing him that's enough of a reason not to vote for him.

This is called Entryism and it's destroying the D party as much as the R party has been by the C street family conservatives.

Why do we need DINOs or Corporatists infiltrators in the Democratic Party, if our the new D member (formerly Republican) represents real people as opposed to the corporations?
Arlen used to give populist speeches and then vote with the R's. Now he is earning his place with his good votes. Republicans taught him discipline, something that is sorely lacking in the D Party, maybe it'll rub off.
Reply to this comment
by Peteyk December 7, 2009 9:21 PM EST
Sestak said he would do anything for barney, as long as it's dark!
Reply to this comment
by 23bigdon1 December 7, 2009 10:28 PM EST
Same to you, *******!!!!!!!!
by justdatrooth December 7, 2009 7:27 PM EST
I'm sure Cesstak feel very comfortable knowing that Barney Frank, of all people is standing...uh...FIRMLY Behind Him!!!!"....now that is demolove!!!
Reply to this comment
by 23bigdon1 December 7, 2009 8:28 PM EST
this public forum is no place for your vile, homophobic comments, you rude *******!!!!!!!!!! Whats the matter, have you not gotten a chance to drink from Rush Limbaugh's doggie dish today???
by stn_sage December 7, 2009 6:20 PM EST
Clearly, Arlen Specter as a Democrat is 'suspect'!
But, if he continues to show his loyalty through his votes...well, what can you say?! That's good enough!

He may actually be able to retire someday and do so...well remembered by the public for being on the 'right side' of the issues instead of loathed for doing nothing but obstructing legislation and saying 'no' most of the time...like many of his peers in Congress!
Reply to this comment
by jimmyc1955 December 7, 2009 4:05 PM EST
That is way, way, way too funny. Arlen left the republican party to get the support of the Democrats he normally voted with anyway. And how does the Democratic party reward Arlen - rips his seniority away and then endorses the other democrat in the primary.

Arlen - at least if you had stayed repulican you would have had your seniority and been able to say you wanted to retire due to health issues and to spend time with your family.

Now you will go out as a used, abused and discarded politician whose ambition over road his ethics. Sorry Arlen - you earned this.
Reply to this comment
by hungry1968-17 December 7, 2009 5:26 PM EST
So you're claiming that he can't retire because he's a democrat now?
by stn_sage December 7, 2009 7:55 PM EST
To 'jimmyc':

When you 'flip' parties, it's customary to lose your seniority within that NEW party, because you ARE a new member of it! This is fair!

And, he has the vast support of Democrat members in the primary as well.

--------------------------
To 'hungry':

I think you know he's not making any such claim!

He's simply saying by joining the Democrats he lost all his built up seniority, and if it appeared he couldn't win his next election, he could have 'bowed out' gracefully!

Now, if he loses, it will be 'under the cloud' of having changed parties in order to retain the office which the public may not respect him for doing...which is less 'noble' than retiring to be with your family, etcetera!

But, there's always the point...does it really matter why you get voted out-of-office...if you do?! It won't change the basic fact, you're done.
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