Yesterday was a full day so I didn’t get a chance to post much. Up today is Valerie Jarrett and an economic panel with Jon Corzine, Anna Burger, Kevin Drum and Dean Baker.
Yesterday’s highlights were Howard Dean and the Specter/Sestak forum. Specter did better than I expected. He emphasized areas of agreement: pro-choice, pro-stimulus, voted against Judge Bork, environmental cap & trade and health care legislation. He actually said “I support climate change” which brought a laugh that he didn’t seem to get. I thought the biggest “news” from Specter’s talk was that he said Snowe would vote for the health care reform bill and that he thinks there are already 61 votes for cloture.
When Specter was asked what progressive ideals he would stand for he talked about transparency of the Supreme Court. Specter also demurred on supporting cloture for all Democratic bills but expected to vote for cloture on health care reform, climate change and EFCA (labor – I hope I have this right my brain is fuzzy right now). Specter said he can fight effectively for Obama’s agenda. The other big news was Specter promised to call Chuck Grassley about “death panels” right after he talked. Apparently he did and there is a video of Specter making the phone call.
A lot of people were a little put off by Sestak. They found his speaking style odd and over-practiced. He emphasized his accomplishments since he’s been in Congress: autism legislation, elder abuse legislation and his constituent services. Sestak said he had more bills than either of PA’s senators. He got some good attacks in against Specter, too. Sestak said he took Specter at his word – Specter believes what he says even if he said something different 8 weeks ago (paraphrasing but oooo….burn).
I think the most awkward moment was Sestak defending his FISA vote despite telling his progressive supporters that he would vote against it. Sestak hemmed and hawed basically and said he consults with a lot of different groups and panels. Conspicuously absent – progressive groups, bloggers and scientists.
I thought Sestak really warmed up when talking about the climate change bill. He got in another dig at Specter in the health care reform, saying during Clinton’s 1994 health care initiative Specter traveled around with Bob Dole with a poster that said “Bill Clinton’s Big Government Health Care Plan.”
Sestak got most passionate talking about repealing DADT. He was unabashedly progressive on this issue. He passionately argued about serving with GLBT people and how they deserved the same rights as someone else. I think it’s refreshing to see a sensible centrist argue this issue so unapologetically.
Sestak talked about accountable leadership and standing for principles over politics. I think this should be an interesting race, especially considering this new poll showing Sestak gaining 30 points on Specter.
Specter 48 (56)
Sestak 33 (11)
Undecided 19 (33)