Sestak Responds To Rendell’s Demand That He Quit Senate Race: Fat Chance

[jefferson_dem]

Sestak Responds To Rendell’s Demand That He Quit Senate Race: Fat Chance

Yesterday Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell demanded that Joe Sestak drop his challenge to Arlen Specter, saying that the party establishment’s backing of Specter would prove too steep a hurdle and suggesting it would end his political career.

Now Sestak has responded: Forget it, Ed. Sestak spokesman Joe Langdon sends over a surprisingly direct rebuff of the powerful Rendell:

Joe Sestak has great respect for Governor Rendell — but we have to ask ourselves, what would happen if our leaders only stood up to challenges when the odds were in their favor? That isn’t the spirit that created this nation, led Barack Obama to the Oval Office, or allowed Ed Rendell to become Governor of Pennsylvania when everyone said a Mayor of Philadelphia could never win.

What will happen if only those from what the establishment deems “safe seats” are advised to run for higher office? Where will the audacity come from, if not from those who have demonstrated the ability to galvanize a constituency against the odds? Political calculation is not what put the Democrats in power, and it isn’t what’s going to keep us there. The people are looking for leaders of conviction, not convenience.

The people of Pennsylvania don’t want to hear that someone won’t face a challenge because it will be too difficult. We should demand more from our leaders.

This sort of stuff from Rendell, of course, only helps Sestak build his “underdog versus the establishment” narrative, and allows him to emphasize the seriousness of his intentions.

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/campaigns/sestak-responds-to-rendells-demand-that-he-quit-senate-race-fat-chance/

[saltpoint]

1. Good for Joe. It's not really Rendell's decision in the first place, plus

my guess is that people aren't going to be weeping in the streets if Specter is turned out of office.

It could be a real tough primary. I'm for Joe.

[zipplewrath]

3. Gonna need help

I hope he gets alot of DU love in the primary. He's gonna need the help I'd imagine since most of the state money isn't gonna be there. I wonder if Move On has taken a position yet?

[saltpoint]

5. Good question.

I think Joe will have some DU support and support from other progressive sites.

I think he can defeat Specter in the primary.

[invictus]

2. Go Sestak!

[Skink]

4. Palin did the right thing.

[Tom Rinaldo]

6. At the very least Sestak will make Specter hesitate before voting with the G.O.P. in the Senate

If I recall his first major Senate vote after turning Democrat was against Obama. Since he now faces a primary fight to keep his seat, and since liberal/progressives make up a sizable percentage of Democratic primary voters, Specter can't risk siding with the Republicans very often any more before the primary. This makes Spectger's Senate vote much more dependable for us now. Otherwise I supsect he would have been rather tempted to carve out a more "independent" voting profile with several high profile departures from Democratic majority positions.

In a real sense, Sestak is already delivering for us.

[cascadiance]

7. Hey Rendell, why do primaries? Should the taxpayer fund beauty pageants?

Hell no! The people expect that the money being spent on them every once in a while provide a useful purpose. Sestak's trying to help this one be worthwhile to the people for a change! I'm glad he's telling you hell no!

[tech3149]

11. I supported Sestak in his first run

I'll support him in a run against Specter. Rendell can kiss my pasty white ass. He bought my ire when he and Chuck Shumer decided that Bob Casey was a better candidate than Chuck Pennacchio. Casey has been as close to a Republican as any Democrat can be. I might just pass on the local Demo picnic because Rendell usually shows up. I don't want to be tempted to try and break his jaw.

[cascadiance]

15. Or when Schumer and Reid shut down Paul Hackett's Ohio senate campaign...

Hackett was a candidate that would have exposed what a moderate candidate for dems should TRULY look like and not be corporatist at the same time. They wouldn't have any of that!

http://fromtheleft.wordpress.com/2006/02/14/sens-schumer-and-reid-pressure-paul-hackett-to-quit-senate-race/

We need to take down the corporatist hierarchy!

[demodonkey]

16. There's no picnic this year, if you mean "Christmas In July" it is OFF.

Call me if you want details.

[Senator]

8. Rendell demanded?!?

Sounds like Eddie's getting a little testy since the plum job for wifey goes out the window unless the ghost of Arlen the Specter keeps haunting the senate halls.

Sorry Ed, your sub-prime mortgage on Specter may end up devalued and foreclosed.

--

[Ikonoklast]

9. Fast Eddie isn't the King of Pennsylvania. He cannot rule by fiat.

I detest that DLC turd.

[Blasphemer]

10. Good for him - enough with the political aristocracy

Leadership is not supposed to decide, the voters are. Joe Langdon got it exactly right.

[Senator]

12. Opportunity to "double your donation" to Sestak

Someone is http://www.actblue.com/page/86yroldspecter">matching contributions on ActBlue.

--

[AlinPA]

13. Specter is a temporary Democrat. He would switch right back to R if he wins the election.

He is trying to play PA Democrats as suckers.

[Prism]

14. Sestak has some spine

Good for him. We need more like him.