| The Democratic candidates for Senate continue to differ on key issues. Arlen Specter, desperate to save his political hide, is positioning himself to the left of Congressman Sestak as often as possible. This echoes his 2004 campaign when he ran right in the Republican primary against Pat Toomey then two stepped back to the center against Joe Hoeffel. Back in Washington he promised Senate Republicans he'd toe the Party line if they allowed him to Chair the Judiciary Committee. He rewarded them by becoming a Democrat.
This time Specter is against the escalation of the Afghan War, taking a position decidedly to the left of Sestak who is supporting President Obama. This is interesting because Obama is supporting Specter, not Sestak. Sestak says insuring proper goals and benchmarks in the President's plan along with a clear exit strategy gets his support.
I obviously like Specter's position better but, as with all else with the incumbent, you never know if how long he'll remain with any position. Is he doing this because he truly thinks it's the correct policy or because he sees an opportunity to outflank his rival? Your guess is as good as mine. |
