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By Alex Roarty
PoliticsPA
roarty@politicspa.com

Apparently T.J. Rooney no longer thinks Joe Sestak’s victory in the U.S. Senate Democratic primary is “cataclysmic.”

The outspoken state party chairman, only weeks after urging support for Arlen Specter because he said Sestak’s win would be disastrous for the party in November, called on Democrats in a statement Tuesday night to rally behind the congressman after his victory against the Democratic incumbent.

“Now that the primary is over, it’s time for us all to rally behind Joe Sestak and channel that passion and energy to getting him elected and preventing Pat Toomey from bringing his brand of far right, divisive politics to Washington,” Rooney said. “Pennsylvania families deserve someone who is going to fight for them and their interests in the Senate, not someone who is going be yet another voice for Wall Street and Republican obstructionism.

“I hope you’ll all join me in supporting Joe and I look forward to getting him elected this November,” he added.

The Democratic Party establishment is in the awkward position of pivoting from its unanimous support of Specter against Sestak to supporting the southeast congressman in his upcoming difficult battle against Toomey. They seemed prepared to make the transition as soon as possible Tuesday night, after it became clear Sestak would emerge victorious.

“As the highest-ranking former military officer ever elected to Congress, Joe Sestak has served our country with honor,” said DNC Chairman Tim Kaine, in a statement. “In the Senate, as he has done in the House of Representatives, Joe Sestak will stand up for the needs of Pennsylvania workers and families.”

The Democrats early strategy to unite their party seems clear: Whatever your thoughts on the Sestak, he’s a much better option than Toomey.

“This November, Pennsylvania voters will face a choice between a Democrat who is focused on creating jobs and the needs of the middle class, and an extreme right-winger who made his profits trading derivatives on Wall Street,” said DSCC Chairman Robert Menendez (D-N.J.). “After working on Wall Street, Pat Toomey went to Congress where he racked up an extremist voting record that would make Rick Santorum look moderate.  If elected, Pat Toomey would do even more to protect the big banks, Wall Street, the oil companies and the insurance companies – all at the expense of Pennsylvania’s middle class.”

4 Responses

  1. We are Lucky To Be Rid of That Miserable Old Man Snarlin Arlen Thank God We have suffered Under That Ira Inehorn Lawyer for far 2 long

  2. Deborah – Like Satchel Paige quipped, “Sayin’ it don’t make it so.” Sestak is actually a pretty moderate Democrat, and a huge friend to small business. Unlike Toomey, who made his fortune on Wall Street and is even more right-wing kooky than Rick Santorum. And unlike your say-so on Sestak, the facts show how far out in right field Toomey is.

  3. The Sestak win was not an anti-incumbent vote, nor was it an anti-Obama vote. It WAS an anti “Dem establishment” vote, a statement against top-down, vote-the-way-we-tell-you leadership. TJ Rooney is the embodiment of that leadership, and today he has no credibility.

    He needs to go. Now.

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