Politics PA

Senate candidate Joe Sestak has visited 26 Pennsylvaniacounties in 26 days, appearing at more than 230 events.

Still, he hasn’t gained traction in the polls, widespread name recognition or big-name endorsements. Many experts say he needs a new game plan.

Less than four months before voters seal his political fate, the ex-admiral-turned-politico must transcend his ambitious grass-roots politicking if he has any chance of unseating a 30-year campaign veteran like Arlen Specter.

On Saturday, the state’s Democratic political leaders will meet to endorse a slate for the May 18 primary, and if either Senate candidate walks away with it — a two-thirds supermajority is needed — it’s going to be Specter.

Democrats have won the Democratic primary without establishment assistance. Sestak is quick to point out that Ed Rendell did it in 2002 against then-state Treasurer Bob Casey. But going it alone, history suggests, requires someone with a Rendellesque swagger that captivates voters.

”It’s this sweet political spot you have to hit, and [Sestak] hasn’t hit it,” said Larry Ceisler, a Philadelphia Democratic consultant. ”An enlightened progressive ex-military guy, that should be able to get you in the door with these people, but for whatever reason it hasn’t. He has not been able to touch that nerve.”

Although Sestak only started campaigning hard in the last month, he’s been a

candidate in this race longer than that.

In most polls, Sestak trails Specter by more than 20 points. But those same polls show that a majority of Pennsylvania voters see Specter as not deserving re-election. The key for Sestak, the experts say, is to capitalize on that anti-incumbent sentiment.

Sestak dismisses any talk of being stuck in neutral.

”We’re right on track for what we want to do to win,” he said in a phone interview. ”Sixty-five percent believe Specter should not, and rightfully so, be re-elected. That’s fatal. That’s the real defining numbers.”
Read the full Morning Call article here

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Tags: Arlen Specter, Joe Sestak

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