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PA-Sen: Sestak Comment Causes Twitter Outrage

Sestak-WalkOver the weekend, the PA Senate Democratic primary experienced its first real social media controversy.

For those unaware, a social media controversy occurs when a comment by one candidate is taken with great umbrage by another candidate usually through the form of tweets and/or fundraising emails.

On Friday, former Congressman and Senate candidate Joe Sestak spoke to the Pennlive editorial board.

As is his wont, Sestak self-righteously talked down his opponents for being part of the political system.

“It’s kind of a prostitution of the system, at least since Citizens United,” Sestak said of campaigning.

“At least until a few days ago, the only money in the race against me was from outside Pennsylvania,” he continued. “There was not a TV ad from my opponent. But that’s the problem. I don’t believe that you can give loyalty to someone who said, later on, ‘Sestak, whenever I tell you anything, your only answer is to be yes’. And another senator said ‘We do this to everyone.’”

That last sentence refers to a conversation Sestak has mentioned before, specifically in a recent Politico piece, with an unnamed high-ranking Democratic Senator.

“To me, this is really, about what most ails America and the lack of trust there. And how could I just say ‘yes’ to that senator? Being a senator is what I want to be, gaining the trust is what I want. So why win a seat, but you have to win it through a prostituted way?”

When that final statement was tweeted out by Editorial Board Editor John Micek, McGinty was quick to respond.

https://twitter.com/KatieMcGintyPA/status/718599841576837120?replies_view=true&cursor=ALAWFDUS-Qk

EMILY’s List, which has endorsed McGinty, also followed up.

McGinty and her supporters feel the use of the term prostitution was sexist and that Sestak’s statements were directed at specifically at her.

This race continues to heat up as we near the April 26th primary where Sestak, McGinty and Braddock Mayor John Fetterman will battle for the Democratic nomination.

68 Responses

  1. What i don’t realize is actually how you are not really much more well-liked than you might be right now. You’re so intelligent. You realize thus considerably relating to this subject, made me personally consider it from numerous varied angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated unless it is one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs excellent. Always maintain it up!

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  2. Wow- if that is all McGinty has her campaign is in deep trouble.
    She dissed Erie not attending a foreign policy debate- Joe and John showed up.

    US Senate- you know the chamber that
    Approves treaties , oversight on military etc .

  3. How is our current political model not prostitution? It is. People take money and then do whatever the donor wants, no matter how unethical or contrary to law and interests of the citizenry. It applies to men and women alike engaged in political careerism. McGinty is looking for anything to help her faltering campaign, so she gets in a huff about a truism. Liberals specialize in fake outrage. Fortunately most Americans are becoming immune to it. What’s unfortunate is that McGinty is probably the smartest of the three candidates. Her policy acumen is second to none. I agree with her on about zero, but I respect her smarts.

  4. The “outrage” is faux because the analogy is true. Outsiders say, “duh.”

  5. Sestak has always had trouble dealing with women and women issues. Throw in the fact that he is a vain pompous little man in real life who feels entitled to the Democratic nomination because he has been doing five minute visits all over the state for the last five years. Now that McGinty is quickly closing in on him we hear the word prostitution being used because McGinty has wide support in the Democratic Party. I believe Sestak in this moment Sestak has revealed his true persona. I believe he would have a hard time losing to a woman. In Sestak’s thinking is Senator Casey a prostitute for the Democratic Party? Time for Sestak to go home to Virginia as a private citizen. April 26 that will happen.

  6. It’s English. It’s pejorative but not sexist. Grow up. If his sentence offends you, it’s on you.

  7. My final comment since Politics Pa allows people to adopt/steal my–and your names, if they desire– and post anything they want under your/my name….WTF. cc.My attorney.

  8. Alexandria Khalil said: “Finally, in 2010 I spoke to a woman from Feasterville who, to this day, is the person who really inspires me to continue with the phonebanking and canvassing and staying involved even as I am disgusted with the Dem Party bosses and politics in general.”

    Thank you for saying this. You are an inspiration to me.

  9. He made the same argument against Specter in 2010. Never used the word once then.

  10. I really cannot believe so many people are hiding behind there also being male prostitutes as an excuse for this not being a sexist comment. When someone uses the word, the assumption is that it is referring to a woman. How many of the boys here were ever called a prostitute, a hooker, or a whore growing up? I promise you the women here have heard it a lot more than you could ever imagine. He was referring to establishment politics, the kind that have embraced his opponent and shunned him, as a form of prostitution. Since this isn’t something he usually runs around saying, it is pretty clear who he is talking about. That is a horrible attack, don’t cover for the pig.

  11. adv— joe sestek does something worse he says he will be someplaece then does not show up. he has done this twice already in my county htis year and now he is getting NO VOTES HERE

  12. Gee whiz . . . and not to put too fine a point on it . . . there are also male prostitutes, no? And does anybody own a dictionary, or know how to use it? Like, the second definition — the unworthy or corrupt use of one’s talents for the sake of personal or financial gain. If the shoe fits, wear it, but let’s not get bogged down over a frenzy of 144 character rants. Good grief.

  13. Not a very reasoned argument from “never.” Joe Sestak will defeat Toomey, and McG, in spite of the front groups supporting corporate-puppet, McG. When is the stuff about her dirty coal plant and $$$ from her corporate interests going to hit the air waves. Maybe it won’t be needed. NO SHOW McGinty chickened out on the debate on foreign policy————–a very telling statement undermining her once again.

  14. Shame on Joe Sestak. He is the Todd Akin of 2016. His comments are disgusting, disgraceful and embarrassing.

    Joe Sestak revealed his inner-Todd Akin and is clearly unfit to serve the people of Pennsylvania.

    Elected officials should condemn his comments and call on him to withdraw from the race.

    Pennsylvania Democrats have the incredible opportunity to make history and send a progressive, pro-choice Democratic woman to Washington. I’m proud President Obama endorsed Katie McGinty. Nobody called Obama a member of the establishment when he was running for 2008.

    #NeverSestak

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