by Mike Memoli
Former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel is making waves in Pennsylvania today by endorsing the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, Rep. Joe Sestak.
Per the Associated Press, the former Nebraska senator said Sestak "has demonstrated during his two terms in Congress that he puts the interests of the nation and his constituents ahead of his party."
"I think he's exactly what our country needs more of. I think he's what the Senate needs more of -- courageous, independent-thinking," Hagel told AP. "That's what the job is about. You are supposed to use your judgment."
The nod for the Philadelphia-area Congressman comes not long after another cross-party endorsement, from Democrat-turned-Republican-turned independent New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
It also is well-timed in that Sestak has appeared on the defensive in the race, as our Washington bureau colleague Colby Itkowitz reported for the Morning Call:
So far, Pennsylvania's U.S. Senate battle has been fought on Toomey's terms.To be sure, the campaign's biggest battles are to come. Face-to-face debates and a looming television ad war could shape the race. A sizable number of undecided voters won't tune in until the final weeks in October.
Still, the political momentum favors Toomey, who almost beat Specter himself in 2004, spent six years in the U.S. Congress, and most recently presided over the Club for Growth, a D.C.-based group that promotes fiscally conservative candidates nationwide.
Unlike Sestak, Toomey had no bloody spring primary, allowing him to stockpile resources and build alliances. Specter, the state's longest-serving senator, was backed by President Obama and Gov. Ed Rendell over Sestak. Toomey enjoyed the support of the Republican establishment from the start.
An average of recent polling from Real Clear Politics finds Toomey with a more than 5-point advantage.
Comments
Once PA voters get to know extremist Teabagger Pat Toomey better the next couple of weeks, his poll numbers will start tanking.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/larry-atkins/sestak-needs-to-show-toom_b_675061.html
Posted by: Rob | August 23, 2010 2:20 PM
Former republican, Senator Chuck Hagel supporting a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, Representative Sestak!! What's going on with the Republican-Libertarian-T.Baggers? Their leaders are crossing-over and endorsing Democrats. Why? Could it be because these, present and former, Republican leaders are too embarrassed by the Republican-Libertarian-T.-Bagger's 'Fear and Smear " machine??? Also, they are mouthing very unamerican, very unconstitutional ideas and attitudes. If the American electorate wants to vote for these moroons, the Republican-Libertarian-T.Baggers, then let them. They deserve another Bush&Cheney with their disastrous, dastardly, radical, right-wing fanaticism!! I know America doesn't want a revisit from the Bush&Cheney Incompetents!! Go, Democrats and President Obama, you are doing a good job, given the fact that the " Fear and Smear " machine of the Obama-haters, hasn't stopped running, since 2008!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | August 23, 2010 6:45 PM
Hagel is making a run at the soon-to-be-opening at the Sec of Defense position since he knows no democrats are qualified.
Posted by: Terry | August 23, 2010 10:15 PM
Hagel was a horrible senator. And he is just as bad as an ex-senator.
Posted by: John D | August 24, 2010 8:39 AM
Check out the Republican-Libertarian-T.Baggers "patriotic" salute to a genuine Vietnam veteran, former Senator Chuck Hagel. You know, the one that didn't crash six fighter planes. Nor, is he the veteran, whose patriotism was by the lousy Republicans, even though he left three of his limbs in Vietnam. I am speaking of former Georgia's U.S. Senator and a veteran of the Vietnam War, Senator Max Cleland. For all the screaming those Republican-Libertarian-T.Baggers did so loudly, in such a patriotic fervor, they sure have a funny way of showing their appreciation for our Armed Forces's veterans. Look at the slime they tried to cover Senator Kerry and Vice-President Gore, both Vietnam war veterans. That is what the Party of No, which wraps itself in the American flag, every day and thinks they are serving their country. I bet the vast majority of them never even had on, one of our Armed Forces's uniforms, let alone, served in harm's way!! What Hypocrites!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | August 25, 2010 11:50 AM