Should "Admiral" Sestak Be Pulling Rank?

Apparently, when "Admiral" Sestak refers to himself on the campaign trail, he's violating military ethics because he fails to make clear he is retired.

From TribLive:

At an event in Latrobe on Tuesday, titled “Admiral Sestak for Senior Citizens and People with Alzheimer's Disease,” Sestak refused to address questions about why his campaign literature doesn't prominently indicate he retired as a two-star rear admiral.

“I don't know what you are talking about,” said Sestak, who rose to the rank of three-star admiral but wasn't in that position long enough to retire as such. He said he could not answer the question and referred it to campaign spokeswoman Danielle Lynch, who refused comment.

Reminded of the Pentagon's military code of ethics regarding the use of titles, Sestak said: “Mmmm. Send us something on that, would you?”

Pam Varkony's Toomey Chronicle

Our local blogosphere includes a few gifted writers. Chris Casey has been picked up by Huffington Post. Now, Pam Varkony has the headline story at The Daily Caller - "On the Road With the Toomey Campaign."

Pam spent two days following the Toomey campaign, and tells me that everywhere they went, people are "angry and scared." I've noticed that myself.

But why are people angry and scared? Some Democrats actually believe this is a reaction to their inability to implement their complete agenda. On the other hand, the tea party movement is a grass roots reaction by conservative Republicans infuriated primarily by the health care overhaul and increased government spending.

Here's what I think. We're becoming a nation of extremists, very much like the two U.S. Senate candidates in Pennsylvania. Moderate voices are being drowned out by the dissonant voices in disaffected left and right, both smugly convinced of their intellectual and moral superiority. I am a Democrat routinely criticized for daring to respect and appreciate leaders in both major parties who are accountable, transparent and willing to work with each other.

The rest is details.

Increasingly, and especially as newspapers struggle, elected officials play the spin game. Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, instead of frankly acknowledging Allentown's crime problem, will mislead the public and marginalize legitimate criticism. State Rep. Jennifer Mann can actually be a paid consultant for a major state vendor, and refuse to disclose what she is being paid.

I Owe Morganelli a Morganelli

Let me tell you the two best-kept secrets at the Northampton County Courthouse. The first is its cozy law library, which is open to the public. But the best secret is its bright and cheerful cafeteria, managed by head chef Richard McInerney for Susan's Catering.

One of McInerney's creations is The Morganelli, a great Italian sandwich named after our District Attorney. Now that Joe Sestak has defeated Arlen Specter in the Senate primary, I owe John Morganelli a Morganelli.

I had a sinking feeling I'd lose my bet over the past few days. But I never would have guessed that Sestak's margin would be that big.

Sestak, Simmons, Fail Transparency Test

Election Day is tomorrow. For two candidates, we lack some important records.

Senatorial candidate Joe Sestak, forced to retire from the Navy because of a "poor command climate," still refuses to release his service records. State house wannabe Justin Simmons still refuses to e-file his campaign expenses, or make them available on any one of his three different web pages, while simultaneously questioning his candidate's finance report.

It's a safe bet neither believe in transparency.

DA John Morganelli to Endorse Joe Sestak

This just in:

Northampton County District Attorney John M. Morganelli, the Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania Attorney General in 2008, and a past President of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association will formally endorse Congressman Joe Sestak for US Senate at a campaign event in Bethlehem on Friday May 14, 2010. Morganelli is a 5 term district attorney in Pennsylvania and one of the state's longest serving district attorneys. Morganelli is scheduled to introduce Congressman Sestak at the campaign event.

John and I have actually placed a friendly wager over the outcome of the Specter-Sestak race. I'm looking forward to eating a Morganelli, the sandwich named in his honor.

If he wins, I'll report him to AG Corbett for gambling.

T.J. Rooney: If Sestak Wins, So Does Toomey

Why the hell do you tink Pat Toomey was willing to debate Joe Sestak so many times?

Why Steve Barron Supports Arlen Specter

It's no secret that Northampton County Controller Steve Barron supports Arlen Specter over Joe Sestak for the U.S. Senate. He was actually Specter's surrogate in a recent endorsement meeting among Northampton County Democrats. I've asked him to tell you why. Bar Johnston, who is heading up the Sestak campaign in the Lehigh Valley, has agreed to provide a similar essay, which I will be happy to publish whn it arrives.

Below is Steve's essay. May the best man win!

As you know I support Arlen Specter for US Senate in the up coming primary. I have been on the stump for him all over the Lehigh Valley.

The first thing I tell those groups of voters is that Arlen has delivered for the Lehigh Valley countless times. He recently found key funding to update the safety equipment for the Lehigh Valley International Airport, and secured a major grant for a Workforce Training Center on the Southside of Bethlehem, run in conjunction with Northampton County Community College. The Bangor Outpatient VA Clinic has also had a huge impact on veterans from this area who need outpatient care. Arlen was instrumental in making sure that clinic was placed here to help the veterans of the Lehigh Valley.

Specter has also delivered for the country. The Obama Administration’s response to the worst economic downturn in 80 years might not have gotten off the ground if Arlen hadn’t supported the economic stimulus package. Now, Bernie, I know your readers can turn on Fox News and hear 24 hours of criticism of that bill. But as Northampton County’s Controller, I keep my eye on the financial markets every day, and the upturn we’ve experienced nationally in recent months is testimony to the decisive action the White House has taken on several fronts.

Specter has tons of endorsements from folks I work with and look up to—from the governor and legislators, mayors and county executives—but maybe the biggest reason I support Arlen is because he won my Dad’s support. When I was a teenager, my father hit a rough patch in his life. Compounding his problems was the fact that he faced a ton of red tape landing a VA home loan. Arlen Specter and his staff stepped in and delivered for us. I remember the day we got the call telling us the loan was now approved; and that the VA was sorry about the problems and misunderstanding. It was the break my Dad needed to get back on his feet. My Dad told me that Arlen always had his vote anytime he was up for election; and he’s got mine too.

This state needs Arlen to be there fighting for the Citizens of Pennsylvania. Especially when there is so much more work to be done in Washington. Pennsylvania needs his leadership, dedication, and ability to fight for us here in the Lehigh Valley and that is why I am working hard to make sure he is our candidate in November.

Sestak Gets VodVarka Kicked Off Senatorial Ballot

Joe VodVarka is a plain-spoken, down-to-earth man who wowed the 500 plus crowd at a LV Tea Party candidates' night on Friday night. He mentioned he had been in court just that day, trying to fend off a Joe Sestak nomination challenge. His tired wife was sleeping in the car outside.

Looks like Sestak has succeeded in knocking VodVarka off the ballot, forcing Democrats to choose between Arlen Specter and the Rear Admiral.

I think I'll vote for the Democrat who supports small d democracy.

Callahan Hired Gun Helped Elect Embattled Massa

John Callahan campaign manager Justin Schall is a hired gun from the DCCC, a journeyman completely unfamiliar with the LV. He has lost most of the races in which he's worked. But he does have one notch on his pea-shooter. He did run Eric Massa's successful 2008 congressional race in Corning, NY.

Well, Massa has turned out to be a disasta who has decided against reelection. He's currently facing accusations that he sexually harassed a junior male member of his own staff. And guess what? A shocked Massa fired a 2006 campaign staffer who was accused of luring three teenage boys to his apartment, plying them with alcohol and then asking one 16 year old boy to spend the night with him.

The staffer sued him, and Massa later apologized.

By the way, Massa thinks Joe Sestak would make a great Senator.

They were both in the Navy.

In the navy / Yes, you can sail the seven seas / In the navy / Yes, you can put your mind at ease / In the navy / Come on now, people, make a stand / In the navy, in the navy / Can't you see we need a hand / In the navy

This Can't Be Good For Sestak

Toomey & Sestak: Two Hares Chasing a Tortoise at Muhlenberg

Ultraconservative Pat Toomey and Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-7) are hardly what I'd call regular guys. Toomey made a fortune dealing in derivatives, while haughty Sestak goes through staff the way I go through a bag of Cheezits. You're more likely to find these guys on a swanky golf course than at an Iron Pigs game.

That's why I have to laugh about their supposed health care "town" hall, scheduled at Muhlenberg College tonight. It's no town hall in any real sense. Of the approximately 400 tickets made available by the college, half go to the respective campaigns and another 100 will be handed out to students. That leaves just around 100 for real people and the tea-baggers.

Still, they are trying to prove they're cool. They've confirmed their rendezvous on Twitter and have even agreed - Obama style - to share a beer when all is said and done. I suspect both will ask for straws.

"This is pure good governance," Sestak solemnly pronounces.

Really?

This is no exercise in democracy. It has nothing to do with health care reform, either. It has everything to do with bashing Senator Arlen Specter. While Sestak has been launching little toy boats in his bath tub, Specter has been tangling with numerous angry crowds in town halls throughout the state. They've practically assaulted this nearly 80 year-old Senator, apparently forgetting that Snarlin' Arlen comes from the tough streets of Philly, where he learned Scottish law. Rocky country.

"Yo, Adrianne!"

While Specter is out there talking about actual issues, Toomey and Sestak are moving pieces on a political chessboard. Toomey is propping Sestak up with this Muhlenberg "town" hall so he can knock him down later. He knows he just might beat Sestak. He has no chance at all against Specter. For his part, Sestak is looking for a statewide launching pad from which he can challenge Specter's admittedly weak Democratic credentials. And the last place Joe the Admiral wants to do that in is in his own district. He's already fired everyone there. So these senatorial wannabes think they have a win-win, and it's why the incumbent was given no invitation. He'll just muddy the waters.

"With Arlen Specter, you never know who's going to show up," snarks Toomey. Well, whoever that person may be, he's already beaten you once, Pat, and that was among Republicans. Sestak claims Specter is "following my leadership." I see. What leadership is that, Admiral Joe? The kind that caused thirteen of your staffers to jump overboard during your first term? The kind that led the Navy to force you to walk the plank for disrupting morale there?

Both of these hares are ready to make deposits on apartments in Washington, but my money is on the tortoise.