U.S. Senate candidates Pat Toomey and Joe Sestak exchange attacks

October 15, 2010
Ivey Dejesus
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2010/10/us_senate_candidates_pat_toome.html

Crunch Time Means Attack Mode

      As the Fall Senate Election quickly approaches it is crunch time for candidates, Republican Pat Toomey and Democrat Joe Sestak. Both Toomey and Sestak had used this time to cleverly attack the others campaign to score some last minute or swing voters. The senate candidates are both aggressive and are focusing on "economic and tax policies and congressional records" to put the other in a bad light. Will their attempts prove to be effective?  What will voters think of the candidates once they see that Toomey and Sestak have gone far and beyond to attack one another?
With a debate on Wednesday in Philly and one on Friday in Pittsburgh it seems as though Sestak had a pretty confident lead. This however is not entirely true according to recent polls which display more or close lead. Toomey although has a 10% lead with likely voters, reported by Rasmussen.
       Voters got a view of both candidates attended a conference call to a group of workers. Sestak tried to reach out to working people, while meeting with small companies like Hydroworx. Sestak tries to establish the idea to "change the focus of Washington... in favor of small business and jobs." Sestak also spoke about job loss and his future ideas to improve the situation. He rectifies his support of stimulus bill, Criticized by Toomey, by saying it supposed to be a "a slow hemorrhaging of jobs bill." Sestak took a risky move and pointed out that his own party didn’t support all of his proposals to display his determination “to be an independent reprehensive of pa working families. He attacked Toomey by saying "Toomey's economic and foreign trade policies" is supporting job outsourcing which will led to loss of jobs especially in pa. Sestak also criticized Toomey on his support of trade policies in china. Toomey then talked about campaign finance regulations. Both candidates where then asked their views on the " don’t ask, don’t tell policy" which restricts homosexuals from openly serving. Both candidates said they would repeal the policy; Toomey is very open to it and Sestak is disappointed repeal hasn’t occurred sooner already.
      Both candidates used political attacks instead of resorting to personal attacks which helps make more creditable campaign. Sestak seems to relate to matters that everyday people would understand and be attentive to. Toomey even though talked about political issues it would help to speak about topics the everyday voters would care significantly for. I believe that this conference call benefited Sestak more than Toomey.

Toomey, Sestak trade jabs on housing

October 15. 2010

Chris Brennan

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/20101014_Toomey_rips_Sestak_on_housing.html

Sestak and Toomey Pointing the Finger

            It is a game of placing the blame in the Pennsylvania 2010 Senate Election. Both Pat Toomey and Joe Sestak are passing the blame on each other for the housing collapse resulting in the downfall of national economy. Will this be the beginning to an ugly campaign and debate? Can both Toomey and Sestak hold their composure after an attack by their opponent?

Realizing its crunch time until general election on November 2^nd Toomey has come to campaign on Philadelphia.  His speech mainly focused on putting down Frannie and Freddie Mac and Sestak saying that it is their fault for the housing problem.  Frannie and Freddie Mac are two "government-sponsored enterprises… with the mission to increase the amount of money banks can lend to homebuyers” who was supposed to be a solution to reduce financial spenders.  Toomey think ending relations with these agencies and conducting a study of in fact how they potentially affect the economy and banks.  Toomey also blamed Sestak for being a sell-out to taxpayer who had a “liberal agenda” in mind.

Sestak responded to Toomey’s statement and accusations by indicating Toomey’s agreement of a legislation in support of the agencies Frannie and Freddie Mac.  Sestak also pointed out that fact that Toomey had not make up his mind on the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act which would prevent new economic trouble from mortgages.  Sestak’s spokesman’s talked about how Toomey only points the finger, never examining his own faults and short coming or realizing his dependence on Wall Street.

Toomey’s response was that the act should not necessarily be replaced but “significantly changed" because it does not address problems with Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

Will these new arguments against housing be an issue for Pennsylvania voters?

Team Christie and Corbett

October 15, 2010

Peter Jackson

http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/pennsylvania/20101011_ap_njgovchristietoutsgopscorbettinparace.html

Team Christie – Corbett

          
             A new development in the Pennsylvania 2010 Governor Election has occurred now that Chris Christie and Tom Corbett have been spending more and more time together. Will this new found partnership, effect the already existing idea of Corbett's voters? Is there any benefit for Christie by this "friendship"? Also what does this partnership/friendship mean in terms of beliefs and policies in Corbett's campaign?
            New Jersey governor, Christie told the people Pennsylvania the importance Corbett would have if he were in fact voted to be Pennsylvania’s governor.  Christie said that him and Corbett will, “join forces” and make many changes that will be beneficial to Pennsylvanians. 

            Government spending seems to be the main focus from Christie promotion of Corbett.  As a team they believe that by reducing government spending many more jobs will open up. Corbett in addition stated that cultural changes will be made as a result of the easily recognizable “desperation in the Democratic Party in Pennsylvania.”  Corbett and Christie also have the same attitude toward taxes; Corbett previously wrote a “pledge to increase taxes.”Corbett even said that Christie although many years younger is his political “role model.”

            Corbett and Christie have together emphasized the immense significance that people realize that even though it may seem as though Corbett has a good lead over Democrat Dan Onorato it is not entirely true.

            Will Christie’s presence and found support of Corbett affect the choices Pennsylvania voters make on Election Day, November 2nd?

Accountability is Needed to Address Ailing Economy, Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate Joe Sestak Says

October 4, 2010

Ivey Dejesues

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2010/10/accountability_is_needed_to_ad.html

Sestak’s Military Mindset

            In the on-going U.S. Senate 2010 Election, Democrat Joe Sestak has expressed his idea to solve economic problems. His approach is said to be “…military principal of accountability.” If Sestak does indeed become senator will his military history be applied to all that he does? Will Sestak in the future, address all the concerns from the stimulus bill? 

            Sestak has remained firm in ideas important to him from the start of his campaign. He restates that he wants to “…to create jobs by focusing on small businesses and extending tax cuts to the middle class, rather than the wealthiest…”

Sestak says he will accomplish this by negotiating with a military mindset from both Democrats and Republicans.  He believes the government should have leaders that are military-like and therefore obtain their values. Sestak spoke of being in favor of the “pay as you go” policy and in regards to reducing the U.S. federal deficit. Sestak also addressed other topics like reduces spending on Medicare and Medicaid and increasing government revenue. He speaks about the unfairness of tax cuts given to the wealthy, the importance of small business, bad choices made in Iraq and Afghanistan for involvement of military, and some aspects of the stimulus but avoids topics of private market programs. 

            Sestak was very critical towards the Obama administrations, saying that the president has not kept the public well-informed. Sestak also stressed that Obama should appeal to the people with “Accountability.” He reiterated his military mindset again by stating, in regards to President Obama and the war, “Every strategy must have a (system) to measure if benefits are better that the cost.”

            In this article it seems as though the author, Ivey Dejesus, believes that Sestak is at time too critical on topics like the Obama administration but for the most part the author just expresses the simple facts of Sestak’s words. Although these issues have been repeated numerous times before they are still important for voters to considered when they cast their vote on election day. 

Not on ballot, but a top political drama: Ed Rendell

October 5, 2010

Tom Infield and Angela Couloumbis

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/state/20101005_Not_on_ballot__but_atop_political_drama__Ed_Rendell.html

Onorato Stuck in Rendell's Shadow

Ed Rendell’s appearance during the PA governor election campaign ironically is placing democrat candidate, Dan Onorato in a bad light. Will Rendell come to the realization that by getting involved he is hurting Onorato in the election? 

Recently Onorato’s opponent, Republican Tom Corbett, has been attacking Rendell and his administration; supporting TV ads that accuse Rendell of wasteful spending, raising taxes, and doing nothing about job loss.  Obviously, irritated by the allegations Rendell said, "Tom Corbett should start trying to run against Dan Onorato, not against me" at a conference in Harrisburg. In the ads examples of wasteful spending mentioned “$40,000 to move a statue from the governor's residence; $45 million to renovate Capitol offices; and $10 million for a new library on the campus of Philadelphia University named after U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter” but Onorato challenges Corbett’s accusations saying that the $4 million for the library was appropriate.  

            But this did not bother Corbett, on the contrary Corbett that thought the governor’s complaints gave him advantage. Corbett believes that Rendell is only drawing attention to himself and is not letting Onorato make “his own identity before Election Day.” Voters will be too focused on Rendell’s flaws in government to realize that Onorato is a different person and will not necessary make the same mistakes as Rendell. 

Although Rendell is still quite popular among his home town of Philadelphia, getting a 52% approval rating, it is not the same story in other regions of Pennsylvania.  For the same poll conducted by Franklin and Marshall his approval rating was “23% in central Pa, 26% in the southwest, 29% in the northwest, and 30% in the northeast.”

            Corbett is milking this tactic by attacking Rendell from many angles and sources.  For yet again ad Corbett says that, “Onorato loves raising taxes. . . . Onorato is now joined with Rendell in calling for a massive Pennsylvania energy tax that will kill jobs and drive up utility bills" but this is not the whole truth.  It is true that Onorato thinks that applying natural gas drilling tax is a good idea, but he does not agree that the tax revenue should put be into the state’s general budget but rather want to use it only on “environmental protection.”  Corbett also talks about a tax targeting county families and how it is the “largest tax increase in history.” This statement is again a fact obscured, because Onorato did apply a tax but it was on alcoholic drinks and that it would affect “county families only if they drank in bars.” 

            Even though it may seem as though Rendell’s presence is only harming Onorato’s campaign, Rendell has actually been beneficial.  Rendell has increase Onorato’s campaign by hundreds of thousands of dollars.  And Rendell’s term as governor is not over so he is still trying to cross out many tasks on his to-do list “in a few months’ time.”

            Even so, Rendell’s involvement in Onorato’s campaign is more heavily outweighed by negatives reactions, than positive.  Therefore I believe Rendell place in Onorato’s campaign should be minimal. 

Toomey and Sestak Play Up Military Support

October 1, 2010

Thomas Fitzgerald

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20101001_Toomey_and_Sestak_play_up_military_support.html

Military Support: Toomey vs. Sestak

            Both Joe Sestak and Pat Toomey strive to get support from voters by increases their military support.  Will this  support by found appealing to voters? And what does such support entail from both senate candidates, Toomey and Sestak?

            Toomey gave one million military veterans center stage when he acknowledged a former secretary of the Navy. This started a door-to-door drive of veterans for Toomey’s opponent, Sestak. Sestak, himself, was a Navy man and achieved the rank of vice admiral.  While on the contrary, Toomey’s career background is centered around Wall Street.  One man who disagrees with Sestak is none other than, John F. Lehman, who was a member of 9/11 commission.  Lehman speaks negatively of Sestak because Sestak supports terrorist suspects receiving a trail in civilian court.  “Sestak also opposed the war in Iraq.”  Although Sestak pays tribute to Lehman for his service, it’s still not surprising that a person familiar to Wall Street would support Toomey because of his own Wall Street experience.

            Many surveys show Toomey with a lead, such as the survey held by Toomey at 45% and Sestak at 42%.  An extreme comparison, pictures Toomey on a flyer next to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.  Democrats say that Republicans refusal to accept their clean-energy legislation is why America is depended on oil from the Middle East.  Toomey also supports the expansion “of oil drilling and tax breaks for the industry.” A TV ad run by Toomey attacks Sestak for his radical position on issues like “voting for bail outs, debt, government health care and job-killing energy taxes.”  Toomey believes that the only reason Lehman would have supported him, if he were advocate of the military and veterans.

            Both candidates are trying to gain voters by being supportive of the military and veterans.  Although it seems as though, at least according to Fitzgerald's words, Toomey is the popular candidate, getting a good amount of support greater than Sestak.

As Pa. gubernatorial race heats up, negative ads begin

Friday Oct. 1, 2010
by Tom Infield
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20101001_As_Pa__gubernatorial_race_heats_up__negative_ads_begin.html

Negative Commercials

On Wednesday September 29 the Pa governor race arrived at attack mode. The public could see this attack as they watch their regular scheduled programming.

            Not uncommon for candidates, Democrate Dan Onorado released some campaign commercials highlighting the bad qualities of his opponent, Tom Corbett. The commercials accused Corbett of being a “budget-buster, property tax raiser, and a fleet-car abuser.” Onorato’s commercial also said that Corbett “insulted laid-off workers.”

Political science teacher, Christopher Borick, believes that from it is the start of plethora commercials. Each bashing their opposing candidates. He said that if more ads didn’t show up it would be a shock.

Although the Corbett campaign avoided answering questions about when their counter ads would commercials, campaign aides have had commercials ready to go from weeks ago. Corbett says that Onorato’s commercials are just there to “distract and mislead” votes with “unsubstantiated, mis-sourced attacks.”

As an attempt to pick out the good in the commercials Corbett that he “requested budget increases every year” since 2004. Even thought this may be true these increases were partly supported because it would get an increase in salary and benefits for state workers, but not by Corbett, by Governor Rendell.

Some statements on the commercials are not entirely non-bias. For instance the ad says Corbett “raised property taxes by 20%,” although votes wont consider that Corbett dentirely980 when he was a commissioner of a township. Now Corbett has no control over the tax policy because he is attorney general. Onorato also attacked Corbett on his plan to save money by cutting state car fleet. But Rendell called Corbett a hypocrite since the car fleet in the Attorney General’s office was “proportionally larger than most state department.” Corbett’s rebuttal to that accusation was that fight gun crime in Philadelphia. Corbett asked if Onorato was saying he (Corbett) was opposed to fighting gun crime. Onorato always uses to his advantage the time when Corbett “noticed many help-wanted ads… and said he suspected that some workers would rather collect benefits than aggressively look for a job. “Pa GOP leader saying that Corbett was wrong for saying such a foolish thing amended this statement.

I believe that Infield does feel like Corbett is doing a better job. Commercials after now will targeted to attack candidates at all angles. Commercials should be relied on, for this very reason. Candidates views are mostly only half true and twisted so that they appear in a negative light. Even so, many people have such aids in mind when making their choice of candidate. I believe such commercials will have as much effect on the campaign as much as any other campaign, although it is just the beginning.