Washington (CNN) - Rep. Joe Sestak unveiled what may be his final salvo against Sen. Arlen Specter, tying him to former President George W. Bush and former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin Thursday in a new television ad meant to appeal to Democratic primary voters.
The commercial comes less than two weeks before Pennsylvania Democrats choose their nominee for the Senate. Recent polls show that Sestak, who has been trailing in the polls, is now within striking distance of Specter, a Republican who switched his party affiliation to Democrat last year.
In the 30-second spot, Bush is seen calling Specter an "ally" and says that "he is the right man for the United States Senate." Specter's own words are used against him twice, with footage of him saying "my change in party will enable me to be re-elected," touting his 2009 party switch.
The ad also hits Specter over an issue that looms large for voters in the upcoming 2010 midterm elections: high unemployment numbers. "Arlen Specter switched parties to save one job: his, not yours," an announcer is heard saying at the close of the ad.
As of March 2010, Pennsylvania had a 9 percent unemployment rate, which mirrors the national average.
When asked for a response, Specter's campaign manager Chris Nicholas hit back against the GOP ties highlighted in the ad, listing Specter's large number of endorsements from prominent Democratic organizations and leaders including President Obama.
"The people that Democratic voters know and trust Arlen Specter," Nicholas said. "So far, Congressman Sestak's highest profile endorsement has come from then-Congressman Eric Massa. As President Obama said last year about Senator Specter, 'You've got to make sure that you support somebody who's got the savvy and intelligence and the tenacity to actually get things done. That's who Arlen Specter is. I'm proud to call him a friend. I am glad that he is in the Senate.'"
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Brilliant Ad.
I love Sestak.
wow.... a democrat and linked to Palin-Bush....
a double-whammy....
Anyone with ties to Palin might as well just waer a t-shirt that say "I Am With Stupid" so Arlen would want to be careful. Anyboby that aligns with the Disaster from Alaska automatically garners that hate of 299 millon Americans.
The guy trying to take Specter's seat is "slamming" him? WOW!!!!! Tell us more news CNN!!!! You hacks could post 5000 of these a day, its not news.
Right now, there are NO Dems, that are right for America, save the small number of them that voted AGAINST the ObamaCare.
It's time for Specter to become a spectator to politics. He's been in Washington so long, he's forgotten who he represents: the people of PA. Bye-bye Benedict Arlen!
Wow people, politicians, and washington in general are really cruel these days with how they use tatics to win a seat to represent people. I mean what ever happened to people just touting their records instead of mudsling....has our society seriously been dumb downed that much where people buy into these games. When will people realize Mudslinging does not prove anything to anyone but make then seem like they are just resorting to name calling and playground tatics. In short, sell me on your record not tell me why i should not vote for the other guy..I'll make that decision
if you say that the ad ties specter to palin, you should probably tell us how and why and if...
Specter needs to go. He's the poster child of everything that's wrong in the Democrat party.
"I'm proud to call him a friend."
Just be careful when it comes to Obama's friends.
I hope the people of Pennsylvania, return Senator Arlen Specter to the Senate. I believe as a Democrat, our Party is big enough to hold reformed Republicans. Rep. Joe Sestak reminds me of the Florida Republicans running out Charlie Crist.
Well I will continue to vote for Specter. I voted for him when he was a Republicans and I will vote for him as a Dems.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid lobbed an unusual accusation at his Republicans colleagues Wednesday, saying they are looking for a way to "continue making love to Wall Street."
____________________________________
If Reid thinks Republicans are "making love" to Wall Street, then the Democrats are the Pimps collecting the service charge from the taxpayers for the Rogering!
Remember in November!
Tough times for the old establishment Dem machine!
Progressives will do their party a great service by delivering a senator who will keep Obama honest and make sure he delivers the change that was promised in the '08 campaign. Watered down moderation of Republican policies is not the way to go.
Besides, Toomey would defeat Specter handily in the general election.
Sestak '10
Typical Dem play. When nothing else works, run back to Bush !
I know this is the primaries and us Independents don't have a say Mr. Sestak, but we are not amused.
Justice = Spector losing in the primary.