LIVE from Pittsburgh: Joe Sestak says he wants to pay back the people of Pennsylvania
After Senator Specter left to call Senator Grassley, Representative Joe Sestak stepped up to the stage to answer questions from the netroots community. Perhaps not surprisingly, he received a louder reception than Senator Specter.
The first question that moderators Ari Melber and Susie Madrak posed to Specter was about an analysis done by Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight.com showing that Sestak's votes are very similar to Specter's.
The question for Sestak: Why do you consider yourself a progressive?
Sestak says that he believes his core values - which were instilled in him during his time in the military - make him a progressive. "The principles of the Democratic Party - practical or progressive - are ones I got in the military."
Speaking specifically to healthcare reform, he added, "I got into politics because I believe that everyone should have what I have." He later proclaimed that he is "one hundred and fifty percent behind the public option."
"The public healthcare option is a necessity... an economic necessity."
And on the topic of solving the climate crisis, Sestak registered his disappointment with the Waxman/Markey bill, asserting that while it is absolutely critical that we pass a bill, the legislation passed by the House simply isn't strong enough. (That's a criticism that many in the netroots community share). He also expressed his support for investing in geothermal and wind power.
When pressed on what differentiates himself from Senator Spector on the healthcare reform, Representative Sestak observed that "eight weeks ago on Meet The Press he was against it, now he supports it."
Representative Sestak further differentiated himself from Senator Sestak by talking about leadership. "Leadership [means being] out there doing it not at a moment of crisis, but at preventing crisis."
Sestak also challenged Congress to repeal the "Defense of Marriage Act" and Don't Ask, Don't Tell before the end of the year.
"I've been to war with men and women who I know are gay. How am I to go home and tell them they can't have equal rights?" he said to applause.
In his closing remarks, delivering his elevator pitch, Representative Sestak explained why is so motivated to win the primary.
After many years of service to the United States Navy, during which he attained the rank of Rear Admiral and commanded a battle fleet, he wants to give back to the people of Pennsylvania as a public servant. "This is the most strategic moment we've had since the Great Depression and I want to be part of the leadership, accountable leadership. We need to lead America again."
"I just want Pennsylvania to have leadership in the future that's working for them and I promise to do it every day," Sestak said with a smile.
The first question that moderators Ari Melber and Susie Madrak posed to Specter was about an analysis done by Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight.com showing that Sestak's votes are very similar to Specter's.
The question for Sestak: Why do you consider yourself a progressive?
Sestak says that he believes his core values - which were instilled in him during his time in the military - make him a progressive. "The principles of the Democratic Party - practical or progressive - are ones I got in the military."
Speaking specifically to healthcare reform, he added, "I got into politics because I believe that everyone should have what I have." He later proclaimed that he is "one hundred and fifty percent behind the public option."
"The public healthcare option is a necessity... an economic necessity."
And on the topic of solving the climate crisis, Sestak registered his disappointment with the Waxman/Markey bill, asserting that while it is absolutely critical that we pass a bill, the legislation passed by the House simply isn't strong enough. (That's a criticism that many in the netroots community share). He also expressed his support for investing in geothermal and wind power.
When pressed on what differentiates himself from Senator Spector on the healthcare reform, Representative Sestak observed that "eight weeks ago on Meet The Press he was against it, now he supports it."
Representative Sestak further differentiated himself from Senator Sestak by talking about leadership. "Leadership [means being] out there doing it not at a moment of crisis, but at preventing crisis."
Sestak also challenged Congress to repeal the "Defense of Marriage Act" and Don't Ask, Don't Tell before the end of the year.
"I've been to war with men and women who I know are gay. How am I to go home and tell them they can't have equal rights?" he said to applause.
In his closing remarks, delivering his elevator pitch, Representative Sestak explained why is so motivated to win the primary.
After many years of service to the United States Navy, during which he attained the rank of Rear Admiral and commanded a battle fleet, he wants to give back to the people of Pennsylvania as a public servant. "This is the most strategic moment we've had since the Great Depression and I want to be part of the leadership, accountable leadership. We need to lead America again."
"I just want Pennsylvania to have leadership in the future that's working for them and I promise to do it every day," Sestak said with a smile.
# Posted by Daniel : 8:40 AM
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