Sestak gains on Weldon in funds (Able Danger)

Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | 7/11/2006 | Todd Mason

[americaprd]

Tapping a network of Democrats sensing an upset in Delaware County's congressional race, challenger Joe Sestak was able to raise more money in the last three months than his opponent, U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon.

The retired Navy admiral, a political novice, took in $700,000 in the quarter that ended June 30, his campaign staff said yesterday.

By contrast, Weldon raised $400,000, said the Republican's campaign manager, Michael V. Puppio Jr.

Sestak has now raised a total of $1.1 million since he entered the race.

"For a first-time candidate, it is very unusual to raise that kind of money, particularly against a longtime incumbent," said Amy Walter, a senior editor at the Cook Political Report in Washington.

(snip)

This may be the first time that Weldon has faced a challenger able to match him in campaign spending.

"For most of Weldon's challengers over the years, to call them underfunded would be an understatement," said Neil Oxman, president of the Campaign Group in Philadelphia.

"For all intents and purposes, Sestak will have parity," Oxman said.

Money "enables you to buy TV," he said. "TV brings you exposure," added Scoles, who won 40 percent of the vote.

Sestak's campaign has "nearly $1 million" on hand after raising the $1.1 million in five months, said spokesman Ryan Rudominer.

Puppio said Weldon has $1.14 million in cash - and motivation. "Congressman Weldon has run hard" from the start of the campaign, he said. "He will continue to run hard."

(snip)

Sestak will put the money to work in "a ground war and later in an air war," said Rudominer, who left his job as press aide to U.S. Rep. Steve Israel (D., N.Y.) to join Sestak.

(snip)

[americaprd]

For those who have not been following this race closely, its been ranked as the 16th most competitive seat in the country by National Journal. Sestak has gotten contributions from a range of Clintonites, including Hillary, Mary McCarthy, and Sandy Berger has hosted fundraisers for him.

Make no mistake, Sestak served as Director of Defense Policy under Clinton and this is their opportunity to get Weldon out of office for exposing Able Danger and other Clinton failures.

Consider that Sestak pushed for appeasing Norht Korea in the 1990s and helped cover up Iran's involvement in the Khobar Tower bombings, and you'll get a sense of the type of person he is.

Khobar Towers Coverup

North Korea Appeasement

Sandy Berger ties

Sestak's also pushing universal health care, repeal of the Bush tax cuts, and a rnage of other left wing causes.

We can't let Democrats push Weldon out of office, especially with a guy like Sestak, who would be a disaster in Congress. If you live near Weldon's district, consider volunteering for his campaign. If not, consider contributing some money to his campaign, he clearly could use the help.

http://www.curtweldon.org/donate.htm

[MNJohnnie]

So it looks like the Clintonites are pouring money into Weldon's opponet in the hopes of shutting Weldon up. Must know their is more fire then smoke in Weldon's accusations

[Ken522]

Sestak sounds like one of the original "Perfumed Princes" of the Pentagon ... well-spoken, good-looking, and a hard-core socialist.

[wildwood]

look at clinton in that picture...he always juts his freakin' jaw out when he tries to look patriotic and serious, like, oooooo, this' ll make em all think i'm not thinking about sex right now.

[SubMareener]

Read about the "Venona Intercepts" and then tell yourself that the Soviets stopped putting agents and running fellow travelers in 1957. Tell yourself that just because the Xlintoon Tong advanced and supported Communist causes at every opportunity, that they are just well meaning, but misguided, Liberals.

[AdvisorB]

I see sandy the burglar in the background. I wonder if he is advising sestak? If so, this is a great issue for Congressman Weldon. Of course, the burglar reflects a large part of the RAT constituency, so it won't bother these people.

When I think of thieves I think of the DUmpster crowd that wants to use government to fleece the American people.

[lormand]

Good, more liberal money wasted.

[americaprd]

I think its pretty obvious Berger is advising him. He sent the press secretary from his lobbying firm, Stonebridge International, to go work for Sestak. She's since moved on to a race in New York, but it shows how active Sandy Berger is in this race. I also think Mary McCarthy, the CIA leaker, contributed to Sestak at a fundraiser Berger hosted for him. Never good when berger's involved in something and it seems Weldon's threat to reveal what Berger stole form the archives have driven him to help raise even mroe for Weldon's opponent.

[americaprd]

I hope so, but the 7th District went with Kerry over Bush by nearly 15 percent. Its also had an influx of Democrats fleeing Philadelphia, becuase of the tax and spend policies and government mismanagement of the Democrats in power. Nice cycle.

[barker]

"For a first-time candidate, it is very unusual to raise that kind of money .....

BS alert. Not surprising at all considering the clinton group and the dims really want Weldon out.

[mortal19440]

He is and that is why the current CNO showed him the door as soon as he took over. This guy would rather look good than be good.

[AdvisorB]

"I hope so, but the 7th District went with Kerry over Bush by nearly 15 percent..."

Not to quibble, but according to Michael Barone's "Almanac of American Politics," sKerry won the district by 6%. The final figure were:

sKerry (D)..................184,392 (53%)
Bush (R)..................163,095 (47%)

While it is a tough district for the GOP, Congressman Weldon has been able to win by large margins. In the 2004 election Weldon got 59% and his opponent received 40%. However, Weldon raised and spent $678,444, while his opponent expenditures totalled $23,763. A well-funded RAT may be able to reduce that 19% victory margin substantially.

[americaprd]

I stand corrected, I was thinking Delaware County, which makes up the majority of the district. In Delco, it was about 42.5 percent Bush to 57.5 Kerry/

http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/politicalInfo.php?locIndex=13824

[JewishRighter]

Thanks for that post. Just donated $25.

[seventh watch]

Wow...with the recent influx of money to Sestak, it looks like he could really take out Weldon.
Even Fox News says about PA in their Election night primer (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,204039,00.html):
Pennsylvania: Four seats currently held by Republicans Jim Gerlach, Mike Fitzpatrick, Curt Weldon and Don Sherwood. Kerry won three of these seats in 2004. Democrats would like to win at least two. If they win three or four, the party’s over for the GOP.
Weldon is in trouble...and he often doesn't help himself.

[americaprd]

Troll.

We all know the money is coming from the likes of Sandy Berger, Hillary Clinton and John Kerry. Sestak's just a front man for these crooks. He hasn't even lived in the district in 30 years. You're not going to win any votes for Sestak's campaign here.

[malia]

Weldon bump

We all know the money is coming from the likes of Sandy Berger, Hillary Clinton and John Kerry. Sestak's just a front man for these crooks. He hasn't even lived in the district in 30 years. You're not going to win any votes for Sestak's campaign here.