Sestak says he might challenge Specter

Democratic leaders want a clear primary field for their newest senator, but one Pennsylania congressman might run anyway.

Published May 1, 2009 2:15PM (EDT)

Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., clearly expects to run unopposed -- or at least without a serious challenger -- in the Democratic primary next year. And his new party colleagues, from President Obama and Vice President Biden to Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, seem intent on helping him with that. But not everyone's ready to accept that just yet.

Rep. Joe Sestak, a Democrat who's taken on his party before, running even when they had a different candidate in mind, said Thursday he hasn't ruled out the idea of challenging Specter. “Pennsylvanians need to make this decision and not have it decided by Washington, D.C., Democratic Party establishment and I feel very strongly about that,” Sestak said in an interview on the "Bill Press Show." “Now, if he’s for the right things we might end up with the right candidate but for me it’s a wait-and-see.” (Hat-tip to Political Wire.)

A word of advice for Sestak: If you wake up one morning to find a horse's head in your bed, the thank-you note should probably go to Rendell.


By Alex Koppelman

Alex Koppelman is a staff writer for Salon.

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Arlen Specter D-pa. Arlen Specter Vs. Joe Sestak Joe Sestak