Arlen Specter in 2010 PA Senate Debates


On Crime: Toughen sentences for career criminals

On crime, Specter pointed to his support for bills to toughen sentences for career criminals, while Sestak said he would support an extension of the ban on assault weapons, which Specter opposed.
Source: Lehigh Valley Live coverage of 2010 PA Senate debate May 1, 2010

On Principles & Values: In 28 years in GOP, stood with Dems on their top priorities

The two Democratic candidates attacked each other relentlessly--Specter on Sestak's Navy record and Sestak on Specter's Senate votes that defied Democratic Party efforts.

Specter repeatedly asked Sestak to release his service records to explain a 2005 reassignment by the Navy. Sestak ignored the requests, called his service honorable and aggressively worked to tie Specter to the policies of former President George W. Bush and even Wall Street practices that led to the evaporation of nest eggs and jobs. "There is no record except the Republican record for Arlen Specter," Sestak said.

Specter countered that he had stood with Democrats on their top priorities, even during his 28 years as a Republican. He noted his support for abortion rights and endorsements by the state AFL-CIO, as well as his opposition to the Bush administration's warrantless wiretapping. "I have stood with Democrats and Democratic values on the big issues," Specter said. Specter switched parties last year.

Source: Lehigh Valley Live coverage of 2010 PA Senate debate May 1, 2010

On War & Peace: Unwise to ally with an untrustworthy Afghan President

They clashed over Obama's decision last year to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan--Specter said it is unwise to ally with an untrustworthy Afghan President Hamid Karzai while Sestak said is important to put pressure on al-Qaida safe havens in neighboring Pakistan.
Source: Lehigh Valley Live coverage of 2010 PA Senate debate May 1, 2010

The above quotations are from 2010 Pennsylvania Senate Debates.
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Page last updated: Jul 18, 2019