Democrats Campaign Hard in Philadelphia

Vindication
The election in Philadelphia is demonstrating that the reporting at Associated Content is accurate and the analysis is insightful. In the spring, I reported that Congressman Joe Sestak, a Democrat from the Philadelphia Area was an emerging political superstar who had a good chance to beat Senator Arlen Specter in the Democratic Primary. Well, Sestak won that primary and now the national consensus seems to be that Sestak is indeed a political superstar and political heavyweight who is worthy of national attention. He has recently been seen on national news programs and the New York Times recently published a major feature article about the candidate.

In my last article, I argued that winning big in Philadelphia was the best strategy for Democrats to win in the two statewide elections this November. Well, now it appears that the Democrats are beginning to execute this policy. The superstars in the Democratic Party are traveling to Philadelphia and the surrounding area to campaign for Congressman Joe Sestak, the Democrat's candidate for the United States Senate. On September 13, former President Clinton campaigned in the suburbs of Philadelphia, and Vice President Biden campaigned in Philadelphia. President Obama himself is traveling to Philadelphia on Monday September 20. It is as if the Democrats read my article and are now beginning to execute the plan.

President Clinton's Appearance
The best article on the Clinton's appearance is by Patrick Walters of the Associated Press, Former President Clinton told Democratic supporters that the Democratic Party needs time to turn the national economy around as the Republicans before them left them in such a big hole. Clinton acknowledged the economic difficulties of millions of Pennsylvanians and Americans across the country as he spoke at a campaign event in Wynnewood, a suburb of Philadelphia. Clinton spoke on behalf of Senatorial candidate Joe Sestak, a liberal Democrat with exceptional leadership skills. Sestak is a former vice admiral and was a military adviser to former President Clinton. President Clinton said Sestak gave him good advice when he was in the White House.

Sestak is in a tight race with Republican Pat Toomey, and in this election, Democrats are vulnerable in Pennsylvania because of voter anger and frustration with the economy. Before voting against the Democrats, Clinton said voters should blame the Republicans. After all, the Republicans were in office for the eight years between the time he left office and when President Barack Obama came to power.

Clinton said that it is obvious that the country is in terrible economic danger, but the Democrats in office have not had enough time. His opinion is that 20 months is not enough time for the President and the Democratic Congress to dig themselves out of the hole.

Former President Clinton said President Obama's economic stimulus package has developed 1.5 million new jobs, and saved about 2 million more.

Vice-President Biden
Thomas Fitzgerald of the Philadelphia Inquirer provides a comprehensive account of Biden's visit to Philadelphia. Speaking at a fundraiser for Joe Sestak, Vice President Biden predicted the Democrats would retain control of both houses of Congress, as the voters do not want to return to the Republican Party's economic policies which he described as Ponzi schemes.

Biden accused the Republicans of being economically irresponsible. He said the Republicans initiated two wars, passed a new Medicare prescription-drug benefit, and enacted tax cuts to the wealthy, without paying for it. As a member of the Obama Administration, he supported Senator Arlen Specter in the Democratic primary, Biden claimed, however, that he had always been impressed with Sestak.

Biden said he has campaigned for hundreds and hundreds of candidates. The Vice President said that Sestak had as much character, integrity, and capacity as any candidate he ever campaigned for.

President Obama Heads to Philadelphia
President Obama is traveling to Philadelphia to host a fundraiser for Joe Sestak on Monday, September 20th. Apparently, the President has chosen to make the Sestak campaign for the Senate a key focus of his fall campaign, and this event is designed to energize the grassroots in Philadelphia.

Although he supported Senator Specter in the Democratic primaries, President Obama is now enthusiastically supporting Sestak. Apparently, he realizes that Sestak is a very capable political leader he would like to have in the Senate. He is traveling to Philadelphia to energize the grassroots there and ensure the Democrats get a tremendous turnout in November. If they win big in Philadelphia they can win across the state. This is exactly what we predicted right here at Associated Content.

Julie Pace of the Associated Press is confirming this analysis. Pace is reporting that the Democrat's chances of winning in November, depend heavily on the party's ability to ramp up the vote in cities such as Philadelphia. President Obama is trying to ignite the party's base, and asking voters that helped him win the Presidency to vote for Joe Sestak in November.

Sources:
1. Patrick Walters of the Associated Press, Former President Clinton campaigns with Rep. Sestak, The Citizen's Voice Newspaper, September 14, 2010.
2. www.JoeSestak.com
3. Thomas Fitzgerald, Biden Campaigns for Sestak, predicts Democrats to keep control of Congress, The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 14, 2010.
4. Julie Pace of the Associated Press, Obama in Philadelphia to Stump for Sestak, abclocal.go.com