Weldon and Earmarks, talking out of both sides of his mouth

Today's Philadelphia Inquirer has a front page article talking about one specific instance of Curt Weldon tacking on a $2 million earmark for Dynamic Defense Materials. "DDM, based in Boothwyn, is a designer and manufacturer of ceramics- and polymer-based products for personal and structural protection."

The company - Dynamic Defense Materials L.L.C. - employs as its lobbyist one of Weldon's close friends. The firm has given nearly $11,000 to Weldon or his political action committee.
...
The money was not requested by the Defense Department, and no funding for the project was in the Senate spending bill. The earmark was added by Weldon to the House bill, and was passed after being approved by the Senate-House conference, which seldom rejects members' earmarks.

Okay, so no surprise there. Not surprising, but still ethically-challenged. This is likely one of many like this that Weldon has perpetrated. This is the kind of stuff that directly results in deficit spending and higher taxes.

But what is surprising is that Weldon also states this position on the earmark practice, in another part of the same paper, in a piece called The Candidates Speak:

Specifically, we need to implement earmark reform that will provide accountability to lawmakers who insert projects into spending bills.

I have a good suggestion on a way to implement earmark reform. Vote out the people who are doing earmarks, specifically ones who talk out of both sides of their mouths on the topic, like Curt Weldon.

Hurrahs to Phil Heron, Delaware County Daily Times Editor

A thank you and a Hurrah goes to Phil Heron, the editor of the Delaware County Daily Times for today's editorial, Letter from the Editor: Don’t believe everything you read in blogs

Mr. Heron makes a lot of good points, particularly in pointing out the big differences between newspapers and blogs. And I can understand that nobody wants to have the newspaper called a "pathetic rag", as one of our anonymous commenters said about the Delco Times. And the PA-7 Watch blog team certainly haven't always been kind in our comments about the Delco Times and Gil Spencer in particular.

So while we may sometimes disagree, I salute Mr. Heron and the Delco Times' efforts. Theirs is a much bigger responsibility and a much bigger audience than we have here in the PA-7 Watch blogosphere. We rely on the Delco Times newspaper as a major source for a lot of the information that we post here...and comment on. Thank you for all of that!

So I'll follow Heron's lead and start the "Hurrahs" and "Razzies" to complement the Delco Times "Darts" and "Laurels."

Hurrahs to the Delco Times for:
Resources - As Heron states, "This newspaper has invested a ton of time and manpower in our coverage of this crucial race." Delco Times has spent a lot of resources on politics in general and the PA-7 Congressional race in particular. And the Delco Times writers and columnists have done their job in investigating, reporting and commenting on the news. Bill Bender has done a particularly good job.
Responsibility - The Delco Times has to hold itself up to standards of investigation and reporting that are significant and important. The Delco Times editorial staff has a responsibility to base their commentaries and editorials in fact.
Checks and Balances - Hurrah for being upfront and honest. Heron says:

But we are no longer alone. Through gritted teeth, I am coming to embrace the technology that I find myself up to my neck in each day.
...
I am quite used to shining the spotlight on others. I will admit I am not all that comfortable when the spotlight falls on me, or this newspaper.

I understand...hey...I read the same thing today in their editorial! But that light is what keeps us all honest.

Razzies to the Delco Times for:
Interactivity - I've tried to use the Post a Comment feature on the Delco Times articles, but they never get posted. I understand that there has to be a lag to have the comments reviewed, but after posting 5 or 6 comments that didn't show up in a few days, I've given up posting comments. In some cases they were complimentary, in other cases, not. But the comments I tried to post would not violate any obscenity regulations. So open it up!


PA-7 Watch and blogs - a different point of view:
Resources - We don't have the reporting and investigation resourses that newspapers have. So we cannot survive without the newspapers. That is why we always link to articles in the Delco Times online newspaper website and many other news sites, blogs, etc. I hope we are driving traffic to the Delco Times site so that they can sell more online ads and keep the paper well-staffed and profitable. We rely on them. The resources that we do have are time, interest, a web presence that is very inexpensive, and passion about our topics.
Responsibility - PA-7 Watch also feels a self-imposed sense of responsibility to stick close to the facts. But we also have a freedom to speculate that the newspapers don't necessarily have. We can throw out a topic for discussion that might not be completely hashed out, or completely investigated, and throw our opinion in with it. Then we see what people say about it.
Checks and Balances - So wasn't I shocked today to see the Delco Times shining the light on the PA-7 Watch blog! But I welcome the Delco Times' interest. Thanks for taking notice.
Interactivity - Here's where a blog like PA-7 Watch thrives. There was one recent post that has gotten 49 responses so far. We also choose to let the comments come in unfiltered, which makes for some lively discussions! While our posts set the topic and maybe the tone, the comments certainly make it much more interesting. This is Web 2.0 at it's best, with user-generated content living large.
-------------------------------------------------

There was on particular point of discussion that Heron went into detail on - his laurel to Weldon and "Hang in there, Curt" comment. That still doesn't sit well with this PA-7 Watch blogger. Heron says, "I never intended to give the impression that we were brokering a pass to Curt Weldon, nor the probe that is engulfing him. It was merely an offering to a person who was having a horrific week." I think even Heron might admit that it sounded like encouragement to Weldon, and maybe that's why Heron offered further explanation today. Heron also says, "Regardless of how you look at it, the timing of all this stinks." Yes, I agree. The investigation should have come a couple of years ago when the ethics issues were first raised. Weldon had more time to do more ethically-challenged activities in the past two years. I wish the Delco Times had dug a little deeper back then. So I'll stick with a Razzie on that one. And I'll also admit that our comment about Heron-Weldon interaction at the debate might have been a bit overboard, so we'll give ourselves a Razzie too.

But I will add another Hurrah to the Delco Times that I failed to mention when it happened. In the Darts and Laurels of Oct 28, 2006, the editors give this:

DART: To U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon. He claims he has a letter from the House Ethics Committee clearing him of any wrongdoing tied to a business operated by his daughter, but he won’t release it? We have just one question? Why?

When Michael Smerconish interviewed Weldon on his Big Talker 1210 radio show recently, he pushed Weldon on the same issue. Smerconish came to the conclusion that something is wrong with Weldon's response to continue hiding this letter. Hurrah to Smerconish too.

-------------------------------------------------
Heron says:

People often joke that you "shouldn’t believe everything you read in the paper." I suppose the same goes for online material.

No argument there!

Gil Spencer: Un-admirable Hatchet Man

Gil Spencer continues to the ignore the facts about Joe Sestak and his positions, instead choosing to cherry-pick dissenting opinions from his detractors. In Gil's latest piece ("piece of what" I leave to the discerning reader), he digs up retired Two-Star Admiral Jim Eastwood, formerly of Drexel Hill (currently of Radnor/Bryn Mawr).

Why did Gil interview this guy? Because in light of this week's DELCO TIMES ENDORSEMENT OF JOE SESTAK, Gil had to appease his GOP masters with some attack on Joe. By finding a retired Admiral that doesn't support Joe, Gil tries to make Eastwood a faux spokeman for the opinion that veterans don't support Joe. This is a pathetic attempt to counter Sestak's (highly effective) ad where he is surrounded by veterans that DO support him. Gil, why are you acting like a paid member of Weldon's advertising campaign? (Oh, right, I forgot, you're a shill. Nevermind.)

Gil (the Shill), also fails to inform reader that Mr. Jame Eastwood contributed
$1250 to Curt Weldon in 2002
$ 500 in 2003 and
$ 250 in 2006
for a total of $2,000. (Which is exactly $2,000 more than I would ever give Weldon.) It also shows a reduction in support for Weldon.

As for Eastwood's concerns about the recent/ongoing FBI investigation of Weldon:

"No," he said. "First, because nobody has proven anything. And second because I know many politicians and many lobbyists and I know how it works. It’s all about who their relationships are with. And that’s done every day."
He said as president of Granary he’s hired lobbyists three times.
"The politician makes no commitments. All it does is get me in the door."
As it turned out, he said, "I never got a dime of business (through a lobbyist’s connection) even though we worked real hard at it... Ninety-five percent of the lobbyists I’ve met are family or former (congressional or senate) staff members. That’s who has access!"

Well, it looks like Eastwood is working a little harder for it this week. From his comments, Eastwood seems to have no problem with influence peddling, which is the business as usual that he wants a piece of for his company. I guess, for some, that Honor and Integrity stuff they teach in the Navy comes with an expiration date.

Eastwood remarks that he thinks returning Weldon to Washington is good for the country and Delaware county. However, Eastwood is unsurprisingly short on specifics. He claims he likes that Weldon is a streetfighter, but fails to identify a single policy for which Weldon should be streetfighting.

Not a single mention is made of Weldon's (or Eastwood's) position on the disasterous War in Iraq, despite it being the top issue for voters. Drug prices, minimum wage, environment? Eastwood is silent on these topics as well.

It seems the only real work Gil Spencer did for this piece (of ----) was sifting out all the veterans that support Joe.
Gil, I may not have your readership, but I have my integrity. BTW, I'm still pissed at you for ripping off my There's No Need to Fear... UnderDog is Here title for one of your pieces.

DelcoTimes endorses Joe Sestak

Today's Delco Times continues its extensive coverage of the PA-7 Congressional race between Joe Sestak and Curt Weldon. In a mild shocker, the conservative Times endorses Sestak. In twisted fashion, they also run various pieces in the same issue that question both Sestak and Weldon.

In the endorsement, they mostly point Weldon's ethics problems as the reason to endorse Sestak, along with Weldon going along with Bush on the Iraq war. They do tout Sestak's ability to do the job well. But they seem to think that all was going well for Weldon "until two weeks ago" when the FBI raided the homes and offices of Weldon's daughter, Charlie Sexton, and Russian energy company Itera. Wouldn't it have been interesting if the editorial staff of the Delco Times would have been paying attention all along and called Weldon on these transgressions?

The Times continues with two articles by William Bender. In one, he follow Weldon and his supporters in the United Aerospace Workers Local 1069. Seems to be some glorious romp through a group that is very enamored of Weldon. One Boeing employee and shop steward asks, "Why would you want a guy starting at the bottom when you got one of the guys that’s close to the top?" The answer is pretty easy as I see it. Weldon has abused his "at the top" status, and the challenger has better positions on the war, the economy, etc. Is anybody else sick of this "Weldon has always been there for us" line? Weldon has been there for his friends and family first and abused the privilege he was given.

Bender gets around to talking about Weldon's ethics violations in an article Weldon’s lobbying ties nothing new. He asks the readers to "Judge for yourself." He describes other ethics issues with Novavax (who hired Weldon campaign fundraiser Stephanie Reiser as a lobbyist), International Engineering & Manufacturing (more lobbyist/campaign contribution conflicts), Analytical Graphics (more of the same), Rajant Corp. (more of the same using Ridley Park Councilman Alex Rahn and John McNichol as lobbyists), and the FBI raids.

Isn't it obvious that it all smells very bad? This is a repeating pattern, and it reeks.

It's not obvious to Gil Spencer. Of course not much with Spencer is reasonable. Spencer is able to find one Navy guy who thinks that Weldon is the better choice. So he does an entire opinion piece on one guy who admires Weldon because he has a lot of seniority and is willing to overlook all the corruption. I wonder if Spencer will also find a former Navy guy who sees Weldon as part of the culture of corruption and bad foreign policy decisions and backs Sestak because he wants a man of integrity representing him?

Wrapping up this rant, the Delco Times could not back Weldon because of the corruptions, which they did not delve into until the FBI raids, but they can do a lot of propping Weldon up with nice fuzzy stories and side-slaps at Sestak. We remember that shortly after the FBI raids on Oct 21, in the Times' Darts and Laurels section they said: "LAUREL: To U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon. Nothing much else has gone right for him this week. Yes, the timing of the probe stinks. But it is what it is. Hang in there, Curt."

I say:
Hang it up Curt!

Report: Weldon's staff digging into Navy, Weldon's "hit list" of defense contractors

The American Prospect's online edition reports on Oct 26, 2006 of more alleged dirty tricks by Weldon and his staff.

E-mails recently forwarded to the Justice Department by a government watchdog group describe alleged efforts by staff of Congressman Curt Weldon of Pennsylvania to call Navy employees for information and negative statements about his Democratic opponent, retired Rear Admiral Joe Sestak. Two e-mails that were forwarded to the Sestak campaign by one current and one former Pentagon employee appear to detail guidance from superiors to staff not to speak with Weldon's office should it call soliciting information about Sestak; Weldon’s office is described in one e-mail as “calling everyone and his brother” in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) about Sestak. A third e-mail written by a defense contractor to the Sestak campaign says that he had been told that Weldon's office had allegedly compiled a “hit list” of defense contractors whose officers had donated to the Sestak campaign, of which he was one, and suggested "retribution" against them. [bold added]

You can view a couple of these emails at the CREW blog on this topic.

This comment jumps out about some defense contractors contributing to Sestak's campaign:

Weldon said something to the effect of "If they don't think there will be retribution before or after the election, they're kidding themselves."

Weldon's "advocacy" nets $95,000 to campaign

McClatchy Newspapers report of Oct 27, 2006 describes in detail the campaign contributions from companies that Curt Weldon helped and that employed his daughter Kimberly.

Pennsylvania congressman Curt Weldon, under investigation for allegedly trading his influence to get lobbying business for one of his daughters, also has helped corporations that have hired another daughter, a friend and some of his former aides.

Federal Election Commission reports show that within months of Weldon's advocacy on their behalf, three of these firms and their executives gave more than $95,000 in political contributions to the 10-term Republican.

Most of those donations were made in 2001 and 2002 to an obscure "soft money" account that helped foot unspecified travel expenses for Weldon and his top aide, according to the FEC filings.

There's more:

It's often difficult to tell where Weldon's official business ends and his family's and friends' personal business begins:

-Weldon's younger daughter, Kimberly, worked part time in 2003 for one of her older sister's lobbying clients, a foundation run by the family of two Serbian brothers for whom Weldon tried to help obtain U.S. visas. She now works for an Italian defense company that got Weldon's help in trying to reverse a Navy decision to buy deck guns from a U.S. competitor.

-Pennsylvania real estate agent Cecilia Grimes, who says she's a longtime family friend of Weldon, became a lobbyist in 2003 and has since landed at least 10 clients, several of whom Weldon has helped.

-On May 26, 2002, the president of International Engineering & Manufacturing Ltd., which owns a 26,000-square-foot plant in Glenolden, Pa., in Weldon's district, hailed the congressman as his company's "champion," a month after the firm's parent, a Virginia lobbying group, hired Weldon's chief of staff. The two companies have been Weldon's biggest campaign donors over the last six years.

Even more:

The biggest donors over the last six years have been a small company, International Engineering & Manufacturing (IEM), and its parent, the Arlington, Va., lobbying firm of Mehl, Griffin & Bartek (MGB).

Between Dec. 31, 2001, and Oct. 16, 2002, the two firms gave $76,603 in corporate checks - unregulated "soft money" of the kind that subsequently was banned in 2003 - to a non-federal account of Weldon's political action committee. Executives of the two companies also have given Weldon $15,000 in traditional donations over the last six years.

MGB President Molly Griffin said that the first of the donations "were requested" because Weldon was running for Armed Services Committee chairman. "We believed in the candidate," she said. She didn't identify who asked for the funds.

Can you say bought and paid for?

Sestak outraises Weldon in October 2006

In the latest campaign finance reporting period, the Delco Times reports taht "The challenger raised $392,600 between Oct. 1 and Oct. 18, compared to $248,000 for the incumbent." Also, "The congressman had $296,300 cash on hand as of Oct. 18; Sestak had $970,800."

"They got a ton of money, more than I ever thought they’d spend in this district," Weldon said. "That’s how bad they want to beat me."

Yes, people have been digging into their wallets and purses to back Joe Sestak, and we really do badly want Sestak to be our next Congressman. Finally, we agree with Weldon on something.

Philadelphia Inquirer endorses Joe Sestak

In today's Philadelphia Inquirer, they give the nod to Joe Sestak over Curt Weldon in the race for the House seat in PA-7. The main consideration seems to be ethics and Iraq.

Sestak's experience commanding a battle group in Iraq and Afghanistan is key. He'd bring valuable military expertise to Pentagon oversight. He seems eager to push for needed ethics reforms.

Unable to defend the war in Iraq any longer, Weldon now wants the generals to decide when to bring troops home. His concern comes late. Sestak rightly believes the Iraq war is a "tragic misadventure" and wants troops withdrawn by the end of 2007.

Weldon's Goose is "Cook"-ed

In today's Washington Post, political prophet, Charlie Cook, makes his predictions:

Please tell us, Seer of Future Congresses, how many seats the Democrats will pick up in the House on Election Day.
"Twenty to 35," Cook answers...
And, pray tell, how are the planets aligning for Rep. Curt Weldon (R-Pa.)?
"Gone," he decrees.

If Cook is right and he is so often enough that for "a fee of $5,000 to $20,000, gives his audiences the (very) early returns."

Weldon out and a Dem majority in. That's the kind of cook-ing I like.

The Inky weighs in on the Curt Weldon FBI investigation 4 times

The Philadelphia Inquirer today had these articles about Weldon:
Weldon's World of Influence
By Chris Mondics, Inquirer Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - Several times in recent years, U.S Rep. Curt Weldon (R., Pa.) has taken time from his busy schedule to help a foreign company, which turned around and hired a lobbying firm close to him.

Weldon has no one but himself to blame
By Tom Ferrick Jr., Inquirer Columnist

Now comes U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon, who finds himself, to quote George Bush the Elder, in deep doo-doo.

That's where Weldon has been stuck ever since the surprise disclosure that the feds are investigating his daughter Karen, his political associate Charlie Sexton, and their lobbying/public-relations firm, Solutions North America Inc.

Russian gas firm linked to Weldon probe courted others
By Thomas Ginsberg, Inquirer Staff Writer

A Russian gas company under FBI investigation for its links to U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon has courted him and other U.S. politicians in recent years as it expands from Russia's rough-and-tumble energy industry into a new market: the United States.

Center Square | Pardon us, sir, but we've heard this song before
Rep. Weldon's railing against so-called conspiracies and political tricks sounds an awful lot like Philadelphia's City Hall in 2003.
By Chris Satullo, Inquirer Columnist
excerpt:

But, the rest of us, we're laughing out loud. Weldon is busy sending out e-mails titled "Left-wing smears have sunk to a new low," but he has yet to explain why a Justice Department run by Bush sidekick Alberto Gonzales would be on fire to throw a GOP seat to the Democrats.

The Delco Daily Times weighs in...many times and says "Hang in there Curt" ???

Many items from the Delco Times' the last couple of days...or is it daze?

Darts and Laurels section:

LAUREL: To U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon. Nothing much else has gone right for him this week. Yes, the timing of the probe stinks. But it is what it is. Hang in there, Curt.

ONLINE POLL: ...
One of the questions we asked this week: Will the FBI investigation of Curt Weldon and his daughter’s business dealings have any effect on your vote in the 7th District Congressional race?

Yes, it will have major effect, 38.9 percent; No, mind already made up, 36.2 percent; Yes, but still undecided, 4.9 percent; No, but still undecided, 0.8 percent; Will have no effect on decision, 15.2 percent; Not planning to vote, 3.9 percent. There were 488 responses.

So the "Hang in there, Curt" Delco Times, with almost 40% of online poll respondents saying the Weldon scandal will influence them, follows with:

7th Spotlight: Weldon won debate by a KO
Willliam Bender, Of the Times Staff
10/22/2006

Gil Spencer: For GOP, there’s no need to fear Gil Spencer, Times Columnist
10/22/2006

Comments:
On the debates, the public lost. We never got a chance to go to a public debate.

On the Delco Times' comment: "Hang in there, Curt." I'm disgusted that a local newspaper would provide encouragement to a Congressman who is under investigation by the FBI. Obviously the voters disagree with the Times' editors and are influenced by Weldon's transgressions.

DC Real Estate deals, other Weldon activity

Recently we became aware of this blog post at ePluribusMedia.org. It has some info about a 1998 real estate deal between Weldon and Nawaf Saud Al-Sabah, a Director at MEGlobal, and "was Manager of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation USA, the Washington-based government relations arm of KPC, from 2002 to 2004."

There is also discussion of Oleg Beresovski (or Beresovsky), former Director of Itera, the Russian energy company linked in the Weldon controversy, who was described in this document as a leaader in a huge money laundering scheme.

There are some interesting links to documentation from the DC Recorder of Deeds office, the FL Department of State, etc.

Not sure what to make of this yet, if anything. Comments?

There's No Need to Fear... UnderDog is Here

Amidst the growing awareness of his scandal and his declining chances, Weldon embraced his roll as the "underdog" candidate.

I'm the underdog. That's what they are calling me. And I like it. And that's where I'll be.
* Curt Weldon, 10/20/06 after debate

In the Wacky-World of Weldon, candidates LIKE to be underdogs. I can hear them cheering now at the upcoming round of polling results (which they pay for, but don't really pay attention to) when Weldon drops another 3 points.

From the theme song, Ballad of Underdog:

When in this world the headlines read
Of those whose hearts are filled with greed..

It sounds like they were talking about Weldon.

The only similarities I can think of between Underdog and Weldon are that they are both two-dimensional and that only a child could believe what they say.

Unlike UnderDog, Weldon does not have a ring filled with a super-vitamin pill to revitalize his campaign for a last-minute save.

Sestak's Veteran and Service Supporters

In this video, Vets Salute Sestak


and this reminds us what Weldon's campaign strategy really is:

Former FBI / Weldon's Private Investigator Gregory Auld sings Auld Lang Syne

Digging a little deeper into the recent Delco Times story about Weldon's source for the leak about the investigation, something else is fishy. Seems that Weldon's former FBI agent source is a private investigator named Gregory Auld who has been paid $25,000 (so far) by Weldon's campaign.

So Weldon pays a PI for "Research" and he comes up with this?
From the Delco Times:

Weldon has charged that the investigation was timed to inflict maximum damage on his re-election campaign. Speaking to reporters after a House Aviation Subcommittee meeting Wednesday afternoon, he said the retired FBI agent, Gregory Auld, confirmed the night before that a Sestak worker "was bragging that three weeks ago they knew this was going to come down."

"That, to me, is absolutely outrageous," Weldon said. "If that occurred, it means that someone in the Justice Department was coordinating whatever was happening with a political campaign."

Except it didn’t happen, according to Auld, who told an entirely different story.

"No, that’s not what happened," he said in a phone interview, when asked about Weldon’s statements.

Auld, a retired FBI agent from Drexel Hill, said a man at a local gym - he refers to him as "Grumpy" because he doesn’t know his name - told him Tuesday that another man in a Sestak shirt said three weeks ago that "something big" would happen to Weldon last weekend. Auld then approached the Sestak supporter, who told him, "We kind of sniffed this out."

"I said, ‘You guys knew about this?’ and he didn’t say anything," Auld said, adding that it was the other man, "Grumpy," who said he had heard from the Sestak worker that "something big was going to come down on Weldon."

"He didn’t say, ‘We knew,’ he just said, ‘We sniffed it out,’" Auld said of his conversation with the latter individual.

First off, why didn't Weldon identify that his "source" was a private investigator that his campaign hired?
Second, why does Weldon even have a PI working on his campaign? What kind of bull is this? Sounds like typical Republican tried-and-wrong dirty tricks.
Third, Weldon paid $25K for a heresay report from a guy named "Grumpy" at a gym? Then his hired PI denies the story to the press? Is Weldon going to ask for a refund?
It all smells bad!

This latest contraversy is well-covered in Bill Bender's Delco Times article today too.

According to this page, the words "auld lang syne" can be translated to "times gone by" or "old long since". Hopefully, we'll look back on the work of Auld and say "times gone by" to Weldon's time in Congress in a few weeks.

Jon Stewart Lambasts Weldon, the Serbs, and Bush

John Stewart takes a few shots at Weldon on last night's show.
See the Something Fishy video on the Daily Show page.
My favorite part: Stewart wonders out loud for Weldon "I've been crooked for 20 years! I mean ... it comes out now? It doesn't smell right!"

Weldon resorts to faking 7th district supporters

You know you're desperate when you can't even find ten regular voters in your district to vouch for you.

In an email today from the Weldon Victory Committee, Curt claimed that the recent FBI probe into his dealings with his daughter's lobbying firm are nothing but a left-wing conspiracy. As we all know, the FBI is just riddled with liberals run amok!

In the email, ten purported 7th district voters offered their support to their beseiged incumbent legislator:

From: "Weldon Victory Committee"
Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2006
Subject: 7th District Voters Speak Out for Curt Weldon!

"Even a good Democrat like myself recognizes this "investigation" for what it is. Don't let it get to you. We'll win this one because Curt has earned another term!"
-Bobby Savoie

Now wait! Bobby Savoie?

That wouldn't be Lousiana Bobby Savoie who has worked for years as a bigtime political fundraiser? And who uses his gigantic donations to cobble influence with politicians in both political parties to help his businesses, like Apogen, that rely on defense, Homeland Security, and other GSA contracts? (Because, as we all know, good Democrats frequently make $25,000 contributions to organizations like the Republican National Committee, which THAT Bobby Savoie has done.)

That wouldn't be the same Bobby Savioe who quietly vanished from one of his companies when a Republican Senator (Grassley, R-Iowa) reported that Savoie's firm was improperly misusing a government contract, would it?

It wouldn't be the same Bobby Savoie who has made donations to Curt's campaign and his PAC...from his home...in Lousisana?

It must be, because we can't find a Bobby Savoie who lives in Pennsylvania's 7th district in the phone book.

Wouldn't it be ironic if Curt used an ethically-hobbled millionaire donor to make the case that Curt hasn't been unduly influenced by his very own money?

Curt's email closes:

Cleary the voters on the 7th District are not buying last minute attempts to smear Curt Weldon.

Clearly, the voters of the 7th District are not who Curt thinks we are.

Charlie Sexton - what a guy!

Here's a nice heart-warming story about Charlie Sexton, beneficiary of the Russian oil company (Itera) consulting contracts in his partnership with Karen Weldon. Kinda cuts right to the heart of (or lack thereof) Charlie's character. The story is written by a guy from Springfield.

...Charlie Sexton was a power player at the little table of local politics. My dad didn't like Charlie Sexton and Charlie Sexton didn't like my dad. You see, my dad drove a van to work emblazoned on the side with the name of the guy who signed his paychecks. Blue collar guys tend to drive trucks like these to work. They keep their tools in them and are usually dispatched to their first repair call of the morning straight from home. It makes sense to keep your truck in your driveway if you're a guy like my dad; it provides your livelihood and is packed full of expensive equipment you paid for yourself. There were trucks like these all over Springfield; carpenters, electricians, plumbers, you name it. It didn't bother anybody, having the trucks with stuff written on the side sitting in driveways. Except, that is, for Charlie Sexton.

Charlie Sexton came to the decision seemingly single-handedly that Springfield was no longer a blue collar town. He started pushing ordinances that would outlaw work trucks. These trucks, according to Charlie, were unsightly. ...
The message was clear: Charlie hoped to make life so inconvenient for guys like my dad that hopefully they would go away and clear out some space for more guys like Charlie.
...
It's too bad dad's not around to see his arch nemesis Charlie Sexton's name on the front page of the morning paper right next to the letters, "F.B.I." I think my dad would have had a big laugh right before going outside in the chilly air and riding to a job in his work truck that he kept parked in his own driveway until the day he died.

And the Delco Daily Times has a little piece on Charlie too.

In 1981, Sexton was named as a target in a federal grand jury probe into election tampering. The case centered on a Ridley Township Democrat, Richard Burke, who was tapped to run as a puppet candidate in the primary against incumbent county controller Thomas Lynch.

A former Republican, Lynch switched parties after a falling out with Sexton. Burke would eventually testify his candidacy was orchestrated by Sexton and other Republican officials and claimed he was offered cash, a "no-show" state job and a scholarship for his son in exchange for entering the race.

Burke, who wore a wire for the government, testified Sexton offered him "anything he wanted" to run against Lynch.

Nice guy that Charlie! Anyone surprised he's in Curt Weldon's camp?

Weldon Contradicted by His Own Source

Today's Delco Times reports the following mouthful: Weldon’s claims that Sestak’s campaign involved with recent investigations denied by own source

Weldon's paranoia hit new highs Wednesday when he claimed that the Sestak campaign was behind the recent leak of an FBI investigation into influence peddling by Weldon. His "source", a retired FBI agent, Gregory Auld, supposedly told him that a Sestak worker "was bragging that three weeks ago they knew this was going to come down."

[CUE SOUND OF OTHER SHOE DROPPING...]
The problem is that the Delco Times actually called Mr. Auld

who told an entirely different story.
"No, that’s not what happened," he said in a phone interview, when asked about Weldon’s statements.
Auld, a retired FBI agent from Drexel Hill, said a man at a local gym - he refers to him as "Grumpy" because he doesn’t know his name - told him Tuesday that another man in a Sestak shirt said three weeks ago that "something big" would happen to Weldon last weekend. Auld then approached the Sestak supporter, who told him, "We kind of sniffed this out."

Wow. A guy in a Sestak shirt in a gym. There's a source for you. And Weldon couldn't even get that quote right from Auld and sexed it up a bit for the press.

"The inference was that something was in the works, but he was never specific as to what it was," Auld said of the man wearing the Sestak shirt.

Umm.. could the Sestak worker been referring to new lit pieces that were going to hit Weldon.

Even taken at face value, Weldon's claim fails the smell test:

First of all, the supporters that wear the T-shirts are the worker-bees and they are outside the loop. The guys wearing the ties run the show and barely know where/when Joe's next campaign event is because schedules shift constantly. Weldon's the only candidate here that thinks he's James Bond, but has all the talent of Inspector Clouseau.

Second, I've been to Sestak headquarters and met the workers. No one there has any life outside the campaign, let alone getting out to a gym. They barely have time to run out for a hoagie or pizza or their hourly Starbucks fix. Heck, I haven't been to my own gym in a month, and I'm just reading newspapers, following the campaign and blogging.

Third, Weldon seems to forget that Aberto "Torture Memo" Gonzales runs the Justice Department. This guy would defy the Geneva Conventions to support neo-con view of the world. There's no way this investigation got underway without his direct approval. There is also no way he would have let the investigation go forward if he thought there was any chance it was unfounded. Curt, exactly how big is the conspiracy? And what color is the sky in Conspiracy-world?

Fourth, Weldon's blame Clinton strategy has yet to hit its inevitable final step and shocking revelation: Clinton hid mind control devices in government offices to get officials to go after Weldon. (remember, Pulitzer committee: I scooped everyone)
As a precaution, I think Curt should start wearing a hat made of aluminum foil to protect himself against mind-probes and thought control (memo: butter, eggs, milk, get a thought). This way, Curt will be the only sane one left in control to save us all. Maybe Curt could put the foil inside one of those novelty plastic fire helmets (for which Weldon spent nearly $6,000 of campaign funds).

Fifth, another Weldon claim will inevitably have to be: All those people/pundits that said Joe could beat Curt must have been in on the conspiracy.

Now the election is only a few weeks away, but I'll let you all in on a secret, but don't tell Curt... All the Dems and GOP love Curt and were afraid he was getting bored with the easy wins he had in the past. So, everybody in Delaware County got together and cooked up the entire race as a prank for the MTV show: Punk'd
Yep, on election day, Sestak is even going to pop-out of a cake at Weldon's victory party. Oh, yeah, and someone's going to present Curt with the missing Able-Danger chart clearly showing Mohammed Atta (it's out being framed right now). There will be some WMD's from Saddams hidden stockpiles too. Curt's friend, the Reverend Sun Young Moon will annoint Weldon to be his "assistant ruler of the universal.....
Staffer: Those smelling salts seem to be working. Curt? Do you know where you are?
Weldon: Five more minutes, Mommy. I'm helping rule the universe....
Staffer: Mommy? Universe? No Curt. You're at campaign headquarters. We just got the election results and we've been trying to revive you ever since. Here, put your aluminum hat back on, it makes you feel safer.
Weldon: Okay. So, how much did I win by?
Staffer: [silence]

Penn student newspaper/blog interview of Weldon

The Spin, an opinion blog of the University of Pennsylvania's Daily Pennsylvanian newspaper, got a video interview of Curt Weldon earlier this week, in which he blames everyone but himself for the FBI investigation. Pretty good scoop by The Spin. There was also a video interview on CNN.

Weldon also names some of his supporters, such as the AFL-CIO. In response, the AFL-CIO issued a press release, saying:

AFL-CIO President William George criticized Republican Congressman Curt Weldon for his attempt to mislead viewers during a nationally televised interview over labor support for his campaign.
The facts are that the union members in the 7th Congressional are mobilizing union household support for Democrat Joe Sestak, who is committed to fighting for workers on the issues that matter most: protecting good jobs from unfair trade deals, improving access to health care, defending the prevailing wage and refusing any pay increase until the minimum wage is increased for low wage earners.
The facts are that the Unions and the Union members in the 7th Congressional District are seeking to take back the Congress by defeating Congressman Curt Weldon ...
It is a disappointing and a disgraceful act on the part of Curt Weldon to try and mislead voters about his record and performance. Curt Weldon owes the working people and the labor movement an apology and should stop trying to mislead the voters about support that does not in fact exist.

More Trouble for Weldon from Grand Jury Panel?

In today's Washington Post sources say:

A grand jury has been impaneled as part of the investigation, and it has obtained evidence gathered via wiretaps of Washington area cellphone numbers

And you know Weldon's really in trouble when Gil Spencer not only picks up on the story but actually trashes Weldon's usual blame everyone else response. Spencer: Is Weldon’s political career starting to list?

The USS Weldon, like the USS Caine before it, has steamed over its own towline. And, like Capt. Queeg, the skipper is blaming all the wrong people for stealing his strawberries.

Maybe we should get Gil Spencer an account here on Pa7Watch. Gil actually responds to and debunks pretty much all of Weldon's talking points. Spencer writes: "But he cannot dismiss an FBI raid and a Justice Department investigation as nothing more than a partisan witch hunt.

Even though it comes from unnamed sources, even Spencer quotes the Washington Post about the grand jury being impaneled and wiretaps.

Gee, I wonder if Weldon appreciates the irony of his vote to expand wiretapping powers.

Spencer even gives us a tidbit about Charlie Sexton:
"For his part, Sexton is lying low. I called him for comment, but he said on the advice of his lawyer he was keeping his mouth shut." Yet, Spencer pulls out an old quote from Sexton regarding a previous GOP scandal: "Republican or Democrat, those (FBI) guys are brutal."

My official prediction is that the Delco Daily Times will soon endorse Joe Sestak.
At that point, Weldon might as well just resign. An imaginary short sample from Weldon's, yet to be written, resignation speech:
Though it pains me greatly after 20 great years serving and fighting for the people of the 7th district, I've decided to step down. Though I've done nothing wrong, the accusations and my defense are too much of a distraction from my work in Congress on behalf the the great people of my district. After talking to my family, I feel it's best to spend more time with them during this difficult time as I clear my name. So, I step down so that (GOP to be named later) can continue my fight for the people of the 7th district. (end scene. close curtain. finis.)

Well Done? < Philly Daily News

Thanks to the Daily News for their cover photo and headline: Well Done? on Oct 17, 2006. We couldn't have said it better...
Story here.

Weldon's Phony Paranoid Denial: Another Conspiracy Against Curt

Curt Weldon spent yesterday adding to his list of people that are in a conspiracy against him. Particularly amusing are his attempts to spin a 2-year long-overdue investigation into "suspicious timing three weeks before an election".
Here are excerpts from Weldon's Official Statement with my inserted/satirical translations.

I look forward to providing law enforcement personnel with any and all documents and information that they may seek to review. Gee, I hope Charlie, Karen and Itera have already shredded or hidden all the damaging documents. I will cooperate 100 percent with the inquiry. I will fight them tooth-and-nail.

I am confident that investigators will reach the same conclusions as the House Ethics Committee Um.. well.. the committee reached no conclusion. They just let the matter drop, just like they did with my buddy, Tom Delay.

The timing of this situation is deeply concerning. I'm already getting my ass kicked with recent revelations about my donation from Mark Foley, Iraq, Able Danger and my years of cheerleading the failed presidency of George W. Bush. Now, I'm getting in trouble for influence peddling I did over 2 years ago.

The interests of local residents have always been my main priority in Congress particularly if I was related to them, policital allies, or raising money.

But what's really disappointing to me is the politics of personal destruction that left wing liberal activists like CREW have engaged in. CREW, for those of you who don't know, is the group that requested the Justice Department look at this issue two years ago. Darn than Justice Department for acting so swiftly (two years later). My friends in the Republican leadership ignored the warnings about Mark Foley for more than two years. Doesn't the Justice Department know how to drag things out anymore?

It is no coincidence that the Vice President of CREW, Philadelphia trial lawyer Daniel Berger and his law firm are among the single largest contributors to my opponent Joe Sestak's campaign.Gee, a group, that thought I was so corrupt that they turned me into the Justice Department two years ago, has backed my opponent's campaign. Maybe, if I act like it's a "conspiracy" I can distract the voters and try to smear Sestak.

This is a group that is closely tied to my opponent Joe Sestak and now, just weeks before my reelection [defeat] word that the inquiry is occurring has mysteriously trickled out. That is dirty, partisan politics at its absolute worst. Well, not really its worst. The Delco GOP has raised it to an art-form. Just wait until you see my next negative attack on Joe Sestak!

I look forward to the completion of the inquiry so that my name can be cleared.I hope this dies from lack of evidence so I can spin it as acquital. I intend to return to the campaign trail to continue my discussion of the issues facing our region, such as job creation, improving education, and reducing taxes on the middle class.Please, dear God, let me talk about something else besides my own record that landed me in list of 20 Most Corrupt in Congress. Sob. Sniff.

Due to the ongoing nature of the inquiry, neither I, nor my official or campaign staff will provide any further statements on the matter at this time."We're taking the Fifth! We want this story to go away and we need time to get our stories straight. Denying the existence of the investigation already blew up in our faces, so best to keep quiet and hope the voters don't have TVs, radios or newspapers.


If Curt decides to "retire to spend more time with his family", he better do it quick, before the voters retire him.

FBI raids homes of Karen Weldon, Charlie Sexton

Karen Weldon and Charlie Sexton got a (not really) surprise visit from the FBI today, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer report:

FBI agents investigating U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon (R., Pa.) conducted six raids this morning - including at the homes of his daughter and a longtime friend.
In all, agents executed four search warrants in the Philadelphia area and two in Jacksonville, Fla., officials said.
In Center City, agents searched the law office of John Gallagher, a Weldon friend who has conducted extensive business in Russia and former Soviet Republics.
In Media, agents searched the offices of the public relations firm formed by Weldon's longtime friend Charles P. Sexton Jr., and the congressman's daughter, Karen.
Sexton and Karen Weldon formed Solutions North America in 2002, and won $1 million in contracts from two Russian energy firms and a Serbian family with ties to Slobodan Milosevic.
FBI agents in Jacksonville, Fla., raided the office of one of the Russian energy firms, Itera, and a private residence whose connection to the investigation was not disclosed.
The Philadelphia raids began early this morning. Shortly before noon, FBI agents left Karen Weldon's three-story brick house on Queen Street in Philadelphia carrying armfuls of boxes.
...
In Delaware County, FBI agents had blocked off Kelli Lane leading to Sexton's Springfield home, and were removing at least one box and a bag of material from his home late this morning. Sexton is a longtime ally of Weldon's and has been a power in Delaware County GOP politics for more than three decades.

According to CBS3,

Weldon said his daughter received no special consideration because of him.

“I’ve never helped my daughter get anything. My kids are qualified on their own,” Weldon said.

Sure Curt. We believe you. Now all you have to do is convince the Feds.

Report: FBI investigating Curt Weldon

McClatchy Newspapers today reports that Curt Weldon is under investigation by the FBI. This long-awaited inquiry trumps Congress, who should have investigated their own when this happened a few years ago. The investigation centers on:

...whether Republican Rep. Curt Weldon of Pennsylvania traded his political
influence for lucrative lobbying and consulting contracts for his daughter,
according to sources with direct knowledge of the inquiry.

The FBI, which opened an investigation in recent months, has formally referred the matter to the department's Public Integrity Section for additional scrutiny. At issue are Weldon's efforts between 2002 and 2004 to aid two Russian companies and two
Serbian brothers with ties to strongman Slobodan Milosevic, a federal law enforcement official said.

The Russian companies and a Serbian foundation run by the brothers' family each hired a firm co-owned by Weldon's daughter, Karen, for fees totaling nearly $1 million a year, public records show.

Karen Weldon was 28 and lacked consulting experience when she and Charles Sexton, a Weldon ally and longtime Republican leader in Delaware County, Pa., created the firm of Solutions North America Inc. in 2002. Both are registered with the Justice Department as representatives of foreign clients.

Word of the inquiry, which has been closely held within the Justice Department and the FBI, comes from two individuals with specific knowledge of the existence of the investigation. They both declined to be identified because of the confidentiality of criminal investigations.

========================================
Now these dealings are not news, but it's certainly good that they are finally coming to light. The Karen Weldon-Charlie Sexton debacle was reported back in Feb 2004 for by Ken Silverstein in the LA Times. This is just one of a series of egregious dealings.

Then there was Kim Weldon as the beneficiary of AgustaWestland's helicopter unit after they got the contract via Weldon's House Armed Services Committee, also reported by Ken Silverstein in a Harper's article called The Curt Weldon Employment Agency.

Then there is Cecilia Grimes, Weldon's friend and Delco realtor who all of a sudden became a lobbyist for defense contractors. This was also reported in the LA Times, in January 2006, summarized in the CREW report:

Cecilia Grimes was a small town real estate agent from Media, PA until March of 2003, when she became a lobbyist dealing exclusively with businesses with interests before Rep. Weldon, whom Ms. Grimes describes as a “longtime family friend.” Despite her lack of lobbying experience, Ms. Grimes represents numerous clients with business before Rep. Weldon.

Need more on the Grimes situation? Read the LA Times story reprised on DelcoTomPaine's Common Sense blog.

Silverstein followed with Another Trip to the Curt Weldon Employment Agency just a few months ago describing how Andrew Weldon's race car driving career is sponsored by Schaffer Motorsports, which

... is owned by Tom Schaffer, a senior employee at Boeing; One of the sponsors of Schaffer Motorsports is Boeing Helicopters Credit Union, whose logo appears on the racecar Andrew Weldon drives. Boeing, in turn, is Weldon's top career patron, to the tune of $62,050 in donations.

Looks like son Andrew didn't want to be left off the gravy train!

Cowardly Weldon Backs Out of Debate

Curt Weldon had previously agreed to a League of Women Voters debate against Joe Sestak. As of this writing, Chickenhawk Weldon has declared his cowardice by refusing that debate.

This new debate was to be televised on Channel 6, which would have gotten it more coverage and viewers than their first debate. While each candidate declared victory in the first debate (and I declared it a draw), Joe Sestak clearly showed himself to be of Congressional stature and having the credentials to be a viable alternative to Weldon.

That Sestak can do the job is what Weldon has been trying to keep secret all campaign. As more people see Sestak, particularly in side-by-side comparison with Weldon, they realize that a better Congressman is available, electable and essential.

A widely televised debate would let the cat out of the bag: Sestak would be a better Congressman.

According to the Delco Times, "Thursday, the candidates agreed to an Oct. 20 debate at the Springfield Country Club that will focus on economic issues. The debate is sponsored by the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce."

That is a far cry from a major televised debate by the League of Women Voters. So, Weldon is trying to give himself cover (as he shivers under the blankets with his teddy bear and sucks his thumb) by claiming that he is debating; but in reality (a foreign land to Weldon), he is just ducking public scrutiny.

Maybe I should have entitled this post: Birdbrain Weldon plays chicken by ducking, as the voters declare fowl.

New independent poll: Sestak up by 8!

A hearty thank you goes out to the thousands who have supported the Sestak campaign so far. All of those doantions of time and money are working. The latest evidence is the new Majority Watch poll results from Opinion Dynamics. They show Joe Sestak leading among likely voters 52%-44%. This is a sign that the message is getting out there. That's hard to do against an entrenched incumbent in an expensive media market.

It's especially worth noting that the Majority Watch results are based on a larger sample size (over 1000 respondants, +/-3%) than other recent polls have used. Methodology and crosstabs are publicly available.

Of the respondants, 49% considered themselves Republicans, and only 31% considered themselves Democrats. Sestak is pulling over a quarter of the Republican vote, while Weldon has virtually no traction among Democrats. (8% are firm Weldon supporters.) Sestak is also crushing Weldon with Independents, 57%-30%.

There's a notable gender gap. While Sestak's lead over Weldon among men is inside the margin of error--essentially even--but Sestak is preferred by women: 52%-44% among the decided voters.

Hey, there's a reason you're supposed to take mom's advice.

Of course, the only poll that matters is the one on election day. So let's keep up the pressure and make sure that Sestak comes out on top November 7th.

Dean for Sestak

Tonight I had the distinct pleasure of attending a fundraiser for Joe Sestak with DNC Chairman Howard Dean as the guest speaker. Gov. Dean spoke plainly and simply about the current poor state of the governing administration. He commented that it's unbelievable that the Bush administration is still trying to blame things, most recently N. Korea, on Clinton. The reason: they have no accountability. Dean also spoke openly about Weldon's corruption in getting consulting contracts and jobs for his daughters, son, and friends.

And hey, there's not too many opportunities to wear my old Dean for America t-shirt! And it made me wonder a little...what if...

Gunning for Weldon

From USNEWSWIRE:
Brady Campaign Endorses Joe Sestak for Congress
and Delco Times

The State of Pennsylvania has been a leader in seeking sensible gun legislation. When he was Mayor of Philadelphia, Ed Rendell stood out among the nation's mayors on this issue. Today, Joe Sestak was endorsed by the Brady Campaign.

After a string of tragic shootings in schools across the country, Pennsylvania is in a position to lead a national dialogue on preventing gun violence. In September, hundreds marched on the capitol in Harrisburg, to demand sensible gun laws as the State Legislature began a special session on crime. Proposed laws included anti-trafficking laws and a statewide ban on military-style assault weapons. Sestak is a strong supporter of both proposals.
"Joe Sestak has performed remarkable public service, and has earned the right to continue serving the public," said Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. "He knows that the tools soldiers use on the battlefield of war have no place in our cities."

Within the 7th District, in Upper Darby, is a pawn shop: Lou's Loans. This shop has routinely been accused of making so many illegal gun sales that it has earned the nickname: Lethal Lou's.

From Joe Sestak:

"Curt Weldon talks a lot about walking the streets of the district. But for decades, 'Lethal Lou's,' right here in Upper Darby, was routinely accused of making illegal gun sales. So I ask, 'What was Curt Weldon doing between 1996 and 2000, when 441 crime guns were traced to Lou's? What was Curt Weldon doing between 2003 and 2005 when firearms purchased from Lou's had been used in at least 19 homicides and 65 aggravated assaults in Philadelphia?' Curt Weldon has failed to help take the steps necessary to ensure the safety of our citizens and law enforcement officers in their daily struggle against crime. Curt Weldon co-authored legislation, which passed the House just last month, to reduce penalties on gun shop violators and to protect gun sellers whose guns are used in crimes. It's astonishing to me that Curt Weldon and the Republican Congress put special interest groups ahead of cracking down on rogue gun dealers who sell illegal guns used in violent crimes."

In an effort to stem the tide of straw men that buy and turn around hundreds of guns at time, Ed Rendell has proposed restricting individual handgun purchases to once per month. Who needs more than 12 handguns a year for personal use?

The TV show, the Simpsons, gave the rebuttal to opponents of a 5-day waiting period when Homer complained, "Five days? But, I'm angry now!".

The point is we need responsible lawmakers taking responsible positions that help ordinary citizens. I guess that leaves out Curt Weldon.

This issue needs to be handled at all levels of government, local and national. Joe will be replacing the defective Congressman we currently have on this issue.

Is Weldon still a Republican? Or just ashamed of being one?

A recent Suburban Guerrilla post asking why Weldon has no elephants on his signs anymore. He has no mention on his website's home page or on his About Curt that he is a Republican. And his signs and website say "Independent Fighter for US".



So my question is: "Is Weldon that ashamed of being a Republican now?"

If so, that may be one of the few things he's right about.

If he wanted to be independent, why did he vote with Bush and the GOP almost all the time?

Weldon can change his signs and his slogan, but he can't go back and change his voting record!

Play-It-Safe Debate has Few Fireworks

Both candidates chickened out by agreeing to debate rules and a format that virtually guaranteed no suprises and made the audience superfluous.

The rules gave the candidates 3 minutes each to answer the questions from the panel. The panel also had to repeat each question again before the second candidate answered it. The candidates were not allowed to ask each other questions. Audience members were threatened with expulsion for applauding, holding signs, taking pictures (even without flash), or any other normal human activity. They might as well have put mannequins in the chairs.

With few exceptions, the debate devolved to a recitations of talking points. Sestak quoted facts and figures about jobs, the economy, health care costs and education. Weldon named dropped practically every community program or Delco notable he had interacted with in the past 20 years. Sestak repeatedly tied Weldon's voting record to Bush's policies. Weldon dug up votes or fights where he went against the administration or his own party.
It was more like watching separate sets of 3 minute commercials than a debate.

One of the major flaws with this format is the time lag in responses. For example: Sestak answers question A, Weldon answers question A then Weldon gets question B. Sestak winds up spends a minute of his 3 minutes on question B rebutting comments made by Weldon six minutes earlier on question A. This was even more confusiing to follow because the candidates would often spend a minute injecting unrelated talking points before getting around to the question actually asked.

After a tepid and caution first half, the second half of the debate had some more light and slightly more heat.

Some highlights:
On the issue of residency, Sestak made the case that he grew up here, has large family here and he's spent the last 31 years defending the residents of this district, (including Curt Weldon), and that time away should not count as a liability. Weldon displayed his encylopedic knowledge of the district and local players. Weldon made some very effective points regarding his effo