For the record, I've made it a point to stay away from endorsing candidates for office. Now I've taken this stand not because I lack strong opinions (I have strong opinions on everything...trust me), but because I like the notion be at least seeming to be politically neutral. Given that I'm a fiscal conservative in a social liberal's body, neutrality is something that comes with the territory. Anyway, another benefit to neutrality is the fact that I can criticize anyone I want without having to worry about toes being stepped on.
The above preamble brings me to the real point I wanted to make: I've heard the Arlen Specter attack ad against Joe Sestak and I find it distasteful at best, disgusting at worst. Apparently I am not alone in this opinion. This is nothing more than a 2010 version of Swiftboating, and in my opinion it has no place in a serious campaign. Senator Specter can point fingers all he wants at the votes taken (or not taken) by Congressman Sestak, but the line must be drawn at impugning Sestak's military career. As was the case with John Kerry, the only fact about Congressman Sestak's military career that matters is this: he served his country. Period. End of story. Unless there is a dishonorable discharge somewhere in the mix, I view every soldier as having served with honor and dignity. For what they give us, they deserve no less.
The right thing to do here is for Senator Specter to pull the ad and apologize for airing it in the first place.
Finally, the rub against Arlen Specter is that he is willing to do just about anything to stay in office. This ad certainly makes that case, big time.
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