What amount is from Pennsylvania? I understand that Senator Specter has been holding fundraisers in Beverly Hills, CA, Manhattan and other parts of the country.

I thought they took in $2 million from the Obama event. Maybe that was the total before they split it with the Dem Senate committee?

Is the $1.8 million a NET gain? If Specter raised $2.8 million and spend $1 million, that would make more sense.

$57,000 in give backs? LOL!!! The Toomey campaign and the RNC must have spent more than that in legal fees and just time/effort, plus postage.

Sestak had $4.2 at start of quarter. He spend $125,000 last quarter and raised just over a $1 million, for a NET gain of about $913,000.

This quarter, I would expect Sestak to have raised 1.2 to 1.4, but also have increased operating expenses.
My 100% pure speculation guess is that Sestak will probably wind up with under $5.5 million on hand (closer to $5.3 million).

Sestak is sure to get outspent by Specter, but that doesn’t matter when 31% of voters, and what appears to be a ceiling of 44% of Democrats, think Specter deserves to be reelected. Specter has 100% name recognition. What’s he going to do with all that money? Sestak, apparently preferred by Democrats who are aware of both candidates, merely has to spend to increase his name recognition.

Jon–

Joe isnt even beating the none option in the phone surveys. He’s down 2… 18-16

I’m a Democrat that is aware of both candidates, and Sestak’s not preferred by me. At the last event I visited with Montco Dems, I couldn’t find anyone that preferred Sestak.
The 200 Dems on Specter’s “advisers” list are aware of both candidates, and don’t prefer Sestak.

As for what Specter is going to do with that money… kick Sestak’s a$$ as a warm-up, then give Toomey such a beating that it will make the 2004 race feel like a massage with a happy ending.

“merely has to spend to increase his name recognition.” ???
Jon, have you cribbing from my pre-spin Sestak talking points?

BTW, Gang, I just saw this interesting blog-report from some Dems who got to know Specter a bit better:

http://www.taylormarsh.com/2009/10/14/on-the-record-with-arlen-specter/

One thing the Sestak team (and cheerleaders) have forgotten: despite how well know Specter is, there’s a reason the Republicans haven’t liked him. He’s MUCH more comfortable in the Democratic party AND IT SHOWS. Sestak, STILL, seems awkward and uncomfortable as a Dem.
Specter is winning over Dems with more than just little know votes he’s made for us, but with his general manner, style and ability to actually answer a question.

Specter is the real-deal Senator. He’s not a guy trying trying to imitate some political character from a movie.

Question for Sestak team: What character from what movie has Joe been trying to do his impression of all these years?

[...] Specter raises $1.8M in 3rd quarter, has $8.7M on hand… [...]

Net gain is what… $1.2 million? 8.7 – 7.5?

Unemployment is going over 10%. People are working an average of 33 hours a week IN FULL TIME JOBS! Pension funds are cut in half and housing prices are down. Health insurance premiums and copays are going up. Credit card limits are being slashed and interest rates and fees are going up. The big bankers are paying themselves over one hundred billion in bonuses out of our taxpayer debt to save their rear rends and Congress HAS NOT DONE A THING TO REFORM THEM. It is a wonder that any incumbent is getting any votes at all.

GOPHawk-
Congress and Obama stopped the bleeding with stimulus package. Unemployment would be approaching 15% otherwise.

Haha… looks like joe sestak will be sent down to the minor leagues as he couldnt even raise half of what specter did. This presents a problem for Joe.

Specter decides who gets a refund? He tells us how many have requested refunds, we believe him, and that does it! Well, snake, you better return all the money donated to your Republican campaign or you will be stealing. Don’t tell the public how much has been requested, like we should trust you. Now you decide to refund the extra dough given in error? What a pit-viper! That should do the trick. We will have to believe what an honest guy you are if you are making this generous display. Like you have a choice, thief. You never should have accepted those millions in the first place and you know it. But, your timing in returning a little bit of it at this point is perfect political timing, isn’t it? You have been a dishonest, unprincipled, devious, shrewd con-artist for decades. Don’t underestimate this bum, folks. He is a polished fraud, a hypnotic hoax who has thrived on his amazing capacity to fool people and manipulate others and events behind the scenes to get his way. Remember, he wants money! In reality, his insatiable, all-consuming craving for wealth is his driving motivation. His financial disclosure reveals a huge bump in net assets from one year to the next with no explanation to account for it. He steals from everybody and keeps every thing. Don’t ever forget his power to deceive or he will find a way to steal this next election.

Frank-
Legally, Specter doesn’t have to return a dime.

1) Did YOU give him any money?
2) Did you ask for it back?
3) Did you get it back?

You don’t seem too concerned about Sestak taking millions from voters for a 7th district race. Sestak hasn’t offered to give a dime back.