have you ever heard of the hours he makes he staff work? are you kidding me? Military guy running his own campaign that….yea I am not sure how many under-paid staffers would jump this Admiral’s ship.

In fairness, though “[Sestak's] raised more money than anyone who’s ever gone up against Arlen Specter,” more than half of that was for his PA-7 race. In Senate fundraising, he’s in third place behind even Toomey.

This is quite the brain-drain to rain on this insane campaign, in pain, that can’t retain or maintain those they train to sustain the efforts they have made in vain, which has now become their main refrain.

Whew!

The funny thing about the complaints of these professional staffers being underpaid, relative to market rate, is that Sestak’s siblings are overpaid. Brother Richard was making $6,000 per month the first quarter of 2009 (at the time Joe “claims” he rejected a offer by Dem Senate committee to be the anointed candidate).

In the 4th quarter of 2009, the three Sestak siblings accounted for 40% of the total payroll and 12.5% of the total campaign disbursements.

If you work out the hourly rates for the staffers..
Gary was making $2,300/month. For a “normal weekday only” 23 day, 8-hour job, that would be $100 per day, or $12.50 hour. But, factoring in 30 days, and 12 hours per day, you get about $6.40/hour. This is significantly below Pennsylvania’s minimum wage laws, and there’s no overtime rate.

If Sestak agreed to pay them minimum wage (like at McDonalds), they could be both insulted and making more money. To make matters worst, he’s a terrible boss and I’ve heard complaints that his siblings aren’t that great to work for either.

Culbert was making $2,000/month. Blum was making $1500/month. Henry had two payments of $661.54 $861.64 for Nov and Dec, respectively.

I agree with “the person familiar with Sestak’s previous campaigns” that in 2006, the motivation was to get rid of Weldon, so Sestak’s main attractions were his fundraising ability and hard work. There were plenty of signs of trouble with his temperament and selfishness, but some of us (naively in retrospect) felt he’d grow out of that once he acclimated to civilian and political life. Boy, were we wrong!

“230 events in 26 days in 26 counties” Quantity over quality, and it showed in the State Committee.

The payroll is top-heavy with siblings.

My suggestion for the Sestak campaign: Pay everybody at the office $10/hour, but pay your siblings at $5/hour. It should have a boosting effect on morale and is more inline with their respective values to the campaign.

BTW, poor Dworkin has been making $826.57 month on the campaign. Which is kind of odd, because he was making a lot more ($2000/month) as Sestak’s Communications Director for his congressional office.
http://www.legistorm.com/person/Jonathan_P_Dworkin/56774.html

That’s a hell of a pay cut, to below a living wage. If the guys making 2-3 times as much quit, how much longer can Dworkin afford to stay?

Well, no longer than May 18th, when it will be over.

Sestak’s relationship with the nefarious UFCW Local 1776 President Wendell Young IV is proving quite costly. The ongoing federal and congressional inquiries into alleged UFCW Local 1776/Sestak for Congress improprieties have obviously prompted some Sestak staffers to exit the campaign. Further departures are all but certain, as is the political demise of Representative Sestak.

Many thanks, Dan, for calling attention to these recent developments/departures. They have been overlooked by our (remarkably) inattentive mass media thus far.

Hater-
Sorry to burst your bubble, but there is NO indication that the investigation is the motivation behind the staffers leaving. I don’t think it’s an “obvious” or even reasonable conclusion.

The more obvious reasons are:
- The campaign was gaining on Specter into the Fall, and but has dropped down considerable with no traction and momentum in the wrong direction.
- Fundraising is more difficult.
- Sestak got slaughtered at State Committee.
- Specter is picking up all the big Union endorsements (which was Sestak’s only real chance at peeling off Dem support).
- The staffers are overworked, underpaid and treated like crap. There is no infrastructure and the Pittsburgh office isn’t opening until this afternoon (delayed from last week). With the Murtha funeral dominating the coverage, Sestak won’t get any media bump from the opening.

These kids have no reason to “go down with the ship”.

As far as the investigations, unless they’ve been questioned, I’m pretty sure they are out-of-the-loop, getting Sestak’s side of the story and dismissing it as tabloid gossip.

[...] 4 Sestak staffers head for the exit… [...]

Mr. Diano: With all due respect, there was MUCH you were not aware of until recently and there is MUCH that you are not privy to at present. What you have recently been apprised of barely even scratches the surface. Neither you – nor the embattled, trouble-plagued Representative Sestak -can imagine the magnitude of the forces arrayed against him. He has been the target of a rather vast undertaking, so to speak. Perhaps the reality is sinking in with Sestak now…

“Unless they have been questioned…” indeed.

Hate, what is your source on the UFCW/Sestak investigation?

What is the UFCW Local 1776 investigation? I never heard of this.

From my perspective as a Toomey supporter, Rep. Sestak is far more ideological and prncipled Leftist and dangerous if elected. Arlen Specter does not seem to have any principles or ideology other than to say or do what he needs to say or do to get elected.

There is a lot of rumors of the reasons why Joe Sestak ‘retired’ that cannot be confirmed. He seems to have been forced out from what I heard for much of the same reason, that is, his management style and treatment of subordinates. What evidence is there to support or refute this rumor?

Other than his family, I don’t understand why anyone would stay on his campaign. He works them like slaves and they are working at below the minimun wage let alone a liveable wage ! I can’t get my head around the numbers as in 1993 I was making $2,000 a month Out of the big $2,000 I had to pay my own health insurance and my own taxes.
I get chills when I think that man is running for the Senate when no one seems to know why he was thrown out of the military. The simple fact that never hired a seasoned Campaign manager was the telling tail for me that he was not a serious candidate. When those remaining get their 1099’s they will be crying. Yes they are young kids that may be living at home but they will never do such a stupid thing again. I live in the 7th CD which he might win but if people really know how bad he is, they won’t vote for the loser. Just that he has his family and not people that are seasoned tells the whole thing. So he was on a whirl wind state tour so what? He is being paid by us to be in DC which he hasn’t been. That is the story that isn’t being told as I guess even the media knows he is going nowhere

With all these hours these young folks put in… does this even add up to minimum wage? I find it concerning someone would continue this type of treatment. Not sure the unions would like how Sestak treats his workers.

Fact: Sestak is running a bonafide phone bank from DelCo, which he often refers to as a field team. He has minimal operation out West.

Hater-
I agree that much of what I learned recently was news to me. However, my point was that the staffers may have been shielded from that information too, and the poor work/salary conditions and collapse of support were more likely reasons for their exit.

Bob Guzzardi-
Actually, Sestak isn’t really ideologically Leftist or principled at all. He just plays that on TV. There are strong indications that Sestak is a closet conservative, but (like Lieberman) picked the Dems so he could get elected. Had Weldon been vulnerable, Sestak could have run as a Republican.

The UFCW Local 1776 issues involve allegations that have been made of misappropriations of funds which were funneled to the Sestak campaign and various violations of FEC and House Ethics Rules by Sestak. There is some question whether Sestak overstepped his role and gave undue consideration to the union, or it’s president, as a quid-pro-quo for campaign support. Now, to be clear, these only allegations that have been submitted to the FBI and the Office of Congressional Ethics. I have NO knowledge/confirmation that these allegations have been verified by those agencies or what (if any) action they plan to take. However, the accusations were made by someone connected to the UFCW, who would be difficult to ignore due to their position.

Lana-
Will you be at tonight’s Delco Dem convention and petition kickoff? If so, seek me out.
For all the travel Sestak’s been doing for is campaign, there doesn’t seem to be much record of it his campaign finance reports for the last quarter. Other than a few Amtrak trips, and some reimbursements for two junior staffers for gas/tolls in Oct., there are NO other travel expenses for Sestak. How can that be? No airline flights. No gas or tolls for Joe for 3 months?

SteelBlitz-
Sestak’s the kind of boss that Unions were formed to fight against. I can’t see how any Union member could look at Sestak’s record with his own staff and believe that Sestak share’s their values on worker rights.

SW-
“field team” Ha.
That’s like having a “field trip” at school, and going downstairs to shovel coal into the boiler.

“A visit to the campaign office in Media on a snowy evening Monday found about a dozen volunteers busily working the phones.”

I proudly number myself among those volunteers! As a matter of fact, I’m gonna go there right now…

TAJ… have a little more pride… after seeing this, when i see those sweat shop videos, now im going to think of sestak’s call center.

After the election, what Dave Diano do with all his time?! He needs to put down the Haterade for five minutes and find himself a lady.

It speaks well for Sestak that his staff is willing to work long hours for less pay, just to be a part of his campaign.

Guzzradi:

You thoughts on this are DEAD WRONG. You and Diano should go camping togther, as like-minded individuals.

Caitlin-
After Sestak loses the Primary election?
I’ll be helping the winner of 7th district primary, and my local St. Leg candidates (as well as my customers in Philly and elsewhere).
Next year, it’s Municipal elections.

Rachel-
Some of these students do it for “experience points” for resumes or for school credit or to beef up their college applications. Others are just naive and have just been fooled by Sestak, who can be very convincing if you don’t understand his real motivations.

Must be awfully difficult for Representative Sestak at present – not knowing who to trust, whether and of his staffers have cooperated with federal authorities, whether Wendell Young IV and/or other labor union chieftains are cooperating with federal authorities, etc. Bribery scandals can be exceedingly painful ordeals.

This is getting ridiculous. Sestak has to address this publicly. All this gossip is hurting the Dems. If the feds aren’t after him, why not say so? I’m afraid that his silence speaks volumes.

Rachel,

Right on! I’m just an intern for Joe, so I’m not getting ANY money. But I’m still putting my blood, sweat, and tears into his campaign.

Taj-
Save those tears. You’re going to need them May 18th when Sestak loses by 20 points.

Chesco-
1) I don’t know what Sestak may or may not be allowed to comment upon if there is a pending inquiry.
2) It’s “standard” policy to ignore charges, rumors, and scandals until you are forced to respond.

Hater-
From what I can tell, plenty of his ex-staffers are more than happy to tell tales to the Specter people or work for Specter.

Tonight, I ran into a young, up-and-coming Delco Dem who used to be a big Sestak fan. No more, but he can’t do it publicly. So, when the Sestak folks weren’t looking, he got some Specter petitions to circulate later.
We had an interesting discussion because I came out against Sestak publicly almost 3 years ago. Despite the crap I’ve taken for it (and a few lost friends who still support him), I’ve gained other friends who are a bit jealous of my “freedom” to say what I want. So, they get a vicarious thrill from the stuff I write here. A few sought me out to shake my hand and ask what the heck was going on with Hater.
BTW, one of my good friends asked me several times I Hater was really me, but some split personality that had manifested.

David,

It seems as if you too were at the Delco Democratic Convention tonight. I guess you missed the part where Joe received a standing ovation and was endorsed by acclamation?

Taj-
Didn’t miss it. But I was talking to plenty of people who were aware of what a tool Sestak is, who didn’t bother to jump up and sing his praises.

Like I said, one person I met had to hide his Specter petitions and smile as though he liked Sestak. Other people are definitely planning to vote for Specter, but can’t endorse him publicly without hurting their other local Delco campaigns. There is a real fear of retaliation by Sestak and his supporters, and much anticipation of Sestak losing so they can stop kissing his ass.

BTW, I’m pretty sure there were more Lentz buttons than Sestak buttons being worn.

Most of them haven’t experienced Sestak’s dark side. They see only “Sestak the Candidate” with his shining image and not the real Sestak. Someday, you may see it too. (It’s not pretty.)

I have no doubt that Diano has lost friends. But I wouldn’t go blaming the Congressman for it! Could it be your extreme arrogance, your pettiness, and your unbelievable self-importance?
It’s my pleasure to know the Sestak family & the campaign staffers as well. They are all working so hard because they believe in Joe & appreciate his hard work, his brilliance, & dedication to his constituents.
I know ” the real Joe Sestak” and I am so proud of him!
Diano, why don’t you pack up your venom and hate and go somewhere far away & make yourself useful to ANYONE.

Cam-
I’m not blaming the Congressman for any loss of friends who blindly follow him in their current state of ignorance. When they get a clue, I’m sure we’ll make up.

I’ve got no problem with people working hard for a good cause. The problem is that the Sestaks’ cause is themselves, and they’ve managed to con a lot of people into believing there is a higher purpose.

Part of the reason that Joe and everyone around him work so hard is that he completely mismanages his operations and is too cheap (and stubborn) to hire more qualified professionals. The result is a blazingly inefficient operation with a bubble/bunker mentality that is impervious to better ideas, strategies and methods (as well as any true sense of cooperation with other Dems and the party as a whole).

Actually, I am quite useful to the hundreds of Democratic committee people to whom I freely provide the most up-to-date voter street lists for petitions, canvassing, and GOTV efforts (inside and outside of Sestak’s district). I can safely say that I provide far more direct, consistent, and relevant help to them than Sestak.

Cam, please make a note of this date in your calendar. Try to remember to reach out to me when you finally do get to see the real Sestak.

Diano-
“There is a real fear of retaliation by Sestak and his supporters…”

I’ve heard numerous stories from former Sestak supporters regardng how “vindictive,” “mean-spirited,” and “volatile” this man can be.

Thank you for having the guts to bring up those allegations against the man. I believe the people have a right to know about these issues. The more people that know the better. Sestak can’t retaliate against everyone.

Sestak – to know him is to hate him.

Chesco-
Where you and Hater separated at birth?

CAM: If Representative Sestak is so “brilliant” why is being trounced by a decrepit, ineloquent incumbent who recently changed political parties? And Sestak has indeed “worked hard” – on behalf of lawbreaking labor union chieftains and racketeers like Wendell Young IV. The “real Joe Sestak” is the one currently being probed by federal authorities – a mendacious, deceitful, self-serving charlatan. The “real Joe Sestak” has no respect for the law or for the rights of others. The “real Joe Sestak” is a criminal wrongdoer hiding behind the veneer of a progressive. The “real Joe Sestak” is undoubtedly panic-stricken at present, alarmed at the prospect of being exposed for what he truly is.

Sestak’s military career ended in utter disgrace. His political career will soon end – on an even more inglorious note.

CAM: Incidentally, the “Sestak family” you are smitten with – Margaret Infantino and the others -are also under scrutiny by the federal authorities. Their FEC reporting skills apparently leave much to be desired…

Diano-
I have a dislike for Sestak for many reasons.

It sounds like you have seen or have documentation regarding the Sestak allegations. You should share them with Dan Hirschhorn so he can post them on this site. I strongly believe corruption should be exposed. If Sestak is corrupt (and it certainly sounds true), people should know!

Anyone who gets into politics primarily for the paycheck is (in some small way) contributing to the perversion of the political process. Yes, you need to make enough to live. But if you measure “respect” in terms of “paycheck,” you’re not using the appropriate yardstick. If Corbett were to get elected governor, and Specter were to die in office, presumably we get Toomey handed to us on a plate, whether or not we voted for him. By the numbers (the percentage scores from various conservative groups) Toomey, despite his mild demeanor, is well to the right of Santorum. I didn’t like Santorum. Sestak is slightly more liberal on two (arguably three?) issues, and slightly more conservative on one, than Specter. On the issues, he’s precisely as electable as Specter, minus the political baggage. As for Specter, his ever-rising negatives are now topping 50% in practically every poll. I see no benefit to a primary win if it gives away the general election.

[...] the fifth staffer to leave the campaign recently, which could spark criticism that the southeast congressman doesn’t have the campaign [...]

Y’all are nuts.

Sestak’s gonna blow Specter out of the water.

Hi. U.S. Senator Arlen Specter is clearly the best choice for Pennsylvania in 2010!

One of our local news stations recently researched Specter’s claims about Sestak’s “minimum wage” workers, none of whom are on food stamps. Per a WGAL analysis, 40% of Specter’s staff also falls “below minimum wage” applying his same math to his own campaign. This is a false premise, just another smear from the Specter smear machine.

Specter assumed a 40hr work week, even for staff members who work part time, just as many of Specter’s do. These tactic’s prove that he is very much a Republican.