Chester County Democratic Committee

PA2010.com, 12/7/09

PHILADELPHIA—Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mas.) formally endorsed Joe Sestak’s Senate bid Monday morning, becoming the first member of Congress to break with the White House and party leaders in Sestak’s primary challenge to Senator Arlen Specter.

“I regard Joe as one of the most valuable members of Congress,” Frank said during an appearance with Sestak at a downtown law office here. “His military background is of great importance because getting our military policy [and] spending right is essential.”

Combined with a later endorsement from an army Lieutenant who was discharged under the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, the support of Frank, the first openly gay member of Congress, was clearly meant to showcase Sestak’s credentials on gay rights at a time when Specter has moved quickly to the left on such issues.

Frank said Sestak’s military background gives him an authoritative voice in the debate over the military’s current policy.

“Right now, we have people who have never been in the military pontificating on that,” Frank said. “As a vice admiral, Joe is in a position to refute their arguments.”

And while he refrained from speculating what effect his endorsement might have on the gay community, Frank criticized Specter for being “a Republican by choice, and a Democrat by necessity—the necessity to get elected.”

As chair of the House Financial Services Committee, Frank made sure to emphasize pocketbook issues, too.

“His role on the small business committee is particularly important,” Frank said of Sestak. “Small businesses have taken the brunt of this recession.”