ADMIRAL JOE

Yesterday I attended a small outdoor rally at Penn State for the Democrats' U.S. Senate candidate, Congressman Joseph A. Sestak of Delaware County.

The mayor of State College told us that the Congressman had phoned her personally and asked her to speak. He is someone who does things like that. A local small businessman said that his fellow Navy veterans who had worked with Rear Admiral Sestak all said three things about him: that he is a tremendously hard worker, that he is an excellent listener, and that he is a straight-shooter who states just what he thinks and puts it out there for you to take or leave. I had a look at Sestak as listener when he was shaking hands after the event, and whoever said anything to him had his complete and seemingly patient attention though he had to move on soon to Philadelphia.

While the speeches were going on, Sestak approached by himself. He is maybe 5'10", broad-shouldered, athletic, intense. He is a good-looking man with a deeply lined but youthfully shaped face under very thick dark gray hair. Up close he looks his age, which is 59. He was wearing a gray windbreaker over a light blue shirt and dark gray trousers. The style was military, a probably calculated visual reminder of his 31 years in the Navy and his much-decorated work as a top admiral in charge of our anti-terrorism policy. Neither he nor the other speakers let us forget for half a minute that that is his background. It works for him across party lines, while his opponent stupidly runs ads that appeal only to the Republican base in a state with a huge Democratic registration advantage.

Sestak ended by saying that he had achieved everything for himself that he wanted to by 1985 and that now he wants only to serve; he asked for "one more mission." It is an effective line.

When he speaks, the main thing that comes across is earnestness. Maybe he tries a little too hard to connect. And his speech, full of anecdotes and good points, went on for 20 minutes, 5 minutes longer than it needed to. Nothing about him is cool or detached. His persona suggests a handsome suburban dad, but there is something pleasant and something less pleasant to him; it can be hard to sort out. I suspect that his intensity and earnestness may be less agreeable up close than at a slight remove; early in his brief Congressional career he notoriously went through staffers fast.

He highly praised young Americans for mastering so much while also noting the low graduation rates in urban areas, emphasizing that we need everybody. He left no doubt that there is much to be done and that he is eager to tackle it. Healthcare has been a priority for him, and he spoke of the great healthcare his family had while he was in the military and how it saved his cancer-stricken young daughter's life. He also has been primarily responsible for the legislation to help our returning veterans.

Had I been undecided in this race, I might have been influenced mainly by his discussion of our loss of jobs to China (and China's illegal support for its industries), his criticism of his Republican rival, Wall Street insider and former Congressman Pat Toomey, for wanting an end to all taxes on corporations, and his quoting Toomey as saying that buying American is "an unfortunate tendency."

From being a top admiral, Joe Sestak went after a Congressional seat in a Philadelphia suburb in 2006 and won it against a scandal-hobbled incumbent. He made the seat safe for himself but gave it up to take on Arlen Specter for the Senate nomination. And while Sestak may seem a Washington insider, he had to operate as an outsider in doing that, as President Obama, Governor Rendell, Senator Casey, and just about everybody who mattered was actively for Specter and desirous of retaining the benefits of his long seniority.

According to Sestak, the senator was not a reliable progressive. For month after month the polls showed Specter miles ahead, with no movement, and the Congressman was widely written off. Then, in the final weeks, everything came together. Against Toomey also, Sestak was way down for many months, but suddenly it's a real contest. Sestak keeps plugging and outworks an opponent, gradually undermining his natural advantage (incumbency, a Republican year) until it all turns around and everyone wonders what happened.

I have always thought Sestak will win this election. He is more likeable, more impressive, and more dynamic and determined than Toomey. And I suspect that the U.S. Senate is not the final stop on his planned itinerary.

I think it has always been Joe gambling on Joe, while everybody else has tended to bet wrong.