http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/campaigns/the-showdown-begins-specter-and-sestak-set-to-hold-first-joint-candidate-forum-at-netroots-nation/The Showdown Begins! Specter And Sestak Set To Hold First Joint Candidate Forum — At Netroots Nation
Senator Arlen Specter and primary challenger Joe Sestak have both agreed to hold a joint candidate forum next month, I’ve learned, their first joint appearance since Sestak committed to the Senate race and a sign that this hotly anticipated Senate campaign is rapidly becoming a reality.
Making the joint appearance more interesting, it’s set to take place on August 14th at Netroots Nation, an unlikely forum for Specter given his decades as a Republican, meaning the event will pique intense blogospheric interest.
A Netroots Nation organizer forwards me an email announcing the event that’s set to go out later today. “Rep. Sestak and Sen. Specter will each participate in an interactive session moderated by Pennsylvania blogger Susie Madrak and The Nation’s Ari Melber,” the email says, adding that “each participant will be asked questions solicited online in advance, as well as from the audience.”
Specter’s campaign manager, Christopher Nicholas, confirmed to me that his boss is set to attend. “The Senator is looking forward to it,” Nicholas said.
Specter’s willingness to brave the precincts of Netroots Nation with netroots hero Sestak underscores how seriously Specter takes Specter’s underdog challenge. Given that Specter has the backing of the White House and the Democratic establishment, his scheduled appearance is also a sign that even the most established incumbent can no longer risk taking netroots-backed challengers for granted.<[/b>