Polls place Sestak ahead in heated primary contest

The Pennsylvania primary in on May 18, and for the first time an independent poll shows Congressman Joe Sestak ahead of incumbent Arlen Specter in the Democratic race for U.S. Senate.

The Pennsylvania primary is a week from today, and for the first time an independent poll shows Congressman Joe Sestak ahead of incumbent Arlen Specter in the Democratic race for the U.S. Senate.

A Muhlenberg tracking poll now shows Sestak leading Specter by five points, within the margin of error. For months Specter led the race, while Sestak saved his campaign cash for late TV ads. Now he’s on the air with devastating attacks showing Specter with George W. Bush.

“Arlen Specter is the right man for the United States Senate,” remarks Bush in the ad, “I can count on this man.”

The ad finishes with a tape of Specter himself, referring to his switch to the Democratic party.

“My change in party will enable me to be re-elected,” says Specter in the ad.

“That’s a powerful message in a Democratic primary,” says analyst Chris Borick, of Muhlenberg College, “where you usually have lower turnout and more ardent Democrats going to the polls.”

Borick says Specter will fight hard and field a strong get out the vote operation in what looks like a close election.

Watch the advertisement:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x97DdZho11k[/youtube]