In response to an attack ad put out by Sen. Arlen Specter, the campaign of Rep. Joe Sestak has reached out to reporters -- with a spokesman calling it a "Republican-style negative campaign" -- but also veterans who have pledged their support for his Senate campaign.

In an email obtained by the Post-Gazette, Sestak staffer Eric Bontrager, writing to veterans, called the Specter ad a "Swift Boat-like campaign," referring to the since-discredited group that tried to undermine Sen. John Kerry's Navy service during his 2004 presidential campaign. Specter's ad cites a Navy Times article saying Sestak was relieved of duty for a "poor command climate" -- my profile of the former admiral also delves into this -- which Sestak disputes, saying he ruffled feathers by advocating for a smaller fleet. [We're imagining Sestak as Jack Nicholson's Col. Jessup here, just for fun.]

The missive asks the vets to write letters to the editor to their local newspapers to "share your thoughts on this latest game of political trickery by Arlen Specter."

Full email is below the jump.

 

Dear Sestak Supporter,



Earlier today, Senator Arlen Specter showed that

there is nolimit to how low he is willing to go or

how big of a lie he is willing to telljust to

remain in the Senate with an television ad

attacking Joe Sestak's record of service. See

story and video here:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0410/36081.html







Attacking the character of a man who served our

country withdistinction and honor during his 31

years in the Navy, Specter's baselessattacks on

Joe Sestak's record exemplifiesall that is

disgusting and wrong with Washington today.



For the record:



Joe     honorably served his country for 31 years

in the U.S. Navy

He was     President Bill Clinton's Director

for Defense Policy in the White House

He     commanded the George Washington Aircraft

Carrier Battle Group during     combat operations

in Afghanistan     and Iraq

In our     time of national crisis in the

immediate aftermath of 9/11, the Navy     turned

to Joe Sestak to head "Deep Blue" the Navy

anti-terrorism unit     formed in response to the

attacks

As the     highest-ranking former military officer

ever elected to either branch of     Congress, no

one has done more on behalf of our fighting men

and women or     our veterans than Joe



For a Senator to resort to this Swift Boat-like

campaign asGeorge W. Bush did in 2004 and attack a

veteran who time and time again puthimself in

harm's way for his country demonstrates the

undeniable truth that Specter is unfit to remain

in the U.S. Senate and must be relieved.



WE MUST TELL ARLEN WEWON'T TOLERATE HIS GAMES

ANYMORE!



We need your help calling Specter's attacks for

what theyare with Letters to the Editor toyour

local paper. Please use our

[http://joesestak.ning.com/page/letter-to-the-editor]

Letter to the Editor program on GoJoe andshare

your thoughts on this latest game of political

trickery by Arlen Specter.



Please help us get the word out by reaching out to

yourfellow veterans and ask them to submit

letters. We have plenty of letters thatcan be sent

out, so if you do not have the time to write a

letter, pleasee-mail and I will send you one you

can submit. If you need any help submittinga

letter, please don't hesitate to contact me.



Thank you all not just for your support but also

for yourservice to our country. We know that with

your assistance, we can beat backthese disgusting

attacks and get back to the real issues that

matter toPennsylvanians.



Best Wishes,



Eric Bontrager

Joe Sestak for Senate