Senate Debate 2 Weeks Before Primary

U.S. Senator Arlen Specter and Congressman Joe Sestak both claimed the other was distorting his record during a Saturday night debate in Philadelphia.
Specter, who switched from Republican to Democrat a year ago, began the debate by asking Sestak to apologize for calling him a liar in a recent television ad.
Sestak didn’t take the bait, and did his best to try and label Specter as an opportunistic career politician who only switched parties to avoid a tough primary fight.

"The major difference is this: I am a Democrat out (of) core beliefs and conviction."

Specter said his long track record of legislative achievements sets him apart from Sestak, pointing to a measure he authored during a back-and-forth on crime.

"Congressman Sestak talks about a resolution he introduced. I introduced a bill that was enacted into law."

The two debated each other during a February State Democratic Committee meeting, but this was the only face-to-face forum broadcast live across the state.
Sestak has called for more debates again and again, but Specter says this is the last one he’ll agree to. Specter's campaign has said all along that the 5-term incumbent traditionally does only one debate during the primary campaign.