Sestak uses robo-call campaign as fodder for fundraising

Like other Democrats being targeted by Freedom's Watch campaign of robo-calls, U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak is striking back against the conservative advocay group's criticisms and using it as an opportunity to rally supporters behind him.

Sestak, who represents Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District, is one of many lawmakers who has been targeted by the group's campaign.  In Pennsylvania, those lawmakers include U.S. Reps. Paul Kanjorski, Chris Carney and Jason Altmire, among others.

The periodic robo-calls targeting Sestak have focused on troop funding and other military issues, attacking him for not supporting U.S. troops.

In an e-mail message to supporters this morning, Sestak, who served 31 years in the military, said attacks could not be allowed to go unanswered.

"Being the senior military veteran in Congress; having worn the 'cloth of this nation' for 31 years; having led young men and women in harm's way; and being the son of a Navy Captain who fought in World War II, this type of attack is ........ simply unacceptable," Sestak wrote in the e-mail, which was laced with boldface type.

He also used the opportunity to solicit donations from supporters "to help us respond."

"The sad truth about these types of attacks is that they can work - unless they are thoroughly and unambiguously answered, immediately," he wrote. "That's why we need your help to let the voters of the District know the truth. A contribution now will allow us to take the necessary steps to make this happen."

The freshman Democrat is facing Republican Craig Williams in the fall.