Curt Weldon, 10-term Republican Congressman from Pennsylvania's 7th District and someone the country will be a whole lot better off without after he's defeated by Joe Sestak this November
Democrat and Retired Adm. Joe Sestak, his wife, Susan, and 5-year-old daughter, Alexandra.
"Sitting in the oncology ward at Children's National Medical Center on Jan. 19, retired Adm. Joe Sestak and his wife, Susan, awaited the doctors' verdict about the condition of their 5-year-old daughter, Alexandra. She had been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor last summer and given three to nine months to live. The Sestaks lived for four months in the ward. They watched as their daughter survived three surgeries, and as she endured chemotherapy. But that winter day, doctors told the Sestaks that Alexandra had done remarkably well and that, although the cancer could reemerge, she could resume living like a healthy girl. Relieved and grateful, Sestak, who retired as a three-star admiral Jan. 1, after 31 years in the Navy, began thinking about what he wanted to do next. "I went off to the Navy at 18. That's all I ever wanted to do," said Sestak, who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. He considered a position at the International Rescue Committee (IRC), a private organization that aids refugees. Instead, he joined several military veterans, mostly Democrats, around the country who have decided to run for Congress this year. He's running from his hometown of Springfield, Pa."Joe Sestak's opponent, 10-term Republican congressman, Curt Weldon, well known as "Crazy Curt' for his obsession with 'Able Danger', thinks Joe and and his wife are gaming the system by not living in Pennsylvania while their daughter received cancer treatment in Washington DC, and for not using a Pennsylvania hospital for their daughter's treatment. What a low-life creep. Pennsylvania should get rid of Weldon at the same time they get rid of Rick Santorum. The country sure could use it and Pennsylvania, you've used up all of your asshole exemptions. Here's Sestak's response to Weldon (from Atrios)
Congressman Weldon's remarks to the Hill magazine in a story published this morning regarding my daughter Alex's treatment are inappropriate. To imply, that I should have sent my daughter to a hospital in Delaware or Pennsylvania for political purposes is beyond the pale. I understand the political arena. I knew that this campaign would thrust my family into the media spotlight and we are prepared for that. But I want to make it very clear to Congressman Weldon, that any remarks regarding my daughter, Alexandra's, treatment will not be tolerated. Like many families dealing with illness, we have had our challenges in the last year. Through the grace of God, the many prayers of our friends and family, and the wonderful doctors and nurses, we have made it through this experience with our daughter Alex, who continues to inspire us everyday. Though we recognize the important work done by the many hospitals in and around Philadelphia, it was our personal choice to have Alex treated in Washington at the Children's Hospital because of its outstanding work on pediatric brain tumors. This decision was based on many things – none of which were political. This was our choice as Alex's parents and as I have said publicly, I believe these medical choices should be left in the hands of parents and family members throughout the country and not in the hands of beauracrats, special interests and especially not in the hands of politicians like Curt Weldon. The Hill via Atrios
