The American Spectator

Joe Sestak, the Democratic Senate nominee in Pennsylvania, is running an ad that falsely claims, “According to AIPAC, Joe Sestak has a 100% pro-Israel voting record,” Ben Smith reports.

As it turns out, AIPAC doesn’t even offer endorsements or rate candidates. And in reality, Sestak has been a frequent critic of Israel who signed a letter condemning Israel for “collective punishment” of Palestinians in Gaza because of their blockade aimed at preventing Hamas from smuggling weapons. The letter was circulated by the George Soros-funded anti-Israel group, J Street. Sestak also refused to sign onto an AIPAC-circulated letter criticizing the Obama administration for its negative stance toward Israel.

Regardless of your views on these issues, Sestak is clearly being dishonest about his record and shifting based on the political wind. In February, when he was trying to run to the left of Arlen Specter, Sestak defended signing the J Street letter. At the time, the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent reported:

Sestak acknowledged that signing on to the letter was politically risky, and that it could be used “against me.” But he said that it was more important to him to stand up for his convictions.

Now he’s taking out an ad — ironically, running it in the same newspaper — embracing AIPAC with false claims about a non-existent 100% voting record.