Former congressman Joe Sestak is running for the U.S. Senate by walking. He's making a 422-mile trek across the state to better connect with Pennsylvanians. Joe Sestak joins us in Studio A for a talk about his plans to challenge Senator Pat Toomey and why the state's Democratic party doesn't want him to run.
Sestak comments on his opponent Senator Pat Toomey's action regarding Iran and the nuclear weapons issue:
"What I saw is the unrivaled respect that the presidency of the United States has as the foremost instrument to secure our freedoms and our security overseas. To actually have had Senator Toomey sign a letter that says disregard our presidency shows reckless abandon of the responsibilities of a Senator, it shows truly no experience in world affairs and it also shows a disregard for the security of America, placing politics above security." -- Joe Sestak
Also in this hour, a Pittsburgh artist's sketches of servicemen are finding their way back home and Louis Ortiz, star of the documentary "Bronx Obama" and the President's closest doppelganger visits for a screening of the film.
Joe Sestak (starts at 00:00)
Former congressman Joe Sestak is running for the U.S. Senate by walking. He's making a 422-mile trek across the state to better connect with Pennsylvanians. Joe Sestak joins us in Studio A for a talk about his plans to challenge Senator Pat Toomey and why the state's Democratic party doesn't want him to run.
Finding Elizabeth's Soldiers (starts at 31:33)
During WWII Pittsburgh artist Elizabeth Black joined the Red Cross. She spent two years traveling across Europe sketching servicemen. The portraits were then sent home to the soldier's families. After her death Elizabeth Black’s family discovered copies of about 100 portraits in her collection. Joining us in Studio A is WQED producer David Solomon, producer of the new documentary Finding Elizabeth’s Soldiers.
Bronx Obama (starts at 37:48)
Lous Ortiz almost got surgery to fix his prominent ears. Now, they only increase his likeness to the 44th President of the United States. In a new documentary directed by Ryan Murdock, Ortiz's story-- from the Bronx to the Army to national stardom-- is told through the eyes of the nation's leading Obama impersonator as he "searches for the American Dream." Ortiz is in Pittsburgh for a screening of the film at CMU.
To leave a question or comment before or after the show, dial 412-256-8783. More Essential Pittsburgh segments can be heard here.