Josh Kraushaar of Politico has the longest story I've seen on the fallout from the keynote speech to be given by Rep. Joe Sestak in Philadelphia at the local CAIR chapter's annual dinner: "Sestak speech to Muslim groups creates uproar."

For CAIR critics, Kraushaar's story quotes only Philadelphia Jews, whose consternation over Sestak's cosiness with CAIR was made manifest at local forum last week. Is it only Philadelphia's Jews who have CAIR sized up? Kraushaar's story takes an interesting look at both CAIR's and Sestak's fancy footwork:

The brouhaha began two weeks ago when Sestak’s outreach coordinator, Adeeba Al-Zaman, booked the congressman for an event his aides presented as a banquet. But CAIR’s Philadelphia chapter put out fliers billing the congressman as the featured speaker at a fundraiser. Al-Zaman is the former director of communications for CAIR’s Philadelphia chapter.

Upon receiving complaints, Sestak insisted that he wouldn’t speak unless he was the only speaker and was disassociated from the fundraising portion of the event. CAIR responded by advertising Sestak’s speech as part of a “banquet” while other featured speakers and entertainment would be listed under the fundraiser. Despite the changes, attendees still need to pay $50 to attend the banquet and hear Sestak speak.

“It’s disingenuous to say they’re two separate events,” said Malik.

Sestak said he would not cancel because more than 200 of his constituents would be in the audience. He also said he would criticize CAIR in his speech, and tell them they need to more explicitly condemn terrorism.

“The easiest thing to do was to cancel, but I don’t think it’s the right thing to do,” Sestak said. “The best way forward is to take advantage of this to speak, and to speak truth to power. And to speak directly and candidly of what I believe.”

Sestak said he will reiterate his “strong support for Israel” and criticize the terrorist groups in his speech. He added that he hasn’t seen any instance where CAIR has specifically singled out Hamas and Hezbollah for criticism.

“I can’t find where it’s ever condemned Hamas and Hezbollah by name,” Sestak said.

At the same time, Sestak also said CAIR was a “legitimate organization” and singled out their “good work” in fighting racial profiling.

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