PA DUers:Who is the best candidate against Santorum?

[displacedyankeedem]

I used to live in suburban Pittsburgh so I have some clue as to the lay of the land. Personally I think that (in order) the strongest three would be:
1. Teresa Heinz-Kerry: She's got LOTS of money and top tier name recognition, plus from what I've read she thinks Santorum is a big mound of human excrement, so she's got plenty of motivation.
2. Tim Holden: Even though he's a conservative Dem, he must have something going for him because there is no way in hades we should have an elected Democrat in PA-17. He would be able to steal some moderate votes in the 'T' that we might not normally pick up. Also, I don't think the liberal wing of the party will care as much this time around about having a conservative Dem because they have learned to hate Santorum even more. The whole party will back the eventual candidate next time around out of pure spite and hatred for right wing Rickie.
3. Barbara Hafer-Yes she's currently a Republican, but she's endorsed two prominaent Democrats over Republicans(Onarato and Rendell) so she would get some support. However I would think she'd need to run for a congressional seat this time around(maybe PA-4?) to have a shot. Perhaps the ideal candidate in 2010 if Hoeffel is unsuccessful against Specter in 2004 .

Other Possibilities:
State Sen. Allison Schwartz
Auditor-General Bob Casey Jr.
Allegheny Co. Executive Dan Onarato
Governor Ed Rendell
Lt. Gov Catherine Baker-Knoll
US Rep. Bob Brady
US Rep and 2004 Senate Candidate Joe Hoeffel

[caledesi]

1. I am not from PA, but I like Ed Rendell a lot. nt

[NewJerseyDem]

2. Holden wouldn't be good

It seems like he would be just like Klink and lose because of a lack of support from the suburbs. Santorum's biggest weakness is his social views and we need someone who is different. I think that Hafer would be good. Hoeffel if he does well in 2004, but loses, might be strong as well. Allyson Schwartz, if she wins a seat in Congress, would also be a good candidate.

[displacedyankeedem]

3. Here's an interesting article about Tim Holden

http://www.pennlive.com/statehouse/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1069583536270040.xml

[Eurobabe]

4. Anyone but Sanctimonium

ugh. he needs to go!

[Freddie Stubbs]

5. Hafer would be a very strong candidate

She has been elected to state wide office four times. Hafer is term limited, and there really isn't anything left for her to run of in Harrisburg. She is quite liberal for a Republican, and like Santorum is from Allegheny County.

Heinz-Kerry: I'm not sure what PA's would think of a woman running for the Senate who is married to a Senator from another state and is also the widow of another Senator.

Holden: Ideologiclly, he is a very good fit for PA. But so was Ron Klink, Santorum's last opponent. Some liberal Democrats in PA didn't work hard for Klink and refused to contribute to his campaign. Holden may run into the same problem.

Another strong candidate would be Joe Hoeffel. Arlen Specter is a very good campaigner, nad will be difficult to beat. Unless Republican primary voters oust Specter in the primary, he will be a pretty safe bet for reelection. Heoffel will have a fairly high name ID with voters after a state wide run, and may be an ideal opponent for Santorum.

[mndemocrat_29]

6. Would Heinz Kerry run?

If she would, I think she'd probably be the best candidate. However, other really good candidates would be:

Bob Casey, Jr.-His father was a superstar governor. He received 43.80 percent in the 2002 primary, so he'll have a statewide campaign behind him. He's well-liked, and currently running for State Treasurer, I believe.

Catherine Baker Knoll-The first woman elected Lt. Governor, she'd be excellent. She'd have the Rendell machine backing her, and would have name recognition. She's also a former State Treasurer. She seems poised to make the jump to the national stage, and this would be the perfect opportunity to do it (knocking off a famous senator).

State Sen. Alyson Schwartz-She'll likely be a congresswoman by then, and if she is, she'll be a frontrunner here.

Rep. Joe Hoeffel-If his campaign against Specter is really close, and yet he loses, he would likely be given a second shot here. However, I'd much rather him be helping one of the other candidates campaign as a sitting senator.

State Sen. Connie Williams-Rumor has it that she passed on the 2004 race for the House to look at this race. However, it would've been much more impressive had she run and beaten Gerlach. Then she would've been viewed as the kind of candidate who could slay an incumbent.

Barbara Hafer-She's a top notch candidate (as State Treasurer). However, she'd first have to become a Democrat and second, she'd be better off winning an election as a Democrat. If she could knock out Rep. Melissa Hart, she'd likely be the frontrunner here.

Robert Borski-He didn't challenge Joe Hoeffel in 2002 in the primary, yet he's fairly young and most likely will seek another race. Since he hasn't jumped into the race for Hoeffel's empty House seat, he's likely looking ahead to 2006, when he'd be able to take on Santorum. His willingness to avoid a messy primary in 2002 will help him out in 2006.

And one candidate who would've been good...

Patrick Casey-He ran for the House in 1998 and 2000 against Don Sherwood. Had he won either race, he'd be the frontrunner for 2006. In fact, he'd probably be the clear-the-field candidate. However, without some experience in the House, Casey isn't going to be the candidate.

Overall, this looks like a superb bunch of candidates. If any of them were to run, they'd have to be top notch and would be a fine addition to the U. S. Senate.

[mndemocrat_29]

7. I would've listed Tim Holden

But I think it's better if we keep him in the House.

[goobergunch]

9. Holden might suffer from a "Klink effect" (n/t)

[JI7]

8. i was thinking the same

but she probably wont. she does a lot of good in private life and find what she is able to do in the senate limiting. but her son reads this board at times and he might give some kind of an answer to it if he sees this.