Something interesting going on here in PA: 61*

[PCIntern]

Some around here get pissed off at me for making statements from 'sources' with whom I commune in a non-political, non-social basis because I can't attribute the info to anyone in particular for several reasons including HIPAA. I was going to say something along these lines for a few weeks now, but I don't have to use my "political capital" as your soon-to-be-former President used to say. That being said, let's play "Sherlock Holmes, Private Detective":

1. PA has Democratic Governor

2. Take a quick gander at this article published today in the Sunday Philadelphia Inquirer written by Michael Smerconish:

http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/20081116_Head_Strong__Arlen_Specter__A_portrait_in_sheer_will.html

snip***********************
Head Strong: Arlen Specter: A portrait in sheer will
By Michael Smerconish - Inquirer

Inquirer Currents Columnist

On Nov. 7, several hundred people gathered at the National Constitution Center for the unveiling of the official portrait of Pennsylvania's longest-serving U.S. senator, Arlen Specter. The portrait captures a reflective Specter, dressed in coat and tie with his signature white pocket square, his head slightly tilted, eyes gazing downward, arms folded, and glasses in hand.
Speakers included former Sen. Robert Dole, actor Michael J. Fox, and Gov. Rendell. The event was moderated by Specter's longtime friend lawyer Stephen Harmelin. Each was funny and insightful into what makes the senator so unique.

For his part, Specter quipped that it wasn't quite time to be thinking about his legacy - "I think I'm a little young to have a portrait." Dole reminded the crowd that both he and Specter had come from Russell, Kan., a remarkable feat given its population of about 5,000. Fox praised Specter's support of stem cell research.

Rendell shared a story from the final days of Specter's tenure as Philadelphia district attorney. Riding down an elevator in the southwest corner of City Hall, Rendell, then a young assistant district attorney, told his boss he was headed to private practice with the intention of running for elective office. Specter offered to provide an introduction to GOP boss Billy Meehan. "

snip**************

3. We know that Arlen's been fighting Hodgkin's Disease for some time now, and of course we ALL know that Tweety is planning to run for the Senate seat in PA in 2010.

4. Smerconish's article is fairly fascinating inasmuch as it is most unusual to have the city's Conservative Columnist (Yich- and I don't care that he ostensibly voted for Obama) covering this event in this manner.

5. Draw your own conclusions.

[POAS]

1. Tweety would be an unusual and

controversial pick, but not outside the realm of possibilities.

I'd expect possibly a more mainstream pick such as someone from the PA Reps. like Pat Murphy, Joe Sestak or Chakah Fattah.

[PCIntern]

3. I'm sorry...I wasn't being clear and I apologize

I don't expect Tweety to be picked...my reference to Tweety was b/c he sees the vulnerability of the seat for obvious reasons...

whomever is picked, and I would agree with your surmise, would have to withstand a terrific battle from Tweety, who would marshal all his support from national folk.

Too bad for him that generally, that crap doesn't work real well here...

[AllentownJake]

9. Depends if one man gives him the nod

If Rendell decides he wants Tweety...Tweety has a shot even if Rendell gives a quiet endorsement.

His power will be diminished by 2010 due to the upcoming govenor's race...but never underestimate the power of Rendell to make or break you in PA.

[AllentownJake]

2. If Specter decides not to run in 2010

Look for two Allentownians to run for the GOP nomination. Pat Toomey and Charlie Dent.

Pat Toomey almost beat Specter for the nomination in 2004 till democrats changed party registration to vote in the GOP primary and he's now President of the Club for Growth

Charlie is being tapped as having potential having won in a lanslide against a red to blue candidate in a district that went for Obama 57-41.

Honsestly our best bet is to grab on of the Philly suburb guys Stesak or Murphy.

They have Philly cred and military cred. Both would play well in western PA and in the middle of the state (not winning those areas but taking enough GOP votes)

[PCIntern]

4. Sestak yes, Murphy no IMO

Murphy's a decent guy, but he's not got the caliber of mind and charisma which Sestak has. I would see Sestak as eventual VP material if he makes Senator.

Murphy used to make the mistake of being interviewed with Sestak and looked, God forgive me, 'slow' compared with the Admiral.

[AllentownJake]

7. The only reason

I like Murphy is he is younger. I'm hoping he develops.

Your right though Stesak would be the better Senator. Either one would play well in the middle of the state with their military credentials.

Either one would also wrap up the Philly suburbs rather easily.

[WinkyDink]

5. Toomey is old news, a loser with the losing philosophy. Dent would then have to actually call

himself a Republican, which he assiduously avoids doing (he's just our handsome family-man Charlie, don'tcha know?).

As for Democrats, Keith McCall might be in the hunt.

[AllentownJake]

6. Toomey has the financial

backing and connections to run another race. Almost knocking of the RINO Specter has given him alot of street cred and the club for growth people have alot of money.

Dent is dangerous. He was my state rep, state senator, and now congressman growing up. I can remember him coming to my parents house to campaign when I was younger. My mother is extremely loyal to him till this day. He's an extremely effective politian.

[AllentownJake]

8. Also going against Dent

Sam is a great person but she was a terrible candidate and made alot of dumb mistakes. I knew it was over for her when their campaign slogan became don't stop at the top.

[tigereye]

10. I was going to say celebrity- type pick don't do so well here...

not the best example, but look at Lyn Swann... :shrug:


I would say someone from the rank and file (state house or Senate) who's been laboring long here in PA seems like a more likely challenger...


When I was at the MIchelle Obama rally here in Pgh - Jack Wagner certainly looked like he was ready to move up at some point in the future...

[PCIntern]

11. Agree completely...

but no one here in the East knows who Wagner is. We have a dividing line here don't we? It's just unbelievable that you can drive 100 miles to Harrisburg from Philly and be in a whole different political sphere.

[tigereye]

12. yes, but they probably will know who he is before too long -

poor comparison, but PA folk managed to find out whom Santorum was...(unfortunately)


Baker -Knoll was from the "west" as well ;) It is a very odd divide, isn't it?