GOP using Paterno race to help re-elect Bush

[Freddie Stubbs]

Monday, July 12, 2004
BY BRETT LIEBERMAN
Of Our Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON - Take one famous father, add a state that's a presidential battleground and a district that Republicans feel a sense of entitlement toward, and you have a recipe for one of the nation's highest-profile congressional elections -- again.

Vice President Dick Cheney's ap pearance this afternoon at a Lower Paxton Twp. fund-raiser for Derry Twp. attorney Scott Paterno is likely to be the tip of the iceberg in GOP efforts to unseat U.S. Rep. Tim Holden, D- Schuylkill County.

Yet, efforts in the 17th Congressional District and the rest of central Penn sylvania may have more to do with the top of the ticket than the House race.

That's because Republicans need to turn out their midstate base for Presi dent Bush to offset an expected high turnout in the state's Democratic strongholds, analysts and party officials said.

more: http://pennlive.com/news/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1089624034127900.xml

[osaMABUSh]

1. If only JoePa was a Dem - he'd be a God

I love JoePa so I try to ignore his political past.

You think the guy would have enough sense to see through W's crap.

[Jack from Charlotte]

2. I was shocked to see JoePa's son was a repub. Is Joe one too?

And what chance does Paterno of winning that seat?

[Spritefox]

3. Slim to none

Paterno won the GOP nomination by a hair because of his famous father. The man cannot prove that he has even voted in the last several elections.
The local GOP isn't crazy about him and Holden has done a LOT for the people in this district. EXAMPLE

I remember when my Post Office in my Town was an absolute eyesore. The paint was peeling off, the outside lights were broken and the sign read U. . P ST OF ICE. Holden was in office less than 4 months and that had changed. The man promised, and he delivered and we remember that every time we go through the center of town.

[newyawker99]

6. Hi Spritefox!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Township75]

4. JoePa spoke at the Repub convention in 88 or 92 for...

Big Daddy Bush. I think he is pretty solidly Repub.

One more reasone to support Pitt!

[PittPoliSci]

7. damn right.

Hail to Pitt.

[Freddie Stubbs]

5. He seconded Bush's nomination at the 1988 GOP convention

His son is definitely the underdog in his congressional race. The district is fairly Republican, but the incumbent Democrats is somewhat conservative and is well-liked by his constituents. It will be a competative race, but the Democrat will likely prevail.

[Joy Anne]

8. on Paterno

THe first district poll this week showed Scott behind by 2-1. He got only 25% in the 6-way primary.

Joe has been a Republican shill for a long time now. I wonder if he'll ever catch on why he hasn't been able to recruit a decent freshman team in a majority-Democrat state since he started expressing his politics so publicly. I certainly wouldn't allow my hot shot football-playing son to go to Penn State to play for JoePa.