In Sestak’s rough poll numbers, a big opportunity for growth

The pBut as he wraps up his three-week, statewide publicity tour, he can take solace in one very important number: A full 69 percent of voters surveyed haven’t heard enough about him to form an opinion./p
pWith the Democratic primary still nine months away and voters’ perceptions of the economy far from crystallized, his lack of name recognition could, paradoxically, prove his greatest asset moving forward. Whereas Sestak has loads of time and money to shape how voters view him, Specter has much less wiggle room. In the same poll, only 9 percent of voters hadn’t heard enough about the longtime incumbent to form an opinion./p
pBut it won’t be easy—or cheap. The poll was conducted July 14-19, well into a href="http://www.pa2010.com/2009/07/the-press-room-sestaks-media-strategy-goes-local/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.pa2010.com']);return TrackClick("http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pa2010.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fthe-press-room-sestaks-media-strategy-goes-local%2F','Sestak%22s+media+blitz')" target="_blank">Sestak’s media blitz, signaling that he still has a long way to go toward getting his name on the general public’s radar. He has $4.2 million in campaign cash on hand, according to

Toomey would beat Sestak, poll says

If Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7) managed to unseat Senator Arlen Specter and faced Republican Pat Toomey in a general election today, he would lose narrowly to Toomey, according to a new poll.

The Quinnipiac survey, which found

Report: Callahan will take on Dent in PA-15

Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan has decided to run against Congressman Charlie Dent (R-15), in what could turn into one of the most competitive House races in the state and stiffer challenge than Dent has seen to date, The Morning Call reports.

Citing anonymous sources, the newspaper reported that

In dramatic change, new poll shows Specter and Toomey in dead heat (Updated)

Senator Arlen Specter’s wide lead over Republican Pat Toomey has evaporated, in the clearest sign yet that his party switch three months ago has damaged his credibility with voters, according to a new poll.

A Quinnipiac survey released this morning found Specter leading Toomey by a statistically insignificant one point in a general election matchup, 45 percent to 44 percent. More troubling for Specter, a near-majority of voters say he doesn’t deserve reelection, according to…

Dachowski aims to give Schwartz a run for her money

I have some idea what it’s like to run a long-shot race against a well-funded incumbent, so when I met pDachowski, a dentist and a previous candidate for county coroner, struck me as personable—one might even say charming—and very much aware of the challenges…

The First Read — July 22, 2009

Every Monday-Thursday morning, pa2010.com compiles the most important political news of the day, from newspapers to the blogosphere and back. Enjoy this edition.

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Santorum thinks Meehan should bow out, run for Congress instead
Joining a growing chorus of Republican leaders, former Senator Rick Santorum says that Pat Meehan should abandon his gubernatorial…

Santorum thinks Meehan should bow out, run for Congress instead

Joining a growing chorus of Republican leaders, former Senator Rick Santorum says that Pat Meehan should abandon his gubernatorial aspirations in favor of a Congressional run.

In a recent interview with pa2010.com, Santorum said he got the sense that Meehan, a former U.S. Attorney, was now beginning to look at other options, including p“There’s a tremendous…

Sestak waves off Rendell on quitting Senate bid

A day after Gov. Ed Rendell once against encouraged Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7) to

Sestak and Specter ought to cease & desist

Maybe it’s time to commission Muhlenberg or Franklin & Marshall or Quinnipiac for a new poll.  The question I have for Pennsylvanians is this:

How much would you pay to NOT have Arlen Specter and Joe Sestak spend the next 10 months beating the living crud out of each other?

a) 1 cent

b) 1 dollar

c) $1 million

d) your firstborn child

I am personally leaning between $1 and $1 million, because, frankly, the…

The ‘Blue Dog’ comedy tour

We understand that there has been confusion among the membership in the state House Democratic Caucus, as some aren’t sure if they are part of the “Big Government” Democratic Caucus or the “Blue Dog” Democratic Caucus. We heard that some members of the so-called “Blue Dog” Democratic Caucus became so confused last Friday that they forgot they were supposed to be against tax increases and voted for the Democrats’ fiscally irresponsible budget anyway. To help…