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EXCLUSIVE: Vitali in Washington today to meet with DCCC
Seriously considering a run for Congress in the 7th District, state Representative Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) will be in Washington today to meet with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, a party insider familiar with his plans told pa2010.com.
It remains unclear whether he can expect any substantive support from the DCCC. Many Delaware County and Washington political insiders expect the DCCC to support state Representative Bryan Lentz (D-Delaware), even if it does so quietly. Lentz was briefly the DCCC’s favored candidate in 2006 before he stepped aside at the behest of Gov. Ed Rendell, clearing the primary field for Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7).
But now Sestak is running for Senate, and with Democrats desperate to hold his seat, it seems increasingly likely that multiple candidates could emerge to challenge Lentz, who is so far the only candidate to say he’ll run.
The Democratic insider familiar with Vitali’s plans, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said it was unlikely Vitali would get the DCCC’s backing. But the source hoped Vitali would run anyway. Sestak has repeatedly told of refusing the DCCC’s entreaties not to enter the race in 2006, and the source said he hoped Vitali would do the same.
“I hope he’s there to do what Joe did when the DCCC told him not to run,” the Democrat said.
Neither Vitali nor a DCCC spokesman could be immediately reached for comment Thursday morning.
The race could open a fault line between Delaware County Democrats, between those who favor Lentz for his military service and those who prefer Vitali for his longer record in elected office.
“If they had any brains they’d realize that Greg is the better candidate,” the Democratic insider said of the DCCC.
•Also on pa2010.com: Lentz will make formal announcement for Sestak’s seat soon
Vitali might run for Sestak’s seat
August 6, 2009 at 9:55 am
Tags: Bryan Lentz, Greg Vitali, PA-7
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David Diano
Aug 6th, 2009
Each candidate has strengths and weaknesses. Who is the better fundraiser? Who will be a better friend to local Dems seeking office (after Admiral AWOL)?
It’s a tough call.
At least meeting with DCCC shows Vitali is seriously considering a run, rather than just vague rumors.
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[...] Vitali in Washington today to meet with DCCC… [...]
Stallone Ranger
Aug 6th, 2009
Vitali cannot raise any money. He never has raised any money, which works in some cases in a state House district with 60,000 residents, but never works in a Congressional district with 600,000 residents.
Vitali knows he can’t raise any money (and knows that he doesn’t even know how to raise money), so he is telling everybody that he doesn’t need to raise a lot of money. He thinks he can win the race without any money (because he thinks raising money is impure, and he thinks that policy issues and projecting an image as a reformer will be enough).
Lentz actually knows how to raise money and how to campaign (beyond merely knocking on doors, which is Vitali’s only knowledge of campaigns, and isn’t feasible in a Congressional district). Also, a significant number of Democrats in the district do not even like Vitali.
Nunk
Aug 6th, 2009
Stallone, Vitali will be the Todd Platts of that district, i.e. he won’t spend very much yet stillc cruise to victory.
David Diano
Aug 6th, 2009
Stallone-
Good points. However, Vitali does win by big margins and the Haverford/Radnor base has gotten stronger. While Greg is certainly a viable candidate, Lentz also brings a lot of strengths to the table.
It’s a long way to Jan/Feb 2010 and the Dem nominating convention and petition drives.
This is a great opportunity for both candidates to train and flex their political muscles outside of their districts.