A roundup from Suburban Snapshot

Suburban Snapshot has lots to report on suburban goings on last week.

Thursday night, the Montgomery County Republican Committee held a picnic at the Elmwood Park Zoo under the tutelage of GOP Chairman Bob Kerns. Many elected officials were in attendance, as well as the judicial candidates including Garrett Page, Wendy Demchick-Alloy, Kelly Wall, Pat Coonihan, Carolyn Tornetta Carluccio, and Joanna Cruz. Statewide candidates also were there, including Pat Meehan and Carol Aichele.

Chairman Kerns, …

The First Read — August 25, 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.

Sign up for The First Read. And for all the latest news, log on to pa2010.com, your destination for Pennsylvania’s big 2010 elections.

Hoeffel to supporters: ‘What do you think?’
Continuing what increasingly looks like a cautious march toward the governor’s race, Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel on Monday directly …

Sestak picks up Dem support in Lancaster

Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7) on Monday got some of his first official support from within a party that is largely backing his opponent Arlen Specter, when he was backed by elected officials and Democratic insiders from Lancaster County.

During a trip to Lancaster, Sestak netted endorsements from County Commissioner Craig Lehman and City Council members Tim Roschel and Pat Coller. State committee members Todd Baxter, Jonathan Fox, Janet Spleen and Lynn Miller also endorsed Sestak.…

Sestak & Toomey feed each other lovin’ spoonfuls

Since Congressman Joe Sestak announced his challenge to Senator Arlen Specter in the Democratic primary, a mutual admiration society has formed between Sestak and Republican Pat Toomey.

The liberal Democrat and the conservative Republican share a common goal: Make Specter look like a flip-flopping, party-switching, political opportunist.

Considering the tenacity that …

I’m Back!

Readers of The In-Specter have likely noticed that new commentary has been notably absent from this blog. That is because I have spent the last week on vacation in my hometown in Miami, and was also doing regional interviews with law firms down there.

But I’m back in force, so expect much more to come.

To whet your appetites for all things Arlen, take a moment to check out this…

Gerlach vs. Hoeffel for governor?

Intrigued by the items late last week that MontCo Commissioner and former Congressman Joe Hoeffel …

Hoeffel to supporters: ‘What do you think?’

Continuing what increasingly looks like a cautious march toward the governor’s race, Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel on Monday directly appealed to supporters for their input about whether or not he should run.

In an e-mail message, Hoeffel, a Democrat, told supporters he is “thinking seriously” about a run “because I fear our party is poised to embrace conservative views that will doom us to defeat.”

“While I have not decided whether to run,” Hoeffel …

Run for Governor?

By FRIENDS OF JOE HOEFFEL

I am thinking seriously about running for governor next year in the Democratic primary because I fear our party is poised to embrace conservative views that will doom us to defeat.

While I have not decided whether to run, I know what the next governor has to do: help the Democratic party find and hold the progressive center in Pennsylvania politics.

If we want continued public support, we must stand …

The First Read — August 24, 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.

Sign up for The First Read. And for all the latest news, log on to pa2010.com, your destination for Pennsylvania’s big 2010 elections.

Specter calls reconciliation measure for health care a ‘last resort’
Senator Arlen Specter on Sunday voiced hesitation about using the procedural maneuver known as reconciliation to ease …

Specter calls reconciliation measure for health care a ‘last resort’

Senator Arlen Specter on Sunday voiced hesitation about using the procedural maneuver known as reconciliation to ease his new party’s passage of health care reform legislation this year.

The procedure allows the Senate to pass legislation with a simple majority vote that bypasses minority filibusters. Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Specter said going the regular route would be better, and that reconciliation should be a ”last, last, last resort.”

“The vastly preferable way is to …