The First Read — August 5, 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.

THE PRESS ROOM: The former Senate hopeful opts to control the conversation instead
Chris Matthews had to think he made the right decision Tuesday evening. It wasn’t so long ago—before he signed a new contract with MSNBC, before the Specter party-switch, before the Sestak challenge—that Matthews was thinking of running for the Pennsylvania Senate seat himself. But he always maintained that he loved his job, that he didn’t want to give up the joy of sitting before a camera every night, espousing his views and grilling politicians. Read More

Vitali might run for Sestak’s seat
State Representative Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) is considering a Congressional run in the 7th District, multiple Democratic Party insiders told pa2010.com. Read More

Sestak: “I declare my candidacy”
FOLSOM—Congressman Joe Sestak officially entered the race for Senate Tuesday morning, ending his long march toward a primary showdown against Senator Arlen Specter next year and setting up what will be one of the most high-profile races in the country. Read More
Also on pa2010.com: Specter camp says Sestak ‘hardly deserves a promotion’
Also on pa2010.com: Toomey campaign welcomes Sestak, says both Dems are liberals anyway

Sestak’s 6 keys to victory
In a Voices piece, former Inquirer writer Tom Ferrick lays out a strategy for Joe Sestak to beat Arlen Specter. Read More

Without pay, state workers eat out less, affecting Harrisburg restaurant
Lunch and dinner — minus alcoholic drinks and a tip — is temporarily on the house at Zembie’s Sports Tavern in Harrisburg for state workers. Owner Angelo Karagiannis is doing state employees a favor and bringing back an old restaurant practice — the house account. Read More

DNC group looks to back Dahlkemper on health care
With freshman lawmakers from conservative districts in particular political peril as they return home to talk health care reform with their constituents, Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper (D-3) will get a boost from President Obama’s Organizing for America. Read More

Specter trots out the Democratic supporters
With Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7) once again basking in media attention for finally announcing his candidacy against Senator Arlen Specter, the incumbent sought Tuesday to refocus attention on the legion of Democrats supporting him. Read More

Senate candidates from opposite sides use same strategy against Specter
Early signs suggest that even though Sen. Arlen Specter’s (D-Pa.) rivals are at opposite ends of the political spectrum, they are sharing the same playbook. Read More

Pennsylvania extends unemployment benefits by 7 weeks
Governor Ed Rendell signed into law a bill that will use federal stimulus money to extend jobless benefits for seven more weeks to those whose unemployment benefits have run out. Read More

Toomey says he would vote for Sotomayor
Republican Senate candidate Pat Toomey said Tuesday that he would vote to confirm President Obama’s nominee to the Supreme Court Justice if he were in the Senate. Read More

Dems know Toomey is now the happiest man in Pa.
Got a little email from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Tuesday, but the subject matter seems a bit odd. The Democratic operatives aimed directly at Pat Toomey and the issue of his electability in 2010. Read More