The First Read — August 13, 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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Sestak says he ‘will not budge’ on public option for health care
PHILADELPHIA—Fielding emotionally charged questions from a group of more than 500, Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7) jumped into the heated debate over health care reform at a town-hall style meeting here Wednesday night. Read More
Also on pa2010.com: Sestak says Dems haven’t explained health care reform well
Suburban Snapshot talks health care in Philly

Rasmussen shows Specter up 13 in Senate primary
Senator Arlen Specter maintains a double-digit lead over Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7) in next year’s Democratic primary, according to a new poll. Read More

DelCo GOP head says Meehan has ‘inside track’ on PA-7
Delaware County GOP chairman Tom Judge on Tuesday confirmed the growing insider chatter that former U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan is almost certainly running for Congress in the 7th District, and called Meehan the early odds-on-favorite to win both the party’s nomination and general election next year. Read More

Facing more heated questions, Specter tries humor
STATE COLLEGE – Senator Arlen Specter, facing more jeers and taunts during another town hall meeting Wednesday, sought to defuse tensions about health care reform debate with a few jokes. Read More

Judge recommends all juvenile convictions be vacated; retrails barred for some
A judge has recommended that the convictions of all juveniles who appeared before judge Mark Ciavarella between 2003 and 2008 be vacated and that prosecutors be barred from retrying any juvenile who appeared before Ciavarella without an attorney or who was sentenced to Pa Child Care of Western Pa Child Care. Read More

Amid outcry, feds seek to appeal Vince Fumo sentence
PHILADELPHIA — Federal prosecutors have asked the Justice Department to OK an appeal of the sentence given to long-powerful Philadelphia Democrat Vincent Fumo. A federal judge sparked a public outcry last month when he sentenced the veteran state senator to 4-1/2 years in prison, a fraction of the federal guidelines. Prosecutors had sought 15 years in the corruption case. Read More

Specter’s town hall performance shows limits of reelection campaign
Specter’s problem continues to be not excessive moderation but excessive arrogance—the sense that he is above parties, coalitions, or the things that motivate mere mortals and that the populace should be grateful for his superior judgment and service. Read More

John Baer: Budget impasse aside, our reps find lots to do to stay busy
Wondering what your elected state officials do on your dime during a budget crisis? I mean, besides collect their salaries (which House Democrats did even before state workers got paid) and file for per diems up to $158 a day. Read More

Murphy gets look at Afghanistan war
After spending several days in the “most dangerous place in the world,” Congressman Patrick Murphy returned home Tuesday from Afghanistan and Iraq where he “thanked soldiers and got an assessment from our military leaders.” Read More

Erie County district attorney dies
ERIE — Brad Foulk, Erie County’s district attorney, has died. He was 61. Mr. Foulk died of lung cancer this morning at his Erie home. He was diagnosed this spring and had been a heavy smoker. Read More

Have a great day!