Last words on the G-20

A few final thoughts.

It seems that, no matter how much effort those of us here in the southwestern corner of the state have put over the years into altering the reputation of our region and its largest city as that dirty, polluted place that represented some of the worst of what industrialized America had to offer, some things are difficult to change.

All the PR, ad buys, changes in industry and infrastructure, sports championships, …

Notes from the G-20

Pittsburgh was given the chance to shine on an international stage during the recent G-20 Summit, and I think we did a pretty good job. Although the weather could have been a bit more cooperative at times, the city, its people and their hospitality were given rave reviews by attendees, journalists and tourists alike. Even some of the protesters praised the relatively restrained—for the most part—behavior on the part of security forces assembled from members …

Sestak: “Time for the Senate to Vote on Public Health Care Choice”

By SESTAK FOR SENATE

MEDIA, PA – Following the Senate Finance Committee’s failed votes today on several public option amendments, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, Congressman Joe Sestak renewed his call on the U.S. Senate Majority Leader to bring to the floor of the Senate a full up-or-down vote on the public option.  Almost 2,000 people from across the country have joined Joe Sestak in signing a petition calling for a roll call vote.

“The President …

Altmire, Murphy get Republican opponents

Two sophomore House Democrats have now seen their first 2010 Republican challengers formally come forward.

Pittsburgh lawyer Keith Rothfus, a former official at the Department of Homeland Security, announced Tuesday that he had filed paperwork to run against Congressman Jason Altmire in the 4th District. And Warrington computer consultant Jeffrey Schott told pa2010.com that he is running against Congressman Patrick Murphy in the 8th District.

Altmire is in a district that the GOP has badly …

Onorato to formally declare candidacy next week

After years of laying the groundwork, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato will make his candidacy for governor a definite next Tuesday.

Onorato’s campaign manager said the day-long announcement will start with a morning event at City Hall in Philadelphia, before moving on to Harrisburg and later Pittsburgh (…

Toomey Praises Bipartisan Rejection of Public Option

By TOOMEY FOR SENATE

Allentown, PA – U.S. Senate candidate Pat Toomey praised five Democrats for joining with Republicans in the Senate Finance Committee to reject an amendment offered by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) that would have inserted a government-run health care option into the Senate health care bill.

“It is clear that there is a bipartisan consensus against a government-run health care option both in Congress and among the American taxpayers,” said Toomey Communications …

LOOKING AHEAD: Q-poll on the guv race coming out Wednesday

Quinnipiac University is releasing a poll on the governor’s race Wednesday morning.

Log-on to pa2010.com for complete coverage.

Always time for last-minute fundraising appeals

Time is money. And if every dollar counts, then every day counts, too.

And so it is that, with the FEC’s third-quarter reporting period closing Wednesday, candidates and elected officials have been sending out a flurry of fundraising pleas. Expect them to continue up until the midnight deadline on Wednesday.

“Our Republican opponents want to stop everything that the President wants to accomplish,” Democratic Congressional candidate Doug Pike wrote in an fundraising e-mail Tuesday. “They …

State Senator endorses Gerlach

After winning the support of current and former members of Congress, Jim Gerlach is moving down the ladder.

The Republican gubernatorial hopeful’s campaign on Tuesday announced the endorsement of state Senator Mike Waugh (R-York). Waugh, the fourth-highest ranking Senate Republican, worked with Gerlach when they both served in the state legislature. His backing continues to show that Gerlach will find much of his insider support from fellow lawmakers who have worked with him and not …

Senate Majority Caucus Chairman Mike Waugh Endorses Gerlach for Governor

By GERLACH FOR PA

(Exton, PA) – State Sen. Mike Waugh, the fourth-highest ranking Republican in the state Senate, announced today that he is endorsing Republican Jim Gerlach for governor.

Waugh, a York County Republican in his fourth year as Majority Caucus Chairman, served with Gerlach for nearly a decade in the state House of Representatives and state Senate.

“I know Jim Gerlach is committed to restoring fiscal discipline in Harrisburg because he has confronted …