As a progressive who’s sympathetic to Hoeffel’s candidacy, I think Dan Onorato is probably the most electable candidate. Wagner is also a decent contender, but he’s really boring to listen to. Hoeffel needs to get in to put pressure on Onorato to tend to the Democratic base and pull him a little further left. I personally am fine with his social conservative positions and gun rights positions, because I know that a Democratic governor will never actually let those issues come up for a vote. They’re totally symbolic and worthless, in my opinion, for both parties. No one from either side ever actually pushes them in either direction once in office. They’re simply a litmus test for boomers and the Reagan generation. Young progressive voters do not have those issues on the frontburner in any way. If we can get Onorato to run on a plan for a green PA economy, it’ll be just as good as having Hoeffel as the candidate.

Thinking about this more, I also dispute your contention that a Democrat from Philly or the Southeast can’t win statewide. Philly and the surrounding burbs are where the lion’s share of the electorate are. All a candidate needs to do is dominate in the Southeast, hold it even in Pittsburgh (which is becoming more liberal in recent years) and they can completely ignore the shrinking middle T region where nearly all Republican votes come from. Republicans used to do better in the Philly burbs, but the new Limbaughized party doesn’t stand a chance there.

Jon Geeting … did you see what Corbett did last year in your Philadelphia region? He got more votes than any D except for Wagner amd then Obama. Our prosecutor can still win in the suburbs and win handily.

Jack Wagner is boring? If you think Wagner is boring, Onorato will put you to sleep. If Onorato is the candidate, no one will ever need Ambien again.

Hoeffel has been extremely effective in Montgomery County having split the knee-jerk, GOP uber all Caster off from the practical get something done Matthews. He’s expanded his positive base of support beyond his old Congressional District and his prior suck-it-up for the Party efforts will at a minimum afford him a good bit of slack from Party pooh-bahs. And that state-wide name recognition is nothing to sneeze at.

Assuming the economy continues its upward trajectory, whoever survives the Democratic primary, and there is every reason to believe that could be Hoeffel, will do fine against Corbett.