Republicans eat their young in upstate New York, as Reagan’s ‘big tent’ continues its collapse

When Arlen Specter left the Republican Party earlier this year, he summed up his reasons for departing by saying “I’m not prepared to have my 29-year record in the United States Senate decided by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate, not prepared to have that record decided by that jury.” As Pennsylvania Republicans became Independents and both Republicans and Independents became Democrats, the once diverse Republican electorate narrowed substantially, becoming a more hard-right, conservative group with…

Congrats, Patrick Murphy

pa2010.com Central offers a heartfelt congratulations to Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8), who announced Monday that his wife Jenni had given birth to the couple’s first son. John Martin ‘Jack’ Murphy was born Monday morning, weighing in at 7 pounds, 14 ounces and 21 inches long.

He is the sophomore congressman’s second child after daughter Maggie.

“Jack is named for his grandfather, Jack Murphy, a Vietnam-era enlisted Navy Veteran, and great-grandfather Henry Martin, a U.S. Navy…

2010 hopefuls tee up for 2009 candidates

It’s never too late to for next year’s big-name candidates to remind everyone that there’s still an election this year.

The big names in the 2010 races have been spending the last week rallying their supporters in e-mail messages, encouraging them to get out and vote for the slates being put forward by their respective parties. On Monday, it was Democrats Joe Sestak and Joe Hoeffel, candidates for Senate and governor, respectively, who urged their…

Watkins nearing decision on Lt. Gov. race

Longtime Republican operative Joe Watkins will soon decide whether or not to join the crowded primary field for Lieutenant Governor.

Watkins, a frequent guest on MSNBC, has been pushed by many Republicans as a different kind of candidate whose background and Philadelphia base would be a fitting complement to top-ticket gubernatorial front-runner Tom Corbett. After Senator Arlen Specter switched parties earlier this year,

Readers agree: PA-6 and PA-7 are tight

We just took down the poll asking which district would make for the most competitive 2010 House race, a question that was left online for longer than usual. We had 187 votes, and it’s clear that the 6th and 7th Districts are seen as the races to watch by political junkies.

Those two ended in a tie for first, each with 52 votes.

The 15th District was next with 30 votes and the 11th District…

Former Thornburgh aide poised to enter PA-6 race

A former Revenue Secretary in the Thornburgh administration with a resume deep on government service and academia is set to formally declare his candidacy in the 6th Congressional District, adding another Republican to what has quickly become one of the most crowded, competitive primaries in the state.

Howard Cohen, who runs a business consulting firm in Bala Cynwyd, told pa2010.com that he is likely to make an official announcement next week. But he has already…

Josephs not targeting Corbett… just his circumstance

From the annals of “it’s not you, it’s me” comes this report from The Morning Call, which tells us that state Representative Babette Josephs (D-Philadelphia) is floating a constitutional amendment to bar state attorneys general in Pennsylvania from becoming governor for two years after leaving office.

”Since the attorney general can indict anyone, it’s certainly possible to see a scenario where someone who’s seeking a higher office would use that office to indict someone for…

Dede, Dede, Dede

The withdrawal of Dede Scozzafava from the NY-23 special election deeply concerns me. It’s obvious that a moderate wing of the Republican Party is not possible. Not to start a riot (which I’m sure this wouldn’t), but the idea of a real third party wouldn’t surprise me. If the Republican Party cannot field a viable candidate against a more conservative third-party because they are too “liberal,” the end is near for the liberal Republican.

This…

Cohen vs. Welch: ‘A financial David & Goliath race’

Republican Howard Cohen harbors no illusion that he’ll be able to match Steven Welch’s spending in his bid for the 6th Congressional District. Welch is a wealthy businessman reaching deep into his own wallet to win the party’s nomination, while Cohen has a small business consulting firm run out of his house.

In a primary that also includes two other GOP candidates and involves at least one expensive media market, Cohen said Monday, he hopes…

Don’t forget to vote Tuesday

Just because pa2010.com isn’t covering Tuesday’s races doesn’t mean they’re not important. Far from it.

Democrat, Republican, Independent or otherwise, get out there and make your voice heard.

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