The First Read — November 18, 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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Seeking conservative mantle, Rohrer enters governor’s race (Vide0)
WEST LAWN—Hoping to seize on growing unrest within conservative ranks and promising to run an unconventional, grassroots campaign, state Representative Sam Rohrer (R-Berks) formally entered the GOP primary for governor Tuesday evening. Read More
Complete coverage: ‘A lean campaign’
No criticism of Corbett
Gerlach says hi
Live-blogging the announcement

Snyder County commish mulling a run in PA-10
Snyder County Commissioner Malcolm Derk said Tuesday that he was considering a campaign for the Republican nomination in the 10th Congressional District, raising the possibility that an area elected official would take on sophomore Congressman Chris Carney (D-10). Read More

Gerlach’s local party chair supports—but doesn’t endorse—Corbett
As he seeks the Republican nomination for governor, Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-6) faces the fact that even GOP leaders in his own home county think his opponent is the better candidate for the race. Read More
Also on pa2010.com: Santorum’s also with Corbett
No sealed deal
Mixed thoughts from Purple in Pennsylvania

Obama to start ‘listening tour’ in Allentown
President Obama has chosen Allentown—a city known in the national consciousness for its blue-collar character and industrial struggles—to kick off a listening tour on the economy. Read More

In wake of probe, House GOP makes changes to police itself
The leader of the state House Republicans said yesterday that he and his colleagues were strengthening their spending rules, naming an “ethics officer,” and living under the assumption that every one of them remained under scrutiny in the so-called Bonusgate probe—including himself. Read More
More Bonusgate news: Smith wasn’t aware of wrongdoing
Perzel’s in the House

Casino licensing put under scrutiny by grand jury
A statewide grand jury in Pittsburgh is investigating whether casino licenses in 2006 were steered to some applicants, but the former chairman of the Gaming Control Board on Tuesday called the inquiry “a total waste of taxpayers’ money.” Read More

Specter’s daughter-in-law resigns GOP post to help his Dem campaign
Senator Arlen Specter’s daughter-in-law Tracey announced Tuesday that she was stepping down as chair of a suburban Philadelphia GOP committee to help him pursue the Democratic nomination for Senate, even as she promised to remain an “active Republican.” Read More

Online, Doherty’s early focus is jobs
For a gubernatorial campaign that he promises will center on job creation, Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty wants his campaign Web site to be more than political public relations. Read More
Also on pa2010.com: How Hoeffel’s progressive views will play out west

Ex-Fumo secretary sentenced to four years probation
A longtime aide to disgraced former state Senator Vince Fumo was sentenced Tuesday to four years of probation for stealing thousands of dollars from the state by inflating Fumo’s meal expenses. Read More

Valley Republicans show fiscal restraint on Palin’s book
Republican leaders in the Valley said they won’t be rushing out to buy Sarah Palin’s new book. Read More

Allegheny Council backs off plan to tax nonprofits
Nonprofits will not have to pay new fees after Allegheny County Council backed off its essential services fee proposal Tuesday. Council voted unanimously not to override County Executive Dan Onorato’s veto of the plan, despite the fact members had passed it without opposition Nov. 4. Read More

‘Tough job at the worst possible time’—Mayor Nutter, two years later
Though few will say it publicly, there is a growing concern among some elected officials and political insiders that after almost two years in office, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter’s political clout has dwindled, that his administration is struggling and that his policy agenda has stalled. Read More
Also: ‘I’m going to make mistakes’

Have a great day!