Political theater in the 6th

While I sit comfortably—300 or so miles away—in what has for years been the reliable 12th Congressional District seat of John Murtha, I must admit that I am kind of enjoying watching the goings on over in the 6th District.

While I’ll admit that the

The First Read — December 3, 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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The gloves come off in the 6th District
When the sun came up Tuesday morning, the Democratic primary between Doug Pike and Manan Trivedi was just another intra-party contest,…

LEFTOVERS: Specter calls flip-flop, Schenker wants a convention & another candidate in PA-8

Senator Arlen Specter is calling primary opponent Joe Sestak’s distaste over a timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan a flip-flop from his 2006 campaign, when he fiercely advocated for timetables in Iraq.

“Of course, Sestak only supported an Iraq timetable when he was a candidate,” Specter’s campaign manager Christopher Nicholas said in a statement Wednesday. “Once elected, he voted to fund the Iraq war without a timetable, and now he wants the same kind of open-ended…

Pike’s finance team has some heavy-hitters

Doug Pike’s congressional campaign on Wednesday unveiled a finance committee replete with big-money fundraisers in the Democratic Party, a staff that should help add some outside money to the significant cash Pike is putting into his own campaign.

Leading the list was Richard Schiffrin, a suburban Philadelphia who was one of Hillary Clinton’s biggest fundraisers during her presidential campaign. Often coveted by other candidates, he only rarely gets involved in down-ballot races. The Pike campaign…

Barletta to decide on congressional run next week

By this time next week, we should know whether or not Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta will make a third run in the 11th Congressional District.

Responding to a flurry of inquiries, Barletta’s senior political adviser e-mailed reporters to say an announcement would come next Wednesday. He did not hint at which way Barletta, who narrowly lost to incumbent Democrat Paul Kanjorski last year, is leaning.

“This is an [important] decision and Mayor Barletta is giving…

Sestak’s Pro-Afghan Surge Position Exposes Critical Flip Flops

By ARLEN SPECTER FOR SENATE

Harrisburg — Not only does Joe Sestak support expanding the war in Afghanistan, he also opposes a timetable for withdrawal, a clear flip flop from his 2006 Congressional campaign when he strongly urged the use of a timetable in Iraq.

Advocating “an exit strategy of measurements,” on MSNBC last night, Sestak said of President Obama’s commitment to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan in 18 months: “I wish he hadn’t set…

Doug Pike Announces Finance Committee

By PIKE FOR CONGRESS

Ardmore, PA — Today, Pike for Congress is announcing the formation of its Finance Committee and its first 9 members, who have pledged to help Doug Pike turn the 6th District blue in 2010. Each of the distinguished members of the committee will be invaluable to our efforts.

Sam Becker – Partner, Blank Rome
Darren Check – Partner, Barroway Topaz Kessler Meltzer & Check
Doug Kahn – Progressive Activist…

Pike Keeps Campaign Positive in the Face of Attacks

By PIKE FOR CONGRESS

Ardmore, PA — Today, Pike campaign manager Andrew Eldredge-Martin issued the following statement:

“Doug’s strong commitment to a woman’s right to choose compelled him to state publicly his opposition to the Stupak Amendment and other right-wing attacks on choice. Since no other candidate, Republican or Democratic, had yet made his position on Stupak clear, Doug simply asked that they come out one way or the other.”

“Unfortunately, Manan Trivedi decided to…

Obama’s Afghanistan plan crystallizes difference between Sestak and Specter

A contrast that had recently emerged between the two major Democratic candidates for Senate on Afghanistan policy was hardened Tuesday night by President Obama’s announcement that he would send 30,000 more troops to the country.

A couple weeks after he first

More Afghanistan reactions

After President Obama’s speech Tuesday night, Pennsylvania’s elected officials and political candidates had a range of reactions. Here is a sampling of them.

Senator Arlen Specter:

“I oppose sending 30,000 additional American troops to Afghanistan because I am not persuaded that it is indispensable in our fight against Al Qaeda. If it was, I would support an increase because we have to do whatever it takes to defeat Al Qaeda since they’re out to annihilate…