Doherty has some ‘Office’ fun (Updated)

Having some fun with a hit TV show based in his hometown, Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty’s gubernatorial campaign has put out a brief Web video parody of “The Office,” in which it seeks to convince Democratic voters that Doherty is the only candidate who can break “The Cycle.”

That’s the 8-year cycle, in which the party controlling the governorship switches between parties every eight years, a pattern that has many insiders thinking it’s time for…

Suburban Snapshot’s day one in New York

NEW YORK—Suburban Snapshot was partying it up here last weekend. State Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi’s event Friday was crowded as always,  as Pileggi has people who really like his brand of Harrisburg leadership. Next we went on to the Michael Clark reception. This was my first time, and I can see why this is the “best kept secret”—and I’ll keep it this way.

Next on the agenda was BlankRome. This is “The Party” for…

Day 2 at the Pa. Society: A live blog

NEW YORK—It’s another freezing-cold winter day here in midtown Manhattan at the Pennsylvania Society weekend. We tried to give you play-by-play coverage of yesterday’s events in our first live blog. We hope you enjoy spending the day with us again.

Like before, if you’re in New York, send us your dispatches.

7:47—About to head to the Penn Club for the University of Pennsylvania’s annual breakfast. Along with some other stuff this morning, this…

No decision yet from Zelov

NEW YORK—Lower Merion Township Commissioner Scott Zelov says he hasn’t yet decided whether to join the crowded GOP primary in the 6th Congressional District. But as he joined at least two other potential opponents at Congressman Charlie Dent’s party here Saturday afternoon, it was clear he had come to New York to stir up some interest in his candidacy.

“The reception’s been wonderful,” Zelov said. “I know a lot of people, I’ve met a lot…

Dent: Callahan is ‘our target’

NEW YORK—Democrats have made no secret of their burning desire to unseat Congressman Charlie Dent (R-15), with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee signaling that the Lehigh Valley representative is one of their top targets. They even brought in the White House to prod Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan into the race.

But Dent says he’s ready.

“I look forward ot this challenge against Mayor Callahan, who has a record that’s easily exploitable,” Dent told pa2010.com during…

Schroder welcomes all PA-6 candidates… except Welch

NEW YORK—It’s clear that state Representative Curt Schroder (R-Chester) will continue to make an issue of primary opponent Steven Welch’s residency, as he keeps up an attack line against the man seen by some as the candidate with the best chance of beating him.

In an interview with pa2010.com during Congressman Charlie Dent’s reception here Saturday afternoon, with Welch about 25 feet away, Schroder said he’s glad to see so many candidates running in the…

Toomey on a ‘united party’

NEW YORK—It’s the crux in intra-party politics that a primary is both good and bad—bad because it drains resources that could be used to fight the other guys, good because it draws attention to the candidates.

Right now, Republican Senate candidate Pat Toomey, expected to cruise to a primary victory next May, isn’t getting an iota of the media attention either of his likely Democratic opponents are. But he insists this isn’t a disadvantage.

“I…

Senate update: They’re in town?

NEW YORK—After much speculation that Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey would miss the Pennsylvania Society weekend here, we’re hearing that both have made it into town for the tail end of the festivities.

We bumped into a couple Specter aides who said the senator is already here or will be shortly, and we’re hearing the same thing about Casey a day after his missed his own event.

Both were in Washington with the Senate…

Welch mum on how much he’ll spend

NEW YORK—Everyone has a theory on how much millionaire businessman Steven Welch will spend as he tried to win in the 6th Congressional District. The latest came from a well-placed conservative, who wrote on his blog that Welch “can fund his campaign to three million dollars if necessary.”

For obvious strategic reasons, Welch is keeping that information close to the chest.

“I don’t know if he talked to my wife, but we don’t comment on…

Costello calls the primary he exited a ‘free-for-all’

NEW YORK—Now that he’s no longer running for the Republican nomination in the 6th Congressional District, Chester County Recorder of Deeds Ryan Costello is free to pontificate on the political landscape unfettered.

Asked by pa2010.com to offer his analysis, Costello said he sees state Representative Curt Schroder (R-Chester) and businessman Steven Welch as the two favorites. And the contrast between them, he said, shows a sort of double-edged sword in electoral politics. Candidates in Montgomery…