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, competitive but relatively civil. But by Wednesday afternoon, one op-ed, three press releases later and some negative Google text ads later, the race in the 6th Congressional District had devolved into one of the most contentious primaries in the state, rivaled only by the party’s bitter Senate race. When it was over, arguably little had been learned about the candidates themselves—for the record, both say they are pro-choice and opposed to the Stupak amendment before Congress. But if there was any doubt before, Tuesday’s back-and-forth attacks made it abundantly clear that the fight could end up being an nasty one. Read More
Also on pa2010.com: Pike’s finance team has some heavy-hitters

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. Read More

Two state lawmakers won’t seek reelection
Two key Philadelphia-area Democrats in the state House are not running for reelection next fall, prompting questions about whether 2010 is shaping up as a strong Republican year for the state. Read More

Obama’s planned troop buildup leaves Murtha unconvinced
Congressman John Murtha said Tuesday that he’s unconvinced that the 30,000-troop increase in Afghanistan announced by President Obama last night is worth it. Read More
Also: More Afghanistan reactions

Keep records longer, Wagner says
Forty percent of state computer documents Auditor General Jack Wagner requested for an audit were destroyed before the examination of $592 million worth of contracts began, a top official told a Senate panel Tuesday. Read More

Jury selection begins in first Bonusgate trial
The criminal trial of former state Representative Sean Ramaley, who is accused of holding a “ghost job” at taxpayers’ expense while campaigning for the state House in 2004, will last up to a week, the judge overseeing the case said today. Read More

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. Read More

Allegheny County councilman plans to sue colleagues
Allegheny County Councilman Charles P. McCullough plans to sue two fellow councilmen and threatened to sue any others who join an attempt to censure him, he told council Tuesday in a six-paragraph statement. Read More

Hoeffel seeks to appeal ruling on ethics law
Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel, who wants to appeal a recent court decision that invalidated the county’s authority to prohibit employees from political activities, may be surprised to win support from the ban’s chief opponent. Read More

Judge limits Specter to written arguments in dredging case
A U.S. District Court judge has denied Senator Arlen Specter’s bid for 15 minutes of court time to fight Delaware’s attempt to block the Delaware River main channel deepening project, while accepting the lawmaker’s written arguments. Read More

Have a great day!