it’s slightly optimistic at this point for CQ politics to be calling this race a toss-up. despite what you may think about murtha, he held his seat firmly for countless years, winning each re-election with relative ease by more than double digit margins. only recently did this margin nearly dip below double-digits, likely as backlash for his remarks about the war.

also, regardless, the district, from what i understand, is almost 2-1 populated by democrats vs. republicans, and coupling this special election with the primary voting, should boost democratic turnout.

with that said. in my humble opinion, should joyce murtha decide to serve out the remainder of her husband’s term, she would most likely make the race, more of a ‘toss-up’ for republicans, assuming she did not seek re-election, as it is much more difficult to unseat an incumbent, than battle for an open seat.

that also said…
because of the recent senate seat loss…
assuming the democratic party does not want a repeat of that debacle on their hands…
i agree with the analysis of the other potential candidates in the link i have provided above.

that being, watch out for singel.

This Russel guy sucks, He is not from the district and his whole thing was anti Murtha.

Irey or Burns seem to be the best bets, but if Joyce choses to run the GOP should run a scrifical lamb and hold thier powder until November. Which they may want to do anyway becuase thier should be more turnout for the D primary.

But here is this wierd scenerio Candidate A is nominated for the special and wins, but on the same day loses the primary.

But anyway Russell is a joke and should not run.

I am very pleased to see the independent-minded, pro-life, pro-gun Democrat Tom Ceraso on the list. He ran in 1999 for Commissioner for running the county like a business and has done so thus far. He’s the right guy for the Democrats… a former union worker, someone who doesn’t have his nose in the air, a family man, and someone who knows how to campaign hard.

I will never, ever vote for another Murtha. What the Democrats did to Johnstown is damn near criminal. That city is as disgusting and as dead as can be. What a pathetic, rat-infested hellhole Johnstown has become. But, I’m sure if Congress gives another $700 million for a John Murtha Memorial Highway everything will turn around!!! YES WE CAN!!!

I am inclined to support Joyce Murtha if she runs. However, if she does not, Barbara Hafer seems to be the strongest candidate in the field.

The description of Ryan Bucchianeri in this article does no justice to him. Ryan is a seventh generation Pennsylvanian and a veteran with strong national security, international business and foreign policy credentials. He’s got a well-balanced approach to public policy–all of which make him a great candidate for this district.

Joyce Murtha would be a long term strategic mistake. While it would be hard to say no to her, why would the Dems spend millions on a 70+ year old placeholder? This will guarantee the district is reapportioned out of existence in 2012.

The Dems should find a new name (like the GOP is turning to a non-pol in Burns), and go with Pasquirilla, or possibly some other new face like Hanna, or Armstrong County’s Bill Kerr or Chuck Pascal or maybe even one of the newer state reps from Cambria like Burns or Kula, all of whom have credibility in important segments of the party.

Nominating Singel, Woz or Hafer is playing into the hands of the GOP’s hands as they will characterize it as the same old Dem machine at work.

I am glad Ceraso is dead, I hope he suffered. That bastard was good for making victims of rape and pedophilia feel guilty and putting THEM on trial instead of the scum he defended. He was the epitome of a creepy slimebag lawyer and the world is a better place without him, rot in hell you bastard.