Thoughts on a frozen government

If you follow The In-Specter, you’ve probably noticed that I haven’t posted much lately. It’s been difficult for me to write about anything political for the last couple of weeks because it has been so upsetting to see how selfishness, ignorance and fear have poisoned the ability for our government to deliver the change it was elected to bring to Washington. Instead, what we’ve seen in the United States Senate is a minority party in…

Sestak camp: We’re staying in the Senate race

Congressman Joe Sestak’s (D-7) Senate campaign on Wednesday pushed back against a growing flurry of speculation that Sestak will abandon his Senate bid and seek reelection instead, saying that he is only seeking to get on the ballot for Senate.

“Congressman Joe Sestak is running for the United States Senate, and will be filing petitions as a candidate only for that office,” spokesman Jonathon Dworkin said.

The statement came in response to inquiries from reporters.…

LEFTOVERS: Dems hit Fitzpatrick, A Philly ward backs Hoeffel & Saidel

Bucks County Democrats on Wednesday criticized former Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick for claiming he has “no interest in becoming a professional politician,” unveiling a Web video that juxtaposes the comment with 20 years worth of electoral campaigning as both a candidate and a political operative.

“It’s hard to believe, but Congressman Fitzpatrick, a guy who has been running for political office for 20 years, claimed that he has ‘no interest in becoming a professional politician,’” Neil…

Corbett mum about whether he’ll weigh in on Lt. Gov. race

PHILADELPHIA—Tom Corbett isn’t showing his hand.

With GOP insiders looking to see whether and how their likely gubernatorial nominee will make his preference for a running mate known, the Attorney General bluntly declined to discuss the matter.

“That’s a good question, but you’re not going to get an answer,” Corbett told pa2010.com during a candidates’ forum here Tuesday night. “These candidates have been out there campaigning … and I’m watching what’s going on.”

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GOP meeting to include forums for statewide candidates

Republican candidates for all the statewide races will have their chance to court party insiders this weekend, in a host of public forums preceding the State Committee’s endorsement votes. It’s a departure for the state party that comes after underdog gubernatorial candidate Sam Rohrer called for a chance to debate his opponent Tom Corbett before an endorsement was made—and endorsement Corbett will almost certainly receive.

A plethora of candidates for Lieutenant Governor will take part…

Time to revisit term limits

In the classic prison movie The Shawshank Redemption, the character played by Morgan Freeman cautiously defends his friend, Brooks, after he has acted out irrationally. Realizing that his friend has become institutionalized, Freeman notes “The man has been in here 50 years… this is all he knows.” Freeman goes on to say while most of us hate big institutions at first, “then you get used to them, enough time passes you get so that you…

Doherty for state Senate?

Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty is reportedly being urged by Democrats to abandon his gubernatorial race and run instead for the state Senate seat being vacated by Minority Leader Bob Mellow.

The Inquirer, citing an anonymous campaign aide,

GOP guv hopefuls talk taxes, Marcellus

PHILADELPHIA— Republican gubernatorial candidates Sam Rohrer and Tom Corbett came here Tuesday evening to field questions from conservative activists on the economy the development of the Marcellus Shale.

Their appearance at a candidates’ forum sponsored by a coalition of Tea Party groups afforded Corbett an opportunity to court some of the party’s base before Republican State Committee meets this weekend, when it will almost certainly endorse him. Rohrer, meanwhile, was able to take on the…

A crowded 8th District primary comes to Philly

CORRECTION APPENDED (See bottom)

PHILADELPHIA—A crowded field of Republican candidates in the 8th Congressional District took on issues of economic and foreign policy here Tuesday, taking turns courting a group of conservative activists at a forum hosted by a coalition of Tea Party groups.

On an evening when candidates from half-a-dozen districts took a stage, the appearance of five candidates underscored again that the primary to take on Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8) remains packed, even…

Specter leads Sestak by 15—but Toomey still ahead of both

Senator Arlen Specter retains his double-digit lead over Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7) in the Democratic primary, but Republican Pat Toomey is still ahead of both candidates, according to a new poll.

The Rasmussen survey released Tuesday showed Specter garnering 51 percent of the primary vote, compared to 36 for Sestak. Nine percent were undecided, and four percent said they’d vote for someone else—but there are no other candidates in the race.

In general election matchups,…