Saidel’s new job: Corbett critic-in-chief

Ever since Democrat Jonathan Saidel won the state party’s endorsement for Lieutenant Governor earlier this year, the former Philadelphia city controller has slowly but surely been pivoting to a new role: primary attack dog against Republican gubernatorial front-runner Tom Corbett.

What started as little more than off-the-cuff jokes at Democratic committee meetings mushroomed into full-throated criticism when Corbett joined in a lawsuit seeking to block the new health care reform law. Saidel quickly started an…

Both parties keep up the 12th District push

The 12th Congressional District continues to be a hub where national party money is landing.

Both parties’ congressional campaign arms last week continued their independent expenditures ahead of next month’s special election to finish out the late John Murtha’s term. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spent more than $160,000 on TV ad buys last week on behalf of its candidate, Mark Critz, according to campaign finance data.

The National Republican Congressional Committee spent even more,…

Newspapers back Specter

In the battle for the hearts of big-city editorial writers, Arlen Specter is off to an early lead.

The editorial pages at both The Inquirer and The Post-Gazette endorsed Specter on Sunday, picking the longtime incumbent over primary challenger Joe Sestak.

“…when you look at the sum of his career and what it has meant to Pennsylvania, you have to conclude he’s a good choice for Democrats,”

More Than a Week and Still No Answers from Out of Touch Millionaire Burns on Jobs

By CRITZ FOR CONGRESS

Johnstown – It has now been eight days since the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette called out millionaire Republican Tim Burns for ducking questions about his company cutting jobs in Western Pennsylvania, but the out of touch millionaire has remained radio silent on the issue. Further, with only 22 days until Election Day, Burns is still refusing to answer for his company taking advantage of loopholes that allows them to get tax breaks for…

The (almost) last word on endorsements in the 6th

Democrats Doug Pike and Manan Trivedi have spent months warring over endorsements in their 6th District primary. But with three weeks before voters make their pick, will they really make a difference?

Pike thinks so. Even as a handful of Democratic insiders have made headlines by leaving his endorsement list, much of his support has come from organized labor, and he said those unions would be good at mobilizing voters and drumming up support.

Trivedi,…

A call for civility

I’ve been thrilled to see how many people are getting involved in the spirited conversations at pa2010.com by commenting on stories. One of our paramount goals here has always been to be the destination for people to come talk about these critical elections.

At the same time, I’ve grown increasingly concerned about the tone of some of these conversations. Several readers have e-mailed me in recent weeks to voice similar concern.

Here at pa2010.com, we…

Pike and Trivedi agree they’ll back the winner

SINKING SPRING—Democrats Doug Pike Manan Trivedi have been embroiled in a fiercely competitive primary, and while they both want to represent the 6th Congressional District, what they really want is for incumbent Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-6) to be out of a job. So with just days left until primary voters make their pick, both candidates say they’ll campaign for the other should they lose on May 18.

“I’m a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat, and I want Jim…

Bloggers make fundraising push for Sestak

With just three weeks left until primary day, a group of liberal bloggers is using one of the country’s most prominent online advocates for liberal candidates to beef up Joe Sestak’s war chest.

The group, Blue America, is using ActBlue, which serves as a contribution conduit for many Democratic candidates,

Gordon hosting late-game fundraiser for Hoeffel

It’s never too late to raise money, especially when campaign cash is running low. And so, Lower Merion Township Commissioner Brian Gordon is set to hold a fundraiser for Democratic gubernatorial hopeful on May 8—just 10 days before the party’s four-way primary is decided by voters.

“Joe is fiscally responsible and socially progressive,” Gordon wrote in an invitation e-mail which found its way to the pa2010.com inbox. “As Commissioner, he helped run Montgomery County efficiently…

Web woes for Burns

From the annals of “check your server capacity first,”