It seems like Pat Toomey was the last choice of anyone in the Republican establishment. Probably because they had all spent the previous four years talking about how extraordinarily conservative he is and didn’t want to have to eat their words. The PAGOP knows this is a moderate state. It’s a strange universe we live in that Congressman Toomey is even a viable candidate in this state.

Toomey was and still is the best person from PA to represent us in the U.S. Senate. He will win this race. Remember Toomey was the man Arlen feared not Sestak. Sestak is to liberal and has to many ties to the debt and Pelosi to win in fiscally conservative PA.

Maybe Ridge will put some of that $900,000 into his next run for office . . .

As one of those who played whack-a-mole when such individuals arose (including Gerlach), I would simply want to offer the following observation.

The Tea Party Movement has had an impact on the GOP because it has served as a conduit for potentially-qualified candidates to be vetted; nothing has been automatic (both from what has occurred locally and from what has been discerned nationally).

One might view Toomey as having been a potential darling of the Tea Party Movement BEFORE it had even emerged, for his “limited government” mantra is central to those who feel “Taxed Enough Already.”

Yet, he also has become accepted by the GOP rank-and-file, noting how well he did against Luksik in the Primary and how well he functions in all political settings. For example, at a reception last night, representation was notable from both “ends” of the Philly-GOP controversy.

Clearly, those (such as Guzzardi) who were “there” for his first run (6 years ago!) feel vindicated for the “wisdom” of having pegged Specter so correctly/courageously. Indeed, anyone watching Specter being interviewed by Sean Hannity two nights ago must recognize how paralyzed he was by the flip-flop question predicated on his having changed his voting pattern so radically after he’d become a D in 4/2009.

There is no more lucid exponent of R-fundamentals than Pat, and no one can speak better for Pat than…Pat! So when he advises focus on the ISSUES and properly characterizes Sestak as “on the left-radical fringe of the D-party,” it must be noted that Sestak has failed to refute such an unflattering characterization (perhaps because it’s true?).

Therefore, Pat’s strengths have been rewarded by the reticence of others to compete, by the experience of others to compete, and [it is hoped] by the failure of one more competitor to mount a credible opposing-posture to his unabashedly Constitution-centered message!

Ridge proves GOP is Grand Oil Party. Further proof is Toomey wanting to Drill, Baby, Drill in our Lake Erie

Dr. Sklaroff – while I might not agree with your politics, I appreciate your contributions. It seems as though you might have raised the average IQ of the comments section by a few points.