The cheerful underdog in PA-12

DELMONT—Ryan Bucchianeri has little campaign cash, not much party support, and, it would seem, almost no chance of winning the Democratic primary to succeed the late John Murtha in the 12th Congressional District.

But he sure it taking this political uphill climb with a smile. He never goes negative, and he happily represents a more liberal spot on the spectrum in a part of the state where Democrats more often tack to the center. After…

March 6, 2010 at 1:14 pm | Comments (3)

From the Blogs

Live-blogging the Dem PA-12 meeting

by Dan Hirschhorn

DELMONT—Good morning, political junkies. We’re set up here at the Lamplighter Restaurant with Pittsburgh-based pa2010.com reporter John Manganaro. The candidates are here, committee people and other voting delegates are seated. This will be sort of a live-blog-lite, to allow us time to move around the room.

Stay tuned.

10:06—They’re asking people to get seated, but still waiting for some more delegates. We’ve spoken to Ryan Bucchianeri, Ed Cernic Jr., Barbara Hafer and Mark Critz.

10:18—An…

March 6, 2010 at 10:06 am | Comments (1)

12th District notes: Washington County boycotts, Critz confusion on Facebook

DELMONT—On the eve of the Democrats’ non-binding straw vote to pick a successor for the late Congressman John Murtha, Washington County has decided to boycott the process.

The Post-Gazette p“What this is, it’s the party bosses trying to pick someone to run,” Clifton Cochran, a Washington County committeeman, told the newspaper./p
pMeanwhile, Critz got snagged in some confusion on a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=332920207340&ref=search&sid=805568429.900649770..1" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.facebook.com']);return TrackClick("http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fgroup.php%3Fgid%3D332920207340%26amp%3Bref%3Dsearch%26amp%3Bsid%3D805568429.900649770..1','his+Facebook+page')" target="_blank">his Facebook page. The Pennsylvania Progressive

March 6, 2010 at 8:30 am | Comments (2)

Sestak endorsed by women’s group

The National Organization for Women’s political action committee endorsed Democrat Joe Sestak’s Senate bid Friday, calling him “a leader in the struggle to achieve full equality for women and girls.”

The endorsement gave Sestak his most significant organizational support in his primary bid against Senator Arlen Specter. It was delivered at Sestak’s campaign office in Pittsburgh.

“The National Organization for Women Political Action Committee is proud and excited to endorse such a strong candidate for…

March 5, 2010 at 2:30 pm | Comments (43)

From the Blogs

From lifesaver to anchor: Charlie Rangel and the Pa. Dems

by Michael Barley

A month ago, I helped to lead a group discussion at our Republican Party of Pennsylvania winter meeting about best practices when dealing with crisis situations that may arise during campaign season. One example dealt with when and how to disassociate yourself from someone who is involved with a crime or ethical quandary. In a society that has come to rely on 24-hour breaking news and is constantly devouring information, it is critical that, as…

March 5, 2010 at 2:06 pm | Comments (4)

Critz was bookkeeper for company with multiple tax violations (Updated)

Democrat Mark Critz was the business manager and bookkeeper for a now-defunct concrete company that accumulated at least five federal and state tax liens during his tenure there, according to documents obtained by pa2010.com.

Critz is seeking to succeed his longtime boss, the late Congressman John Murtha (D-12). He is considered the front-runner to win his party’s nomination for a special election to finish out Murtha’s term when Democratic insiders meet Saturday in Delmont to…

March 5, 2010 at 1:55 am | Comments (24)

Jack Wagner’s train tracks

PHILADELPHIA—Auditor General Jack Wagner sure loves his “train-off-the-track” metaphor.

By our estimation, the Democratic candidate for governor has used it well over half-a-dozen times now—certainly at every forum we’ve seen.

He brought out the train again here Thursday evening during a forum at the National Constitution Center. “In Pennsylvania state government, the train is off the track,” Wagner said. “And it needs to be put back on the track through leadership of the next governor.”…

March 5, 2010 at 1:53 am | Comments (2)

From the Blogs

LEFTOVERS: An open GOP primary in the 8th, Sestak on DADT

by Dan Hirschhorn

The Bucks County GOP is not endorsing a candidate for the 8th Congressional District.

That’s the word out of their meeting Thursday night. The endorsement was effectively former Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick’s for the taking. But with some grassroots conservatives wary of his changed positions on the Employee Free Choice Act and other issues, not to mention the harsh political climate for “establishment” candidates, Fitzpatrick called for the party to forgo an endorsement. Despite some early…

March 5, 2010 at 1:52 am | Comments (4)

Guv candidates talk pensions, taxes, transportation

From left to right, gubernatorial candidates Tom Corbett, Joe Hoeffel, Dan Onorato, Sam Rohrer, Jack Wagner and Anthony Williams at a forum Thursday in Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA—The six candidate for governor came together for yet another forum Thursday evening, discussing a plethora issues that affect the state’s business climate, from the looming pension crisis and tax-rates to the transportation funding that could confront the state if its application to toll Interstate 80 is again rejected by the federal government.

The forum, hosted by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and held at the National Constitution Center here, was the first time…

March 5, 2010 at 1:30 am | Comments (6)

12th District notes: Hanna on the process, the delegates

More details have emerged about Democrat

March 5, 2010 at 1:04 am | Comments (4)