From the Blogs

For a moment, the taboo health question comes front-and-center

by Dan Hirschhorn

Senator Arlen Specter ignited a bit of a tempest in the blogosphere Tuesday, when he teared up during Senate hearings and

July 28, 2009 at 8:28 pm | Comments (3)

From the Blogs

6th District now ‘leans Democratic’

by Abe Amoros

Democratic Congressional candidate Doug Pike received a bit of encouragement from Congressional Quarterly Tuesday, which listed the “6th District” as leaning Democratic.

Pike, who has outworked and outraised candidates on both sides, promises to be the one to beat in 2010 as he continues working the district, raising money and putting together a top-notch campaign team.

…

July 28, 2009 at 8:11 pm | Comments (3)

Dems to hold straw poll for guv race

State Democrats will conduct a straw poll to raise money and gauge which gubernatorial candidate has the most party support at next month’s state committee picnic, the party said Tuesday.

The results will be non-binding, and will be open to anyone who purchases a $30 ticket to the Aug. 28 picnic in Camp Hill. The party says the straw poll “creates enthusiasm while raising money for the Party.” The catch? A $1000-”sponsor” of the event…

July 28, 2009 at 8:07 pm | Comments (0)

Analysis shows Sestak challenge is moving Specter left

Senator Arlen Specter has increasingly voted with Democrats in Washington since Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7) made clear he would give the longtime incumbent a primary challenge, according to an analysis by FiveThirtyEight.com.

Specter famously said he would not be a “loyal Democrat” shortly after making his party switch a few months ago. And at first, his voting record seemed to reflect that pledge. But since then, in a relatively small sample of contentious votes, Specter…

July 28, 2009 at 10:17 am | Comments (13)

The First Read — July 28, 2009

Every Monday-Thursday morning, pa2010.com compiles the most important political news of the day, from newspapers to the blogosphere and back. Enjoy this edition.

Sign up for The First Read. And for all the latest news, log on to pa2010.com, your destination for Pennsylvania’s big 2010 elections.

WEEKEND LEFTOVERS: Sestak gets guff over e-mails, Knox goes green and Callahan jumps in
Several items slipped by us at pa2010.com Central over the weekend. Read More…

July 28, 2009 at 5:30 am | Comments (0)

From the Blogs

WEEKEND LEFTOVERS: Sestak gets guff over e-mails, Knox goes green and Callahan jumps in

by Dan Hirschhorn

Several items slipped by us at pa2010.com Central over the weekend.

Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7) got into just a little bit of hot water over a fundraising e-mail sent out about the “Joe-mentum” building from his statewide tour. At least two Democratic Party leaders quoted in the e-mail complained directly to the campaign that their quotes were misrepresented or taken out of context. In e-mails obtained by pa2010.com, Allegheny County party chairman Jim Burn said…

July 27, 2009 at 10:30 am | Comments (8)

From the Blogs

Introducing pa2010.com’s newest blogger!

by Dan Hirschhorn

I’m proud to introduce Beth Hegedus, our newest blogger at pa2010.com. Beth, a Conshohocken native whose family has deep roots in area politics, is an energetic political networker in every sense of the word. I remember sitting with her for off-record drinks recently. We had only just met, but her warmth and energy radiated. Barely 10 minutes had passed before it felt like she had personally introduced me to every stranger who entered the bar…

July 27, 2009 at 10:17 am | Comments (0)

From the Blogs

Welcome to Suburban Snapshot on pa2010.com

by Beth Hegedus

I suppose you could call me a political newcomer. Politics isn’t always friendly to new faces. But ever since I got involved with former Senator Rick Santorum’s campaign in 2006, I’ve been hooked. I’ve worked on the 2007 Bucks County Open Space Referendum. I’ve worked on various campaigns in Montgomery County. I’m a Republican committeewoman in Towamencin.

Journalism used to be my thing, and over the course of 20 years, I wrote for The Philadelphia…

July 27, 2009 at 10:14 am | Comments (1)

The First Read — July 27, 2009

Every Monday-Thursday morning, pa2010.com compiles the most important political news of the day, from newspapers to the blogosphere and back. Enjoy this edition.

Sign up for The First Read. And for all the latest news, log on to pa2010.com, your destination for Pennsylvania’s big 2010 elections.

The top-5 Republican endorsements
Everyone loves endorsements, even if there’s not much evidence that they make any difference when voters go to the polls. A candidate will…

July 27, 2009 at 5:30 am | Comments (0)

From the Blogs

Too early, too late, too in-between…

by Michael Livingston

Well things have certainly changed, in Pennsylvania and elsewhere, in the last couple of months. Suddenly Pat Toomey pContrary to most Republicans, I don’t think the problem is that Obama and Co.…

July 24, 2009 at 9:35 am | Comments (5)