LEFTOVERS: Opening day, Williams hitting the airwaves, Hoeffel on seniors (and Corbett)

The political maneuvering on Monday was all about opening day for Major League Baseball.

Senator Arlen Specter joined President Obama for the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals. Specter got to ride along in the president’s motorcade, according to pool reports. Sitting by Obama with a Red Phillies jacket on, Specter Tweeted: “What could be better than Opening Day with President Obama? A Phillies win. Go Phillies!”

Specter’s primary opponent, Congressman Joe…

April 5, 2010 at 11:00 pm | Comments (1)

Report: Memo described Onorato ballot challenge plans

A behind-the-scenes glimpse has emerged of the ballot challenge that Democratic gubernatorial candidate brought against rival Joe Hoeffel last month, only to quickly withdraw it.

The Daily News

April 4, 2010 at 2:14 pm | Comments (13)

Prominent MontCo Dem backs Williams for guv

One of the most influential Democrats in Montgomery County endorsed state Senator Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia) for governor on Tuesday, choosing the new-kid-on-the-block candidate over her own county commissioner.

Former state Senator Connie Williams, who is not related to Anthony Williams, called the Philadelphia lawmaker a candidate “who believes in our party’s principles and who also has the courage to embrace new ideas and new solutions.”

“I’ve worked with Tony for years and I have always…

March 30, 2010 at 8:00 pm | Comments (11)

Nutter and Evans endorse Williams for governor (Updated)

PHILADELPHIA—Mayor Michael Nutter and state Representative Dwight Evans both threw their support behind Democrat Anthony Williams’ nascent gubernatorial bid, giving the state Senator the backing of two of the city’s top political leaders.

The endorsements, delivered after all three took a tour of labs at the business-incubating Science Center here, came a couple months after Williams unexpectedly started making noise about a run, and with less than two months before primary voters go to the…

March 25, 2010 at 11:15 am | Comments (6)

LEFTOVERS: Hoeffel on transporation, Dems mock a Burns typo, blogger drafting Shea

Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel headed to a closed, dilapidated bridge in West Philadelphia Wednesday to pitch his transportation plan. The Democratic candidate for governor wants to double the amount of money allocated to the state Department of Transportation, which he’d raise partly by increasing gasoline taxes and other fees.

“I believe in a safe, efficient, green and sustainable transportation infrastructure,” Hoeffel said in a statement later. “As an aging state with much of our…

March 24, 2010 at 11:45 pm | Comments (4)

Hoeffel takes up the cause for currently self-loathing progressives

As the clock winds down toward the May 18 gubernatorial primaries, one candidate continues to stump on issues and a philosophy that, frankly, make people feel squirrelly  in these days of Tea Party/Party of No obstructionism.

Not that all progressives are self-loathing, or self-doubting. It’s just that in these days of the economic meltdown, joblessness and eye-popping U.S. debt, it’s not exactly a slam-dunk for a candidate like Democrat Joe Hoeffel 

March 24, 2010 at 2:31 pm | Comments (5)

Corbett, Onorato lead wide open gov primaries

Attorney General Tom Corbett and Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato are are leading in their respective gubernatorial primary contests, but at least two-thirds of voters from each party are undecided two months before primary day, according to a new poll.

full story

March 24, 2010 at 2:09 pm | Comments (1)

Even to the gay community, Hoeffel isn’t a sure sale

PHILADELPHIA—If there’s one candidate for statewide office who should expect to bask in support from the gay rights community, it’s Joe Hoeffel.

The Montgomery County Commissioner and Democratic candidate for governor has spent much of his campaign portraying himself as the progressive’s progressive, proudly shouting his support for same-sex marriage, taking pleasure in the salvos he receives from the right and casting his primary opponents as too conservative to call themselves true-blue Democrats.

“I don’t…

March 23, 2010 at 2:51 pm | Comments (23)

Dem candidates court LGBT leaders in Philly

PHILADELPHIA—Democratic candidate for statewide office—or in some cases their surrogates—wooed a roomful of leaders of Philadelphia’s gay and lesbian community Monday night, as they sought the endorsement of the Liberty City Democratic Club.

The club, founded in 1994, has grown to be one of the more influential gay political groups in the state. Its endorsement, to be voted on early next month, holds significant sway within the gay community. At its meeting in Center City…

March 23, 2010 at 1:01 am | Comments (5)

Rasmussen: Corbett’s still winning

Another week, another poll that shows Republican Attorney General Tom Corbett leading his Democratic rivals for governor.

full story

March 19, 2010 at 2:37 pm | Comments (8)