The Inquirer reports that the still modestly-sized group is getting more organized, with one supporter hoping that as many as 50,000 people will write Rohrer onto their ballots. Two Web sites are up and running, PatriotsForSamRohrer and SamRohrerWriteIn. Any significant number of votes for Rohrer would almost certainly help Democrat Dan Onorato in a close race against GOP nominee Tom Corbett.

Rohrer, for his part, has yet to embrace the effort, but is hardly striking it down.

“I think what you’re seeing right now is that people don’t want to just roll over and go back to the same thing they did before,” he told the newspaper. “They don’t want to lower their standard and vote for someone they cannot agree with. … I am not going to quell someone who is stepping forward on a point of principle.”

Speaking of that GOP primary, some conservative activists still want the man Corbett dispatched, state Representative Sam Rohrer (R-Berks), to be their governor. UncoveredPolitics tells us of a “fledgling write-in effort being mounted on behalf” of Rohrer. Don’t expect this one to yield much—despite withholding his endorsement, at least for now, Rohrer has been clear that he’s not participating in any such write-in efforts. Still, it underscores the remaining dissatisfaction among Rohrer’s supporters. So far the write-in campaign seems to mostly reside within a Facebook page that, as of late Monday afternoon, had 137 fans.

And by the way, remember Walt Hufford? You might not. He’s the geologist who ever-so-briefly was running for the GOP nomination in the 6th Congressional District. This was before incumbent Republican Jim Gerlach came back into the mix, and when he did, almost everyone eventually cleared the field. But while others did so publicly, Hufford’s campaign just sort of quietly faded to black. He never put out a formal statement withdrawing from the race, and we were never really sure he wasn’t running until the deadline to file nominating petitions passed. Oh, and why are we bringing up a House candidate who went nowhere? Because friend-of-the-site Dan Kristie reports at Main Line Media News that Hufford is now back doing communications for his old employer—none other than we-spilled-oil-in-the-Gulf BP. “When this incident happened,” Hufford said, “it was basically all hands on deck.”

But at its best, a campaign Web site is so much more. It is a gateway into a candidate’s political persona, a gathering place for supporters, a strategic hub of electoral action, an embodiment of everything the campaign and the candidates represent.

During this exciting election cycle,  the Keystone State is home to both extremes, and plenty of examples that fall somewhere in between. There are campaign Web sites that bore, and then there are Web sites that capture the eye and move mouse clicks.

We at pa2010.com consulted with a multitude of political insiders and operatives on both sides of the aisle, asking your opinion on what works, and what doesn’t. Thanks to your input, we’re happy to present to you Pennsylvania’s top 5 campaign Web sites—as well as a few “dishonorable” mentions. One caveat: We take into account a candidate’s entire Web presence, not just the campaign homepage. An attractive front door counts for a lot, but a Web site that reflects, extends and enhances the political potency of a campaign is what really counts.

5. Sestak for Senate
It’s easy to navigate and easier on the eyes, and the rotating images at the top of the screen help hold one’s interest. The campaign has done a solid job of incorporating multimedia content and expanding its presence onto other related Web sites, such as it’s The Real Arlen Specter. Joe Sestak’s site would be higher on the list, but the Issues page is far too rudimentary and the social networking bars that run down the bottom parts of each side are a little clunky.

4. Meehan for Congress
The front-page graphics jump right out at you, and unlike some Web pages, the “Contribute” button isn’t totally in your face, but prominent enough that it’s easy to give this Republican some cash. The blog actually has some content, and the three-column system on the bottom works. It’s clean, but not so flashy that it looks like its trying to impress. Said one Democratic consultant: “The Keystone motif is clever, and the newspaper homepage layout on most sections is easy to read and navigate. Not the most interactive site, but a very easy to use one.” If only the inside pages weren’t so text-heavy.

3. Onorato for Governor
The home page for this Democrat is appealing in its somewhat simplistic design, not trying to accomplish anymore than it reasonably can. The flash at the top is clean and compelling, the drop-down menus are comprehensive. The Twitter feed is prominent ut not overwhelming. We could quibble with the typeface, but few candidates have coupled such detailed policy prescriptions with such an attractive Web site. Said one Republican operative: Powerful colors and imagery, a great use of photos.

2. Trivedi for Congress
When this Democrat came on the scene last in the fall, it was his dynamic Web site that made some party insiders take him seriously out of the gate. The dominant images are impossible to miss, the backdrop is elegant, and the campaign platform planks that run down the left side anchor the entire presentation well. We’d appreciate a “Donate” button that didn’t look like it was about to explode off the screen.

And the No. 1 campaign Web site in Pennsylvania is… Sam Rohrer for Governor
Picking and arranging four others for this list were tough, but when it came to choosing No. 1, there was simply no contest. More than any other candidate, this Republican has depended heavily on his campaign Web site to help build the kind of grassroots organization he needs to upset a better-funded, party-backed candidate.

It’s a tall task for a Web site. But in almost every way, Rohrer’s Web site lives up to its calling—and then some. As one Democrat put it: “Rohrer’s candidacy is based on an outsider-coolness ethos, and his site reflects that.”

The top nameplate is always changing, but not in a way that loses sight of the brand. The use of video is impeccable. And sure, the homepage might not be the prettiest one on this list. But Rohrer’s campaign has built out a cadre of related Web sites that serve various purposes. The Strategy Room is particularly impressive— more in its utility than its aesthetics— as a sub-site that has served a genuine purpose for the campaign’s organization. Dozens of Town Hall meetings with the candidate have been streamed over the site.

“This campaign in many ways has been an experiment, a hybrid between 1940s precinct organizing and new technology,” said senior strategist Jeff Coleman, whose firm Chuchill Strategies designed the site. “The question in our mind was if you gave organizers at the grassroots level the tools for spontaneous outreach on behalf of our candidate, could you challenge conventional wisdom?”

Rohrer might not win Tuesday, but his Web site wins out here big time.

“I hope it represents a trend in political campaigns, opening the doors up to the people, giving them the tools,” Coleman said. “It is a direct challenge to consultant-driven media buys. Whether it’s successful, we’ll find out around 9:30 on election night.”

DISHONORABLE MENTIONS… Daryl Metcalfe for Lieutenant Governor. The buttons near the top look like something we used to use back in the AOL dial-up days… Jonathan Saidel for Lieutenant Governor. Let’s just say that the Web site doesn’t live up to the effusive personality of its candidate.

The campaign mailer, first reported by Capitolwire (subscription only), marks the first time that the state party has used any significant kind of paid media to attack Rohrer in his insurgent bid against state Attorney General Tom Corbett. The mailer contrasts what the state party calls Rohrer’s “career of trying to raise his taxpayer-funded income” with Corbett’s career of “protecting the taxpayers’ money.”

State party spokesman Michael Barley told Capitolwire that the GOP felt it “incumbent upon us to set the record straight,” especially after Rohrer criticized remarks in which Corbett called the Constitution a “living document.”

“After the attacks begin, it’s important for us to set the record straight,” Barley said.

Rohrer has called his vote for the pay raise a mistake. Whether the mailer underscores any concern from party officials that their endorsed candidate is more vulnerable than conventional wisdom would dictate remains unclear. Polls have consistently shown Corbett holding a wide lead over Rohrer, but those same polls have shown significant blocs of undecided voters remain.

Rohrer’s campaign sought to frame the news as a sign that the state party, which endorsed Corbett in  February, is running scared. In an e-mail to supporters Friday with the subject line “URGENT: DRAMATIC CHANGES,” Rohrer senior strategist Jeff Coleman claimed the the campaign’s internal polling showed Corbett dropping 20 percent since February, said Corbett canceled a scheduled debate and was beginning to emphasize more conservative themes in his campaign.

“Our opponent is finally seeing what you have seen for weeks—with hundreds of others at packed-out townhalls—the energy and passion in 2010 is with the conservative majority within our party,” Coleman wrote. “Sam Rohrer can, and will, win the Republican nomination with your prayers and hard work!”

GrassrootsPA obtained a copy of the mailer (click here for the front and click here for the back).

Diamond, one of nine Republicans running for Lt. Gov., endorsed the conservative state Representative over front-runner Tom Corbett in a statement on Thursday.

“Sam Rohrer is one of the most sincere, principled individuals I’ve ever met,” Diamond said. “His firm stands on protecting individual liberties and free markets are second to none. His positions on protecting the unborn, retaining gun rights, and defending Pennsylvania from federal intrusion mesh with mine and are rock solid. His efforts as a legislator to eliminate property taxes underscore his dedication to hard work and just causes.

“His integrity over the years is self-evident,” Diamond added. “His careful approach to solving problems and moving Pennsylvania forward – in the direction we need to go – stands in sharp contrast to what we’ve experienced over the last seven years. Those who haven’t heard Sam Rohrer speak have missed a great opportunity to witness a true statesman and leader in action.”

Diamond made sure to note the fact that he was endorsing Rohrer despite the fact that Rohrer voted for the controversial 2005 legislative pay hike—an event that led an outraged Diamond to form the group PACleanSweep.

“The pay raise should not be used as a condemnation of any one man,” Diamond said. “Rather, it should serve as a condemnation of a broken system that needs to be repaired so no legislator feels forced to trade a bad vote for good, and no Attorney General feels forced to defend an act of the legislature that runs counter to his oath of office.”

The surveys released Wednesday echoed a body of polling data that has showed Onorato pulling away from the pack, and their results differed little from other recent polls. In a Quinnipiac University poll, Onorato garnered 38 percent of the vote, compared to 11 percent for Auditor General Jack Wagner, 10 percent for state Senator Anthony Williams and 9 percent for Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel. Almost a third of voters are still undecided.

And a Franklin & Marshall College survey found Onorato winning 27 percent of registered Democrats, a 22-point lead over his closest opponents. His edge was similar among a sample of likely primary voters, with whom he captures 34 percent of the vote, compared to 8 percent for Wagner, 6 percent for Williams and 5 percent for Hoeffel. Forty-four percent of likely voters are still undecided, according to the poll.

In both polls, Onorato performs about as well as he has in other public surveys, but Williams, who has been spending heavily on a statewide TV blitz, has lower numbers than in other recent polls. The Muhlenberg College tracking poll on Wednesday showed Williams winning 15 percent of the vote, and a recent Rasmussen poll had him at 17 percent.

Republican Tom Corbett holds a wide lead over Sam Rohrer in the GOP primary, both polls found. But the Franklin & Marshall survey found that almost half of likely primary voters were still undecided.

In the latest indication that Williams’ massive statewide advertising blitz isn’t having the effect his campaign might have hoped, 72 percent of likely primary voters still haven’t heard enough about him, according to the Quinnipiac poll. By contrast, only 44 percent say the same about Onorato, and the race is undoubtedly his to lose.

“Dan Onorato’s lead over the Democratic field hasn’t really grown over the past week, but with only seven days until the actual voting, his chances of winning the Democratic nomination for Governor certainly are better than the rest,” Quinnipiac’s assistant polling director Peter Brown said. “Although more than half of likely voters say they might change their mind, the odds that enough of them do, and all go to the same candidate other than Onorato seem very, very small.”

Click here to see the Quinnipiac poll.

Click here to see the Franklin & Marshall poll.

Meanwhile, Republican Paul Huber got a nice boost in his campaign for the party’s nomination in the 3rd Congressional District. Huber, a Meadville businessman, was endorsed by former Congressman John Peterson, who for six terms represented central Pennsylvania’s 5th District. “After reviewing all of the candidates running for the Republican nomination in the 3rd District, I am proud to endorse Paul Huber,” Peterson said in a campaign statement. “More than any other candidate, Paul has the strength and experience to stand up to Nancy Pelosi and the Obama administration and hold them accountable. I am confident that he will also take on his own leadership when they deviate from conservative principles.”

We also learned that, later in the week, the famous “Joe the Plumber” will return to Pennsylvania. He’s coming here, once again, to stump for conservative gubernatorial candidate Sam Rohrer. The state Representative’s campaign said that the man less often known as Samuel Wurzelbacher will make three stops for Rohrer on Thursday, starting at a coffee shop in Latrobe and ending at a diner in West Blairsville. Mr. The Plumber previously appeared at Rohrer’s big campaign rally in Harrisburg back in February.

And if there’s a prize for most ridiculous campaign ad of this political season, we can call the contest now. Our winner is undoubtedly the new spot being run by the conservative group RightChange.com. The animated ad is being aired ahead of next week’s 12th District special election—at a cost of more than $80,000—and introduces us to a creature known as the “50-foot Nancy Pelosi.”

Check it out below.

With all four Democrats emptying their campaign coffers to win the party’s nomination, Corbett spent about the same amount in one month as candidates like Dan Onorato and Anthony Williams are spending weekly. The state Attorney General and presumptive GOP nominee raised almost $920,000 over the four weeks ending Tuesday, and finished the period with more than $3.7 million in cash on hand, according to state campaign finance data.

As usual, Corbett was rolling in money from corporate political action committees. In the midst of a relatively small statewide media buy, he spent more than half-a-million dollars on TV advertising during the period, but was expect to spend more leading up to the May 18 primary.

His primary opponent Sam Rohrer had just $15,000 in the bank as of Tuesday.

Three individuals gave the Republican candidate for governor more than $10,000 in April, hardly the massive sums being collected by other candidates but a large amount for Rohrer’s grassroots campaign. Thanks in part to them, Rohrer had one of his best fundraising periods of the campaign, raking in more than $232,000, according to state campaign finance data. And that allowed the state Representative from Berks County to spend heavily on radio advertising; he spent more than $220,000 during the period, and as of Tuesday, had about $15,000 the in the bank.

Rohrer is overwhelmingly considered the underdog to state Attorney General Tom Corbett in the May 18 primary, but the heavy radio expenditures along with the highly-organized grassroots efforts of his campaign could lead to a surprisingly strong showing in the May 18 primary, if not a win (Corbett had $3.7 million on hand).

Like in previous months, small donations were the bread and butter of Rohrer’s campaign. But he also got $65,000 from Edward Cone, the president of C F Capital, an Elverson investment firm. Roher netted another $30,000 from Thomas Smith of TJS Mining Inc. And Robert Cone, who like Edward lives in Elverson, gave Rohrer $12,500.

Rohrer’s campaign spent almost $150,000 on radio advertising buys.

Log-on later for a copy of Rohrer’s campaign finance report.

Congressman Charlie Dent (R-15) won the backing of a Philadelphia Tea Party group. Republican Mat Benol, who’s challenging Dent from the right, was surprised when the Independence Hall Tea Party Political Action Committee endorsed the incumbent over him. Benol seemed to chalk it up to the fact that the group is an hour south of the Lehigh Valley district.

“I think it is just in poor taste that they didn’t reach out to talk to me and they are just too far south to be sticking their noses into it,” Benol told The Morning Call. The endorsement bolsters Dent’s conservative bona fides ahead of the May 18 primary—but it could very well prove to be less than helpful come November in a district where the Democratic registration edge is far more formidable than when Dent took in 2005.

Meanwhile, West Virgina Gov. Joe Manchin is set to campaign Tuesday for 12th District Democratic hopeful Mark Critz on Tuesday. The coal-state governor will join the party’s special election candidate for an afternoon event in Washington, at which his campaign said Critz will “highlight his commitment to the Western Pennsylvania coal industry which drives the economy in the region.”

And a grassroots group is backing Republican gubernatorial underdog Sam Rohrer. UNITEPA, which bills itself as a nonpartisan grassroots organizing group and is aligned with the Tea Party movement, announced its endorsement of Rohrer on Monday.

“It has become crystal clear to UNITEPA, that Representative Sam Rohrer, a true Constitutional Conservative, is the only Gubernatorial Candidate that reflects our Principles and Values,” the organization said in a statement. “He is the epitome of what our Founding Fathers and William Penn envisioned when they passed the baton onto the next generation of statesmen. This is an opportunity for Pennsylvania to finally see the return of a ‘culture of honor and integrity.’”

Correction: This blog post originally misstated the given name of the Republican primary challenger to incumbent Congressman Charlie Dent. He is Mat Benol, not Sam.