Meehan to step down as U.S. Attorney, looking into Gubernatorial run.

[Keystone Phil]

Meehan stepping down to join a "private practice" = "I'm running for Governor." He'll be a very strong candidate, too. Santorum won't run. Toomey won't run. Meehan is my guy in 2010.

http://blog.pennlive.com/pennsyltucky/2008/07/pat_meehan_steps_down_and_into.html

By the way, I know Meehan is close to Specter but I don't know where they're getting the idea that he's a moderate.

[Keystone Phil]

In his insatiable desire for status, I would not be surprised if Casey runs for governor. With that said, do you think that he would have much of a shot at winning if he has to face Casey?

First off, welcome to the forum. I could tell that you're a newcomer by simply bringing up Casey around me. As everyone here knows, I am certainly not a fan of his. 

Anyway, I used to believe that Casey would definitley be a candidate for Governor. He doesn't want his current job. Never really did. The party forced him into the race. Everyone knows that he's wanted to be Governor his entire political life.

He may actually do it since the Democratic candidates are so weak and he'd absolutely have a shot at winning. He'd probably be favored. Unfortunately for some of us, this state has a love for that last name (because of the love for his late father who was a great man).

     But I'm curious. In his insatiable desire for status, I would not be surprised if Casey runs for governor.

That would surprise me. Senator-for-life is nothing to sneeze at, and if he chose to run in 2018, he'd still be only 58 years old.

Why would that surprise anyone? Anyone that knows anything about Casey knows that he wants to be Governor above anything else. Senator for life? Please. That's probably the last thing Casey wants. Don't expect the guy to serve more than two terms there. Hell, plenty of people think that he won't run for a second term.

     True, though as I recall (I don't closely follow Pennsylvania politics), he began running for Senate almost immediately after being elected Treasurer.

Bingo

    

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That doesn't matter to him. All of these offices have been stepping stones.

    

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As you said early, you don't follow closely Pennsylvania politics. Truer words have never been spoken. 

Again, welcome to our forum. 

[Keystone Phil]

     I'm worried about him though, after 2006. I was shocked that Casey won by 18% (I was expecting 10-13%). 2010 will almost assuredly be a better year for the GOP than 2006, though I'm still worried about the chances of any Republican against him.

Well, 2006 was horrible. There's only so much we can do, honestly. I think the guy could be stopped somehow (even in a Senate run) but is it likely? No. That name is that powerful here. Plus, while he's unlikely to have any huge accomplishments, he's also unlikely to stir up any controversy. I guess people here are content with that. I know I won't just give up and let him win for the rest of his career but I also need to be realistic.

    

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Consider yourself lucky. I love the late Bob Casey but it really bothers me to see the type of dynasty he created; the dynasty that his one son takes advantage of when it's time to campaign and does little (if anything) else.

[Keystone Phil]

Why would that surprise anyone? Anyone that knows anything about Casey knows that he wants to be Governor above anything else. Senator for life? Please. That's probably the last thing Casey wants. Don't expect the guy to serve more than two terms there. Hell, plenty of people think that he won't run for a second term.

Ok, granted you know significantly more about Pennsylvania politics than I do, but wouldn't it be more prudent to wait for a variety of reasons? Do you think Casey could break the curse and keep the seat from flipping over to the Republicans in 2010; or actually unseat an incumbent governor in 2014? No one knows what the atmosphere will be like in the next mid-term elections, and it could be bad for Pennsylvania Democrats, depending on how Rendell goes out of office.

Why wait? This curse of party control switching every eight years is just silly. Really. Voters are going to reject their boy Bobby simply because "it's time" for a Republican? I wish it was true but it's not.

The only time I'd say Casey wouldn't be favored is if he's running against a somewhat popular incumbent in 2014 but is Casey dumb enough to do that in the first place? He's a very cautious guy. Now if the incumbent is vulnerable, yes, I could see him winning.

We don't know the atmosphere for the Dems in two years but that is very unlikely to stop a Casey. That name alone transcends national moods.

[Keystone Phil]

     That's why I used the winking smiley when I referred to Meehan's chances being boosted by the curse.

Yeah, I never really argue in favor of "the curse." Meehan is a very strong candidate on his own.