pennsylvania 2010

[WalterMitty]

what democrats are contemplating the race? (since obviously little casey has given his sacred word to not run)

is it a good bet that either toomey or santorum will run for the republican nomination.  any chance they may both run?

[Keystone Phil]

I bet Toomey goes for Specter's Senate seat again. Santorum seems more likely to go for Governor. I doubt both would run for the same office. There are actually a few awkward possibilites for the GOP since a number of people are rumored and if they run, they could be facing off against some of their friends. The field will certainly narrow because of this but some of the mentioned possible candidates for both sides:

Dems

Dan Onorato - Chief Executive of Allegheny county
Jack Wagner - Auditor General
Barbara Hafer - Former State Treasurer

Republicans

Melissa Hart - Former Congresswoman
Tom Corbett - State Attorney General
Charlie Dent - Congressman
John Perzel - State House Speaker

I posted this in the PA Gubernatorial Race 2006 thread. Enjoy. - http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06316/737687-178.stm

[bullmoose88]

Phil,

I think you overestimate Toomey's chances (Santorum's chances too...I know you like the guy, but the man was handed his ass this year)...

Sadly Toomey's economic views wouldn't play too well out side of the SE which would reject his social views soundly...and his social views while good in the rest of the state face the challenge of overcoming his laissez faire economic views elsewhere...I don't see how he can form a plurality/majority.

[Keystone Phil]

Phil,

I think you overestimate Toomey's chances (Santorum's chances too...I know you like the guy, but the man was handed his ass this year)...

Sadly Toomey's economic views wouldn't play too well out side of the SE which would reject his social views soundly...and his social views while good in the rest of the state face the challenge of overcoming his laissez faire economic views elsewhere...I don't see how he can form a plurality/majority.

Well, we can debate Toomey's chances in the General at another time    but I don't think the idea of him making another run for the nomination and actually winning is far off at all. The man has stayed very involved in PA. He is a strong force in the conservative movement here. I think he's going to try for Specter's seat again and if Specter insists on running for another term (which some say he is planning on doing) then I have little doubt that Toomey will beat him this time.

I don't think I am overestimating Santorum either. The man isn't finished with politics. He can run for Governor (or Senate) and win the nomination. Again, the General can be debated later.

[WalterMitty]

who is the lt. gov in pa?

how come him or her isnt mentioned as a possible candidate?

[RBH]

Catherine Baker Knoll is not quite popular.

And here's the Toomey/Specter county map (Toomey in red, Specter in blue):



And who is cheering for a Santorum/Toomey ticket for 2010?

[Keystone Phil]

And who is cheering for a Santorum/Toomey ticket for 2010?

Amazing how you leave out the fact that that was a primary, making things totally different. If Bush and Santorum didn't get involved, you'd see a lot more dark red on that map. Do you honestly think the more conservative candidate would lose in those central counties?

who is the lt. gov in pa?

how come him or her isnt mentioned as a possible candidate?

As RBH pointed out, our Lt. Governor is Catherine Baker Knoll. She isn't that popular because she is a nut job. I'd tell you a bit about her except it could go on forever. The woman is a loon. Another reason why she's never mentioned is because she is almost 80 years old.

[Kevin]

My Dad said that what contributed in part to Santorums downfall was his supoort of Specter instead of Tommey.

[TeePee4Prez]

I bet Toomey goes for Specter's Senate seat again. Santorum seems more likely to go for Governor. I doubt both would run for the same office. There are actually a few awkward possibilites for the GOP since a number of people are rumored and if they run, they could be facing off against some of their friends. The field will certainly narrow because of this but some of the mentioned possible candidates for both sides:

Dems

Dan Onorato - Chief Executive of Allegheny county
Jack Wagner - Auditor General
Barbara Hafer - Former State Treasurer

Republicans

Melissa Hart - Former Congresswoman
Tom Corbett - State Attorney General
Charlie Dent - Congressman
John Perzel - State House Speaker

I posted this in the PA Gubernatorial Race 2006 thread. Enjoy. - http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06316/737687-178.stm

You make our bench seem weaker than it already is.  IMO, you should add Allyson Schwartz to the Dem possibilities.  Not too many people mention Perzel, but I could see him as a possibility.  You should realize he won't do as well here as he does in State Rep elections.  The money he brings home is a very big factor in his landslide victories.

[Keystone Phil]

You make our bench seem weaker than it already is.  IMO, you should add Allyson Schwartz to the Dem possibilities.  Not too many people mention Perzel, but I could see him as a possibility.  You should realize he won't do as well here as he does in State Rep elections.  The money he brings home is a very big factor in his landslide victories.

You're clueless if you don't know Perzel is running and I never said he'd do well. I was just stating the obvious - he's a candidate for Governor. Schwartz is not interested in being Governor so I wouldn't put her down.

[WalterMitty]

why is the lt gov unpopular?

[Keystone Phil]

why is the lt gov unpopular?

Well, she has her own little base out in the west but that's it. The woman has a number of faults. She is believed to be senile. She sometimes calls the Governor "Edwin G. Robinson" (forgetting his name), frequently mixes up members of the State Senate while presiding and her most infamous incident was when she handed out business cards at the funeral of an Iraq vet while making anti war comments.

[NewFederalist]

why is the lt gov unpopular?

Phil was actually UNDERSTATING this persons' problems. I have no idea why Rendell did not dump her from the ticket. If Ed Rendell could not finish his term I would be very concerned. I think this lady is truly a few sticks short of a cord!

[Kevin]

why is the lt gov unpopular?

Phil was actually UNDERSTATING this persons' problems. I have no idea why Rendell did not dump her from the ticket. If Ed Rendell could not finish his term I would be very concerned. I think this lady is truly a few sticks short of a cord!

Didn't the PA soceity have her on the don't invite list at their annual shendig?

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

I bet Toomey goes for Specter's Senate seat again. Santorum seems more likely to go for Governor. I doubt both would run for the same office. There are actually a few awkward possibilites for the GOP since a number of people are rumored and if they run, they could be facing off against some of their friends. The field will certainly narrow because of this but some of the mentioned possible candidates for both sides:

Dems

Dan Onorato - Chief Executive of Allegheny county
Jack Wagner - Auditor General
Barbara Hafer - Former State Treasurer

Republicans

Melissa Hart - Former Congresswoman
Tom Corbett - State Attorney General
Charlie Dent - Congressman
John Perzel - State House Speaker

I posted this in the PA Gubernatorial Race 2006 thread. Enjoy. - http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06316/737687-178.stm

Add Doyle (I have have heard he is very moderate) and MAYBE Holden for the Dems (no way Schwartz could win).

Add Murphy (R) to Republicans.

Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

[Keystone Phil]

why is the lt gov unpopular?

Phil was actually UNDERSTATING this persons' problems. I have no idea why Rendell did not dump her from the ticket. If Ed Rendell could not finish his term I would be very concerned. I think this lady is truly a few sticks short of a cord!

Rendell didn't dump her because the woman actually has core supporters out west and at that time it was looking like he'd have a strong challenge.

Add Doyle (I have have heard he is very moderate) and MAYBE Holden for the Dems (no way Schwartz could win).

Add Murphy (R) to Republicans.

Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

I don't know if the Dems would want to give up their safe House seats for a tough run statewide. I think Doyle or Holden could win though.

Murphy might be interested but I really don't know.

[TeePee4Prez]

why is the lt gov unpopular?

Phil was actually UNDERSTATING this persons' problems. I have no idea why Rendell did not dump her from the ticket. If Ed Rendell could not finish his term I would be very concerned. I think this lady is truly a few sticks short of a cord!

I concur.  I know one of her ex-staffers and he had some rather interesting stories.  I would have actually voted for Republican Jim Matthews for LT. Governor if I could, but in PA you can't.

[NewFederalist]

why is the lt gov unpopular?

Phil was actually UNDERSTATING this persons' problems. I have no idea why Rendell did not dump her from the ticket. If Ed Rendell could not finish his term I would be very concerned. I think this lady is truly a few sticks short of a cord!

I concur.  I know one of her ex-staffers and he had some rather interesting stories.  I would have actually voted for Republican Jim Matthews for LT. Governor if I could, but in PA you can't.

I would have voted Rendell and Matthews as well if it were possible. Hey! Wait a minute! We agree!

[Adlai Stevenson]

Is Joe Hoeffel a possibility?

[TeePee4Prez]

Is Joe Hoeffel a possibility?

I wanted him, but Rendell asked him to drop out because of the possibility of an East-East ticket and Pittsburgh could be pissed.

[bullmoose88]

Is Joe Hoeffel a possibility?

I wanted him, but Rendell asked him to drop out because of the possibility of an East-East ticket and Pittsburgh could be pissed.

Must have made him a deal...what do you think it was?

[Keystone Phil]

Is Joe Hoeffel a possibility?

I wanted him, but Rendell asked him to drop out because of the possibility of an East-East ticket and Pittsburgh could be pissed.

Must have made him a deal...what do you think it was?

I thought it was for Treasurer. Odd how we haven't heard anything about that yet...

If Hoeffel gets the spot and doesn't want to fight Schwartz for the Senate seat, a Gubernatorial candidacy is possible.

[DownWithTheLeft]

My Dad said that what contributed in part to Santorums downfall was his supoort of Specter instead of Tommey.

It's something interesting to consider and the only thing I really disagreed with Rick Santorum about, Arlen Specter should have been brought down in the general if he could survive the primary like Chafee (only Pat Toomey is 10X what Laffey will ever be)

[bullmoose88]

My Dad said that what contributed in part to Santorums downfall was his supoort of Specter instead of Tommey.

It's something interesting to consider and the only thing I really disagreed with Rick Santorum about, Arlen Specter should have been brought down in the general if he could survive the primary like Chafee (only Pat Toomey is 10X what Laffey will ever be)

Run along to bed now, high school starts early tomorrow.

[Governor PiT]

Lou Barletta should run