Time magazine says former U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan, who is seeking Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional seat, could be the next Scott Brown, the Republican who orchestrated the Massachusetts Miracle in winning a U.S. Senate seat.

From an article by Sam Jewler:

Pat Meehan presents himself like a character from a crime show — a tough, GOP establishment candidate who made his name as a Bush appointee in the position of US Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. There he targeted terrorism, gangs, and the cronyism culture of Philadelphia government, a plus in Pennsylvania's 7th District, which has only had three Democratic congressmen since 1900. Decorated war veteran Bryan Lentz, the Democratic candidate, is a Pennsylvania state representative entering the race in an election cycle unfriendly to him. He faces Meehan, whose toughness persona may outshine his own, and who — importantly in this political climate — has no fiscal policy background to assail. The incumbent in this seat is popular Democrat Joe Sestak, who is leaving to mount a challenge for Arlen Specter's Senate seat. The district went for Obama by 13 percentage points in 2008, but Pennsylvania Democratic ambivalence could help Meehan. The question is whether District 7 will vote liberally, like it did the last two cycles, or conservatively, as it did for the previous two generations.

See who else made the list, "Republican Surprise: 10 More Scott Browns," at the magazine's Web site.

Gov. Ed Rendell has publicly stated that he wants state Rep. Mario Civera, a Republican from Delaware County, to resign his state House seat because he was elected to the the Delaware County Council last November.

Rendell doesn't think an elected official can serve two masters.

But Rendell has never said a word about state Rep. David Kessler, a Berks County Democrat who continues to serve on the Oley Board of Supervisors even after being elected to the House in 2006.

Is it fair for Kessler to hold a local office at the expense of the rest of the communities in the 130th House District?

Kessler brags on his Web site that he is currently serving his 15th year as a township supervisor in Oley, and is the board's chairman. How much power does one man need? There's nobody in Oley available to serve as a township supervisor if Kessler steps down?

There's no law that says a member of the state Legislature cannot hold two elected posts. But maybe there should be.

Why the double standard, Guv?

Republican state Rep. Mario Civera has learned not to turn his back when Ed Rendell is in the room. He just might find a dagger stuck in it.

Civera won a seat on the Delaware County Council last November and was planning to resign his House seat. Although a Republican, Civera was asked by Rendell to stay in the Legislature to help Rendell get his budget passed in the House after it became clear to the governor that the House Democratic leadership was inept. Now that the budget is done, Rendell wants Civera out.

From a story by Alex Rose in the Delaware County Daily Times:

Embattled state Rep. Mario Civera, R-164, of Upper Darby, should “flat-out resign” from his House seat based on his vote against bringing table games to Pennsylvania casinos, said Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell Wednesday.

“I thought that Mario Civera might be helpful in this year’s budget process, but given his votes on table games where he voted against filling a $250 million hole in the budget, it’s pretty apparent that there are other things at play rather than his desire to help the budget,” said Rendell. “So I think he should just resign, go do the job he was elected to do here locally and then let the speaker of the House, as is his legal power, set the special election.”

Civera has yet to return calls for comment on either his table games vote or in answer to rumors he plans to leave his powerful seat as minority chairman of the House Appropriations Committee within the next week or two.

That news refueled calls from local Democrats for his resignation, which have been increasing in pitch following Civera’s election victory for a four-year term on Delaware County Council.

Read the full story at the link below:

Guv says Civera should resign, make room for special election

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State Rep. Tom Killion, a Republican who represents parts of Delaware and Chester counties, announced Friday he is dropping out of the race for Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor.

Killion said a statewide campaign would make it difficult to remain focused on the difficult budget challenges facing Pennsylvania.

From his withdrawal announcement: "Over the past several months, I have had the opportunity to meet with residents from throughout the state," said Killion. "Voters are extremely concerned about the state's economy, job creation, and particularly the potential for another drawn out budget process in 2010. I feel that I can best serve the people of Pennsylvania from within the legislature, working to ensure state government remains fiscally responsible and fighting efforts to raise taxes on working families."

"In the coming months, I will work hard to help elect Attorney General Tom Corbett the next Governor of Pennsylvania," said Killion. "We need someone with Corbett’s integrity in the Governor’s office to help lead our state out of the recession, stand up to the corruption in Harrisburg, begin the process of creating new jobs, and address the concerns of working men and women."

"I look forward to the opportunity to work with Tom Corbett -- from within the legislature -- to address these and the many other issues facing Pennsylvania" said Killion, who also announced that he will seek re-election to his House seat representing the voters of the 168th Legislative District.

Killion has represented the residents of the 168th District since 2003, following a special election to fill the seat of former Speaker of the House Matt Ryan. He serves in the House as Deputy Republican Whip and is a member of the Appropriations Committee, Urban Affairs Committee and Insurance Committee.

A couple of Montgomery County businessmen were spotted chatting with Congressional candidate Pat Meehan at a fundraising event on Wednesday, October 21, at The Café located at 2011 Walnut Street in Philadelphia. Meehan, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, is seeking the Republican nomination for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District. Pictured from left to right: Geoffrey McKernan of Blue Bell, President and CEO, NSM Insurance (headquartered in Conshohocken); Pat Meehan; and Mark O'Connor of Haverford, Co-Proprietor of the Irish Pub and The Café in Philadelphia.

Republicans should pick up at least one more seat in Congress in 2010.

Pat Meehan announced Monday he will seek the Republican nomination in the 7th Congressional District, which covers parts of Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties. The seat is held by Democrat Joe Sestak, who will not seek re-election so he can challenge Sen. Arlen Specter in the May 2010 Democratic Primary.

Meehan is the favorite to succeed Sestak. The bulk of the 7th District is in Delaware County, where Meehan was a popular district attorney before serving as U.S. Attorney for SE Pennsylvania from 2001-2008.

Pundits are predicting a big comeback for the GOP as opposition grows to the big government/high deficit policies of Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats. Republicans are expected to pick up anywhere from 20 to 40 additional seats in the midterm elections.

"Traveling across the region and state these past months, I have had the opportunity to meet and speak with many local residents," Meehan said in a written statement. "They have told me they feel their voice is not being heard in Washington, that their representatives have sold them out to special interests, that government is being imposed on them, rather than working for them. It is time our elected officials be made to answer for the decisions they make about our money and about our children's future."

"Many of the challenges confronting us here at home transcend state lines — whether it's strengthening the economy, keeping down health care costs, or helping small businesses — and the solutions will be determined in Congress," said Meehan. "I am formally announcing my candidacy for U.S. Congress because I want to restore integrity to our nation’s capital and ensure that the voice of local voters is heard on critical issues like taxes, jobs, health care, and restoring fiscal responsibility to the federal government."

Meehan announced his candidacy at three stops in the district.

"People have watched the federal government spend billions of dollars to rescue a few huge banks while hundreds of community banks failed," said Meehan. "They have watched billions being spent to keep bankrupt General Motors and Chrysler in business, while local small businesses struggle to meet a weekly payroll. They see an $800 billion stimulus bill rushed through Congress, yet a half-year later, only 1 in 10 dollars is spent and a record 6.5 million Americans are out of work."

"Voters are concerned as our national debt is expected to double in the next three years and triple within a decade to an astonishing $10 trillion," said Meehan. "That translates into $33,000 of personal debt for every man, woman and child in America. This type of unchecked spending leads to inflation, higher job-killing taxes, and a burden of enormous debt that our children and their children will carry like a millstone for generations."

From the Pat Meehan for Congress Committee:

Pat Meehan has made a name for himself by rooting out government corruption, prosecuting tough criminal cases, and implementing innovative new programs to make communities safer. In addition to taking a nationally-recognized stand against "pay to play" politics in the City of Philadelphia, Pat created initiatives to combat gang violence, crack down on nursing homes for failing to provide proper care to our seniors, reduce domestic violence, and hold drug companies accountable to consumers for fraud.

As U.S. Attorney, Meehan established an Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council, held manufacturers responsible for illegally discharging hazardous materials into the region's waters, established a group to crackdown on predatory lending, and prosecuted cyber criminals who ran illegal, worldwide Internet pharmacy operations.

Pat, his wife Carolyn and their three sons Patrick, Jack and Colin, reside in Drexel Hill, Delaware County.

For more on Meehan, visit his new campaign Web site, www.meehanforcongress.com

A six-year veteran of the state House of Representatives is the latest Republican to announce interest in running for Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor in 2010.

State Rep. Tom Killion, who represents the 168th District, announced today he has formed a committee to explore a run for Lieutenant Governor.

Killion said in a press release that he has been encouraged by the feedback he has received from state and local elected officials, supporters and party leaders.

"Pennsylvania is facing many critical challenges in the coming years and the 2010 election cycle is going to determine how we address these issues," said Killion. "I believe strongly that we need to maintain fiscal responsibility on the state level while creating a better economic environment that allows businesses to grow, flourish, and create new jobs."

Prior to joining the House in 2003 to fill the seat of former House Speaker Matt Ryan, Killion served as chairman of Delaware County Council from 1992 through 2000.

A business entrepreneur, Killion founded InR Advisory Services LLC., a pension advisory firm.

"My background in the legislature, combined with the expertise on local government that I developed as a county elected official, provides me with a broad and deep understanding of the issues," said Killion. "As the founder of a small business and a former member of many non-profit boards I would bring a different approach toward addressing our state's problems, an approach aimed at actual results and getting the job done."

Killion said he will continue to reach out to Republican leaders and voters throughout the state in the coming weeks, "but one thing is certain, the Republican Party needs to nominate individuals for statewide office who know the issues, who will fight for good government, and who are going to work tirelessly to build support for the Republican ticket."

In conjunction with his committee filing, Killion has also launched a campaign Web site at www.killionvictory.com

Killion has represented the residents of the 168th House District, which includes portions of Delaware and Chester counties, since 2003. He serves in the House as Deputy Republican Whip and is a member of the Appropriations Committee, Urban Affairs Committee and Insurance Committee, where he serves as Vice Chair.

The 168th Legislative District includes Media, Rose Valley, Edgmont, Middletown and Thornbury townships, as well as parts of Newtown, Upper Providence and Nether Providence townships, and Westtown.

Sickening story in today's Delaware County Daily Times about a man who photographed and videotaped children he sexually abused while they attended a day care center the man's wife operated out of their home.

Police said 1.2 million images of child pornography were seized from John Worman's computers. The images included 11,000 video clips of him sexually abusing the children, several of whom considered him like a father, prosecutors said.

From a story by reporter Marlene DiGiacomo:

PHILADELPHIA — Convicted child predator John Worman was sentenced Wednesday to 120 years in federal prison by a judge who described the defendant's horrific crimes involving sexual abuse on children as young as 6 weeks old as the worst in the country.

U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Stengel said that Worman, 42, of Colwyn, does not know right from wrong and continues to deny the charges "despite overwhelming evidence."

A jury convicted him in September 2008 of 55 counts of manufacturing child pornography and one count of child pornography in which he documented in sickening detail on videotape and photos of himself forcing sex on a dozen children ranging from infancy to 15 years old.

"John Worman manufactured grief … psychological and physical havoc on the lives of these children," said Stengel. "One victim is too many. One time is too much."

The jurors who convicted him were so traumatized by the videos they had to watch during the trial that the judge provided a chance for them to talk to a psychologist following the verdict.

One juror said after the trial that he felt like he was "looking at Satan sitting over there," referring to Worman.

Read the full story at the newspaper's Web site.

The spirit of the holiday season has touched a couple members of the Pennsylvania Legislature who have told a newspaper they will donate their Dec. 1 pay raise to charity.

Bless their hearts.

According to reporter Vicky Thomas, at least two members of the Delaware County legislative delegation will give their $2,152 increases to charity.

From Thomas' story:

Nick Miccarelli of Ridley Park, Republican representative-elect for the 162nd District, told the newspaper he plans to give his bonus to local organizations since refusing the increase is not an option.

Miccarelli said he hasn't decided which charities will get the donation, but plans to direct the money to food banks in his district.

"It's so bad out there right now. Everyone is hurting ... it's time for legislators to say, hey, we're in this fight with you and we’re going to cut the fat," he said.

State Rep. Bryan Lentz, D-161, of Swarthmore, said he plans to donate his increase to the Salvation Army/Daily Times Merry Christmas Fund, which he also did with his 2006 increase.

"It's a difficult time for everybody. This helps people down on their luck and shows effort on my part as a public official to do my part in belt-tightening," Lentz said.

Delaware County has four state Senators and 11 state Representatives. I know the newspaper couldn't reach all 15 lawmakers, but I'm wondering how many of them (besides Miccarelli and Lentz) are planning to give the raises to charity or pocket the $2,152.

Read the full story at the newspaper's Web site.

The board of directors for SEPAC, the Political Action Committee from multiple chambers of commerce in Southeastern Pennsylvania has announced its endorsements for the Nov. 4 election.

Endorsements are based on the candidate's voting records and positions on business issues, SEPAC board chairman Ken Russell said in a written statement.

"The candidates endorsed by SEPAC recognize the needs of businesses in Southeast PA and across the Commonwealth.," Russell said. "They understand what is required to improve the business climate in Pennsylvania, including addressing increasing healthcare costs, the lowering of business taxes, putting an end to overreaching business regulations and promoting sound energy policies."

SEPAC members represent the Delaware County, Main Line and TriCounty Area Chambers of Commerce (which has members in Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties.)

"These three chambers of commerce represent over 5,000 members across four counties, and are the premier business advocacy organizations within Southeastern Pennsylvania," Russell said. "Our Board feels a thriving economy impacts the residents, municipalities, and institutions of the area, as well as all of Pennsylvania. Support of pro-business policies will go a long way towards keeping Southeastern Pennsylvania a great place to live, work, and raise a family."

ENDORSED CANDIDATES FOR GENERAL ELECTION 2008

William Adolph (R), 165th District - - Incumbent, State House of Representatives

Steven Barrar (R), 160th District - - Incumbent, State House of Representatives

Guy Ciarrocchi (R), 157th District – Candidate for State House of Representatives

Mario Civera (R), 164th District - - Incumbent, State House of Representatives

Michael Gerber (D), 148th District - Incumbent, State House of Representatives

Richard Gokey (R), 130th District – Candidate for State House of Representatives

Timothy Hennessey (R), 26th District - - Incumbent, State House of Representatives

Thomas Killion (R), 168th District - - Incumbent, State House of Representatives

Lynne Lechter (R), 149th District – Candidate for State House of Representatives

Bob Mensch (R), 147th District - - Incumbent, State House of Representatives

Nicholas Miccarelli (R), 162nd District - - Candidate for State House of Representatives

Nicholas Micozzie (R), 163rd District - - Incumbent, State House of Representatives

Duane Milne (R), 167th District - - Incumbent, State House of Representatives

Thomas Quigley (R), 160th District - - Incumbent, State House of Representatives

Douglas Reichley (R), 134th District - - Incumbent, State House of Representatives

Michael O'Pake (D), 11th District - - Incumbent, State Senate

Dominic Pileggi (R), 9th District - - Incumbent, State Senate

Terrific column by Gil Spencer in The Delaware County Daily & Sunday Times recapping the veteran columnists' impressions of political candidates who met with the newspaper's editorial board.

Spencer on U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak:

Candidate Most Easily Angered by a Question — Incumbent U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, D-7, of Edgmont. When asked, "Where do you live?" he responded, "I own a house in Edgmont." Yes, came the follow-up, "but do you live in that house?" Sestak’s terse reply, "I LIVE in Edgmont, SIR!" (To his credit, Joe apologized later for getting "testy.")

Spencer on state Rep. Daylin Leach, who is seeking a state Senate seat:

Candidate Most Outraged by Opponent's Spinning of His Record — State Rep. Daylin Leach, a Democrat running for the 17th District state Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Connie Williams, at GOP opponent Lance Rogers, for Rogers' claiming Leach wanted to make it easier for drug users to evade punishment for driving under the influence. A Rogers' mailing that featured an overturned school bus presumably smashed into by some coke-headed friend of Leach's had him spluttering at the unfairness of it all.

"My kids' teachers get this," he carped.

Spencer on Sestak's opponent, Craig Williams:

Best Candidate Nobody Ever Heard Of: Craig Williams, Republican for Congress in the 7th District. Smart, personable, articulate and tough. He’d give Sestak a run for our money if anybody could figure out who he is. (I say "our money," because Joe sure spends a lot of it on his franking privileges — some $640,000 worth.)

Read more of Spencer's column at the newspaper's Web site.

Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr. has endorsed Lance Rogers for the vacant 17th District seat in the Pennsylvania Senate.

Castor, who served two terms as Montgomery County District Attorney, also took some shots at Rogers' opponent, state Rep. Daylin Leach.

Rogers, a moderate who was an independent before he won the Republican nomination in April, is facing Leach, one of the most liberal members of the Pennsylvania House, in the race to succeed Sen. Connie Williams, who is not seeking re-election.

The Republican Party has an opportunity to add to its majority in the state Senate by picking up this traditional Democratic seat. And the seat Leach is giving up in the House, the 149th District, will likely go to Lynn Lechter, a Republican.

Here is Castor's endorsement:

As Montgomery County Commissioner and former District Attorney, I have closely followed the races for Pennsylvania State Senate in our region. One race in particular has captured my attention due to the back and forth between the candidates on an issue that is of great importance to law enforcement. The issue is Pennsylvania's DUI law and I am writing to set the record straight. Lance Rogers is correct. Daylin Leach did attempt to weaken our DUI law in 2003.

In 2003, I worked with other District Attorneys throughout the Commonwealth to craft amendments toughening Pennsylvania's DUI law to help make our streets safer. Our legislation proposed a zero tolerance policy for illegal drug use by drivers. Specifically, the legislation provided that any driver caught with illegal drugs, e.g., cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, LSD, etc., in their bloodstream would be required to serve a mandatory minimum 7 day jail sentence.

Our legislation was ultimately approved, making it illegal in Pennsylvania to drive a motor vehicle after using illicit drugs. The law, however, was not without its critics. On July 7, 2003, State Representative Daylin Leach proposed an amendment which would have destroyed our zero tolerance standard by making it legal for drivers to operate a motor vehicle while they had been using illegal drugs. When introducing his amendment, Mr. Leach stated that he felt that the zero tolerance standard went too far and was unfair. Not surprisingly, Mr. Leach's amendments engendered criticism from both his Democrat and Republican colleagues. He consequently withdrew his proposal. I reviewed a word for word transcript of the House proceeding where Mr. Leach attempted to weaken our bill. That transcript is part of the public record for all to see.

Mr. Leach's claims that he authored legislation which actually strengthened Pennsylvania's DUI law is false. His proposed amendment would have eliminated Pennsylvania's zero tolerance standard and would have weakened Pennsylvania's DUI law by making convictions far more difficult to obtain. It is not surprising that my law enforcement colleagues from the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) have chosen to withdraw their previous support for Mr. Leach and endorse Mr. Rogers.

Instead of directly addressing these facts, Mr. Leach claims that Mr. Rogers has engaged in negative campaigning. As a former District Attorney, I can tell you that Pennsylvania's zero tolerance policy plays an important role in making our streets safer. I am relieved that Mr. Leach's amendment was not adopted. Voters need and deserve to make an informed decision in this race and there is nothing negative about informing voters of a candidate's true record.

Bruce Castor
Montgomery County Commissioner
Former Montgomery County District Attorney

For more on Lance Rogers, visit his campaign Web site, http://www.lancerogers.com/

Two years ago, Joe Sestak was the challenger trying to unseat an entrenched incumbent in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District. Funny how things change. Today, Sestak is the incumbent trying to hold on to his job by avoiding his challenger.

From the Craig Williams for Congress campaign:

The Craig Williams for Congress campaign today expressed disappointment in Congressman Joe Sestak for his refusal to confirm a date set by the League of Women Voters for an issues debate with Republican candidate Craig Williams. The League of Women Voters informed the Williams campaign that they were forced to cancel the tentative date for the debate after Sestak refused to even discuss a possible date with their League's leadership.

"The League of Women Voters is an all-volunteer organization who has only one interest: good government and civic discourse," said Jim Knapp, campaign manager for the Williams for Congress campaign. "But Joe Sestak refuses to even grant them the courtesy of providing potential dates for a debate with Craig Williams. Ironically, Joe Sestak ran for Congress in 2006 under the guise of open and responsive government. Two years later and Joe Sestak has already forgotten who sent him to Congress."

Joe Sestak has similarly avoided any type of planning discussions with the Williams campaign, which since June has sought a meeting to discuss the potential for six town hall style policy discussions and three formal debates on the issues. Repeated efforts to enter into exploratory discussions with the Sestak campaign have been continuously rebuffed.

"Joe Sestak refuses to address the energy crisis and he just voted for the largest federal budget and tax increase in our nation's history," said Knapp."No matter how many times he tries to dodge the debates, Sestak cannot hide from his voting record."

Sestak has repeatedly attempted to claim that he will not begin his re-election campaign until later in the fall, even as he raises millions of dollars from contributors around the country and makes the talk show circuit on behalf of other Democratic candidates.

"This type of lame excuse is what you would expect to hear from a politician who has lost touch with voters. I think voters are smart enough to see through his sham."

For more on Williams, visit his campaign Web site.

There are two possible outcomes from the Bonusgate scandal, according to an editorial in The Delaware County Daily Times:

One, voters will give up, saying they can't change the culture of corruption that pervades state government in Pennsylvania.

Two, voters will rise up and demand accountability by voting out incumbents, just like they did in 2006 in the aftermath of the pay raise scandal.

From the editorial:

People get so discouraged with the process, they begin to withdraw altogether. They shrug their shoulders, roll their eyes. Another day, another scandal in Harrisburg.

Now there is once again talk of reform in Harrisburg, with a handful of legislators pushing for a constitutional convention to address need change in the capital. The last time they did that was back in 1967. If you listen to the poll, the response from the public is clear: Don't bother, or waste the money.

It was just a few years ago when voters, outraged over a midnight pay raise voted by the Legislature in the wee hours of the morning, took out their revenge in a more practical manner.

First they vented their spleen. They demonstrated. They wrote letters. They held protests at the state Capitol.

Then they got serious. They voted.

A lot of politicians didn't even wait for the dust to settle. They left Harrisburg before they could be shown the door in the primaries. Several long-time pols who dared appear on the ballot were unceremoniously dumped from office. In one unheard of event, a sitting state Supreme Court justice was denied what is almost a formality in a retention vote.

It's time for voters to get involved one more time. Three of four people in the state do not believe the Legislature will take the necessary steps to clean up their act.

Citizens should do it for them. At the voting booth.

Read the full editorial, "Pa. voters need to clean up Capitol politics," at the newspaper's Web site.

How serious is Lance Rogers about winning the 17th District state Senate seat?

Rogers recently quit his job to campaign full time until the Nov. 4 election. That's how serious the independent-turned-Republican candidate is about going to the state Senate.

Rogers plans to knock on 15,000 doors throughout the 17th District between now and Election Day, according to his campaign.

Rogers, an attorney, resigned his position at the Pepper Hamilton law firm "to run a full-time grassroots campaign, introducing himself to voters throughout the summer," according to his campaign.

"Whether its lowering property taxes, making health care affordable or holding politicians more accountable, meeting voters on their doorstep and personally talking to them about their hopes and concerns is the best way to understand the real problems we face in Pennsylvania," Rogers said in a press release.

Rogers notified his law firm on Feb. 26 that he would resign his position, effective May 2.

"Although we are disappointed to see a dynamic and talented colleague leave our firm, we understand the demands of running for political office," said Larry ("Buzz") Wood, a litigation partner at Pepper Hamilton in Philadelphia. "We wish Lance the best of luck in his campaign and future endeavors."

Rogers defeated Lisa Paolino in the April 22 GOP primary. He faces state Rep. Daylin Leach, who continues to collect a check from taxpayers while he campaigns for a new job.

The 17th District state Senate seat in Montgomery and Delaware counties is held by Democrat Connie Williams, who is not seeking re-election.

For more information on Rogers, visit his campaign Web site, www.LanceRogers.com