The Fringe Media (formerly known as the Mainstream Media) has launched an all-out assault on Sarah Palin as she begins her book tour to promote "Going Rogue."
The book goes on sale Tuesday, but liberal book critics and left-wing pundits have already savaged the book, which is destined to become one of the biggest sellers of the year.
Despite the constant negative commentary about Palin in the Fringe Media, a new poll says most Americans share Palin's values.
From Rasmussen Reports:
Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Republican voters say former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin shares the values of most GOP voters throughout the nation.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 21% of Republican voters disagree and think the 2008 vice presidential candidate does not share their values. Twenty percent (20%) are undecided.
By contrast, 74% of Republicans say their party’s representatives in Congress have lost touch with GOP voters nationwide over the past several years. Only 18% of Republican voters believe their elected officials have done a good job representing the base.
The findings in these two surveys highlight the political debate within the Republican Party. Party leaders worry that Palin is pushing the GOP too far to the right to win general elections by aligning herself with Tea Party voters frustrated with both parties in Washington and the big government policies they have produced.
Still, just 18% of Republicans - and 26% of voters nationwide - see Palin as a divisive force within the GOP. A plurality believes Palin is representative of a new direction for the Republican Party. That view is held by 57% of Republicans and 41% of all voters. A plurality of Democrats aren't sure what to think of Palin's role within the opposing party.
Just posted on the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Web site:
HARRISBURG - As part of an ongoing public corruption investigation into the Pennsylvania Legislature, agents from the Attorney General's Public Corruption Unit today filed criminal charges against Representative John Perzel and former Republican Representative Brett Feese. Also charged are eight current or former aides to Perzel and Feese.
Attorney General Tom Corbett said the charges are part of an ongoing grand jury investigation into the misuse of public resources and employees for campaign purposes in the Pennsylvania Legislature.
Corbett said the grand jury issued a 188 page presentment recommending that he file criminal charges against the defendants.
Among those charged, in addition to Perzel and Feese, are Perzel's former Chief of Staff, Brian Preski; his current Chief of Staff, Paul Towhey; Perzel's brother-in-law and former House employee, Samual "Buzz" Stokes; Perzel legislative aide John Zimmerman; Perzel campaign aide Don McClintock; Feese aides Jill Seaman and Elmer Bowman; and former House Republican Information Technology Deputy Director Eric Ruth.
The defendants are each charged with numerous theft, criminal conspiracy and conflict of interest charges. Additionally, Perzel, Preski, Feese, Seaman, Towhey and Zimmerman are each charged with obstruction of justice.
Corbett said that in the first phase of the investigation his agents charged 12 defendants in July of 2008. Trials are scheduled for December and January 2010.
10 Republicans, including John Perzel, charged in corruption probe
The other shoe has dropped.
Ten Republicans connected to the Pennsylvania Legislature, including former Speaker of the House John Perzel, have been charged in a wide-ranging corruption case, Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett announced today.
A grand jury found that Perzel was the architect of an illegal scheme in which more than $10 million in taxpayer money was spent to help win political campaigns, according to The Associated Press.
Also charged in the ongoing grand jury probe were Perzel's former chief of staff, Brian Preski, and former House GOP counsel Brett Feese, the news service reports.
The charges come 16 months after 12 Democrats were charged in what became known as the Bonusgate case.
Just four years ago, Perzel was arguably the most powerful politician in Pennsylvania, with more influence than Gov. Ed Rendell. But the pay raise fiasco of 2005 and Republican loses in the House (which Perzel had a hand in) cost Perzel his post as Speaker. Now he is facing criminal charges and a lengthy jail sentence if found guilty.
Perzel, who has represented parts of Philadelphia in Legislature since 1979, was Republican Whip in 1993-94; Majority Leader from 1995 to 2003; and Speaker from April 15, 2003, to the end of 2006, when a half-dozen Republicans joined with Democrats to deny him another term as Speaker.
Sam Rohrer to announce run for governor on Nov. 17
State Rep. Sam Rohrer is expected to announce his candidacy for Pennsylvania governor at a Town Hall Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the Spring Township Fire Company in West Lawn, Berks County.
Rohrer sent the following e-mail today to potential supporters:
Over the past few weeks Ruth Ann and I, and our entire family have been weighing the decision to seek the Republican nomination for Pennsylvania Governor. We've approached it understanding the risk, but knowing fully the incredible need for leadership in our state and nation.
There have been few other moments in my lifetime when the collective call of duty has been greater, and the responsibility to act so urgent. More than winning elections for political parties or discovering a way for Republicans to reach a legislative majority, the 2010 campaign must be waged to give voice for the ideas and principles that matter most.
I want to personally invite you to a special Townhall on Tuesday, November 17 at the Spring Township Fire Department, 2301 Monroe Avenue in West Lawn, PA. I'm organizing this forum to announce the decision on the race for governor, and begin a statewide conversation about the challenges and real opportunities facing Pennsylvania.
We can change the direction of our state, but it will take all of us – "We the People!"
Rohrer, who has represented the 128th House District in southern Berks County since 1993, is best known for leading the fight to eliminate school property taxes in Pennsylvania. He has also taken the lead in the state's rights movement.
If Rohrer decides to enter the 2010 Republican Primary, he will face a crowded field that already includes Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett and Congressman Jim Gerlach, R-6th Dist.
Rohrer announced the Town Hall Meeting at http://samrohrer.org/, which will probably turn into his campaign Web site after Nov. 17.
Six of the seven Republican candidates for Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas won Tuesday.
The only Democrat elected to the bench was Lois Murphy. If the name sounds familiar, Murphy ran twice against U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach in Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District, which includes Montgomery County.
Murphy lost both times, but she and the Democratic Party spend more than $6 million on those campaigns. For that kind of money, Murphy bought herself name recognition and a job in the Montgomery County Courthouse. Not exactly the halls of Congress, but it's a living.
Common Pleas Court judges earn $161,850 a year and serve 10-year terms, after which they can seek retention until a mandatory retirement age of 70. The current salary for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate is $168,000 per year, with annual COLA increases.
While Murphy is relatively young, she's stuck in a courtroom for the next 10 years, effectively ending her future in politics.
Talk about bad timing. Murphy committed to running for a county judge seat before Congressman Gerlach announced he would not seek another term. Murphy could have won the 6th Congressional District seat next year.
The Montgomery County Republican Committee couldn't resist taking a shot at Murphy in this statement released Thursday:
We fielded a very talented team of experienced public servants in the Court of Common Pleas race. In the campaign, we talked about the candidates, their backgrounds and their commitment to Montgomery County.
Tuesday, it was the voters turn. They spoke loudly and clearly. They rejected partisan cries and today, we are celebrating the election of 6 members of our Judicial Team to the Court of Common Pleas.
Carolyn Tornette Carluccio, Garrett D. Page, Wendy Demchick-Alloy, Kelly Wall, Gary S. Silow and Patricia Coonahan captured 10-year terms on the bench.
This victory was the result of a complete team effort. We had a terrific ticket that worked very hard. We had tremendous support from our Committee and hundreds of volunteers. We had a sound strategy and executed it well.
"Tuesday night was a hell of a night for Republicans in Montgomery County," MCRC Chairman Robert Kerns said. "Congratulations to our entire team."
Were it not for a Democratic candidate benefiting from spending $6 million in two unsuccessful Congressional campaigns, it may have been a clean sweep for the Republican ticket.
Republicans also did very well in local races across the county, with significant victories in North Wales, Lansdale, Hatfield and Abington, to name a few.
Thank you to our volunteers, supporters, candidates, and committee people. We couldn't have done it without you. And we can't do it again in the future without you.
Commenting on Tuesday's repudiation of the Obama presidency, Republican Pennsylvania Senate candidate Pat Toomey said the election results show voters oppose the extreme big-government policies of Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.
From Toomey's statement:
"Last night, election results around the country and in Pennsylvania demonstrate that the tide is turning against big-government, big-spending policies. In Pennsylvania, six out of seven Republican judicial candidates were victorious in their statewide bids.
Congratulations to all of our great Republican candidates who won yesterday in Pennsylvania That tells us there is real energy in our state party, which will only continue to grow into next year."
Toomey said he was pleased with the results from neighboring New Jersey, where Republican Chris Christie upset the Obama-backed candidate, liberal Gov. Jon Corzine, and also applauded the outcome in Virginia, where the GOP candidate won the governor's race by a large margin.
“For nearly a year, the one-party monopoly in Washington has been pushing extreme policies on the American people, including government-run health care, unprecedented spending increases, and record deficit and debt levels," Toomey said. "Yesterday, voters made their voices heard. It's time we stopped the parade of bailouts, government takeovers, and record-breaking spending, and replaced it with commonsense reforms that do not bankrupt our country.”
Republican Joan Orie Melvin wins seat on PA Supreme Court
Republican Joan Orie Melvin won a hotly-contested seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Tuesday, giving Republicans a 4-3 majority on the court.
Melvin defeated Democrat Jack Panella in the most expensive judicial race in Pennsylvania's history. Panella raised more than $2.5 million, largely from trial lawyers and organized labor, according to The Associated Press.
With 98 percent of the state's precincts reporting, Melvin had 910,270 votes or 53 percent to Democrat Jack Panella's 806,157 votes or 47 percent, the wire service reported.
Panella was widely criticized for running a negative campaign, resorting to personal attacks on Melvin.
Melvin's victory, which restores a one-seat majority that the GOP lost in 2007, continued a good night for Republicans, who have won the governor's races in Virginia and New Jersey.
Four Republican candidates for four open Pennsylvania Superior Court seats and two Republican candidates for two open Commonwealth Court seats were also leading their respective races at midnight, although final results were not in yet.
In blow to Obama, Democrats lose NJ, VA governor races
In a stunning upset, Republican Chris Christie defeated Democrat Barack Obama ... I mean Jon Corzine ... to win the New Jersey governor's race Tuesday.
Despite spending $23 million dollars and having Barack Obama campaign for him three times, Corzine, the free-spending liberal and Obama doormat, was tossed out by New Jersey voters in a a clear repudiation of the Obama agenda.
Christie's victory in heavily Democratic New Jersey should send shock waves through the Democratic Party establishment. Earlier in the evening, Republican Bob McDonnell won the Virginia governor's race in another litmus test of Obama's failed presidency.
Look for Democrats in Congress to bail out of Obama's big government, big deficit socialist agenda overnight.
Obama himself told New Jersey voters that the Christie-Corzine election was a referendum on his 10 months as president.
Corzine ran a nasty campaign of personal attacks, including making fun of Christie's weight.
The 300-pound Christie told supporters at a victory rally Tuesday night "we are going to pick Trenton up and turn it upside down."
With 75 percent of precincts reporting by 10:30 p.m., Christie had 50 percent of the vote compared to 44 percent for Corzine. Independent Chris Daggett had about 5 percent of the vote.
(Update: With 97 percent of precincts reporting at midnight, Christie had 49 percent of the vote compared to 44 percent for Corzine. Daggett finished with 5 percent.)
One year after the election of Barack Obama, voters could send a strong message they don't like the direction the country is headed by sweeping Republicans into office in the governor's races in Virginia and New Jersey and the special election in New York for a House seat.
Richard Viguerie: Tea Party Activists Are the New GOP
From Richard A. Viguerie, chairman of ConservativeHQ.com, on the withdrawal of GOP candidate Dede Scozzafava from the special election in New York's 23rd congressional district:
"Doug Hoffman and NY-23 is an earthquake in American politics, and is the first of many challenges to establishment Republicans that we will see for the 2010 elections and beyond. The stupid decision by Republican leaders to pour $900,000 into the NY-23rd race against a conservative has unleashed a fury that will lead to new GOP leadership.
"Conservatives anger at Washington-establishment Republicans will cost the national committees tens of millions of dollars as conservative money will start flowing directly to the Tea Parties and their candidates."
Another major Pennsylvania newspaper is backing Joan Orie Melvin for Pennsylvania Supreme Court in Tuesday's General Election.
From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
What we do care about is legal acumen, temperament and moxie. And on all three counts, Judge Orie Melvin of Marshall, a Republican and a state Superior Court judge since 1997, is the best choice for the state's highest court.
Six months ago today, Arlen Specter left the Republican Party because polling data showed that he could not win against Pat Toomey. Today, the polls show Pennsylvanians of all political stripes are rejecting his rampant political opportunism and complete lack of principle.
This morning Team Toomey released the video above to commemorate Sen. Specter's six month anniversary as a Democrat.
A good column by Brad Bumsted of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review about how so-called conservative western Pennsylvania Democrats in the state House let down their constituents by supporting the deficit budget pushed by Gov. Ed Rendell and legislative leaders.
Instead of sticking with House Republicans to oppose the 2009-10 budget and higher taxes, the "Blue Dogs" turned into lap dogs, Bumsted writes.
From Bumsted's column:
On the final tax vote, only two Blue Dogs -- Rep. Joseph Petrarca, D-Vandergrift, and Rep. John Pallone, D-New Kensington -- barked. They were the only Democrats to vote against it.
Most of the Blue Dog Democrats showed in the end they were team players.
They could have rocked the Capitol on Aug. 3 but chose to take an obvious victory.
From their perspective, getting their leaders to declare that the income tax was dead was significant and it truly ended that debate.
It was a pivotal day in the historic budget battle. Some Democrats might think about it again next year when Republicans are campaigning against them, citing their votes for the "$1 billion state tax increase."
Newspapers back Jane Orie Melvin for PA Supreme Court
The biggest race on the Nov. 3 ballot is to fill a vacancy on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which is now split 3-3 among Democrats and Republicans.
The candidates are reform candidate Jane Orie Melvin, a Republican, and Jack Panella, the Democratic Party machine candidate, who is running attack ads against Orie Melvin instead of giving voters a reason to support him.
Three of the state's leading newspapers (and among the most liberal newspapers at that) are urging voters to support Orie Melvin.
Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason congratulated Supreme Court candidate Judge Joan Orie Melvin on receiving the endorsement of The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and The Patriot News on Sunday.
From a Republican Party of Pennsylvania press release:
"Judge Joan Orie Melvin is an incredibly impressive candidate and I am pleased to read that The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and The Patriot News all agreed," Gleason said. "In their endorsement, The Philadelphia Inquirer noted Judge Joan Orie Melvin's 'outsider's viewpoint' and credited her call to create an independently appointed agency to monitor corrupt judges. Clearly, with the story of the Luzerne County judicial scandal still dominating headlines, Pennsylvania voters are looking to elect a Supreme Court justice that will seek to root out corruption, not stand idly by while it takes place."
"The Philadelphia Inquirer's endorsement also criticizes Democrat candidate Jack Panella for his 'special interest campaign war chest' which has come through sizable donations from trial lawyers and big labor groups. We agree that the donations he has received raise serious questions about whether or not Jack Panella, if elected, will be beholden to these special interest groups who have donated so generously to his campaign."
"Judge Joan Orie Melvin's strong work ethic, distinguished record and judicial temperament make her the only choice for Supreme Court on November 3rd, and I am overjoyed that so many Pennsylvanians, including three of our state’s largest newspapers from the western, eastern and central Pennsylvania, are voicing their support for her campaign."
The Philadelphia Inquirer endorsement of Judge Joan Orie Melvin for Supreme Court reads:
Of the two appellate judges vying for Supreme Court, Joan Orie Melvin of Pittsburgh edges out Jack A. Panella, her Easton colleague on the state Superior Court. Melvin, 53, earned the state bar's highest rating and was cited for being "genial and fair- minded" with a "solid record of performance" on the bench over a 24-year period. ("Editorial: Best judicial choices," The Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/25/09)
Click here to read the text of The Philadelphia Inquirer’s full endorsement.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette endorsement of Judge Joan Orie Melvin for Supreme Court reads:
The other consideration is one dear to our core principles. If Judge Panella wins this race, the court will be down to six men and one woman (Justice Debra McCloskey Todd). The other female justice, Jane Cutler Greenspan, agreed not to seek a full 10-year term after Chief Justice Ralph Cappy retired last year.
Advantage, Judge Melvin, who would strike a small but important blow for gender balance by keeping the number of female justices at two.
The Post-Gazette endorses Judge Joan Orie Melvin for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. ("Supreme Court: In a duel of two top jurists, it's Judge Melvin," The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Click here to read the text of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s full endorsement.
The Patriot News endorsement of Judge Joan Orie Melvin for Supreme Court reads:
But on Nov. 3, voters can choose only one, and after meeting with the candidates and reviewing their records, our choice is Judge Joan Orie Melvin.
She has experience at all levels of the judiciary, having served as a judge in the municipal courts in Pittsburgh, Court of Common Pleas in Allegheny County and has been on the Superior Court since 1997. ("Pennsylvania Supreme Court judge: Our choice is Orie Melvin," The Patriot News, 10/25/09)
Click here to read the text of The Patriot News' full endorsement.
For more information about Orie Melvin, visit her campaign Web site, www.judgeoriemelvin.com
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Pat Toomey will be the feature speaker at the annual Fall Reception and Dinner sponsored by the Montgomery County Republican Committee.
The event is Thursday, Oct. 22.
The festivities begin with a reception at 5 p.m. at O'Neill Properties at 211 S. Gulph Road in King of Prussia. Tickets are $300.
The dinner begins at 7:30 p.m. at Westover Country Club in Jeffersonville. Tickets are $40. A ticket to the dinner is included with a reception ticket.
Call MCRC at 610-279-9300 to reserve a ticket. Or email Brittany at btressler@montcogop.com
In addition to Toomey, the seven candidates for Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas as well as other federal, state and local elected officials and candidates will be attending.
Curt Schroder raises $100,000 for Congressional bid
Chester County state Rep. Curt Schroder, a Republican candidate for Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District, announced Tuesday he has raised more than $100,000, exceeding his fundraising goals over the past six weeks.
"I am humbled by the outpouring of local support that I have received," Schroder said in a press release. "Over 320 individuals helped us raise nearly $110,000, the overwhelming bulk of which came in during the last 30 days."
Schroder emphasized that the bulk of his contributions came from individuals within the 6th District and not from far flung national PAC's representing special interests or a personal check.
"Clearly the taxpayers in our region know me, my record and what I stand for. They know that as their Congressman I will go to Washington and place their interests first"
Taking a shot at one of his opponents, Steven Welch, who doesn't live in the 6th District, Schroder noted: "I have lived in the 6th District since its inception and the Downingtown area my entire life. I understand the values, needs and priorities of the people who live here. The out-pouring of grass roots support clearly demonstrates that the people who live here recognize that"
Schroder has represented Chester County's 155th District in the state Legislature since 1994.
The 6th District Republican nomination is up for grabs in 2010 after incumbent Republican Jim Gerlach announced he would not seek a fourth term. Instead, Gerlach is running for governor of Pennsylvania.
Colin McNickle of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review takes a shot at state Sen. Jane Orie, a Republican who voted to support the better-late-than-never Pennsylvania budget.
State Sen. Jane Orie has some explaining to do. Americans for Tax Reform chides the Allegheny County Republican, the Senate majority whip, for breaking her pledge to not raise taxes. Ms. Orie was a signatory to ATR's Taxpayer Protection Pledge but voted for new taxes last week. To paraphrase the axiom, if you give her time, she often succeeds in living up to her hypocrisies. Or as the German proverb goes, "When the fox preaches look to your geese."
Orie is not alone. Half the Senate Republicans voted to support a budget that increases taxes on many Pennsylvanians even though they promised to oppose all tax hikes.
If a growing number of House members that signed a discharge petition for H. Res. 554 have their way, every single bill in Congress will be held for least 72 business hours Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) prior to passage for a mandatory review by each house.
The discharge petition initiated by Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR2) has obtained 182 signatures, including the bill's sponsor, Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA3). Walden did so on the same day the Senate Finance Committee explicitly voted against allowing 72 hours to review ObamaCare once it was finally written.
Only 7 of Pennsylvania's 19 House members have signed the petition: Reps. Charlie Dent, Bill Shuster, Glenn Thompson, Todd Platts, Joe Pitts, Jim Gerlach and Tim Murphy. All 7 are Republicans.
What about your member of Congress? What are they hiding? Why do they want to rush through votes before anyone has a chance to read the bill?
For a complete list of the members of Congress who signed the petition, click here.
The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania doesn't have a voice in the Pennsylvania Legislature, but party officials want to say loud and clear they disapprove of the way Democrats and Republicans are handling the state's finances.
From a statement issued by Doug Leard, head of media relations for the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania on behalf of party Chairman Michael Robertson:
Last year, Pennsylvania general fund tax revenues fell below $25,000,000,000. Our representatives in Harrisburg ignored the revenue shortage and spent over $28,000,000,000. Instead of facing reality for the upcoming year and joining taxpayers in tightening their fiscal belts, our representatives have proposed a general fund 2010 budget of $27,950,000,000.
To make matters worse, while most "budget" references are to the general fund portion of the budget, state government's total operating budget exceeds $61,000,000,000.
Where will the money come from? Increased taxes for one. The most recent budget plan retroactively increases the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax (CSFT) – the tax which Governor Rendell had said was the most harmful to the Pennsylvania economy In addition, we would be charged a sales tax for admission to performing arts programs (such as music concerts and theaters) and other cultural venues (such as museums, parks and zoos). Smokers will also pay an additional tax for cigarettes.
But, these taxes will not be enough to meet Harrisburg's hunger for spending. So, Governor Rendell and legislators appear to be counting on federal bailout dollars and may exhaust Pennsylvania's Rainy Day Fund to delay facing economic reality until next year.
Media Relations Chair, Doug Leard, stated "Harrisburg's approach to belt tightening is like the man who comes home from work and tell his wife 'Times are tough at work – no bonus this year and 10% pay cuts across the board. Boy, it’s hot today. Let's put in a pool.'"
Based on recent budget proposals, The Commonwealth Foundation, an independent, non-profit research and educational institute, projects a budget deficit of $846,000,000 next year that will grow to $14,400,000,000 in 2012 as federal stimulus money disappears and pension obligations for Pennsylvania's School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS) and the State Employees' Retirement System (SERS) come due.
The Libertarian Party denounces both the Republicans and Democrats along with their bankrupt vision of spending, taxing and regulating Pennsylvania into even deeper hardship. If voters want to escape from this budgetary death spiral, the only option is Libertarian Party candidates for the General Assembly. After all, the status quo has proven yet again to be no choice at all.
There have been three special elections so far this year to fill vacant seats in the Pennsylvania Legislature.
Republicans have won all three seats, two in the Senate and one in the House, by safe margins.
The success the Republican Party has had bodes well for 2010 when all 203 seats in the state House and 25 of the 50 seats in the state Senate are up for re-election.
(The GOP lost its majority in the House in 2006 thanks largely to the backlash over the legislative pay raise and was unable to recapture the majority in 2008 primarily because of the Barack Obama landslide in Pennsylvania. With no major Democratic names on the ticket in 2010, the GOP has a chance to retake control of the House.)
The most recent contest, Tuesday's victory by state Rep. Bob Mensch in the 24th Senatorial District, was by far the GOP's biggest win of the year. Mensch defeated his well-financed Democratic opponent by a 2-1 margin.
Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason took note of the GOP's undefeated streak in releasing the following statement congratulating Mensch:
"It is clear that Bob Mensch's message of reform and fiscal responsibility resonated with the voters," Gleason said. "We are confident that Bob Mensch will be a great leader for Pennsylvanians living in the 24th Senatorial District and a welcome addition to the state Senate."
"The Republican Party of Pennsylvania was proud to support the Mensch Campaign in this important race. This year, our Party has gone undefeated, enjoying three dominating victories in special elections around the Commonwealth. Our Party feels confident that these victories will provide our candidates with momentum heading into the upcoming statewide judicial elections where we will elect Judge Joan Orie Melvin to serve as our next Supreme Court Justice."
The 24th state Senatorial District consists of portions of Bucks, Lehigh, Montgomery and Northampton counties. Mensch was elected to fill the term of former state Sen. Rob Wonderling, who resigned earlier this summer.
U.S. Senate candidate Pat Toomey and Pennsylvania Supreme Court candidate Joan Orie Melvin will the guests of honor at the annual picnic hosted by the Berks County Republican Party.
The event will be held from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, at Cacoosing Meadows Park, Reedy and State Hill roads, Spring Township.
In addition to meeting the candidates, there will be food, entertainment and refreshments. (Committeepeople, YR's, McCain/Palin Volunteers and candidates are asked to bring a covered dish.)
For more information, visit www.berksgop.org or call the party headquarters at 610-374-1100.
Mensch picks up key endorsement in bid for state Senate
The TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce, which represents 700 businesses in Montgomery, Chester and Berks counties, has endorsed state Rep. Bob Mensch for the 24th Senatorial District seat in a special election on Sept. 29.
The election will fill the vacant Senate seat previously held by Sen. Robert Wonderling, who recently resigned to serve as the president and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.
Mensch, serving his second term in the state House, has been an ally of the business community and a strong advocate for policies that will foster job creation and economic growth, according to the Chamber.
"He brings a valuable insight to the legislature with his experience as a business professional," said TriCounty Area Chamber President P. Timothy Phelps.
Mensch was named the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce's Legislator of the Year in 2008 for his impact on the region as well as his 100 percent voting record on business issues supported by the Chamber.
More from the Chamber's endorsement:
Mensch continues to support key chamber initiatives, and he is an advocate for tri-county's regionalization efforts. His pro-business stances include investment in improved transportation infrastructure, business tax structure reform, health care reform, and tort reform. Also, as a member of the House Republican Policy Committee Task Force on Budget and Economic Policy, Mensch has remained strongly opposed to Governor Ed Rendell's proposal to increase taxes to offset proposed state spending increases.
Having worked his way through the ranks at AT&T for 28 years, he truly understands the needs of the business community. The Chamber believes that Representative Bob Mensch's dedicated leadership, combined with his community, charity, corporate, and political experiences, provides the mix needed for the success of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
This is the second major endorsement Mensch has picked up from the business community. Mensch is also supported by ChamberPAC, the political arm of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.
Curt Schroder hires campaign manager for Congressional run
State Rep. Curt Schroder has added Kyle Whatley as campaign manager in his bid to win the Republican nomination in the 6th Congressional District.
Whatley has held leadership positions in or managed four congressional campaigns, a mayor's race and two city council offices. He led a statewide non-profit organization and has consulted Fortune 500 companies.
Originally from Texas, Mr. Whatley came to Pennsylvania specifically to work on Curt Schroder's campaign.
"My wife and I would not have moved almost 2,000 miles if I was not absolutely certain Curt Schroder was going to win this race," Whatley said. "He is in an exceptional position to not only prevail in the primary but to win the election next November. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this campaign and look forward to playing my role in Curt Schroder being the next Congressman representing the 6th District of Pennsylvania."
Schroder added, "I am pleased to announce the hiring of Mr. Whatley. This team is fast becoming one of the most skilled in the country."
Schroder previously announced that addition of two consulting firms, Strategy Group for Media and Hallowell & Branstetter as part of his campaign team.
"The Strategy Group for Media has consistently won awards for excellence, Hallowell & Branstetter has a combined 50 years in Pennsylvania politics and we have now added an experienced campaign manager," Schroder said. "I am extremely confident in the professional team we have assembled and am excited about the race to come."
Schroder was first elected to represent the 155th District of Pennsylvania in the State Assembly in 1994.
He and his wife reside in Downingtown with their two children.
The 6th District Congressional seat will be open in 2010 because incumbent U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach is not seeking re-election to Congress, opting instead to run for Pennsylvania governor.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) has released its fifth annual report on the most corrupt members of Congress.
CREW's Most Corrupt Members of Congress provides a detailed analysis of the unethical and sometimes illegal activities of 15 congressmen and women who have most egregiously betrayed the public's trust.
"With the economy in a free-fall, unemployment rates at record highs and health care solutions still nowhere in sight, members should be spending their time looking for answers to the nation's problems, not finding new ways to enrich themselves." said Melanie Sloan, executive director of CREW. "The members of Congress profiled in CREW'sMost Corrupt report have betrayed those who voted them into office. This report holds them accountable for their bad choices."
CREW also has launched the report's tandem Web site, www.CREWsMostCorrupt.org, which offers short summaries of each member's transgressions as well as the full-length profiles and all accompanying exhibits.
The 15 most corrupt members of Congress (listed alphabetically) are:
Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL) Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) Rep. Nathan Deal (R-GA) Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA) Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV) Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) Rep. Laura Richardson (D-CA) Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-IN) Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) Rep. Don Young (R-AK)
From a CREW press release:
New to this year's list are Sens. Roland Burris and John Ensign, and Reps. Nathan Deal, Jesse Jackson Jr. and Pete Visclosky.
After a two-year absence, Rep. Maxine Waters has reappeared in the study for unethical activities unrelated to the conduct that landed her on the list in the past. A detailed list of those who have previously graced the report can be found on the Web site.
Of this year's list of 15, at least 12 are under investigation: Reps. Ken Calvert, Jerry Lewis, Alan Mollohan, John Murtha, Pete Visclosky and Don Young are under Department of Justice (DOJ) investigations, while Sens. Roland Burris and John Ensign and Reps. Charles Rangel and Laura Richardson are under congressional ethics committee investigations. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. is under investigation by both the DOJ and the Office of Congressional Ethics and Rep. Vern Buchanan is being investigated by the Federal Election Commission.
Visit CREWsMostCorrupt.org or click here to read the full report.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is a non-profit legal watchdog group dedicated to holding public officials accountable for their actions.
Text of Rep. Joe Wilson 'resolution of disapproval'
The House of Representatives released the text of the resolution of disapproval at the outburst ("You lie!") by Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., during President Barack Obama's speech:
Whereas on September 9, 2009, during the joint session of Congress convened pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution 179, the President of the United States, speaking at the invitation of the House and Senate, had his remarks interrupted by the Representative from South Carolina, Mr. Wilson; and whereas the conduct of the Representative from South Carolina was a breach of decorum and degraded the proceedings of the joint session, to the discredit of the House:
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the House of Representatives disapproves of the behavior of the Representative from South Carolina, Mr. Wilson, during the joint session of Congress held on September 9, 2009.
I like the part about discrediting of the House as if the American public can have a lower opinion of Congress than they already do.
Update: The final tally late Tuesday was 240-179, mostly along party lines: 233 Democrats and seven Republicans voting for the resolution, and 167 Republicans and 12 Democrats opposing the measure. Five Democrats voted "present."
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.
Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason issued the following statement about President Obama's speech to a joint session of Congress:
"President Obama made another desperate attempt to pitch his plan for government-run, taxpayer-funded health care plan, the same plan that Americans have soundly rejected," Gleason said. "The President's speech was nothing short of a 'Hail Mary' pass made in an attempt to salvage a costly big government health care plan that most Americans do not want.
"The President's speech was short on details, and his assertion that the government can provide cheaper health care to more people than the current system without increasing the national deficit does not pass the smell test.
"Over the summer, Pennsylvanians made clear that they saw through the president's rhetoric and did not want to see a government takeover of their health care. I call on President Obama to listen to those concerns by ending his pursuit of big government programs and reach across the aisle to find solutions based on the same free market principles our country was founded upon."
They're supposed to represent the people, but members of Congress have very little in common with the rest of us. One of the biggest gaps between constituents and their elected representatives appears to be income.
While Americans struggle to make ends meet in the current 22-month-old recession, Congress resembles an exclusive country club, where millionaires hang out.
The Hill, a newspaper that covers Congress, has published a new list of the 50 wealthiest members of Congress.
No. 1 on The Hill's Rich List is Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, the 2004 Democratic Party nominee for president, with a worth of at least $167.8 million (thanks primarily to his marriage to Theresa Heinz.)
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.), placed second and third, with "hundreds of millions of dollars in assets," according to the newspaper.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made the Top 50, with a net worth of $12.5 million. Also on the list is Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who is worth $9.6 million. (Nobody from Pennsylvania made the Top 50).
From The Hill:
Most lawmakers, like other Americans, have seen stark declines in their Wall Street portfolios, but their latest financial disclosures do not suggest they are hard-up despite the recession. The average member of Congress is worth at least $2.9 million, according to their reports, although several have also reported debts that exceed their assets.
The list is a bipartisan one. Of the 50 lawmakers on the The Hill's Rich List, 26 are Democrats and 24 are Republicans. For comparison, there are 256 Democrats in the House and 178 Republicans; in the Senate there are 59 Democrats and 40 Republicans.
The Hill based its analysis on annual financial disclosure forms that lawmakers are required to complete and file with the House clerk or Senate secretary. The disclosures are for lawmakers’ assets and liabilities as at the end of 2008. The reports are not models of transparency so the dollar numbers in the list are best guesses rather than precise figures.
Read the full story and review the list of the 50 richest members of Congress at The Hill Web site.
Just 37% of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing, according to a new poll conducted by the Pew Research Center. Congress has been controlled by the Democrats for the past three years.
The job approval number has dropped 12 points since April, the last time Pew surveyed Americans about Congress.
The 37% figure is the lowest favorable percentage in more than two decades of Pew surveys.
Although Americans are clearly disenchanted with the Democrats, they aren't exactly thrilled with Republicans.
From an Associated Press story on the Pew results:
Forty-five percent of respondents said they would vote for a Democratic candidate in their district or lean Democratic, while 44 percent said they would vote or lean Republican.
Four years ago the numbers favored Democrats 52 percent to 40 percent, as the party went on to gain control of Congress.
The survey found that favorable ratings for the GOP remain low at 40 percent.
Most of the shift in voting intentions occurred among political independents, who backed Democrats by a wide margin previously but now say they would back Republicans in their districts by 43 to 38 percent.
For more poll results, go to the Pew Research Center Web site.
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.
New Poll: 57% Would Like to Replace Entire Congress
Job approval numbers for members of Congress have plummeted since the Democrats took control after the 2006 election. Now a majority of Americans say we should flush all of Congress away and start over.
From Rasmussen Reports:
If they could vote to keep or replace the entire Congress, just 25% of voters nationwide would keep the current batch of legislators.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% would vote to replace the entire Congress and start all over again. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure how they would vote.
Overall, these numbers are little changed since last October. When Congress was passing the unpopular $700-billion bailout plan in the heat of a presidential campaign and a seeming financial industry meltdown, 59% wanted to throw them all out. At that time, just 17% wanted to keep them.
There has been a bit of a partisan shift since last fall. With Democrats controlling both chambers of Congress, it's not surprising to find that the number of Democrats who would vote to keep the entire Congress has grown from 25% last fall to 43% today. In fact, a modest plurality of Democrats would now vote to keep the legislators. Last fall, a plurality of Democrats were ready to throw them all out.
Here's this week's State Capitol Roundup courtesy of state Rep. Bob Mensch, R-147:
GOP Leader Smith Challenges Democrats to Bring House Back Into Session to Deal With Budget
House Republican Leader Sam Smith (R-Jefferson County) this week called on House Democrat leaders to bring state lawmakers back to Harrisburg and get to work on the state budget, which is now 58 days late. Smith said the only way to resolve the disagreement among lawmakers and the governor about how much the state can afford to spend this year is to vote on it. He challenged Democrat leaders to run their proposals to increase taxes on Pennsylvanians. If there are not enough votes to support the tax hikes, then it's time to debate a fiscally responsible alternative, such as House Bill 1943, offered by Republican Appropriations Chairman Mario Civera. The plan increases the state's investment in public education and funds all vital state programs without increasing taxes. For more information on the Republican budget proposal, visit www.PAHouseGOP.com
Reining in Welfare Fraud Will Help Balance State Budget
In the wake of Democrat Auditor General Jack Wagner's recent report of mismanagement in the state's welfare system, House Republicans are renewing their call for reform to help save taxpayer money and balance the state's budget. An audit of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare's (DPW) special allowance program, which assists welfare recipients in work training, turned up insufficient documentation for 45 percent of the payments reviewed. In one case, a Philadelphia man was paid thousands of dollars to watch his own children. In another, two beauty school students were reimbursed by the state for supplies they never purchased. Republican Leader Sam Smith (R-Jefferson County) said this week that evidence of fraud has been building for the last three years, but he has little faith that DPW Secretary Estelle Richman will do anything to address the problem. House Republican Whip Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny County) is proposing legislation to tighten up the special allowance program, by limiting payments for child care, transportation, union fees, testing fees and professional fees, to reduce incidents of fraud and to ensure that state funds are reaching those truly in need of assistance. For the latest legislative news, visit PAHouseGOP.com
House GOP Leader: Democrats still want to raise taxes on PA residents
House Republican Leader Sam Smith is warning that Gov. Ed Rendell is working on another sneaky tax increase as the state's budget crisis enters its ninth week.
Smith issued the following statement regarding the Sales and Use Tax expansion proposal being offered by the governor as a means to fund his bloated state spending proposal.
For 55 days, Pennsylvania has not had a full operating budget in place, and the latest official budget proposal put forth by the Democrats increases state spending to $29.1 billion, far more than is supported by anticipated state revenues and federal stimulus dollars.
"One way or another, the governor wants your money. In this climate, more taxes can be devastating for Pennsylvania families and employers.
"Last week, Democrats were looking to tax legal services and limit access to the courts.
"Now, we learn 'everything is on the table,' and they have a list of items, including many other 'services' they are looking to tax for more revenues – including each and every ATM transaction.
"Newspapers and magazines; movie, sports and theater tickets; museums, historic sites and the zoo will all have the state Sales and Use Tax added to their costs just to increase state spending. Research and development, advertising, and administrative services will be taxed under the governor’s plan. In order to pay for big government services, Democrats are even looking to tax Unemployment Compensation Claims, mass transit, textbooks, flags and dry cleaning.
"In order to spend, they are looking to tax. More taxes on Pennsylvanians and Pennsylvania employers are wrong and cause harm. Republicans have a better idea.
"House Republicans have introduced the $27.5 billion, no-tax-increase 2009-10 Republican Compromise Budget, House Bill 1943, which includes a $150 million increase for basic education as well as an increase for services to non-public schools; money for hospitals and health care programs that were eliminated from the governor’s proposal; and necessary dollars for human service programs.
"The House Republican proposal is a complete budget that funds the needs and priorities of Pennsylvania. Reflecting the state of the global economy, some may have to do with less, but none will have to do without.
"By using reason and setting realistic priorities, a no-tax-increase budget is indeed possible."
Here's this week's State Capitol Roundup courtesy of state Rep. Bob Mensch, R-147th:
House Republicans Offer $27.5 Billion Budget Compromise
In an attempt to quickly resolve the budget stalemate and release funds for those depending on them, House Republicans have offered yet another responsible, balanced budget compromise. Developed in conjunction with several House Democrats, the $27.5 billion plan funds vital services, increases funding for education and does not raise taxes. House Republicans are eager to adopt this compromise now as Pennsylvania has entered its eighth week without a final budget. Since Gov. Ed Rendell decided at the beginning of the month to veto billions of dollars in funding from the interim state budget, human service providers and the people they serve have become leverage in the continuing budget crisis he created. College students are also still waiting to see if or when they will get the state grants they were guaranteed. Senate Democrats this week voted against immediately releasing funding for state grants for college students, mental retardation services, rape crisis and domestic violence services, veterans' assistance programs, and mortgage assistance programs as Senate Republicans attempted an override of the governor's veto. For the latest budget news, visit PAHouseGOP.com
Rendell urges Senate GOP to 'cancel their vacations, their fun'
Party pooper.
Gov. Ed Rendell issued the following statement after Senate Democrats refused Wednesday to join their Republican colleagues to override Rendell's veto of funding for education and social services.
"The Senate Democratic caucus did the right and courageous thing today: they put the next generation before the next election, and they demonstrated a strong and long standing commitment to passing a real and responsible budget for the citizens of this state.
"The failed attempt to override my veto of SB 850 further demonstrates the extreme and politically motivated nature of the position held by the Republican leaders. Once again, I call on them to cancel their vacations, their fun and their fundraisers. Return to Harrisburg. Immediately begin non-stop negotiations. Convene the conference committee. Get real. Lead, negotiate and compromise until a final comprehensive budget is in place for the commonwealth."
Now I'm really confused. I thought Rendell and the Democrats were looking out for the little people. But it was Rendell and the Democrats who refused to fund education and the social services.
Sounds like Rendell and the doormat Democrats are the ones playing politics.
Here's this week's State Capitol Roundup courtesy of state Rep. Bob Mensch, R-147:
Republican Leader Calls for Return to Session to Solve Budget Crisis
More than 40 days into the new fiscal year without a full budget, Gov. Ed Rendell's decision to line-item veto funding for many important programs and services is taking its toll on millions of Pennsylvanians. Republican Leader Sam Smith (R-Jefferson County) called on House Democratic leaders this week to return to session immediately so that schools, day care providers, mental health counseling services, preschool programs, nonprofit organizations and other vital services across the Commonwealth will not be interrupted in continuing to provide assistance to residents across the state. Thousands of college students may be forced to find other ways to fund their education in the coming weeks as the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) can neither finalize grant award amounts nor disburse money to campuses on students' behalf until a final budget is adopted. The House-Senate conference committee, charged with reaching a budget agreement, has not met since the end of July and has not planned or announced meetings in the coming days. For the latest budget news, visit PAHouseGOP.com
Gaming Expansion Considered by House Gaming Oversight Committee
The House Gaming Oversight Committee heard this week from casino executives seeking to add table games to Pennsylvania's casinos. Legislation that would authorize table games, providing an additional revenue source for Pennsylvania, could come before the House as part of the budget process. Republican members of the House Gaming Oversight Committee, including chairman Rep. Curt Schroder (R-Chester County) and Rep. Paul Clymer (R-Bucks County) oppose expanding gaming in Pennsylvania, at least until sweeping reforms of the gaming process are instituted, including banning political contributions by gaming interests, prohibiting outside employment for members of the Gaming Control Board, and forbidding anyone with a felony conviction from obtaining a gaming license. For the latest legislative news, visit PAHouseGOP.com
Adolph Calls for Override of Vetoed Student Financial Aid
Rep. William Adolph (R-Delaware County) Thursday called for an override of the governor's veto of funding for the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) to ensure students get the financial aid they need as they head back to college. Joined by House Appropriations Chairman Mario Civera (R-Delaware County) and Delaware County Community College officials, Adolph said the governor's decision to blue-line PHEAA funding is leaving many students and their families wondering when or if they will get their state grants. While some higher education institutions intend to front the anticipated grant money for students, others may not be in the financial shape to do so. An estimated 172,000 state residents are eligible for need-based grants and have been held hostage by the governor. Senate Bill 850 contained $386 million for PHEAA grants, but those funds were vetoed by the governor when he signed a temporary spending plan last week. For the latest legislative news, visit PAHouseGOP.com
Senate Republican Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi and State Rep. Mario Civera, R-164, the Republican chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, met with the editorial board of the Delaware County Daily Times to discuss the state's seven-week-old budget stalemate. The two Republican leaders placed the blame for the budget mess on the shoulders of Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell.
As long as Rendell insists on raising taxes and increasing state spending, don't look for the Republicans to budge.
This comment from Pileggi doesn't sound like a budget deal will come any time soon:
"The governor is still actively going around the state saying we need to increase the personal income tax by $1.5 billion and we need to increase our spending in the state by close to a billion dollars over last year. This isn't maintaining services. This is massive new taxation and massive increases in spending at a time when we're going through the worst recession in Pennsylvania since the Great Depression ... The problem, and the reason we're so far apart, is that the governor hasn't changed his objective even though the bottom has fallen out of the economy."
State Rep. Curt Schroder is gearing up his Congressional campaign with the launch of a new Web site and the hiring of direct-mail and media consultants.
Schroder, who has represented the 155th House District in Chester County since 1995, is seeking the Republican nomination for the 6th Congressional District, which is being vacated by U.S. Jim Gerlach.
From a press release:
Schroder for Congress today announced the launch of its official Web site, Vote4Curt.com. The site provides biographical information and will also serve as a portal to connect visitors to the campaign's Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages.
Visitors to the site can browse news items, sign-up to volunteer and contribute to the campaign.
Also today, the campaign announced that it has hired Hallowell, Branstetter & Long and The Strategy Group for Media as consultants.
Based in Harrisburg, Hallowell, Branstetter & Long is one of the nation's premier Republican mail firms and Pennsylvania's leading political consulting firm. Over the past decade, HBL has successfully handled over 200 major Pennsylvania campaigns, from statewide to county-wide races.
The Strategy Group for Media (SGM) is one of the nation's leading Republican media consulting companies. Based in Columbus, OH, the Strategy Group for Media has helped to elect more new Republican members to Congress in the last decade than any other media consulting group in the country.
The Strategy Group for Media has produced winning ads for dozens of candidates in Pennsylvania, including Rep. Joe Pitts. In recent years, the company has also served as media consultants to the Pennsylvania Republican Party, the Pennsylvania Senate Republican Campaign Committee and the Pennsylvania House Republican Campaign Committee. The American Association of Political Consultants has awarded SGM numerous "Pollie" awards for creative television and radio advertising, including five awards for work done during the 2008 election cycle.
Fifty-four percent (54%) of U.S. voters say tax cuts for the middle class are more important than new spending for health care reform, even as President Obama's top economic advisers signal that tax hikes may be necessary.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey, taken Monday and Tuesday nights, finds that 34% disagree and say new spending for health care reform is more important. Twelve percent (12%) are not sure.
It is important to note that this question asked about new government spending for health care reform rather than about the overall concept of health care reform itself.
The partisan and ideological divide on the question is sizable. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of Democrats say new spending for health care reform is the priority. But 80% of Republicans and 62% of voters not affiliated with either party favor tax cuts for the middle class.
Seventy percent (70%) of liberals say new spending is more important, while 76% of conservatives prefer tax cuts.
Recent polling shows that 48% of voters now rate the U.S. health care system as good or excellent. That figure has increased significantly since the Congressional debate on health care began.
Rep. Pitts receives 'Defender of Economic Freedom' Award
Congressman Joe Pitts (PA-16) has been awarded the "Defender of Economic Freedom" award from The Club for Growth, a leading free-market advocacy organization.
The award, presented by Club for Growth President Chris Chocola, honors members of Congress who have "a strong voting record on economic growth issues."
Pitts, a Republican, is one of only 13 members of Congress (and the only one from Pennsylvania) to receive a perfect score. (Does it surprise you that all 13 honorees are Republicans?)
"Receiving the 'Defender of Economic Freedom' award is a great honor," Pitts said in a statement. "The best way to get our economy growing again is to free business owners and investors from burdensome government regulations and taxes. More government intrusion into the marketplace is not going to create more jobs."
The award is based on certain votes in 2008 that the Club for Growth tracks on its scorecard. The study also included a comprehensive examination of each lawmaker’s record on pro-growth policies and computed an Economic Growth Score on a scale of 0 to 100. A score of 100 indicates the highest support for pro-growth policies. Those lawmakers scoring 90 or higher receive the "Defender of Economic Freedom" award.
The rating examines legislative actions that reflect the Club for Growth's immediate pro-economic growth policy goals, including cutting and limiting government spending, lowering taxes, expanding free trade, regulatory reform, and deregulation.
Congressional Quarterly: 8 competitive districts in PA for 2010
Congressional Quarterly has released an analysis of the 2010 midterm Congressional elections, listing 100 competitive districts across the country, including eight toss-ups in Pennsylvania.
From the CQ analysis:
With 257 of the 435 U.S. House seats, Democrats are strongly favored to retain their majority in the 2010 elections -- though history points to party losses in the first midterm election of President Obama.
Most of the 435 congressional districts have such well-entrenched incumbents that the 2010 House races there will be landslides. But CQ Politics has preliminarily identified 100 districts, 59 of which are held by Democrats, where the contests should be highly or mildly competitive. Of these, CQ Politics rates three districts, all now held by Republicans, as leaning toward takeover by the challenging party: Louisiana 2nd Dist., Pennsylvania 6th Dist. and Illinois 10th Dist.
The Pennsylvania districts that CQ Politics lists as competitive are the 6th (held by Republican Jim Gerlach, who is not seeking re-election); the 12th (held by Democrat John Murtha); the 7th (held by Democrat Joe Sestak, who probably will not seek re-election); the 3rd (held by freshman Democrat Kathy Dahlkemper); the 4th (held by Democrat Jason Altmire); the 10th (held by Democrat Chris Carney; the 11th (held by Democrat Paul Kanjorski); and the 15th (held by Republican Charlie Dent).
While CQ Politics lists Dahlkemper, Altmire, Carney, Kanjorski and Murtha in the "favored to win" re-election column, it still sees the races as competitive. Same for Dent, who is "favored to win" in the 15th.
Pennsylvania's other 11 Congressional districts are listed in the "safe Democratic" or "safe Republican" columns.
Here's my take on the CQ analysis. The 6th District will go to the Democrats, but the 7th District should return to Republican control. Republicans have a good chance of unseating Dahlkemper, Carney, Kanjorski and Murtha. I don't see Altmire or Dent losing their seats.
The key to a Republican comeback in 2010 is how badly Barack Obama continues to stumble. If the economy is still in shambles, if U.S. foreign policy is still in disarray, if Obama continues to march the country toward socialism, expect huge GOP gains in Congress.
The 2010 Congressional elections will be a referendum on Obama. If "change" doesn't come real fast, look for voters to toss out career politicians like Murtha and Kanjorski to send a message to Obama.
To review other House races, visit CQ Politics online for an interactive map.
Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr. announced today he will not seek the Republican nod for the soon-to-be-vacated 24th District state Senate seat held by Republican Rob Wonderling.
Castor was one of three Montgomery County politicians competing for a chance to fill Wonderling's unexpired term in a special election this fall.
Castor's surprise announcement leaves state Rep. Bob Mensch, R-147th, as the likely choice to run on the GOP ballot.
The other potential GOP challenger, former state Rep. Jay Moyer, announced late Monday he's dropping out. Moyer endorsed Mensch and said he wants to concentrate on another run for the 70th House District seat that he lost in 2008.
Castor said he received plenty of encouragement from residents of Bucks, Lehigh, Northampton and Montgomery counties about a 24th Senate District run, but he decided to finish his term as a commissioner in Montgomery County, which is facing a fiscal crisis under the leadership of Democrat Joe Hoeffel and GOP turncoat Jim Matthews.
"If I were to run in the Special Election I would vacate my seat as a commissioner at a critical point in the budget process, leaving my colleagues to adopt a budget with no third commissioner in place or with a new commissioner who had little or no time to study the budget before being asked to act on it," Castor said in a written statement. "I do not believe that is fair to the citizens of Montgomery County to create such a situation and at this time I believe the best way I can serve the citizens is to remain a commissioner and a vocal critic of the policies that have led us to this point while offering my own suggestions on a better way to govern Montgomery County."
Castor was the top vote getter in the 2007 election to fill three Montgomery County commissioner seats. Hoeffel finished second and Matthews came in third thanks to a last-minute push by Castor to get Matthews re-elected at the request of party leadership.
Instead of joining Castor to form a GOP majority on the board, Matthews made a deal with Hoeffel to form a power-sharing arrangement, where Hoeffel supported Matthews as commissioners' chairman in return for obtaining unprecedented control of county government by a minority commissioner.
Hoeffel has hired all sorts of Democratic Party cronies to high-paying county jobs in the past 18 months.
"For 18 months, I have warned that the spending policies pursued by the county commissioners would lead to an unavoidable budget crisis," Castor said in a written statement. "Last year my colleagues used $16 million of our savings and failed to fund $7 million in pension obligations to our county employees in order to balance the budget. They do not have that option this year. The Finance Department projects a $50 million plus budget shortfall for 2010 while reminding us that the pension obligation will come due at the end of this year -- an obligation my fellow commissioners failed to budget for and now do not have the funds to meet. I cited this failure as one of my principle reasons for voting against the 2009 county budget.
Castor is the lone voice of fiscal reason on the commissioners' board and said he will work to inform Montgomery County taxpayers about the irresponsible spending by the Hoeffel-Matthews regime.
"This year we face a mounting deficit that my fellow commissioners will attempt to blame on the economy, Harrisburg, Washington, and just about anyone and anything else they can," Castor said. "But the fault lies in their reckless pursuit of cronyism, patronage and borrow and spend governance using tax dollars to fuel their appetite. This year may be the most critical budget deliberations in the history of Montgomery County. I believe I have an obligation to see this budget process to completion and that is what I intend to do."
The 24th District Senate seat will become vacant on Aug. 1 when Wonderling steps down to take a new job as president of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.
Republicans should be able to hold Wonderling's seat in a special election this fall and again in 2010 when a full four-year term is up for grabs.
Democrats have had trouble finding a candidate. The leading contender, state Rep. Bob Freeman, D-136th Dist., bowed out last week after a poll showed Freeman losing to both Castor and Mensch.
CQPolitics is reporting that Democrat Doug Pike has kicked in $510,000 of his own money to finance his run for Congress in Pennsylvania's 6th District.
From a story by reporter Greg Giroux:
Pike, who is vying to succeed Republican Rep. Jim Gerlach, a 2010 candidate for governor, gave his campaign $510,000 in this year's second quarter, or about 77 percent of his total receipts of $664,000. That was the most money raised in the reporting period by a non-incumbent 2010 candidate for the House.
When Pike, a former editorial writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer, announced his candidacy in early April, Democratic officials said that he would be willing to part with $1 million of his own money on the race.
Although this is his first run for political office, Pike is a son of former New York Rep. Otis G. Pike (1961-79), a Florida retiree who, according to Giroux, gave $1,000 to his son's campaign.
Pike is the first, and so far, the only announced Democratic candidate, but that won't last much longer. An opportunity to run for an open Congressional seat doesn't come around too often.
The only announced GOP candidate for the 6th Congressional District is Chester County state Rep. Curt Schroder, but the field is expected to increase as we get closer to 2010.
Read the full story, "Personal Money Spikes Pike's Fundraising," at CQPolitics
Another Chester County Republican officeholder is interested in running for Jim Gerlach's Congressional seat.
A day after state Rep. Curt Schroder, R-155, announced he is a candidate for the seat now held by Gerlach, Chester County Recorder of Deeds Ryan Costello said Wednesday he is exploring a run for Congress.
Gerlach announced Tuesday he will no seek a fifth term so he can pursue the GOP nomination for Pennsylvania governor in 2010.
Costello, an attorney in Phoenixville, was elected Chester County Recorder of Deeds in 2007. He is also the former chairman of the East Vincent Township Board of Supervisors.
"I have a serious interest in the 6th District Congressional seat, and in the coming weeks I'm going to continue to talk to the taxpayers and community and party leaders who I know are equally concerned about the excessive spending in Washington and the ramifications for future generations," Costello said in a prepared statement. "We need to create jobs and promote economic development in the Tri-County region by eliminating regressive business taxes and reducing health care costs for employers so they can begin to grow and prosper again. As Recorder I see first-hand the impact of regional real estate trends on families and seniors and the only way to stimulate the housing market is to stimulate the job market."
Costello used the announcement that he is thinking about running for Gerlach's U.S. House seat, to take a few shots at the big-government atmosphere in Washington, D.C.
"I think the stimulus bill was too much money, spread over too long a period of time, and has been ineffective in lowering unemployment and getting the economy moving again because a majority of the dollars didn't go to a failing transportation and infrastructure system and small businesses who are struggling to keep the lights on," Costello said. "I don't think expansion of government welfare programs is the correct response to our current problems."
More from a press release issued by Costello:
An attorney with the O'Donnell, Weiss & Mattei, P.C., law firm, practicing in their real estate and business departments, Costello also emphasized he has familiarity with the 6th Congressional District.
Born in Phoenixville, and a graduate of Owen J. Roberts high school, Ursinus College, and Villanova law school, Costello remarked, "I am familiar and know the Chester, Montgomery and Berks county region well. My experience as an attorney advocating for economic development projects, and understanding how to get projects done, is a positive attribute to a congressional candidacy in these times. And my elective office experience as a countywide Republican elected official is one I am proud of."
"I know this district well, and having volunteered on each of Congressman Gerlach's campaigns, I know what it will take to keep this a Republican district. I have the energy to run an aggressive campaign, and the experience and intelligence to be a strong, thoughtful candidate with common sense ideas that reflect this diverse district."
Just hours after U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach announced he will not seek re-election to Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional seat, a fellow Chester County politician announced plans to run for Gerlach's seat.
State Rep. Curt Schroder, R-155th Dist., is seeking the Republican nomination for the 6th Congressional District, which includes portions of Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties and a sliver of Lehigh County.
"I have decided to enter this race to ensure that the values that built our country remain for our children, that we encourage the policies of entrepreneurism, limited government and to preserve the economic future of our nation," Schroder said in a written statement.
Schroder added, "America's greatness comes from free enterprise and hard working families, not government bailouts and bureaucracy. I will bring my passion for public service and Pennsylvania values to Washington to better our community and nation."
Gerlach, who is giving up a shot for a fifth term in Congress to run for Pennsylvania governor in 2010, first won the 6th District seat in 2002 but has had a difficult time holding the seat against well-financed Democratic opposition.
Gerlach typically loses the Montgomery County portion of the district, but does well in the more conservative areas of Chester and Berks counties.
Schroder, a fiscal and social conservative, will probably employ the same strategy if he wins the GOP nomination. He's already taken shots of the growing deficits of the Obama administration.
"This binge of bailouts and borrowing will come to an end if I have anything to say about it!" Schroder said.
Here's some background information about Schroder released by his campaign:
A lifelong resident of Chester County, Schroder grew up in the Downingtown area and now lives in East Brandywine with his wife, Deanna, and two children, Mark and Kristen.
After graduating from Downingtown High School in 1979, Curt attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). Summers were spent working in the steamy environs of the Davey Paper Company where he earned money for the next year of college. After graduating from IUP in 1983, Curt went to Widener School of Law’s evening division in Wilmington Delaware at night while working for the Philadelphia law firm German, Gallagher and Murtagh during the day. Schroder practiced law with German, Gallagher after graduating law school and passing the bar exam.
First elected to the state House in 1994, Schroder has been an effective advocate for legislative issues and a champion for our communities in Harrisburg. During his time in the legislature, Curt has been a leader in many issues including health care and government reform. Schroder lead efforts to reform medical malpractice and preserve our health care system. Schroder also spearheaded efforts to reform the PA General Assembly and preserve the secret ballot rights of workers.
Schroder believes strongly in community service and serves in a number of community organizations. He serves on the Boards of Brandywine Hospital and Brandywine YMCA. He previously served on the Chester County Drug and Alcohol Advisory Board and as a member of the East Brandywine Township Planning Commission.
Schroder has received numerous honors for his work in the House and here at home. He was presented with Leadership Awards from both the Hospital and Healthcare Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) and the Delaware Valley Health Care Council, the 2004 Friend of Family Medicine Award from the Academy of Family Physicians, and Legislator of the Year from the Pennsylvania Orthopedic Society.
Schroder received the first Matthew J. Ryan Legislator of the Year Award in 2004 from the Chester County Chamber Foundation. He was named Legislator of the Year by the TriCounty Chamber of Commerce in 2002 and again in 2006. Schroder was honored as the Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 1998 by the Downingtown Chamber of Commerce for his work in revitalizing the Borough. In 2007, Curt was named the first recipient of the Sen. Robert. J. Thompson Public Service Award by the Exton Region Chamber of Commerce and was also presented with the Citizenship Award from the Pennsylvania VFW for his commitment to fostering patriotism. More recently Curt Schroder received recognition from the Upper Uwchlan and West Vincent Township Police Departments for his work on the Route 100 Safety Corridor Project.
No word yet on a "Schroder for Congress" Web site, but you can learn more about his tenure in the state House of Representatives at www.curtschroder.com. You can also follow Schroder on Facebook.
I like Jim Gerlach. He's been my Congressman for the past 7 years. I voted for him in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008. He's done a good job. I've met him on several occasions. He's smart and affable. He knows the issues and has done a good job taking care of his constituents. I'd vote for him for just about any political office.
Having said that, I believe Gerlach is making a huge mistake giving up his 6th District Congressional seat to run for Pennsylvania governor in 2010. It's not that he wouldn't make a good governor. He'd be a big improvement over Ed Rendell, the current tax-and-spend liberal occupying the governor's mansion. The problem with Gerlach's decision is that he has no chance of winning. He'll never make it past the GOP primary next spring.
Tom Corbett will be the Republican nominee for governor in 2010. Corbett has proven himself in two statewide runs for Attorney General. Gerlach is not known outside SE Pennsylvania and can't raise the kind of cash Corbett can to make a successful run for statewide office.
Gerlach may be testing the waters in 2010 for a future statewide run for governor or Senate, but in the meantime, he's is going to give up a Republican seat in Congress to a Democrat.
That's the part that bothers me about Gerlach's decision. The 6th Congressional District (parts of Montgomery, Chester and Berks counties) has been trending Democratic in recent years and only Gerlach, a fiscal conservative with moderate social views, can hold the seat.
Without Gerlach on the ballot, Democrats will have the edge in winning the 6th Congressional seat in 2010 ... and Republicans may never get it back.
Gerlach makes it official: He's running for PA governor
Here is the press release issued today announcing Congressman Jim Gerlach's decicion to run for Pennsylvania governor:
Gerlach Pledges to Create Jobs, Cut Government Spending & Waste and Make Pennsylvania the Leader in America's Energy Independent Future
Exton, PA - Jim Gerlach, a western Pennsylvania native and four-term United States Congressman from Chester County, will run for the Republican nomination for Governor of Pennsylvania next spring. Gerlach is the only Republican to formally declare his candidacy for Governor.
"The economic challenges Pennsylvania faces over the coming years demand proven, fiscally conservative leadership, and a successful record of dealing with a wide-range of tough issues. From cutting state spending, income taxes and welfare rolls, I have been on the front lines for years fighting for smaller government and greater efficiency in Harrisburg and Washington. Our next Governor must employ those values and put them to work in Harrisburg, and make Pennsylvania a competitive place to do business so we can create jobs and put families back to work. It's that simple," said Gerlach.
"The debate in Harrisburg of raising state income taxes by 16 percent, creating a new tax on one of the most promising energy industries in Pennsylvania, and increasing spending in one of the worst budgets in a generation show the need for new leadership. I cannot sit back and Pennsylvania taxpayers cannot afford to allow the proponents of larger, unsustainable government to prevail. One of my top priorities will be to enact results-based budgeting with performance benchmarks on state spending. This will insure that taxpayers aren't funding failing government programs year after year without seeing any return on the investment of their hard-earned dollars. My campaign will focus on restoring fiscal sanity to Harrisburg, increasing accountability and cutting waste, creating jobs and making Pennsylvania the leader in America's energy independent future," Gerlach continued.
"It has been a privilege and an honor to serve the residents of the 6th Congressional District for more than six years. But I believe the best place for me to improve the lives of Pennsylvania's taxpayers, families and seniors is as Governor. It is not a decision I made lightly. However, it became clear after careful deliberation with my wife Karen, our six kids, friends, constituents, party leaders and grassroots folks across the state who want to re-energize our state Republican Party, give voters a choice next spring and create a bright economic future for the next generation of Pennsylvanians."
To date, Congressman Gerlach has secured over $1 million in financial commitments for his gubernatorial run on top of the $200,000 in exploratory funding raised since February. In addition, 100% of his federal campaign funds are transferable to his statewide gubernatorial campaign committee. A formal statewide announcement tour and kick-off fundraising events are being planned for the near future.
"I did not want to wait any longer to make this announcement. I know our team will need plenty of time to formalize our support and organize the campaign's infrastructure. In addition, I know full well how competitive a 2010 open seat congressional race will become, and I owe it to our Party's candidates to ensure they have enough time to raise the money and support to be successful," added Gerlach.
Gerlach is in Washington, D.C. as debate begins on Democrat plans to put government bureaucrats in charge of the nation's healthcare system. Back in February, Gerlach voted against the bloated federal stimulus package and was the first in Pennsylvania to call on Governor Ed Rendell to establish a stimulus oversight commission to protect and monitor billions of dollars in federal aid from waste, abuse and mismanagement.
Lowman S. Henry offers an interesting analysis of Gov. Ed Rendell's mental status as the state's budget impasse enters Day 14 and Rendell is unable to drum up support for a massive tax hike to dig his way out of a fiscal hole.
From Henry's latest post at Lincoln Blog:
The governor is clearly becoming unglued. He is acting like a junkie who can't get his next fix. Which is exactly what he is: a spending junkie. The governor is used to the legislature rolling over and funding his insatiable appetite for spending.
But this year is different. This year, Republicans - and not a few Democrats - are refusing to cave into the governor's demands for new taxes in the midst of an economic recession.
As a result, Rendell is becoming hysterical.
Obviously 4,000 state employees are not going to be laid off. And, if that many could be laid off the question that pops up is: were they even needed in the first place?
There's a big debate in Pennsylvania over Gov. Ed Rendell's call for a "temporary" 16 percent increase in the state's personal income tax, which is paid by workers and businesses. Rendell says the increase would only last three years and would raise $4.5 billion, enough to cover the $3.25 billion deficit Rendell ran up this year with some spare change to spend on bigger state government.
The problem with Rendell's "temporary" tax hike is very few people are interested in paying it. Senate and House Republicans in the state Legislature have vowed to fight Rendell on the "temporary" tax hike.
I have an alternative. How about a "voluntary" tax hike?
Since Rendell claims that people want to pay more, here's the opportunity to prove it.
Under my plan, the state will raise taxes only for those who want to give more of their income to Harrisburg. We probably won't be able to collect $4.5 billion, but it's a start.
I'm taking names of Pennsylvania residents who would like to pay more taxes:
HARRISBURG – Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason was elated after hearing the news that hardworking Pennsylvanian s will not have to suffer the burden of Gov. Ed Rendell's plan for a major increase in the personal income tax.
"I am pleased to see that concrete and positive steps are being taken to reach a fiscally responsible solution to our current budget crisis that does not raise taxes on hardworking Pennsylvanians," Gleason said. "This is a major victory for the taxpayers of our Commonwealth and I am proud of our Republican leaders in the state Senate and House for flatly rejecting the Governor and the Democrat Party's attempt to impose a major tax increase."
Over the last few weeks, Democrats in Harrisburg have proven just how out-of-touch they are with hardworking Pennsylvanians. Democrats everywhere used scare tactics and the Governor traveled the state on the taxpayer dime trying to convince hardworking Pennsylvanians that his 16% tax increase was necessary and that an additional $500 a year wasn't really that much money. Perhaps the most out-of-touch comment came from Rep. Phyllis Mundy of Luzerne County who, in the midst of stressing the need for the Governor's major tax increase, was quoted in The Patriot News as saying, "The people just don't get it."
Gleason added, "Sorry Rep. Mundy, the people do get it! They can't afford another tax increase and they are glad it failed. They also believe that the state government should work to control their spending, just as other Pennsylvania families have been forced to do during these tough economic times.
"Our Party is founded on the principles of lower taxes and fiscal responsibility, and the budget plan being supported by our Republican leaders adheres to those beliefs. This is a big win for our Party and we are ecstatic that we were able to defeat such a major tax increase that would have cut the budgets of hardworking Pennsylvania families."
A day after effectively killing Gov. Ed Rendell's call to raise the state income tax by 16 percent, Pennsylvania House Republicans have enveiled a balanced General Fund budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year that calls for no tax increases.
House Republican Leader Sam Smith (R-66) and Republican Appropriations Chairman Mario Civera (R-164) announced the House Republican Caucus' $27.27 billion, no-tax-increase budget proposal at a Harrisburg press conference.
From a press release issued by Smith's office:
"Pennsylvanians expect a balanced budget, and they can't afford more taxes. House Republicans are offering a plan which meets those expectations," Smith said. "House Democrats have gone from one extreme to the other, yet, despite the budget deadline having passed more than a week ago, they still haven’t brought a budget bill to the floor.
"As consequences mount without a budget, Republicans think the Democrats' approach is irresponsible."
The Republican's fiscally responsible alternative increases funding for public education and continues funding for state parks, hospitals and universities.
"Today, we're presenting a $27.27 billion budget with no tax increases that ensures each school district gets increased funding. It continues necessary government services and avoids the thousands of layoffs projected by the governor and House Democrats. The Republican priority has always been protecting public safety, human services and educating our kids ... our budget proposal accomplishes it."
To balance the budget in the face of declining revenues and a $3.2 billion deficit, House Republicans are proposing a tax amnesty program to collect an estimated $1.5 billion in back taxes, as well as leasing of state-owned lands for natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale region.
"We have brought to the people of Pennsylvania a balanced and fiscally responsible spending plan that does not raise a single tax. The governor and House Democrats said it could not be done, and we are here today to show them it can," Civera said.
"This plan does what every family in the Commonwealth has to do every day – it budgets what we can afford. It protects the state's priorities like education and public safety, and it ensures we are prepared for what may lie ahead.
"I admit it does not come without some pain. There were a lot of tough decisions made in this budget. But we took leadership and did what needed to be done."
Rep. Doug Reichley (R-Berks/Lehigh), Republican vice chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement in response to news that the state Personal Income Tax (PIT) is no longer the focus of budget negotiations in Harrisburg:
"The voices of the taxpayers and legislators from both parties opposing this PIT increase are finally being heard. Developments today indicate that budget negotiators are backing off their insistence that the 16 percent PIT increase be the crux of negotiations.
"Republicans have been fighting for weeks to remove this $1.5 billion a year tax increase from the negotiating table and we are seeing some wiggle room because House Democrats are not finding the votes within their own caucus in support of this.
"We are also seeing some Republican ideas being incorporated into discussions that would enable passage of a budget that does not include the massive increase. Republican resistance to the tax increase has paid off - we have remained unified, and House Democrats are not seeing broad support for this PIT increase among their rank and file. Republicans have remained steadfast and forced the hand of the governor and Democrats to consider alternatives. The PIT should not be the lynchpin of resolving the state's budget crisis.
"Taxpayers deserve some credit too. Their calls to member offices, editorial letters and their comments in e-mails have put the pressure on all House and Senate members to consider alternatives to resolving the impasse. This collective effort has called into question the wisdom of insisting that a PIT increase is the only solution.
"We still have a tough situation to resolve - the state collected $3.25 billion less than it expected to during the last fiscal year - and we still need to fill that budget gap and gaps foreseen in subsequent years, but there are a number of ideas out there that can help to do this without this onerous $4.5 billion tax increase over a three-year period on wage earners and small businesses that pay the Personal Income Tax.
"People are realizing that if they are forced to live on less, government should take notice and cut costs without increasing the financial burden on taxpayers."
Pat Toomey is 'one of the smartest people I've ever known'
Congressman Joe Pitts (PA-16) has endorsed Pat Toomey for the United States Senate and released the following statement:
"Pat Toomey is the right candidate. No one else comes close.
"I worked with Pat in Congress for six years. He is one of the smartest people I've ever known. He's also one of the most caring and passionate people I've served with. A lot of politicians have lost credibility in recent years. Pat Toomey isn't one of them. Pat has good ideas that he actually believes in, and he will work hard to make people's lives better.
"Pat Toomey is a bona fide fiscal conservative at a time when Washington desperately needs more of them. Pat knows where jobs and prosperity come from, and he knows they don’t come from Washington.
"Pat has strong convictions, but they are convictions with bipartisan appeal. Pat proved during his three terms in Congress that he has the ability to inspire Democrats and Republicans alike.
"Pat Toomey is going to win this race. He is principled, thoughtful, caring, and qualified."
For more on Toomey's bid for a U.S. Senate seat from Pennsylvania, visit his campaign Web site, www.toomeyforsenate.com
All the propaganda. All the back room deals. All the pork amendments to buy votes.
And all Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi could get was a 219-212 margin to pass the cap and trade energy tax in the House?
Don't be surprised if the $1.9 trillion global warming tax fails in the Senate.
A 7-vote margin in the overwhelmingly Democratic House? That's pathetic. A total of 44 Demcorats voted against cap and trade! It took 8 GOP House members to pass it.
It's not looking good for Obamacare or other future Obama spending sprees.
House Democrats are beginning to worry about their re-election chances in 2010 as the Obama recession continues, unemployment is reaching record levels and the unprecedented debt Obama has piled on the U.S. takes its toll.
Veteran Harrisburg reporter Brad Bumsted does a good job of getting to the heart of the current stalemate between Gov. Rendell and his doormat House Democrats versus the Republican-controlled Senate.
Rendell and Democratic leaders want to raise the state income tax by 16 percent to make up for the $3.2 billion deficit Rendell ran up this year.
Senate Republicans (and their House counterparts) say they will not support any new taxes.
What's at stake is control of the Legislature in 2010 and beyond. Rendell is a lame duck. What he wants doesn't matter.
If Senate Republicans cave on the tax issue, they lose all credibility with voters and Democrats will chip away at the GOP's 30-20 majority.
If even one of the 99 Republicans in the House caves on the tax issue, Republicans will become a permanent minority.
Voters are angry. Angry about runaway spending. Angry about the state's economic woes, brought on largely by Rendell's failed policies.
Voters changed 1 in 3 members of the House over the past two election cycles since the infamous pay raise vote in 2005. If House members give in to Rendell and approve a tax hike, expect another large-scale voter revolt in 2010.
That's what Busted thinks, too.
From his latest column in The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Will the GOP hold the line?
Are we in for a replay of the 1991 budget battle under then-Gov. Robert P. Casey when it took until mid-August to round up the votes for an income tax hike?
That began as an effort to close a $1 billion deficit. In the end, the tax hike was almost $3 billion. About $2 billion in additional spending bought members' tax votes. Hundreds of millions went for increased program spending sought by Democrat lawmakers, along with millions for their pet projects.
But the bigger question comes if the full Legislature acquiesces to Rendell and goes along with a tax increase. With the 2005 pay-jacking outrage still fresh in the minds of many, will a full-scale public revolt be next?
While Gov. Ed Rendell wants to saddle Pennsylvania's beleaguered taxpayers with a 16% increase in the personal income tax, a group of Republican lawmakers have announced the "Pact with PA" offering a road map to fiscal stability without tax hikes.
"The Pact with Pennsylvania is more than a promise made by the lawmakers who adopt it," said state Rep. Sam Rohrer, R-Berks. "It is a promise to their constituents that they will abide by the commonsense principles in the agreement. It is a basic fiscal framework that, if embraced, will assure a workable budget that meets not only the demands of the moment, but the uncertainties of the future."
The Pact is an agreement detailing the five principles that should guide lawmakers' actions during upcoming budget negotiations and the eventual budget vote. Those principles include:
1. No tax increases. 2. No additional state debt. 3. Rainy Day Fund: preserved for original intent. 4. Stabilize existing financial obligations. 5. Proactive tax reform to improve Pennsylvania’s job climate.
"We want a budget that protects the state's savings account, addresses long-term issues, promotes economic growth and that does not raise taxes or increase debt," said Rohrer, who addressed the need to avoid a tax increase as outlined in point No. 1 of the pact. "It is heartless to suggest that, while they're struggling to make it through an economic recession, the state should take more from Pennsylvanians through higher taxes. State lawmakers should not kick taxpayers while they're down. It is entirely inappropriate to add greater tax burdens to our citizens just because that is easier than living within our means."
The Pact has been endorsed Rep. Sam Rohrer (R-128), Republican chairman of the House Finance Committee; Rep. Gordon Denlinger (R-99), Republican chairman of the House Policy Committee Task Force on Budget and Economic Issues; Rep. Mike Turzai (R-28), House Republican whip; Sen. Pat Browne (R-16), Republican chairman of the Senate Finance Committee; and Sen. John H. Eichelberger Jr. (R-30), member of the Senate Finance Committee and chairman of the Senate Local Government Committee.
The legislators are encouraging their colleagues in the House and Senate, and the governor, to participate in the agreement between lawmakers and residents.
Copies of the "Pact with Pennsylvania" are available at Rohrer's Web site at SamRohrer.com
Brad Bumsted of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review does a nice job of putting the state budget process into the right perspective in his latest column.
Gov. Ed Rendell and House Democrats want to increase state spending (and raise taxes) even though the current budget is more than $3 billion in the red and tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians are out of work.
Republican lawmakers want minimal cuts in state spending and have introduced a $27 billion balanced budget.
From Busted's latest column:
What's at stake between $27 billion and $29 billion is quite simply whether you pay higher state taxes. And talk is aplenty of a state income tax increase to close a projected $3.2 billion deficit.
Rendell's propaganda campaign lays the groundwork for an income tax boost by pointing out all of the "devastating" consequences of spending less.
Busted also questions the use of taxpayer dollars by Rendell to promote his deficit, higher-taxes budget.
"How many hundreds of employee hours and state tax dollars went into preparing these news releases, which are all aimed at spending even more of your tax dollars?" Busted asks.
And how much did the recent propaganda bus tour orchestrated by Rendell cost taxpayers?
The Republican Party of Pennsylvania has launched a new Web site, www.GiveItBackArlen.com, to allow Republican donors to more easily request a refund of their contribution from Senator Arlen Specter's campaign.
Specter announced last month he was switching to the Democratic Party in a last-ditch attempt to save his floundering political career.
"We have heard from a number of individuals who donated to Senator Specter's campaign because they wanted to support a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010," Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason said in a press relase. "Many of these individuals have been actively contributing to Senator Specter for years; however they feel betrayed due to Specter's support of President Barack Obama's irresponsible stimulus package and his subsequent decision to switch his political affiliation. We are encouraging these donors to contribute these funds to our Party as we work to win back this important seat in 2010.
More from Gleason:
"It seems appropriate that we are launching this site today as Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Specter hold an 'official' event touting the stimulus package in Cumberland County. Today's event highlights the further attempts of the Democrat establishment, including Vice President Joe Biden, to pull out all the stops to hand the Democrat Party's nomination for the U.S. Senate to Arlen Specter. The President, Vice President, Governor Ed Rendell, U.S. Senator Bobby Casey and other Party leaders need to realize that Pennsylvanians don't like their candidates to be chosen in back rooms in Washington or Harrisburg and that Senator Arlen Specter can’t hide from the voters who will ultimately judge his record."
Our Party's newest Web site, www.GiveItBackArlen.com, will allow individuals who contributed to the Specter campaign to easily fill out their information and apply for a refund. Once you submit your information, the site will automatically generate an e-mail that will be sent directly to the Specter campaign requesting a refund on your behalf. Our goal is to ensure that donors who thought they were giving to a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate have the opportunity to get back their donations. We will then encourage these donors to make a contribution to our Party’s efforts to win back this important seat next year.
The man who succeeded former U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey in representing Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District had nothing but nice things to say about his predecessor in a radio interview.
Moderate Republican Congressman Charlie Dent publicly endorsed Toomey for the U.S. Senate on WAEB this morning.
"Pat is a man of great character, integrity, and he has a great intellect."
"Pat can bring people together ... He's a guy that is going to carry the message for the Republicans."
"Pat is the presumptive nominee for the Republican Party for the United States Senate ... He is the front runner, and I believe he's going to be well-positioned and prepared to face whoever the Democrats nominate."
"I'm supporting him because I think he's a fine man, a friend, and I think he's going to be able to pull the Republican Party together. He's going to be able to unite people of different ideological persuasions."
"Pat Toomey, I would tell you, is probably as strong a leader and as knowledgeable as anyone on the federal budget as anybody I've met in Washington, to be perfectly candid."
This is a key endorsement because Dent is definitely not in the conservative camp that Toomey represents. It should open up the floodgates of endorsements for Toomey from the Pennsylvania GOP establishment. Like it or not, Toomey is the Republican Party's best chance to win a Senate seat in 2010.
Toomey released the following statement:
"I am honored to have Congressman Dent's support and I look forward to him playing an important role in my campaign. Charlie Dent is a great leader in Pennsylvania and in Congress. His dedication to his constituents and his country, his compassion, and his integrity are the reason Pennsylvania voters of all political stripes reelect him year after year."
"I look forward to campaigning with Congressman Dent over the next year and a half in support of our shared values. Together, we will win the fight to return prosperity to Pennsylvania taxpayers."
Primary elections in Pennsylvania are basically private events hosted by the respective political party. Under the state's closed-primary system, registered Democrats and registered Republicans will pick their fall candidates on May 19.
One of the main roles of the party chairman, both at the county and state level, is to avoid costly and potentially divisive infighting among candidates in their own party.
In this regard, Chester County GOP Chairman Joseph "Skip" Brion has failed.
A lot of attention has been given to the divided Republican Party in neighboring Montgomery County, where GOP turncoat Jim Matthews and former party chief Ken Davis have done irreparable damage to the party in recent years, opening the door for Democrats. A similar pattern is emerging in Chester County.
Brion is hurting the GOP in Chester County by allowing primary challengers against two incumbent Republican county row officers. Nothing good will come out of the races. Half the voters will go away mad and may not support the winner in November, helping the Democrats in the end.
Because of Brion's inability to show leadership, incumbent Chester County Treasurer Alan J. Randzin is facing a primary challenge from Ann Duke; and incumbent Clerk of Courts Teena A. Peters is being challenged by Frank McElwaine.
The Republican Party has been playing defense for most of Brion's tenure and primary fights will only weaken the party at a time it needs a united response to the growing threat from Democrats.
Which carries more weight among Republican voters: The state GOP committee's endorsement or the backing of two of the state's biggest newspapers?
Three Republicans are running for the party's nomination to seek a vacant seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. All three are currently serving on the Pennsylvania Superior Court.
The state party is backing Judge Joan Orie Melvin. The other candidates are Judge Cheryl Lynn Allen and Judge Paul Panepinto.
All three candidates earned a "highly recommended" designation from the Pennsylvania Bar Association, but Allen has picked up key media endorsements
Will the endorsements help or hurt Allen? We'll find out on May 19.
Allen has also been endorsed by LifePAC and Firearms Owners Against Crime.
Melvin has her own impressive list of endorsements including: PA Chamber of Business and Industry; PA State Troopers Association; PA State Corrections Officers Association and the NRA.
Panepinto is endorsed by LIFEPAC 2009 and the NRA.
The winner of the GOP primary will face Democrat Jack Panella, also a Superior Court judge, who is running unopposed.
Give GOP credit for trying to balance state budget
Pennsylvania Senate Democrats, pandering to their various special interest groups, have launched a full-out assault on Senate Republicans who last week passed a balanced budget that reduces state spending while funding essential services.
The 30-20 vote was along party lines, but it shows that somebody in Harrisburg is serious about the state's fiscal crisis.
Despite a projected $3 billion shortfall in the current General Fund budget, Rendell and Democrats in the Legislature want to increase state spending next year. That's right. They've spent $3 billion more than they've taken in this year and they want to spend more next year.
For a good perspective on state spending, see the following posts at POLICY BLOG, which is affiliated with the Commonwealth Foundation, a non-partisan think tank based in Harrisburg:
House Republicans have introduced the Keep Terrorists Out of America Act, requiring pre-approval from governors and state legislatures to transfer or release any terrorist detainee into their respective state.
The legislation establishes strict criteria and certification standards that must be met before any detainee is released into the United States.
The Democrats control the House and Senate, but let's see one Democratic member of Congress vote against this bill. Let them explain to their constituents back home how bringing the world's most dangerous terrorists to American soil will make them safer. It's one thing for Barack Obama to pander to the far-left loons of the Democratic Party, but every member of the House has to stand for re-election in 2010.
Stand for the safety of Americans or stand with America's enemies. This issue alone will help Republicans win back the House in 2010.
Arlen Specter has picked out his 2010 campaign theme song: "Poor, Poor Pitiful Me" by Warren Zevon.
For an 80-year-old man, Arlen Specter doesn't know much about history. Benedict Arlen should have read the story of Benedict Arnold to see how a traitor is treated.
Arlen Specter's main argument for re-election has been his seniority in the Senate, where he has served as a Republican since 1981. As a senior member of various committees, Specter said he had the clout to deliver for the people of Pennsylvania.
When he turned his back on the Republican Party and announced last week that he is now a Democrat, Specter said he was assured by Senate Democratic leaders he could keep his seniority.
Guess what? Harry Reid and company lied. The Senate passed a resolution Tuesday night making Specter the most junior Democrat on the committees on which he serves. He's even lower than Bob Casey Jr.
Specter issued the following statement today in a ploy to gain sympathy: "Senator Reid assured me that I would keep my committee assignments and that I would have the same seniority as if I had been elected a Democrat in 1980."
Promises. Promises. These are Democrats we're talking about, Arlen. You know all about Democrats and their promises. You were a Democrat once before.
The only bone the Democrats threw to Specter was that they would reconsider his status after the 2010 elections. In other words, you're screwed Arlen!
You turned your back on the Republican Party and the Democrats know you have no other place to go. That means they can wipe their feet on your face and all you can do is thank them for it.
If Specter survives a Democratic primary in May 2010 and if he survives the general election in November 2010, he may move up in rank. That's what he sold out his party for? You almost feel sorry for this guy. Almost.
Here's this week's State Capitol Roundup courtesy of Rep. Bob Mensch (R-147):
Republican Lawmakers Lead Rally Against Card Check
At a Capitol rally this week, lawmakers, led by Rep. Curt Schroder (R-Chester County), joined dozens of business groups and employee rights advocates in urging Congress to reject the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). Chief among their concerns is a provision of EFCA, often referred to as "card check," that would abandon secret-ballot votes currently used to approve unionization attempts. Opponents to the proposal argue that such a change would open the door to employee pressure and intimidation and further endanger workers' jobs during a national recession, while proponents say it will make it easier for workers to unionize in the face of confrontational management. Schroder has introduced House Resolution 260 officially asking Congress to reject the EFCA proposal. The resolution has 52 co-sponsors and is awaiting consideration in the House Labor Relations Committee.
Easier Online Access to Government Records Proposed
Working to improve public access to information, Rep. Jim Christiana (R-Beaver) and House Republican Leader Sam Smith unveiled a proposal this week to create a one-stop online clearinghouse of government expenses and contract information. The Pennsylvania Web Accountability, Transparency and Contract Hub (PennWATCH) would contain all state departmental and agency budget expenditures as well as vendor information and lists of state contracts. Much of the information that would be contained in PennWATCH is already available, but it is often difficult for citizens to find in various locations. The proposal is another example of House Republicans' dedication to strengthening the public's trust in government through better documentation of campaign donations, tougher standards for auditing state grant awards, and ending the apparent pay-to-play culture in the state.
Lawmakers Urge Ban on Unfunded Mandates
Frustrated by the increasing financial burdens being foisted upon local governments and school districts, Rep. Mike Peifer (R-Monroe/Pike/Wayne) is calling for legislation banning unfunded mandates from state government. House Bill 1377 would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to prohibit unfunded or partially-funded state mandates on political subdivisions. A requirement that counties keep a full-time district attorney on staff is costing some counties more than $100,000 a year, despite initial promises of state funding. Other mandates that are frequently cited as financially burdensome include: stormwater management regulations, recycling requirements, and a requirement that legal notices and advertisements be published in "newspapers of general circulation."
Supporters of Pay Equity Call for Additional Measures to Ensure Fairness
Seeking to ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work, Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks) and fellow lawmakers gathered to raise awareness of the ongoing struggle for pay equity among genders. According to the Institute for Women's Policy Research, the wage gap is narrowing, but largely because men's average earnings are falling-not because women's wages are increasing. The institute estimates that at current rates, it could take until 2057 before pay equity is achieved, evidencing a stark divide in compensation rates between men and women. To better determine how lawmakers may address the problem, Watson has introduced House Resolution 44 to study the effectiveness of current pay equity laws. For the latest legislative news, visit PAHouseGOP.com
The National Republican Senatorial Committee has launched a new Web site -- Meet Democrat Arlen Specter -- to help Pennsylvania Democratic voters get to know their new U.S. senator.
Arlen Specter has a long history with the Republican Party and has represented Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate since 1981 as a Republican. Specter's days with the GOP ended Tuesday when he announced he is switching his party registration to Democrat and would seek re-election in 2010 as a Democrat.
While Specter has attracted substantial support among moderate Pennsylvania Democrats, will the liberal base of the Democratic Party support Specter in 2010 as he seeks the Democratic Party nomination to run for another six-year term in the Senate?
Potential Democratic voters may want to view the YouTube clip of George W. Bush endorsing Arlen Specter in 2004. There's also a clip of former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum endorsing Specter.
The Web site includes postings such as "Specter Opposing Democrats And Their Priorities" and "Specter Supported Republican Policies That Democrats Opposed" and one of Specter praising Rush Limbaugh.
It's all designed to give hard-core Democrats second thoughts about supporting a political opportunist like Specter.
(If you're Rep. Joe Sestak or Joe Torsella -- two Democrats considering running against Specter next year -- you can thank the GOP for digging up all this dirt on Specter for you.)
Arlen Specter earlier this year on why Pennsylvania Republicans need to support his re-election in 2010:
"If we lose my seat they have 60 Democrats, they (Democrats) will pass card check, you will have the Obama tax increases, they will carry out his big spending plans. So the 41st Republican, whose name is Arlen Specter, is vital to stopping tax increases, passage of card check and the Obama big spending plans."
Arlen Specter today after announcing he is switching to the Democratic Party in a last-ditch effort to save his political career:
"I have found myself increasingly at odds with the Republican philosophy and more in line with the philosophy of the Democratic Party. I am not prepared to have my 29 year record in the United States Senate decided by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate."
Let's face it. This guy will say anything, do anything to save his own skin. His loyalty is to himself, not to the voters who elected him. He's two-faced an lacks principles. The Democrats can have him.
Poll: 53% Say Next President Likely to Be a Republican
Some not-so-good news for Barack Obama and his media supporters, who are busy celebrating The Chosen One's 100 days in office.
From Rasmussen Reports:
For the first time since Barack Obama was elected president last November, more than half of US voters (53%) say it is at least somewhat likely that the next occupant of the White House will be a Republican.
Thirty-one percent (31%) say it is Very Likely. Thirty-five percent (35%) say it is not very or not at all likely, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twelve percent (12%) arent sure.
This is not an expectation related to the 2012 election. It is a question about the President following Obama which could happen in either 2012 or 2016.
Naturally, there is a partisan divide -- 77% of Republican voters say it's likely the next president will be from their party. Just 39% of Democrats agree. Still, that's an increase among both parties from previous surveys. Among voters not affiliated with either major party, 47% now say a GOP president is likely, while 33% think not.
Just after Obama's election, 50% of voters said the next president is likely to be a Republican ... Forty-six percent (46%) of voters now say President Obama is governing like a partisan Democrat, down four points from last month.
But the new finding is still higher than those in surveys during Obama's first few weeks as president. Thirty-five percent (35%) believe the president is governing on a bipartisan basis, and 18% are undecided.
And more good news for the GOP. Rasmussen Reports says that "for just the second time in more than five years of daily or weekly tracking, Republicans now lead Democrats in the latest edition of the Generic Congressional Ballot for the 2010 elections."
Specter's only option for retaining his Senate seat is to switch his party affiliation to Democrat. The question is, would the Democrats take him back?
Well, I guess we found out the answer today.
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele issued the following statement:
"Let's be honest: Senator Specter didn't leave the GOP based on principles of any kind. He left to further his personal political interests because he knew that he was going to lose a Republican primary due to his left-wing voting record. Republicans look forward to beating Sen. Specter in 2010, assuming the Democrats don't do it first."
Pennsylvania GOP Chairman Rob Gleason suggested Specter give back campaign contributions he received from Republicans now that he's abandoned the party.
Keep this in mind, also from my earlier post:
Pennsylvania is trending blue and the Democrats could win the Senate seat without Specter, so why take a GOP retread when the Dems could run a younger, more liberal candidate. If Specter can wheel-and-deal his way to the Democratic Party nomination, it sets up a November 2010 showdown between Toomey and Specter. And that's a toss-up.
Avoiding a primary fight against the GOP's Pat Toomey is not the end of Specter's problems.
Can Specter win the Democratic primary in 2010? Stay tuned.
The Pennsylvania Department of State released new voter registration numbers this week.
While registered Democrats hold a commanding lead over registered Republicans in Pennsylvania (4.4 million vs. 3.2 million), tbe number that jumps out at you is the fact that the Democratic Party has lost 100,000 voters since November.
Is this the Obama factor at play? Are people realizing the huge mistake they made by electing Obama?
Read more about the state's voter registration numbers in The Mercury.
Richard Viguerie: Theft of Senate seat by Democrats must not stand
And you thought the Democrats were only trying to steal the presidential election last year.
The theft of the 2008 U.S. Senate election in Alaska by corrupt Justice Department bureaucrats "must not be allowed to stand," Richard A. Viguerie said in a statement today.
"The people of Alaska, and all Americans, must rise up and demand that Mark Begich resign," said Viguerie, chairman of ConservativeHQ.com. "If corruption this blatant, with consequences this far-reaching, is allowed to succeed, it will bring our democracy itself into disrepute."
Said Viguerie, "Those who corruptly prosecuted this case must be prosecuted aggressively and forced to reveal the names of anyone they conspired with."
Viguerie is a longtime critic of Ted Stevens, who lost to Begich by fewer than 4,000 votes eight days after Stevens was fraudulently convicted.
"I'm no fan of Ted Stevens," Viguerie said. "But I'm a big fan of democracy, and this isn't it.
With two of the state's biggest Democratic political figures under indictment or already convicted for public corruption, you'd think the Democratic Party would take the lead in pushing ethics reform.
No so in Pennsylvania, where Democrats tend to look the other way when one of their own is caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
So it's up to the Republican Party to take up the cause of reforming what some consider to be the most corrupt state government in the country.
House GOP Leader Sam Smith unveiled the House Republican plan to help put state government on the right path: Pennsylvania's Agenda for Trust in Harrisburg, or PATH.
"We stand at a crossroads to either keep going in the direction of the status quo or change paths and make substantive changes in the way our government operates," Smith said at a Capitol new conference. "For the sake of our Commonwealth's future, I believe we have to change our ways."
Since the pay raise fiasco of July 2005, Pennsylvanians have lost trust in much of government, Smith said. The conviction of state Sen. Vince Fumo on 137 corruption charges and the Bonusgate charges against a dozen Democratic House staffers and elected officials have kept corruption in the headlines over the past few years.
Smith offered a 12-point agenda for dealing with the culture of corruption in Harrisburg.
Among the highlights: End the 'pay-to-play' system where campaign contributors receive lucrative state contracts; a ban on public officials starting nonprofit organizations while in office; strengthening the state Sunshine Law; creation of an Ethical Code of Conduct for executive branch; and independent audits of General Assembly spending.
"Pennsylvanians must believe their government is as effective, efficient, and accountable as it should be," Smith said. "I think it is the right thing to do. We have to stand up and say 'Enough, all this garbage must end now.'"
Read more of Smith's proposals in this press release posted at his Web site.
Rep. Joe Pitts, a Republican who represents Pennsylvania's 16th Congressional District, has introduced a bill to permanently eliminate the death tax, also known as the estate tax.
"Death should not be a taxable event," Pitts said. "It is family-owned farms and small businesses who suffer the most from this unjust tax because these people pass down the business or the farm in the family. But the death tax can force farms and small businesses to sell assets just to satisfy the tax authorities."
More from Pitts:
"My bill would simply repeal the death tax for good so that farmers and small business owners can pass along their operation to their children without the risk of having to dismantle the business and sell off assets in order to placate the tax man."
Legislation passed in 2001 phased out the death tax over a number of years until it will eventually be eliminated for fiscal year 2010. However, under current law, those tax cuts will sunset and the tax will snap back to its original levels for 2011, with individuals in the highest bracket being assessed a tax of 55 percent. Rep. Pitts' legislation would permanently eliminate the tax by getting rid of the sunset clause in the 2001 legislation.
Poll: Obama approval rating among Republicans is 27%
Not everyone is living in the Obamination.
While the far-left continues to adore Barack Obama despite a stumbling start to his presidency, a new poll finds his approval rating among registered Republicans at a pitiful 27 percent.
The "Partisan Gap" in Obama's job approval numbers is the widest in modern history, according to the Pew Research Center.
"For all of his hopes about bipartisanship, Barack Obama has the most polarized early job approval ratings of any president in the past four decades," the center says. "The 61-point partisan gap in opinions about Obama's job performance is the result of a combination of high Democratic ratings for the president -- 88% job approval among Democrats -- and relatively low approval ratings among Republicans (27%)."
The gap is even worse than the poll numbers for George W. Bush at a similar point in his presidency.
From the Pew Research Center:
By comparison, there was a somewhat smaller 51-point partisan gap in views of George W. Bush's job performance in April 2001, a few months into his first term. At that time, Republican enthusiasm for Bush was comparable to how Democrats feel about Obama today, but there was substantially less criticism from members of the opposition party. Among Democrats, 36% approved of Bush's job performance in April 2001; that compares with a 27% job approval rating for Obama among Republicans today.
The partisan gap in Bill Clinton's early days was also substantially smaller than what Obama faces, largely because Democrats were less enthusiastic about Clinton. In early April 1993, 71% of Democrats approved of Clinton's job performance, which is 17 points lower than Obama's current job approval among Democrats. Republican ratings of Clinton at that point (26%) are comparable to their current ratings of Obama today (27%).
The growing partisan divide in presidential approval ratings is part of a long-term trend. Going back in time, partisanship was far less evident in the early job approval ratings for both Jimmy Carter and Richard Nixon. In fact, a majority of Republicans (56%) approved of Carter's job performance in late March 1977, and a majority of Democrats (55%) approved of Nixon's performance at a comparable point in his first term.
PA GOP blasts Rendell for hiring 'budget publicist'
Pennsylvania Republican Party Chairman Rob Gleason is wondering why Gov. Ed Rendell is violating his own hiring freeze for a $100,000-a-year consultant to publicize how Rendell plans to spend the $18 billion the governor expects to receive in stimulus dollars from the federal government.
"Gov. Rendell's decision to hire a consultant to spread the word about his spending initiatives is outrageous," Gleason said in a statement. "Gov. Rendell proves once again that the taxpayers never win. He is using Pennsylvanians' tax dollars to publicize the egregious spending he is doing. Even more troubling is the fact that he gave the contract to a former employee. At a time when ethics are being questioned in Harrisburg, the governor's actions will do little to assure weary Pennsylvanians. So much for a hiring freeze!"
More from Gleason's press release:
According to a report from the Associated Press, Gov. Rendell is paying a former employee, Ken Snyder, $100,000 to publicize the programs he funds with the billions of federal economic stimulus dollars the state expects to receive.
Gleason concluded, "Democrats at every level continue to fail our nation on the economy. In the midst of an economic crisis, our President has spent more time filling out his NCAA basketball bracket and appearing on late night television than he has dealing with the fact that his Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner continues to make costly mistake after mistake. Here in the Keystone State, Governor Rendell is using the stimulus dollars to launch a media campaign to better his image in the media. I am not sure this is the 'change' people were looking for when they cast their ballots last November and I guarantee Rendell's publicist will do nothing to help our economy get back on track."
For more on the Pennsylvania Republican Party, visit its Web site, http://www.pagop.org/
The No. 1 reason Democrats won the White House and Congress in 2008 was money. They had more of it, lots more than the Republican Party.
If the GOP is to retake Congress in 2010 and put a stop to the Obama follies, it's going to need a ton of cash.
New Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele is off on the right foot. The RNC reports raising $5.1 million in February and is now debt free.
Opposition has emerged to the far-left policies of Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi.
Moderate Democrats in the U.S. Senate have formed a working group to oppose the liberal ideologues who are running the White House and House of Representatives.
Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana announced the coalition this morning on the Joe Scarborough program on MSNBC.
"We care for our country more than our party," Bayh said.
A formal press conference will make the group official with 15 Democrats forming a centrist coalition that will serve as a firewall to far-left agenda and screwball economic policies pushed by Obama and Pelosi.
The loyal opposition was supposed to come from Senate Republicans, but the defections of Arlen Specter, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins ended any hope Republicans could put a stop to the Obama agenda.
This is welcome news in a country that has lurched toward socialism since Obama took office.
This is also a very shrewd political move by Bayh, who is positioning himself to challenge Obama in 2012. This country is teetering on the brink of economic collapse thanks to Obama's ill-advised economic policies and The Chosen One is looking more like a one-term failure a la Jimmy Carter.
Democrats won't make the same mistake by renominating a failed president. Look for Bayh to steer the party back from the left-wing abyss.
This just in from the office of state Rep. Todd Rock, R-90:
House Republicans, Public School Lockout Victims to Reintroduce Strike-Free Education Act
What: With approximately 22 Pennsylvania public school districts at risk for an immediate teachers strike; and an additional 126 public school districts facing the possibility of a strike before the end of the year, State Representative Todd Rock (R-Franklin) will officially reintroduce his legislation to protect every Pennsylvania child's right to an uninterrupted Strike-Free public education.
Also offering support for the Strike-Free Education Act (House Bill 1369) will be State Representatives Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) and Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster); Simon Campbell, President of Stop Teacher Strikes, Inc.; Jill Basile, strike-impacted public school parent, Souderton Area School District; Rebecca Heller, School Board Director, Berwick Area School District; and Frank Scavo, School Board Director, Old Forge School District.
When: Wednesday, March 11 Time: 10:00 a.m. Where: Capitol Media Center
LIVE WEBCAST: Log on to RepRock.com or RepMetcalfe.com beginning at 9:55 a.m. on Wednesday morning.
Taking its cue from the Obama White House, the liberal media dutifully continues to bash Rush Limbaugh even though the orchestrated campaign to distract the nation from Obama's failed presidency has been exposed.
David Frum, who runs a Web site called NewMajority.com, writes Newsweek's latest cover story about the GOP and the sway Rush Limbaugh has over the party, concluding, "From a political point of view, Limbaugh is kryptonite, weakening the GOP nationally."
Tell us how you really feel, David.
"We are accepting the leadership of a man with an ego-driven agenda of his own, who looms largest when his causes fare worst," Frum says.
And when was David Frum appointed leader of the conservative movement?
Read more about the Newsweek cover story at the link below, but keep in mind that Newsweek is part of the official propaganda wing of the Obama Administration.
For more on Obama's manipulation of the press, check out "How Obama plays the pundits" at Politico.com
If you don't want to waste time on Frum's essay, Newsweek magazine did interview four actual GOP leaders (former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich; Rep. Eric Cantor; Rep. Paul Ryan and Gov. Mark Sanford) about how to reinvent the party.
Republicans have an alternative to Obama's socialized medicine proposal:
From the weekly GOP radio address by Rep. Roy Blunt:
"Americans are worried about their access to quality, affordable health care and they are looking for responsible solutions. Republicans agree, and we are committed to developing new and innovative solutions to fix what's broken, while making sure that we keep what works.
"Republicans are committed to access, affordability, competition and a quality system that puts patients and doctors in the driver seat.
"Just imagine a health care system that looks like a government run operation most of us are all too familiar with -- the local DMV. Lines, paper work, taking a number. Or how about another government agency -- the IRS.
"I don't want our health care to resemble that system and you probably don't either. That's why real competition is the key -- it encourages innovation so that the health care treatments and services available to you are the ones that you need and you want. Republicans are committed to common-sense solutions that promote competition and innovation.
"Not surprisingly the government never gets the price right: overpaying for some services, underpaying for others. It's also a system that leads to unfair rationing of care.
"Part of that comes from the backward way the government looks at problems. Washington is the only place that tells you how much they care about something based on how much it costs, instead of how well it works.
"America has the best doctors, health care providers and hospitals in the world. Republicans will lead the effort to make health care work for Americans. We'll also lead the fight against any proposals that undermine your ability to get the treatment the doctor you choose recommends."
If you didn't catch Thursday's "Talking Politics with Tony Phyrillas and Mike Pincus," you missed a lively discussion about the future of Sen. Arlen Specter.
Mike and I agree that Specter is finished in the Republican Party. If he runs for re-election in 2010 as a Republican, Specter will lose in the GOP primary, most likely to former Congressman Pat Toomey, who came close to knocking off Specter in 2004.
Mike gave two good reasons why Specter can't win, even though he's the incumbent and has a ton of money. First, Specter has lost all support in the Republican Party even from the pragmatic party officials who held their nose and supported Specter despite his tendency to vote with Democrats. Second, most of the "moderate" Republicans who supported Specter in the past left the party in 2008. They are now registered Democrats or independents and are unlikely to switch their party affiliation back to Republican so they can vote in the 2010 GOP primary. Specter's base is gone.
Specter's only option for retaining his Senate seat is to switch his party affiliation to Democrat. The question is, would the Democrats take him back? Pennsylvania is trending blue and the Democrats could win the Senate seat without Specter, so why take a GOP retread when the Dems could run a younger, more liberal candidate. If Specter can wheel-and-deal his way to the Democratic Party nomination, it sets up a November 2010 showdown between Toomey and Specter. And that's a toss-up.
But there's another scenario, one that Mike and I believe is more probable. Specter will not seek re-election in 2010. This would go a long way in explaining why he betrayed the Republican Party and supported Obama's trillion-dollar bailout plan.
Specter can bow out of the 2010 race by citing health reasons (not to mention that he'll be 80 by the time the election rolls around).
This clears the way for Pennsylvania's worst nightmare. Gov. Ed Rendell will probably succeed Specter in the U.S. Senate seat.
Rendell did say after his 2006 re-election to a second term as governor that it was his last political campaign, but Rendell has lied before.
And despite the damage Rendell has done to the state during his failed tenure as governor, he's still popular enough with Democrats (and the Specter RINOs) to easily win the Senate seat. Bob Casey Jr. and Ed Rendell reunited in the Senate. Oh, the horror.
With the exception of a few left-wing bloggers who thought the Democrat in the race had a chance, Republican state Rep. David Argall easily won a special election Tuesday to fill the vacant 29th District Pennsylvania Senate seat.
The only surprise was the margin of victory. Argall trounced his Democratic opponent by a margin of nearly 2-1. "The numbers are much better than we had anticipated," Argall told The Pottsville Republican.
The seat was left vacant when incumbent Republican Sen. James Rhoades was killed in a car crash last October. Rhoades won re-election in November, forcing a special election to fill the seat.
Unofficial returns show Argall, who represents the 124th House District, with 62.4 percent of the vote to 37.6 percent for Democrat Stephen Lukach Jr., who is the current Schuylkill County Clerk of Courts.
Argall received 20,786 votes and Lukach finished with 12,551.
Argall is a 13-term state House member and former House Republican Whip. He gave up his leadership post to run for the Senate.
Another special election will be held to replace Argall, who also won re-election last November. That special election will most likely be held during the scheduled primary election on May 19, with party leaders choosing candidates for the ballot.
The 29th District includes parts of Schuylkill, Monroe, Carbon, Lehigh, Berks and Northampton counties.
Argall's victory gives Republicans a solid 30-20 majority in the Pennsylvania Senate.
For more on the special election, check out The Clarke Report, Schuylkill County's best political blog.
Gov. Bobby Jindal answers President Doom-and-Gloom
The American people voted for "hope and change" but got "doom and gloom" after Democrats took power.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal offered a more optimistic vision of America after President Obama's speech to Congress.
From Jindal:
"A few weeks ago, the President warned that our nation is facing a crisis that he said 'we may not be able to reverse.' Our troubles are real, to be sure. But don't let anyone tell you that we cannot recover - or that America's best days are behind her. This is the nation that cast off the scourge of slavery...overcame the Great Depression...prevailed in two World Wars...won the struggle for civil rights...defeated the Soviet menace...and responded with determined courage to the attacks of September 11, 2001. The American spirit has triumphed over almost every form of adversity known to man - and the American spirit will triumph again.
We can have confidence in our future - because, amid today's challenges, we also count many blessings: We have the most innovative citizens...the most abundant resources...the most resilient economy...the most powerful military...and the freest political system in the history of the world. My fellow citizens, never forget: We are Americans. And like my dad said years ago, Americans can do anything."
Follow the link below for a transcript of Jindal's full speech:
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele released the following statement on President Barack Obama signing the stimulus bill:
"Americans looking for jobs and struggling to pay bills will be disappointed by the spending package written by Congressional Democrats and signed by President Obama today. The transparency and bipartisanship that President Obama promised the American people was sacrificed to pass a pork-laden bill without any public review or meaningful Republican support.
"In these difficult economic times, it is imperative that Republicans and Democrats work together to create new jobs and grow the economy. Instead, Congressional Democrats worked behind closed doors to write legislation that will fall short of creating the promised new jobs, but will guarantee a larger debt burden on our children and grandchildren.
"Republicans are unified in our disagreement with Congressional Democrat leaders and President Obama on this bill. It all comes down to this - the Democrat plan focuses on putting Americans on the public dole, while the Republican plan focuses on putting America back to work.
"The Republican Party stands ready to work together in a bipartisan manner with the Democrat leaders in Congress and the President. Hopefully they will learn from the mistakes in this bill and be interested in true bipartisan efforts in the future."
Among the objections voiced by Republicans to the Obama/Pelosi stimulus: "the bill isn't temporary because it calls for a permanent expansion of government that could add hundreds of billions of dollars to the federal budget every year."
Read a transcript of the full GOP response by following the link below:
Tony Phyrillas is the city editor and political columnist for The Mercury, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning daily newspaper in Pottstown, Pa. Phyrillas has won several national and state awards for his columns. Phyrillas has been featured on National Public Radio (NPR) and in The New York Times and is a frequent commentator on radio and television programs. He co-hosts "Talking Politics with Tony Phyrillas & Mike Pincus" Thursdays at 5 p.m. on WPAZ 1370 AM.
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The Fringe Media (formerly known as the Mainstream Media) has launched an all-out assault on Sarah Palin as she begins her book tour to promote "Going Rogue." 
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