Toomey way ahead of Specter in latest poll

It looks like no matter how Democratic Party pundits try to spin things, PA voters sure are in an anti establishment, anti incumbent mood these days.

This bodes well for the PA GOP candidates who seem destined to win the Governor's race, the U.S Senate race, and a pick up of two or even three Congressional seats in the November election.

However the mood doesn't bode well for everyone's favorite Senator, Arlen Specter. So just how bad are Specter's prospects of re-election right now? The Politico is reporting Specter trails GOP front runner Pat Toomey by 14 points in a latest Franklin and Marshall College poll.

A new poll from Franklin and Marshall College confirms Specter’s precarious situation. He trails Republican Pat Toomey by 14 points, 45 percent to 31 percent. Only 34 percent of Pennsylvanians gave Specter favorable job marks, with 58 percent saying he was doing a “fair” or “poor” job as senator. Click Here To Read More

These poll numbers shouldn't surprise anyone. To many voters around the state Specter has become a symbol for what is wrong in Washington and has become a poster boy for the need for term limits. Specter's move to switch parties to save his political life has not worked out as originally planned.

Specter now finds himself in the middle of a political buzz saw. First, Democratic Party voters are not energized by his campaign. Second, conservative voters and Tea Party activist are fired up to take him out. Then add to all of this independent voters who are disgruntled with the Obama Administration's policies. Double Ouch!!!

Probably, President Obama's State Of The Union address may have put the final nail in Specter's coffin. Obama's push to continue the Democratic Party's left wing agenda while snubbing the American people's pressure to move to the center will hurt Specter tremendously.

The bottom line in the PA Senate race is simple. Voting for Arlen Specter is not "Change that we can believe in".

The Franklin & Marshall Poll

Also: New poll shows Toomey leading Sestak, Specter (Delaware County Times)

More: Toomey Surges Over Specter in Poll as Fundraising Shows Strong Fourth Quarter Draw (Fox News)

Rats in the PA Capitol Cafeteria causing a media frenzy in Harrisburg

KWY Newsradio 1060 is reporting that the Capitol Cafeteria in Harrisburg operated by Philadelphia-based Aramark and overseen by the Rendell administration has failed another cleanliness inspection. The Capitol Cafeteria had to be shut down in December when an inspector found numerous violations and even rodent droppings all over the place. Click Here To Read More

All Of This Has The Patron's Of The Capitol Cafeteria Mainly The Harrisburg Media In An UpRoar!!! The following is an interview with Rep. Bill DeWeese:

Media: Representative DeWeese!!!! Representative DeWeese!!!!! Can you give us a statement on the rats that were found in the Capitol Cafeteria area?

Rep. DeWeese: "Rats are various medium-sized, long-tailed rodents of the superfamily Muroidea. "True rats" are members of the genus Rattus, the most important of which to humans are the black rat, Rattus rattus, and the brown rat, Rattus norvegicus."

Media: But what about the rats? What is the Democratic leadership in the House planning to do about all these rats running around the Capitol especially in the cafeteria.

Rep. DeWeese: Well guys I've heard of rats in the Capital before, but I don't know of any rats that particularly like to hang out in the Capitol Cafeteria.

Media: Is there an ongoing investigation of the rats in the Capital building and can you share any details?

Rep. DeWeese: Lets see. MMM! I always thought that former Speaker of the House John Perzel was a rat, but i do not know of any initiative that is moving forward emphasizing the extermination of the rats in the Capitol.

Media: What about the rumors going around that the leadership in each caucus planted the rats in the Capitol to deflect public attention away from the bonusgate trial?

Rep. DeWeese: "Any speculation that I knew about this unsanitary act is absolutely false and there is no evidence to support this opinion"

Let me tell you folks. It is Ratgate not bonusgate that is the real reason nothing is getting done done in Harrisburg. The rat infestation has severely impacted the legislative process. Everywhere you go lawmakers think they are seeing rats.

THEY ARE EVERYWHERE!!

PETA IS ACTUALLY LOBBYING FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF THE RATS!

Now everyone knows that the company overseeing the Capitol Cafeteria has connections to Governor Rendell. The company is from Philadelphia so it is not a far stretch to assume that the rats have somehow migrated from that area of the state!!!

But I have to Give Rendell credit. He has been calm throughout the crisis. I love that Rendell finds the humor in it all.

Here is Rendell's answer to a reporters question about ratgate:

(Romeo:) “Any witticisms about rats and mice in the capitol?”

(Rendell:) “(laughs) Just put it this way: assuming there were rats and mice there, they’re not the first rats and mice to be in the capitol.”

YOU ALSO HAVE TO LIKE HOW GOVERNOR RENDELL
DOESN'T MIND EATING WITH RATS

Just think of all the gambling lobby lunches and dinners Rendell must have participated in. I'm sure he is used to all the rat droppings by now!

GOP candidate for Governor, Sam Rohrer, answers criticisms of his support for the pay raise and pension increase

Brad Bumsted of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has a great article on the criticisms of Sam Rohrer's voting for the 2005 pay raise and the 2001 state pension increase. As a Sam Roher supporter I am not going to defend his votes. They were horrible misjudgments and political mistakes. But the thing I like about Sam is he is honest about them.

Rohrer, who bills himself in campaign literature as an "authentic conservative," told a Pennsylvania Press Club luncheon Monday that the pay raise is "a vote I wish I'd never made." He said he voted for it because he made a commitment to do so and wanted to keep his word. The pension vote four years earlier was a mistake, based on inaccurate information legislative leaders provided, he said. Click Here To Read More

However, I also have to say to Pennsylvania voters that no candidate is perfect especially when you were under the tremendous pressure from the House caucus leadership to vote for them. If you didn't leaders like former Speaker John Perzel were threatening to pull committee chairmanships and so on.

The bottom line in this race is that I am voting for Pennsylvania's future not its past. I am focusing on in here and now. You have to vote for the candidate that best represents your principles. I am concerned about state budget increases and cutting spending. Sam has a record of voting against Rendell's bloated state budgets. That is something Tom Corbett can't say. How has Tom Corbett help control state spending as Attorney General?

Rohrer's message to state committee members. Let's have a debate

At today's Pennsylvania Press Club's luncheon, Republican gubernatorial candidate Sam Rohrer urged party leaders to hold off on endorsing a candidate until the candidates have a debate in front of the full committee.

Rohrer said he is counting on support from conservative Pennsylvanians who are disenchanted with the political system. Without an open exchange of ideas, he said the Republican Party risks becoming more of “a social club” than a vehicle to advance different points of view. Click Here To Read More

The state committee is schedule to endorse candidates at their meeting February 13th. I for one think a debate would be a great idea. Anything to make this more of an open process.

Specter apologizes to Minnesota Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann for his 'Now Act like a lady' comment

It has taken Senator Arlen Specter almost a week to apologize to Minnesota Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann. Last Wednesday Specter blew up at Bachmann on a Philadelphia radio talk show and started yelling, "Now act like a lady, I'll treat you like One". Today he called to say I am sorry.

Sen. Arlen Specter called Rep. Michele Bachmann (R., Minn.) yesterday to apologize for his comments during a radio interview last week, the senator's office said, and she called back and "accepted the apology."

Specter's office gave no further details, saying the conversation between the two had been private.

Specter's remarks were clearly sexist and he once again made himself look like a buffoon. I don't know how Pennsylvania Democratic Party voters can even stand themselves for thinking about voting for Specter. Yuck. My advice just make sure you go home an take a shower after the voting booth!!!!

Read Article: Specter: Sorry for 'act like a lady' remark (Philadelphia Inquirer)
More:Specter Apologizes to Bachmann for 'Act Like a Lady' Remark (Fox News)

Sam Rohrer's Message Resonating With Republican Voters

Last night I attended the Sam Rohrer for Governor campaign event held at the Greenwood Fire Hall here in Altoona. I figured that I would cover the campaign event on my blog since the event was being held right in my backyard.

For a Saturday night, I was surprised by the amount of people that attended the event. I was running late and couldn't find a parking space. Then I helped Mr. & Mrs. Rohrer find a parking space as they got to the even about the same time I did.

While walking in the fire hall with Sam and his family, I was struck by the excitement in the room. I have to give Sam's campaign team a lot of credit for establishing this much energy this early in the race. Jeff Coleman and State Senator John Eichelberger highlighted Sam's conservative record in the State House Of Representatives prior to introducing Sam to the crowd.

Then Sam fired up the crowd and talked about his calling to be the next Governor of Pennsylvania. Sam feels that his campaign is about once again establishing trust with the people of Pennsylvania and restoring their faith in state government. He talked about what it means to take the oath of office and how our elected leaders in Harrisburg are responsible for following the state constitution. Something that many of his supports feel isn't happening in Harrisburg right now. Sam himself describes himself as a constitutional conservative.

Sam laid out his positions on a various of topics. He discussed his plan to eliminate smothering regulations and reduce business taxes that he feels limits Pennsylvania's ability to create jobs and grow industry. He discussed his plan to eliminate school property taxes and how it will make Pennsylvania more appealing for economic development. He discussed how he wants to cut state government waste by holding each department or program to their original mission or purpose.

Conservative supporters of Sam's grassroots campaign are very engaged and energized. One supporter even baked homemade chocolate chip cookies and brought them to the campaign event. Now you know that you are supporting the right candidate and that you are at the right campaign event when there is a bowl full of homemade chocolate chip cookies.

I don't think Tom Corbett's campaign events will have
homemade chocolate chip cookies!!!!!!

After attending the campaign event and meeting Sam and his wife in person, I have to say that there is no doubt that Sam's candidacy for Governor has created a lot of buzz and excitement in this area. Now from the outside looking in, political pundits and party establishment folks could say that this is just Sam energizing his base and that last night he was just speaking to the conservative choir. I say to the state political establishment that you can say or believe what you want but Sam's campaign message is energizing conservative voters like I have never seen before.

I personally feel that Sam Rohrer is the right man at the right time to lead Pennsylvania through the difficult times ahead. Only he can restore the people's faith and establish trust in our state government once again.

Sam's Our Man!!!! Sam's Our Man!!!

Does Senator Arlen Specter Have A Clue What He Is Talking About?

Here is the clip of the talk radio interview where our US Senator Arlen Specter made a fool out of himself and the Democratic Party. He basically Scolds Republican Representative, Michele Bachmann. This guy has lost it folks.




It seems that Specter has flipped his positions so many times on the issues, not to mention political parties, that he doesn't even know what he is talking about anymore. He was an embarrassment to the Republican Party and now he is even more of embarrassment for the Democratic Party.

Just listen to the arrogance and the frustration in Specter's voice. He sounds like Mr. Potter the "warped, frustrated old man" in It's A Wonderful Life. It is time for the voters of Pennsylvania to put Specter out of his misery. This is not the kind of arrogant leadership we need in Washington D.C.

More: Flap over Specter's 'act like a lady' comment spreads (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Specter may be haunted by exchange with Bachmann (Los Angeles Times)

Pennsylvanians want true GOP gubernatorial primary

Guest Column By David Baldinger

The grassroots have awakened.

Scott Brown carries the day in Massachusetts by a solid margin. Chris Christie prevails in New Jersey’s governor race. Bob McDonnell wins in Virginia’s governor race. Florida Republican Chairman Jim Greer is ousted by activists infuriated by his endorsement of an insider candidate for the state’s Senate seat.

These were not necessarily victories for any political party as pundits are eager to claim but, rather, for ordinary citizens who are frustrated and angry with machine politics and the political elite who anoint candidates for their party loyalty rather than for their principles.

The caring, decent people of our country have only just begun to demonstrate their displeasure with the pompous party bosses who control the electoral process.

Now the activists have established a new beachhead in Pennsylvania in their fight for electoral freedom, with the Pennsylvania Republican Party Chairman as the target of their resentment.

In a newspaper account of Congressman Jim Gerlach’s withdrawal from the Governor’s race, an obviously gratified Republican Chairman Rob Gleason said that now candidate Tom Corbett “doesn't need a primary" to establish himself and that he is pleased that Corbett would be able to "husband his resources."

With this pronouncement Gleason effectively dismissed the candidacy of State Representative Sam Rohrer and crowned Corbett as the party’s gubernatorial candidate. Six weeks before party delegates meet to vote, Gleason had already written off Representative Rohrer without giving him adequate opportunity to make his views known or gauging the support of the electorate.

The protesters regard Rohrer as an honest, common-sense candidate whose message and principles resonate with a grassroots movement hungry for a rejection of the status quo. Gleason’s unbridled arrogance and his blatant attempt to marginalize Rohrer by ignoring him has provoked the ire of activists and Rohrer proponents from across the state who are now demanding an open primary election that is free of bias and unfettered by political favoritism.

And well they should. Republican Party endorsements have included Lynn Swann, Mike Fisher, Rick Santorum, and others who were chosen for their purported name recognition and “electability” but were decisively rejected at the polls. The party and the people would undoubtedly be better served by allowing the voters to select their candidate rather than forcing upon them someone chosen by power-hungry party bosses who crown their royalty in furtive backroom deals.

Those chosen by the party elite prior to the primary election have a decided advantage over rival candidates by allowing them the use of party resources such as databases, research, and funding. This practice immediately tilts the playing field in favor of the endorsed candidate and will go far toward assuring their success. This must end if we are to restore the open electoral process that has been taken from us by those who have no desire to risk placing candidate selection in the hands of the people.

The coronation of candidates taints the integrity of those contenders by making them beholden to the powers that choose them and the special interests that finance their campaigns. It is sordid politics like this that ultimately leads to the pervasive corruption that is so prevalent in Pennsylvania government today.

Gleason and the Pennsylvania Republican leaders have completely lost touch with their base and are misreading the mood of the Pennsylvania electorate and, indeed, that of the nation. At the party meeting in February they will again order their delegates to march in lockstep with the party powers to endorse their hand-picked candidate. But this time that edict will become a liability for those who are chosen.

Patriot organizations, taxpayer advocates, tea party, 9/12, and similar grassroots groups have come together and will speak with one voice to repudiate the power of the political elite who would strip us of our liberty. We have had enough of the party powers dictating candidates and policy to us and we will regain control of the process that is guaranteed to us by the Constitution. The Governor’s seat belongs to the people, not the party; it is time for all citizens to demand of the Republican bosses an open, transparent primary election so that we, the people of Pennsylvania, may choose who will lead us.

David Baldinger is a taxpayer advocate and a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Coalition of Taxpayer Associations, an organization of thirty-six taxpayer groups that is working for school property tax elimination and education finance reform.

Democratic Candidate, Tom Knox, Ends Campaign For Governor

WHYY news is reporting that Philadelphia business man, Tom Knox, has decided to end his candidacy for Governor. Knox was one of five candidates seeking the Democratic Party nomination.

Knox: I was going to spend ten million dollars, Dan was probably going to spend ten million dollars. We were going to beat each other up. And that's not appropriate to do in a Democratic primary, and then after all that, allow a Republican to become the next governor.

Allegheny County Executive, Dan Onorato, has raised over eight million dollars thus far for his campaign and is now sitting in the driver's seat. With both party's elites clearly pushing out the competition, a showdown between Corbett and Onorato two of Pennsylvania's biggest heavyweights seems to be inevitable. Unless the Bonusgate scandal blows up in Corbett's face then it will be a victory for Onorato.

Also: Knox quits Democratic race governor, supports Onorato (AP Peter Jackson)
Good Read: Tom Knox bailing on race for governor? (Philadelphia Daily News)

Pennsylvania Republicans Rush to Miss the Moment

by John D McGinnis

Across America, freedom is breaking out, yet the Pennsylvania Republican party is committed to more of the same old socialism and same old party-above-freedom mentality. The latest example of this is the endorsement of Tom Corbett for governor of the central Pennsylvania republican caucus. Here's what Tom Corbett's website reports:

"The Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania's Central Caucus met today and voted to support Attorney General Tom Corbett for Governor. The vote occurred after Corbett addressed the Central Caucus members and reiterated his commitment to reduce state spending and cut government waste, improve the economic climate to create jobs and bring openness and accountability to state government."

So let me get this straight. The caucus supports Corbett because he is for reducing government spending, cutting (not eliminating) waste, improving the economic climate to create jobs, and bringing openness and accountability to state government. Corbett is laughably and demonstrably incompetent on all of those items. And I guess the sanctity of human life is not worth a mention.

Reducing spending and cutting waste: What part of his budget as state attorney general has been reduced and what waste has he cut there?

Creating jobs: What does a lifelong lawyer who has spent a majority of his career in the public sector know about creating jobs? The single most powerful action our commonwealth's government could take to improve Pennsylvania's economy is to make this a right-to-work state. No mention at all of that on Corbett's website.

Accountability to state government: Bonus gate is entering its 3rd year with the one case that went to court resulting in a not guilty verdict and the meat of the scandal (Senate Republican misbehavior) is still on the bone.

So he's silent on life, mum on economic freedom, and dragging his feet on bringing government officials to justice. Should it surprise that the Republican party, which is rushing to endorse this guy, is the minority party in the Commonwealth whose motto is "Virtue, Liberty, and Independence"?

Incidentally, Tom Corbett's website has nearly everything you would think would be there including opportunities to endorse him, solicitations for donations to his campaign, press releases, and even a blog. However, there is no statement of his principles nor a program for governing Pennsylvania. Guess that's just a little oversight.

Scott Brown Wins!!! Scott Brown Wins!!! Massachusetts Voters Say No To Obama Agenda

Oh My God!!! The Associated Press just projected Scott Brown as the winner of the Massachusetts special Senatorial election for the seat held by Ted Kennedy for over 30 years.

Perhaps the worst political blunder in history, today's election results will send shock waves throughout country.

The Tea Baggers of Massachusetts managed to start yet another historic revolution by turning their backs on a big government, establishment liberal candidate like Martha Coakley.

It doesn't look pretty folks for the Democrats. The Brown potential victory has turned into the second Boston Massacre. I'm surprised Obama doesn't send warships into Boston harbor to squelch the revolt.

In the end the energy and excitement for Scott Brown the Republican candidate was just too much to overcome. Martha Coakley may have been a bad candidate but Brown nationalized the election. He made the race a referendum on health care. It was a winner for Brown and a loser for the Democratic Party.

It will be interesting to see how the Democratic Party elites and pundits spin this one.

Full AP Article: GOP's Brown wins Mass. Senate seat in epic upset
(Contra Costa Times)

Black Robed Bad Boys

Legislature doesn't have a corner on corruption

Guest Column By Lowman S. Henry

As a result of the Bonusgate and capitol corruption scandals a harsh spotlight has been shone on the criminal misdeeds and alleged criminal actions of formerly powerful members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly and their staffs. Less noticed, but equally troubling, is a growing list of illegal, unethical and unbecoming actions by members of the commonwealth's judicial branch.

Unlike the executive and legislative branches, the judicial branch of government operates largely out of sight only invading the public consciousness in times of sensational trials or when corruption is uncovered. Even when corruption is alleged, it is handled behind closed doors and more often than not simply swept under the rug because public attention is focused elsewhere.

That may be about to change. A series of high profile judicial corruption scandals have pierced what Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie-Melvin called the "cloak of public trust" that many Americans place in the judicial system. During remarks following her installation earlier this month as a justice of the high court; Judge Orie-Melvin focused on corruption plaguing the judiciary saying Pennsylvanians are demanding, transparency, accountability and reform.

None of those are things the judicial system does well. The judiciary is covered more by a cloak of secrecy than by a cloak of public trust. The most glaring recent example involves a scheme by two Judges of the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas who accepted $2.6 million in kick-backs to sentence juveniles to unwarranted confinement in detention facilities. Complaints were made to the Judicial Conduct Board which was, to put it mildly, slow and unresponsive. Ultimately the media picked up on the issue and that lead to the resignation and conviction of the two wayward jurists.

In recent days Luzerne County's bench has again been in the headlines as Judge Michael Toole has been forced to resign for "honest services fraud," which is legalese for having an improper financial relationship to essentially receive kick-backs for legal referrals. He has also been charged with income tax evasion. It is also apparently hazardous to be married to a judge. The former president judge of Perry and Juniata counties, Judge Joseph Rehkamp was arrested several days ago and charged with assaulting his wife. Ironically, Judge Rehkamp now lives in Luzerne County.

Unfortunately, the wave of judicial misconduct crashing across Penn's Woods is not limited to the Common Pleas level. There is also the matter of Judge Michael Joyce who served on the statewide Superior Court. Judge Joyce, of Erie County, is serving time in prison after having been convicted on federal insurance fraud charges.

The statewide judiciary also suffered a black eye during the infamous pay raise uproar several years ago. The legislature bore the brunt of public anger for having raised its own salaries, but it was behind-the-scenes lobbying by certain members of the appellate courts that brought the issue to the table in the first place. There has since been allegations that judicial involvement in the pay raise process was excessive and untoward, but by and large the black robes escaped any serious consequences as a result of their actions.

During last year's campaign for a seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, both the Democratic nominee Jack Panella and the winning Republican nominee Joan Orie-Melvin made corruption an issue. It was obviously not a winning issue for Panella who was successfully attacked by the Orie-Melvin campaign for his role as a member of the Judicial Conduct Board which is widely viewed has having dropped the ball on the Luzerne County matter. Nevertheless, the fact candidates for both parties made judicial conduct a campaign issue speaks to the degree to which corruption in the courts has become a major problem.

It remains to be seen whether or not any serious reform will be forthcoming. Like their counterparts in the legislature there has been a lot of talk by judges and judicial candidates about reform, but little action. They could start by understanding the courts are a co-equal branch of government and thus properly subject to the same scrutiny as the other two branches. For way too long the judicial system has operated behind closed doors setting it above and apart from everyone else. And while the overwhelming majority of judges and justices are good, honorable and hard working jurists, there have been enough bad apples that the time has come for the judiciary to move into the 20th century by making itself more open, transparent, and accountable.

(Lowman S. Henry is Chairman & CEO of the Lincoln Institute and host of the weekly Lincoln Radio Journal. His e-mail address is lhenry@lincolninstitute.org.)