Obama Campaigns for Sestak, Onorato

President Obama is warning Pennsylvania Democrats their party could lose Tuesday, if voters don’t amp up their energy over the coming days.
Speaking for less than ten minutes to a crowd of about 16-hundred people in Philadelphia Saturday, Mr. Obama urged Democrats to knock on doors and make phone calls between now and Election Day.

"The key right now is not just to show up here. It’s not just to listen to speeches. It’s to go out there and do the hard work that’s going to be required to bring this home over the last few days."

But interviews with attendees, Joatta Glover, Jamie Papas and George Scott, revealed a wide gap, when it comes to support for the president, compared to enthusiasm for Tuesday’s Senate, gubernatorial and Congressional elections.

"I want Joe – what’s his name? Joe Sec…sec…Sestak? Sestak. Yeah I want him to win.
I’m going to sound bad – I didn’t register. I went to the day it was due – my mom yelled at me – but I just didn’t get do.
Governor – what’s his name? Dan Onorato? I can’t pronounce it."

Top Democrats say big turnout in Philadelphia and its suburbs is key, if the party wants to win.

Rendell is Getting Ready to go

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell finds out who his successor will be Tuesday but he says his administration is already working on a detailed transition plan. Rendell says every department has put together memos for the incoming, “Every department has prepared a transition memo for the governor-elect that will outline what’s been accomplished in the department, what the challenges are that still remain. Analysis of personnel and resources, and even recommendations of what personnel are dispensable, etc.” The governor says he’ll also write a long private briefing for Pennsylvania’s next chief executive. He says he’ll consult with either Dan Onorato or Tom Corbett on major decisions he needs to make between Election Day and Inauguration Day, “I don’t say that I will necessarily follow his opinion, but I will certainly listen to it. Particularly if those decisions have far-reaching effects. But understand that under the constitution, there still is only one governor until January 18th, and then there will be one governor after January 18th.” Rendell told reporters he didn’t want to comment on how helpful outgoing Governor Mark Schweiker had been when the Democrat was preparing to take office in 2002. In the final days before the election, Rendell says he’ll be busy campaigning for Democrats Dan Onorato and Joe Sestak in the Philadelphia area and Lehigh Valley.

Onorato's Last Days on the Trail

With just days left before the gubernatorial election, Democrat Dan Onorato keeps plugging away. WDUQ's Scott Detrow reports the Allegheny County Executive is confident he’ll overcome Republican Tom Corbett’s lead in the race’s final days.

Listen to Scott Detrow's story here.

Find yesterday's story looking at Republican Tom Corbett's campaign here.

Rothfus Challenges Altmire for PA's 4th

Pennsylvania's 4th Congressional District spans six counties in western Pennsylvania and since 2007 Democrat Jason Altmire has kept Republicans at bay. In the May primary Keith Rothfus defeated former U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan and is challenging Altmire by hitting him on issues like the economy, expiring tax breaks and health care reform. Rothfus, a private industry lawyer, served under President George W. Bush for two years in the Department of Homeland Security heading an office of faith-based initiatives after Hurricane Katrina. Rothfus says it's not enough that Altmire didn't vote for President Barack Obama's health care law, "You have a representative who would rather go on national tv and hem and haw for weeks on end, that's not the kind of leadership we need." And despite Altmire's "Blue Dog Democrat" label, Rothfus says he's a traditional liberal at heart. Rothfus says he wants to get the economy rolling again and vows that he would pay attention to the private sector and the job creators.

Jason Altmire joined Congress after beating three time incumbent Republican Melissa heart. He says he has a record of listening to constituents regardless of political affiliation, saying his district isn't interested in a partisan politician "they want someone who can get things done in a highly charged political environment." And while he says he'll leave it to Rothfus to distinguish himself, Altmire notes that he was a high profile participant in the discussion leading up the health care reform vote. "I was a pretty visible player, both in western Pennsylvania and around the country and I'm surprised, of all the lines of attack, that people would come at me for not being visible enough." Altmire says he's looking ahead to November 3rd, when he thinks those willing to work across the aisle will wield he most influence in Washington.

Click here to listen to an interview with Republican candidate Keith Rothfus.

Click here to listen to an interview Democratic incumbent Jason Altmire.

Corbett's Last Days on the Trail

The Pennsylvania Gubernatorial election is just days away and Republican Tom Corbett has led Democrat Dan Onorato in the polls throughout the entire election. DUQ’s Scott Detrow went on the road with the Attorney General and found he is using the last few days to urge supporters not to become complacent as what has been a low-key gubernatorial campaign winds to an end.

Listen to Scott's story here.

A look at Democrat Dan Onorato's campaign can be heard tomorrow during Morning Edition on 90.5 FM in Pittsburgh

Rendell Lease Ban May Stay, May Go

One Candidate of Pennsylvania Governor says he will keep a ban on selling state forest land to gas drilling companies and the other says he will have to review it. The Rendell Administration has leased out more than 130 thousand acres of state forest land over the past two years and now that he is about to leave office Rendell has signed an executive order to not sell any more. Only about 20 wells are active in the forests right now, but Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary John Quigley says thousands could be operating in the next few years. The order does nothing to prevent those wells from being drilled, it only prevents more land from being leased. Quigley says the forests have reached a breaking point. “In a perfect world we would not have done the last lease sale, but the facts are that we did,” says Quigley, “We did it with the absolute minimum impact, and did it in a way that we think preserves the sustainability of the forest. But clearly we have reached the point where we can’t go any further.” When Rendell leaves office in January the ban will remain in place but the next governor could decide to overturn it. Democrat Dan Onorato says he will keep Rendell’s order in effect, and urge the development of more private land. He also supports a tax on gas pulled from the Marcellus Shale formation. Republican Tom Corbett would overturn the moratorium. Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley says, “It’s something that is generating revenue for the state, and could generate more. When Tom Corbett’s elected governor, he’ll sit down with his new secretary of DCNR and DEP, and examine what could produce revenue for the state. The leases generate money for the state, and Corbett would look for additional ways to gain revenue from state forests.” Corbett does not support the idea of a tax on shale gas.

Gingrich: US House Will Flip

While Campaigning in Harrisburg today former US House Speaker Newt Gingrich predicted Republicans will flip control of the House of Representatives next week. Gingrich says if the Republicans take control of the House, they should refuse to fund President Obama’s programs and priorities. “And so I think you say, we’re not going to pay for that stuff. Make it Obama’s problem to go to the country and say, I’d like to have a bigger deficit to borrow more money to spend more government money implementing programs you hate,” says Gingrich. “Don’t appropriate money for all these phony czars that haven’t been approved by the Senate. Don’t appropriate money to implement ObamaCare. The Congress has the power of the purse, and all it has to do is calmly and confidently use it.”

Gingrich is also calling for a repeal of the new federal health care law, “that doesn’t mean that out of 26-hundred pages, there aren’t some things that are good. I helped found the Center for Health Transformation. I think we could find 260 pages, ten percent, that are actually pretty good things. But I’d rather repeal the whole thing and then pass those 260 pages freestanding.” Gingrich admits that overturning Mr. Obama’s signature won’t move past rhetoric, as long as Democrats retain control of the White House and Senate. The Harrisburg native is one of several high-profile politicians descending on Pennsylvania in the days before the election. President Clinton is stumping with Congressman Paul Kanjorski, and President Obama will make another visit to Philadelphia this weekend.

Onorato Speaks in Hill District

Allegheny County Executive and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dan Onorato spoke to an audience of about thirty local African-American leaders in the Hill District on Monday.

He spoke about the differences between him and his opponent Tom Corbett.

Corbett does not support a severance tax on Marcellus Shale gas drilling. Onorato does and says the money from the tax should go towards replacing jobs that were shed from The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, to counties for the wear and tear on roads and water systems from the drilling and to protect farmland and open space and to clean up brownfields.

"We're going to have real environmental issues," he said. He called The Marcellus Shale "a golden opportunity" and cited a Penn State report that said the drilling industry would create 80,000 jobs.

He also made promises to increase accessibility to early childhood education and spoke against the Castle Doctrine expansion.

Final Campaign Finance Report Released

In the Pennsylvania gubernatorial race, Republican Tom Corbett outraised and outspent Democratic opponent Dan Onorato over the past month. Corbett raised $6.2 million and spent $8.6 million, while Onorato took in $3.5 million, and spent $4.6. The Republican spent about $7 million on television ads, compared to Onorato's $4 million in TV purchases. Once again, Onorato's biggest contributors were unions - the AFL-CIO gave $160,000 to his campaign. The Democrat also received $50,000 from Governor Rendell's campaign fund, as well as several individual contributions from members of the Rendell administration and Onorato $20,000 from House Appropriations Committee Chairman Dwight Evans. On the other side, the billionaire chair of Chief Oil and Gas gave $50,000 to Corbett, and the vice president of Range Resources donated $10,000. Both of those companies drill in Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale natural gas formation. Among the well-known names giving money to the Onorato campaign was Al Boscov, the chairman of Boscov's department stores who gave $25,000. John Hess of the Hess Corporation donated the same amount to Corbett. The Republican Governors Association's $2.5 million contribution to Corbett's campaign dwarfed the $400,000 its Democratic counterpart gave to Onorato. The Democrat's campaign has about $2 million left in the bank, while Corbett has more than $5 million to spend.

The most interesting donor in either report? Elmer Fudd, who gave $100 to the Corbett campaign.

Onorato/Corbett Fact Check

WDUQ spent some time over the weekend fact checking some of the ads Pennsylvania’s two candidates for governor are running. A new commercial for Republican Tom Corbett doesn’t fudge the facts, but misleads voters by leaving out contextual information. At the beginning of spot, a woman tells viewers Allegheny County has lost 21-thousand jobs during Onorato’s tenure as county executive. While the figure is correct, the spot leaves out the context that Allegheny County’s unemployment rate has stayed below the state and national average. The latest figures on the federal Department of Labor’s website show an 8.0% unemployment rate here, compared to Pennsylvania’s 8.9% figure and the national 9.5% unemployment rate. The ad goes on to say, “Who ran on a promise of cutting property taxes ten percent, and broke his promise? Dan Onorato.” That’s true, but property taxes haven’t gone up during Onorato’s two terms, either. And as the Democrat is quick to point out at every opportunity, he fought against a court-ordered property reassessment, which would have likely increased property taxes for county residents. The woman in the ad also says Onorato supports a “massive energy tax.” She’s referring to a tax on natural gas extraction – not a cap-and-trade measure.

On the other side, a new ad from Democrat Dan Onorato warns senior citizens that Republican Tom Corbett could eliminate state health services, if he becomes governor. In truth, Corbett has never voiced support for any of the positions the commercial warns about – so the ad is misleading. Onorato’s new spot cuts right to the chase saying, “Corbett’s plan could slash meals on wheels. Cut home health care services. Stop Alzheimer’s outreach. And limit funding for senior centers.” The ad is entirely hypothetical. Corbett has never talked about cutting any of these health care programs. Onorato’s campaign justifies the attack by pointing out the Republican has said, “everything is on the table,” when it comes to cutting state spending. The ad does accurately point out Corbett has joined a lawsuit aimed at overturning the new federal health care law – but frames the challenge as suing to “stop seniors from getting health coverage,” which isn’t true. Corbett has argued the new health care law violates the constitution by mandating the purchase of health care. He says he’s in favor of expanding health care and reducing the cost of coverage – he just doesn’t support the new federal law.

Durbin: Dems Will Hold Senate

While making a few campaign stops in Eastern Pennsylvania, the number two Democrat in the US Senate predicted his party will maintain control of Congress’ upper chamber next year. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois says he’s confident his party will keep its Senate majority, but he concedes Democrats will likely lose several seats. With a much slimmer margin, Durbin says Republicans and Democrats will need to reach across the aisle, in order pass bills. “The issues are substantial. Far and away the biggest issue is creating jobs in America. I mean, we’ve got to turn this economy around and put people back to work. Not only good for their families, but good for our nation, when it comes to the deficit. But secondly, when you take a look at the issues that we face, we still have to deal with the issue of clean energy jobs for our future,” says Durbin. Durbin was in Pennsylvania to campaign for Congressman Joe Sestak and several southeastern congressional candidates. He says Republican Senate candidate Pat Toomey is wrong to call for scaled back government spending, “I hope that they’ll take a look at history. Back in the 1930s we went through the same experience. People said, hit the breaks. Let’s talk about the deficit. And the next thing you know, the unemployment rate went skyrocketing again, didn’t come down until World War II. I don’t want to see history repeating itself.”

Durbin made a few more predictions while in the state. He says he won’t be Majority Leader next year. That means he is predicting a win by embattled Democrat Harry Reid, who’s facing a tough campaign in Nevada. Durbin also predicts a November Senate vote on ending “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” He says, “I believe it’s time to put this policy aside. I believe the military leadership has had an opportunity to consider how to reach that goal. And I think the courts – as Admiral Sestak has said – the courts are moving in the right direction. But because of uncertainty about the next court decision, Congress needs to act.”

Toomey, Sestak Agree on Little

The two candidates vying for Pennsylvania's open Senate seat faced off at a debate at the Constitution Center in downtown Philadelphia Wednesday night. The two did not agree on much, but each said the other belongs to the extreme fringe of his political party. Both sides lobbed accusations of extremism. Democrat Joe Sestak even took a shot at who Republican Pat Toomey has in his corner. "Look I know he won the very coveted award of the endorsement by Sarah Palin. And I understand the anger of the Tea Party. What I'm most concerned about are those extreme candidates that are taking advantage of the extreme fringe of the Tea Party," says Sestak. Toomey fired back, painting Sestak as an extreme liberal. He says, "It's very clear, the person who is the extreme candidate who is out of touch with Pennsylvania is Joe Sestak. Look at this agenda. He voted for all the bailouts and then introduced his own bill to create a new bailout." Toomey and Sestak also traded barbs on abortion, healthcare, and foreign policy. On the question of abortion, Pat Toomey says he wants to ban the practice unless it's a case of rape, incest or health of the mother. He says his views are in step with the majority of Pennsylvanians. "Joe Sestak is the one who is extreme on this issue. He is in that fringe of members, very liberal, who believe in tax payer funded abortions on demand, and no restrictions at all, well outside the mainstream of Pennsylvania." Joe Sestak responded by saying Toomey is extreme. "Palin, Toomey, O'Donnell they would all like to overturn Roe versus Wade. I believe that those life decisions of a family should be made within the family." Sestak said he never voted in favor of taxpayer-funded abortions. With less than two weeks left before election day, Sestak has come from behind in the polls.

Corbett: Privatize Liquor Stores

Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett wants to privatize the state-run liquor stores. The Republican says he will make that happen during his first year as governor. The idea comes up every few years in Harrisburg but has always been shot down by an unusual marriage of union supporters and for right social conservatives. Corbett argues Pennsylvania’s dire financial circumstances will give the plan momentum, much like a multi-billion dollar deficit paved the way for legalized table games at casinos this year. “You have to keep in mind that I don’t think the last seven governors have faced an economic crisis the likes of which Pennsylvania is looking at right now,” says Corbett, “I think there is a much greater willingness in the general populace, that wants it. The voters, I think, want it. “ A Republican lawmaker who’s long pushed for privatization estimates Pennsylvania could generate two billion dollars by selling off state stores. Opponents of the idea, including Governor Rendell, say the one-time profit isn’t worth the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue. Corbett disagrees, “I believe he’s wrong, because we’re still going to have a tax on alcohol. We would receive income from that. What we’re looking at is selling a system off to other people. To privatize that system. And to be able to put it on the free market, where it’s going to help the citizens of Pennsylvania in a much more effective way. “ Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dan Onorato says he is not rejecting the idea of selling the stores, but would be hesitant to lose the annual revenue. At the same time Corbett says he is hesitant to change the beer sales laws. “In many cases those are small mom and pop stores that have been in existence for a long time, and great value in those licenses. And you would want to ensure that their value is maintained. And the same with the small bars that sell – as you know they can sell two six-packs,” says Corbett. Onorato is also against change the beer laws.

The gubernatorial debate held in Pittsburgh October 16th can be heard at the bottom of the post at this link.

Final Gubernatorial Debate Before Election

Democrat Dan Onorato and Republican Tom Corbett made their closing arguments to Pennsylvania voters, during their third and final debate last night.
During his closing statement, Corbett told voters he’s the only candidate who will lower taxes and government spending.

"If you want four more years of increased spending, of taxes. If you want four more years of unemployment. If you want four more years of trying to be all things to all people – if you want four more years of Ed Rendell-like policies, then I would select my opponent."


Onorato, in turn, said he’s had more practical experience than Corbett, when it comes to growing the economy and working with the private sector. He continued to argue Corbett is a flip-flopper.

"I stood at the first debate, and I heard clear as day – Tom said he would help to pay back a three billion dollar debt to the federal government by putting a tax on the workers. At the last debate, he said he wouldn’t. Now I just find it ironic that the first debate was in front of a chamber audience. The second debate wasn’t. You can’t change your answer depending on what audience you’re talking to."

The Democrat is also vowing to shrink government spending and keep taxes level.
The majority of the debate focused on issues the two candidates have been arguing about for months.
A few new topics did come up, though.
On gay rights, Onorato said he’d support a measure banning discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Corbett said Pennsylvania has the laws it needs to fight anti-gay bias.

Onorato and Corbett Debate in Home Town

Democrat Dan Onorato and Republican Tom Corbett sparred on a wide range of subjects during a Saturday night debate in Pittsburgh.
Corbett said he opposes a tax on natural gas drilling, arguing a severance tax would be the worst thing you could possibly do for the industry.

"It’s clear that Dan is for taxes and I’m for jobs. I want to grow this industry. I believe it’s very important to the people of Pennsylvania – to the future generations of Pennsylvania – that they have jobs all across Pennsylvania. That this industry is going to grow."


Onorato disagreed.

"Tom, the reality is you took more money than any politician in Pennsylvania from the gas companies, and you’re doing your bidding. That’s what this is about. You going to have the taxpayers pay for the problems, or are you going to have the companies pay for the problems?"

Corbett said he doesn’t let contributions influence his actions

During a lightning round at the end of the debate, the Democrat and Republican both said they oppose legalizing medical marijuana and gay marriage.
Corbett said he’d support a constitutional ban on same-sex unions, but Onorato vowed to oppose a constitutional amendment on the issue.
Both candidates support a constitutional convention overhauling state government.

Listen to the entire debate here.

Sestak, Specter Clash Over Pay for Staffers

Pennsylvania Congressman Joe Sestak isn’t disputing the fact many of his staffers are paid salaries at or below the minimum wage, but he says Senator Arlen Specter’s campaign is only pointing that out because they’re worried about the incumbent Democrat’s approval ratings.
A day after Specter’s campaign put out a press release charging Sestak with paying several staffers salaries that equate to a bit more than eight dollars an hour, the suburban Philadelphia Congressman fired back.
He doesn’t dispute his campaign payroll, but said his staffers are making a “personal sacrifice” to change Washington.
Sestak says Specter is going negative because of bad poll numbers.

"I don’t think it’s a coincidence at all that Arlen Specter’s negative personal attacks came immediately after another poll that shows after 30 years, only 25 percent of Pennsylvanians think the Senator, Senator Specter, deserves reelection. And I think they’re panicking."

The recent Franklin and Marshall College poll gave Specter a 33-16 percent lead over Sestak, with 44 percent of respondents undecided.
Specter’s campaign manager, Chris Nicholas, calls the salaries “pathetically low,” and inconsistent with Democratic principles.
According to information provided by Nicholas, the lowest-paid Specter campaign staffer makes 23-hundred dollars a month.

Four Hats in Dem. Gov's Race

As other Democrats withdraw from the race for governor, another candidate is just getting into the fray. State Senator Anthony Williams of Philadelphia is officially running for governor. The move comes a week after Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty dropped out of the Democratic primary an a few weeks after businessman Ton Knox withdrew. The longtime state senator claims he’s raised nearly two million dollars, and says he’s aiming for a four million dollar war chest, so he can run advertisements in the expensive Philadelphia and Pittsburgh television markets. Williams claims the money comes from a broad base of donors. He says, “They come from a variety of backgrounds. Who are interested in, obviously in controlling costs, controlling spending in government, educational choice, people who are concerned about unions in Pennsylvania. We have a cross-section of people who are supporting my candidacy.” The campaign has already hired three staffers, and opened up an office in Philadelphia. Williams says he’s not worried about his late entry, “Based upon the current situation, there’s about -- 72 percent of the folks in Pennsylvania don’t even know there’s a gubernatorial race. I’m very comfortable if I’m on television they’ll at least notice there’s another guy running.” Williams says he’ll push an economic platform, suggesting a program where the state would subsidize salaries of new employees in high-tech fields, in order to expand Pennsylvania’s science and manufacturing industry. Williams’ announcement brings the Democratic primary field back to four candidates. He’s running against Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, Auditor General Jack Wagner and Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel.

Race for Murtha Seat Less Cloudy

The widow of Congressman John Murtha says she will not try to step into her husband’s shoes. Joyce Murtha says she will not run in the race to fill his unexpired term. John Murtha died February 8th from complications following gallbladder surgery. He was 77. Among those who have said they are interested is former Lt. Gov. Mark Singel. Also running is former Pennsylvanian Treasurer Barbara Hafer and Cambria County Controller Mark Singel. The governor has chosen May 18th. Tat is also Pennsylvania’s primary day. That means there will be two elections involving Pennsylvania’s 12th congressional district on primary day, one to fill the unexpired term and a vote among democrats and republicans to choose a party nominee to run for a full term in November. The parties get to choose a candidate for the unexpired term. It is unclear when Democrats will choose that but Republicans say they will meet March 11 in Latrobe to choose their candidate. The party says anyone wanting to run will be given a chance to address the conference before members take a vote.

Doherty Switches Races

Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty’s decision to drop out of the race for Governor of Pennsylvania leaves three declared Democrats in the field.
Doherty, who lagged far behind other candidates in fundraising efforts, says he’s ending his bid for governor.
Instead, the Democrat will run for the State Senate seat being vacated by Minority Leader Bob Mellow of Lackawanna County.
Doherty says he won’t endorse Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel or Auditor General Jack Wagner.

"I talked to the three – I talked to the candidates yesterday, and I just told them I wasn’t going to endorse anybody. I liked them all personally, we all got along real well, so I just thought, let the voters."

Doherty skirted the issue of whether he would have switched races if his gubernatorial bid had been going better.

"You know, this came out of nowhere. You look at it and say, wow I could really do a lot of good here. The other case is kind of hypothetical. What’s the degree of doing better, and the degree of more money. So I feel real good about doing this."

Doherty had focused his campaign on economic issues, touting the work he’s done as mayor. He says job creation will be the focus of his Senate run, as well.
Most recent polls have given Onorato a slight edge over the other primary candidates – but the majority of Democratic voters are still undecided.

Former Murtha Opponent to Run Again

Republican William Russell, who lost to Congressman John Murtha in the 2008 November election, says he will seek the GOP nomination in the special election to fill the vacancy left by Murtha's death this month.
Russell, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, was already a candidate in the May Republican Primary for the 12th Congressional District seat..."Since the governor has announced that the Special Election will be held on Primary day, May 18th, it makes perfect sense to also be a candidate in the special election. It's a move that makes sense for the voters and will simplify the process for the thousands of my supporters."

The Republican Party will choose the nominee for the special election.