Well, that was quick.

…and then there were three.

If I was Tom Knox, I’d open a campaign office in Allentown by the end of the month.

I love how you always say “insiders.” Insiders is just code for the Rendell gang. The Rendell crowd wanted Arlen. They got him. Let’s see how that works out for them. These Rendell insiders want Onorato and are trying to clear the field for him. I can’t wait for our GOP prosecutors to run against Fast Eddie’s hand-picked guy who is just as corrupt and tax happy as the GOV. I’m waiting to see if Wagner and Cunningham will have the guts to stand up to Fast Eddie and the machine.

As someone who just recently started following state politics seriously, I need to ask a naive question: what’s the basis for criticizing Rendell on the grounds of corruption and tax-happiness?

I don’t know much about his time as mayor, except I do presume that most urban politicians have some grease on their hands from ward leaders and party bosses. But during his time in the governor’s mansion, has he done anything to warrant this cricism?

Tax-wise, have we seen any real increases on the state level during Rendell’s term? The only significant thing I can think of is the casinos, but those are a fiscally-conservative move to shore up public revenues and create jobs.

These are sincere questions; I’m trying to get a handle on how to analyze PA politics.

Rendell is currently talking about temporally increasing the state income tax rate from 3.0% to 3.5% for three years to deal with budget crisis.

Veen

Whenever someone spews hate and purely negative criticism, it is wise to discount what they say. No one is perfect, but I don’t believe you’ll find any consensus that Rendell has run a corrupt administration. I certainly don’t agree with the gov all of the time, especially with the current effort to clear the primary field for Arlen Specter, but you are right to ask for the evidence to support the charges made.

Hey, thanks for the responses. I have to ask one more thing: why is there no buzz around Bob Casey for the governor’s race? I feel like he would blow all of the current contenders out of the water with ease. Is there kind of a consensus that he would rather stay in the Senate and build Washington connections? Or is he more likely to jump in in 2014/18 after he’s had a few terms in the Senate?

Veen

With the anticipated seating of Al Franken as the 60th Democratic senator, the Dems will have a filibuster proof majority (when they can keep all of the Dems on the same page). Neither the national party nor Obama nor the leaders of the senate are eager to have Casey run for governor, win and potentially lose that hard fought, long awaited 60 vote majority.

From Casey’s point of view, I haven’t seen any reports that he’s not happy in the senate. I’m quite sure that he is being teated very well to encourage him to remain in the senate. That’s the carrot. Is there also a stick being shown to him, such as withdrawal of support if he runs for governor?

I’d be interested in reading additional insight from others.

2014/2018 is such a long time away, especially with all the volatility we are seeing with the 2010 race. Lots of dominoes in place, and others toppling.

Casey seems quite content in his Senate seat.

Thanks again for the responses. I guess I operate under the assumption that every national politician (and many state/local) operate with the ultimate goal of the White House. This obviously isn’t true for everyone, and might not be for Bob Casey. What I’m saying is that Casey would have a better podium for the White House (or Cabinet) as a swing state governor than he would has the 89th (or whatever) most senior Senator. And as far as losing the Democratic seat, it seems like a possibility, but not a very likely one given voter trends in the state.

What I’ve heard is that although Sen. Casey was originally not all that crazy about being in the Senate, he has now settled in, and especially enjoys having the “ear of the President” (not only in meetings in the Oval Office, but on the basketball court as well!)

He knows that PA politics is cyclical, and he’s young yet. He’ll probably try for the Governor’s Mansion in 2018.

[...] Don Cunningham, who is currently the Lehigh County Executive, has dropped out of the race for governor. [...]