The First Read — November 24, 2009

Every Monday-Thursday morning, pa2010.com compiles the most important political news of the day, from newspapers to the blogosphere and back. Enjoy this edition.

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GOP candidate in PA-3 was a Dem until this year
A businessman seeking the Republican nomination to run against freshman Kathy Dahlkemper (D-3) was a registered Democrat until earlier this year, according to voting records. Paul Huber, who is one of a few GOPers looking to take on Dahlkemper—and has been the most active in speaking out against her votes in Congress—was registered as a Democrat from 1975-2008, including during last year’s presidential primary and general elections, according to Crawford County records. He registered as a Republican before the primary election earlier this year. Read More

Rohrer, other area lawmakers endorse Schroder in PA-6
Several area state lawmakers on Monday through their support behind state Representative Curt Schroder’s (R-Chester) 6th District congressional bid, underscoring that Schroder could find his strongest insider backing from his Harrisburg colleagues. Read More

Sestak’s latest ‘Real Specter’ attack highlights support for Palin
A couple days after Sarah Palin rolled into Washington County to promote her new book, Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7) is seeking to remind voters that Senator Arlen Specter supported and campaigned for Palin last year. Read More
Also on pa2010.com: Can Pat Toomey win in PA?

Voting against health care won’t spare Dems from GOP attacks
If Congressman Jason Altmire (D-4) was hoping his recent vote against health care reform legislation would make it less likely that Republicans will come after him hard in 2010, he should think again. Read More

Table games bill plays waiting game
Six weeks after announcing an end to Pennsylvania’s 101-day budget delay, legislative leaders said they are closing in on a deal for table games at Pennsylvania casinos. Just don’t expect to play poker or blackjack at the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course or the Sands by Christmas. Read More

Gerlach: GOP nominee needs a mix of experience
Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-6) says party leaders have been too quick to embrace one of his rivals in next year’s primary. Read More

Is Toomey edging toward the center?
As the former president of the anti-tax Club for Growth, Pat Toomey often made it his mission to defeat Republican members who did not meet his group’s conservative standards on spending.But ever since Senator Arlen Specter made the switch to run for reelection as a Democrat, Toomey has been forced to recast himself as more of a centrist as he prepares for the 2010 general election. Read More

In Philly, Biden defends Obama’s policies
Vice President Joe Biden offered an impassioned defense of the Obama administration’s policies on the economy, health care and energy Monday morning during a fundraising breakfast in Center City for the government-watchdog group Committee of 70. Read More

Senate race ranked a toss up
The forecast change comes as polls have increasingly shown Toomey running competitive with both Joe Sestak and Arlen Specter in potential general election matchups. Read More

Rendell, Christie meet in Bucks County
New Jersey Gov.-elect Chris Christie and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell met for about 45 minutes Monday morning to discuss economic development and how to attract more businesses to the region. Read More

The legislature’s partisan budgeting—slush funds, in effect—prolongs the state’s mess
From now on, the description of the Pennsylvania Legislature in any encyclopedia should read: “the place where things have been so screwed up for so long that they seem normal.” Read More

Backing for Rendell’s reform ideas is mixed
Gov. Ed Rendell has embarked on a statewide tour to air his three-point plan for reforming state government, but a poll of local state legislators finds mixed support for the proposals. Read More

Altmire invites the wrath of his party
After months of debate and entreaties from the White House and top Democrats, Congressman Jason Altmire (D-4) walked onto the House floor and told Speaker Nancy Pelosi what she didn’t want to hear. Read More

Have a great day!

November 24, 2009 at 5:30 am

--pa2010.com Staff

Tags: The First Read