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CHRISTMAS LEFTOVERS: Rendell’s role, Corbett’s Nebrasaka investigation, another opponent eyes Holden

Here’s a few items we missed in the days leading up to and after Christmas last week.

Gov. Ed Rendell says he’s looking forward to playing a significant role in the race to succeed him. The two-term incumbent Democrat told The Associated Press that he would send letters to all the candidates with offers to give background briefings on the budget any other issues.

“I hope they’ll avail themselves of it,” Rendell said. If they make factual errors about the administration on the campaign trail, “I will correct them, Democrats and Republicans alike.” And he also kept alive the possibility that he will endorse a candidate in the primary, something he’s previously said he wouldn’t do.

Meanwhile, a Republican who’d like to replace Rendell made a little splash in the health care fight. Attorney General Tom Corbett joined a number of GOP state attorneys general is saying he’d investigate the legality of a compromise between Democratic leaders and Senator Ben Nelson, which exempted Nebraska from footing the bill for Medicaid expansions.

“Medicaid expenses for Pennsylvania total approximately $15 billion per year and the Nelson amendment raises serious constitutional questions about imposing federal costs and mandates that treat one state differently from all the others,” Corbett said in a statement. “The issue of equity and tax fairness should not be ignored, whether it is at the local, state or federal level.”

And lastly, looks like Congressman Tim Holden (D-17) has another Republican challenger, regardless of whether the GOP can convince state Senator Dave Argall to get into the race. Josh First, a Harrisburg resident who has worked in land preservation, is reportedly gearing up to take on Holden.

December 27, 2009 at 8:00 pm

--Dan Hirschhorn

Tags: Ed Rendell, PA-17, Tim Holden, Tom Corbett

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