Corbett still up over Dem opponents

With the free Bonusgate publicity still flowing, Attorney General Tom Corbett continues to lead his potential Democratic rivals for governor, according to a new poll.

The Research 2000 survey released Friday showed Corbett, the likely GOP nominee, holding at least a six-point lead over each of the four Democratic candidates. But almost half of voters still don’t have an opinion of Corbett, in yet another sign that his lead in the polls may be more…

March 12, 2010 at 6:45 pm | Comments (4)

On home turf, Hoeffel easily wins MontCo endorsement

PLYMOUTH MEETING—Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel scored an easy endorsement win from his local Democratic Party Thursday night, beating out gubernatorial rival Dan Onorato by a five-to-one margin on a standing voice vote.

Hoeffel, who is underfunded and whose campaign has seemed lag of late, was widely expected to win on his home turf. No formal roll call vote was required during the county party’s endorsement convention at the Colonial Elementary School here.

“We need…

March 12, 2010 at 4:42 am | Comments (10)

Guv candidates talk pensions, taxes, transportation

PHILADELPHIA—The six candidate for governor came together for yet another forum Thursday evening, discussing a plethora issues that affect the state’s business climate, from the looming pension crisis and tax-rates to the transportation funding that could confront the state if its application to toll Interstate 80 is again rejected by the federal government.

The forum, hosted by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and held at the National Constitution Center here, was the first time…

March 5, 2010 at 1:30 am | Comments (6)

Poll: Onorato leads Dems, Corbett up in general

Another poll, another snapshot of a wide open governor’s race.

A Quinnipiac University survey released Wednesday showed Allegheny County Executive holding a narrow lead over his Democratic rivals—but with almost 60 percent of voters still undecided. Onorato garners 16 percent of the vote, compared to 11 percent for Auditor General Jack Wagner and 10 percent for Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel. State Senator Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia), who only recently entered the race, trails the rest…

March 3, 2010 at 12:07 pm | Comments (13)

Hoeffel on his enemies

Joe Hoeffel’s got enemies—and proud to say so.

In the Democratic gubernatorial candidate’s latest Web video (below), Hoeffel runs through a list of the constituencies who disdain him, continuing to position himself as the primary’s most liberal candidate.

“I’m as  proud of the enemies I’ve made through the years as I am with the friends who support me,” Hoeffel says in the 70-second spot.

On abortion? “The anti-choice forces scream at me.”

On gun laws?…

February 24, 2010 at 10:52 am | Comments (17)

Poll: Guv race mostly unchanged

Less than three months before the primary, the political landscape in the race for governor remains mostly the same as voters wait to learn more about the candidate, according to a new poll.

The Franklin & Marshall College survey released Wednesday showed Attorney General Tom Corbett with a comfortable lead over state Representative Sam Rohrer (R-Berks) in the GOP primary, while the Democratic contest is still wide open. Corbett leads Rohrer 26 percent to four…

February 24, 2010 at 10:27 am | Comments (6)

The call that Williams never made

Riding high earlier this month after knocking Democrat Joe Hoeffel on first-ballot voting at Democratic State Committee, state Senator Anthony Williams said he’d be giving Hoeffel a call.

“Just like he reached out to have me support him,” Williams said at the time. “I’m going to ask him to support me.”

Then he thought better of it.

In an interview Monday, Williams said he never made the call.

“I rethought that, and thought…

February 23, 2010 at 2:10 pm | Comments (3)

ChesCo Dems don’t endorse for guv, senate (Updated)

WEST CHESTER—Democratic candidate for governor and senate came here Saturday to court local Democrats, but no one left with enough support to win a formal endorsement from the Chester County party.

Stumping to an audience that included some of his own constituents, Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7) delivered an impassioned speech in which he walked up and down the aisles—but failed to win an endorsement on what was partly his home turf.

“This is gut-check time for Democrats,” Sestak said to applause. “If there was ever a time not to back down it’s now. It’s not the united states of America that needs reform, it’s the united states Congress, and particularly the Senate. We should have a principled compromise, not a compromise of principle.”

February 20, 2010 at 7:29 pm | Comments (47)

Corbett up big over Dem rivals

Attorney General Tom Corbett holds wide leads over his potential Democratic rivals for governor, according to a new poll.

The Rasmussen survey released Thursday showed Corbett leading three different Democratic candidates, each by at least 20 points. He edges Auditor General Jack Wagner 49 percent to 28 percent; Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel 51 percent to 29 percent; and Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato 52 percent to 26 percent.

In each matchup,…

February 12, 2010 at 2:05 pm | Comments (14)

LEFTOVERS: Dems hit Fitzpatrick, A Philly ward backs Hoeffel & Saidel

Bucks County Democrats on Wednesday criticized former Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick for claiming he has “no interest in becoming a professional politician,” unveiling a Web video that juxtaposes the comment with 20 years worth of electoral campaigning as both a candidate and a political operative.

“It’s hard to believe, but Congressman Fitzpatrick, a guy who has been running for political office for 20 years, claimed that he has ‘no interest in becoming a professional politician,’” Neil…

February 10, 2010 at 8:30 pm | Comments (9)