Ballot Box: The Real Clear Politics average in Pennsylvania is Senator Obama +11. Are the polls right? Vote now.
McCain at ease with this debate format The rivals' Tennessee encounter comes after days in which both campaigns have taken on harsher, more personal tones, in person and on the airwaves. Recognizing that the economy is an issue that plays to Mr. Obama's strengths, the Republican campaign has tried to shift the campaign focus to spotlight the Democrat personally. Baer: Will tonight’s debate see flash of swords?
As Pa. deadline passes, democratic registration at all-time high "For the past 15 years, from the early 1990s until last year, there were about half a million more Democrats in the state than Republicans. Since late last year, that number has doubled," said Philadelphia political consultant Neil Oxman, who normally works for Democrats. "It's a real statement about voters and how angry they are with the Bush administration." Rendell blasts GOP for negatively campaigning
State might need tax increase Sen. Vince Fumo, D-Philadelphia, predicted a gap of up to $3 billion in the budget by next summer, due in large part to sluggish state revenue. Consumers are spending less, and the state's collecting less money than projected. Even if the Rendell administration doesn't seek additional aid and the Legislature uses all of the state's cash reserves, the state would still see a $1.3 billion deficit, said Fumo, citing a study by the Senate Democratic office. Cost fears weigh on Rendell’s health plan
No role in City Hall soap for Nutter "I don't believe I can do anything about a staff member in another branch of government," Nutter said, refusing to wade any further into an issue that has already embarrassed Council, diverted attention from the legislative agenda, and obscured the work of Goode, who was first elected to Council in 1999. Nutter names panel to review ethics policies
4 more waive hearings in Bonusgate Four more defendants in the Bonusgate government corruption case have waived their right to a preliminary hearing, clearing the way for their cases to move to trial. Jeffrey Foreman, Scott V. Brubaker, his wife, Jennifer Brubaker, and Patrick J. Lavelle appeared yesterday before Dauphin County President Judge Richard A. Lewis and agreed to have their cases bound over to county court. They join spouses Michael Manzo and Rachel Manzo, who waived their preliminary hearings last week.
Fumo prosecutors: Bar boasts of success Federal prosecutors yesterday asked the judge presiding over State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo's forthcoming corruption trial to bar Fumo from boasting to the jury about his legislative successes and the money he has brought to the Philadelphia region. Fumo's record during his 30 years in Harrisburg is "totally irrelevant" to the case against him, the government said. To tell jurors about it would be "grossly prejudicial," prosecutors said, and would amount to an improper tactic of "jury nullification" - encouraging jurors to reward Fumo for his successes.
