Scranton has emerged in recent years (VP Joe Biden, Guv. candidate Chris Doherty, and, of course, “The Office”) as Pennsylvania’s most famous blue-collar town, but Allentown, Pa. was chosen as the kickoff point for President Obama’s “listening tour.” The tour, called “White House to Main Street,” is designed to give regular Americans a chance to discuss the struggling national economy with the President. Not sure how much it will actually help the Pa. economy, but at least Rookie’s will have a good night.
Former Alaska Governor and VP candidate Sarah Palin‘s book tour will stop in Washington, Pa. on Saturday, just one 32 nationwide stops in less than a month! Though the Obama/Biden ticket won comfortably in Pennsylvania, McCain and Palin took Washington County, 51-46, and held a huge rally at Consol Energy Park (home of the Wild Things!) in August, 2008.
Gov. Ed Rendell is famous in Pennsylvania for his fundraising prowess, but now that his campaigning days are over (or are they?), he thinks that candidates receiving millions in campaign contributions is just awful. But Rendell, who was once the beneficiary of the fundraising system, is now without the political capital he once had, and probably won’t get campaign finance reform through. Guv, if you don’t like the system, imagine how the special interest groups feel - they don’t like giving you their money, either.
Speaking of political capital, has Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter‘s vanished? The Daily News seems to think so, and it’s hard to disagree with them. SEPTA Union Head Willy Brown called him out publicly, the city council has continually battled with him, and now he’s getting booed in movie theatres? No good, mayor.
State Rep. Josh Shapiro (D-Montgomery) gets an up arrow this week, after his bill to extend the hate-crimes bill to protect gays, women, and the disabled was passed in the House Judiciary Committee by an 18-8 vote. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Pennsylvania is one of just six states without a hate-crimes provision covering crimes based on a victim’s sexual orientation.“ Looks like Pa. might finally catch up with the rest of the country soon.
While environmental groups were focusing on natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania, the state DEP was gutted - told to lay off 138 employees and leave nearly as many vacant positions, well, vacant. Still, no jobs were eliminated from the oil and gas department. Instead, funds for 37 new hires are being allocated, causing Pa. Dems, including state Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware), to ask why a severance tax on drilling in Marcellus Shale wasn’t part of the state budget.
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I fail to see how Gov. Palin’s book tour rates a down arrow! She is taking an opportunity to reveal herself to the American public unfiltered by the distorted lens of ALL media (MSNBC through FOX included). This is a positive for all concerned – friend, foe and undecided. Your assessment already reveals your bias!! Did Biden or Obama get the same Up/Down for his last book release?