Comments on: Politically Uncorrected: Handicapping Pennsylvania’s 2014 Gubernatorial Field

By: Steve Todd

Steve Todd — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 23:00:33 +0000

I know and endorse former DEP Secretary John Hanger for PA Governor.

He noted he’d stay out if either Rendell or U.S. Senator Bob Casey decided to get in the race – but said he’s spoken to both and doesn’t think either will run.

Hanger’s position on fracking seems very close to mine, and most realistic: If we have to have it (and I don’t see a plausible transition from fossil fuels to renewables without it), we need to protect our citizens and environment, and capitalize on Marcellus shale to the benefit of all. He criticizes the Governor for not doing enough to do the latter: “Despite a falling national unemployment rate and a global energy bonanza, Tom Corbett produced rising unemployment. It’s jaw-dropping,” Hanger said.

This seems very close also to Rep. Eugene DePasquale’s, who I worked hard to get in as Auditor General: Eugene will “support the growth of the natural gas industry, but more importantly, to ensure that communities throughout Pennsylvania have the tools necessary to ensure safe and abundant natural resources.”

http://www.eugene4pa.com/issues/drilling.html

Hanger has long been a tireless advocate for renewable energy. I am confident that will continue.

I don’t see a gubernatorial candidate rigidly opposed to fracking winning PA.

By: Sal nar

Sal nar — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 17:49:01 +0000

@papundent, you are a moron. Gene Stilp got destroyed in his “race” for Congress. He is a fool and honestly is very creepy.

By: Reasonable Rep

Reasonable Rep — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 18:15:44 +0000

Denny,

Jack is rumored to be mulling a run for Mayor of Pittsburgh in the spring. Were he to enter and lose that contest, though, he still should have enough time to jump into the 2014 gubernatorial race.

By: Poliguy

Poliguy — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 17:03:15 +0000

I think Max Myers could have an outside shot with his message of community and government reform on its most basic levels.

By: flynnbw

flynnbw — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 15:03:07 +0000

One thing that hasn’t been mentioned: Mr. McCord’s private-sector experience. He’s a Wharton MBA and proven job-creator.

By: denny

denny — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 14:24:36 +0000

Jack Wagner, anyone?

By: Jules

Jules — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:15:06 +0000

Don’t forget Montco Commissioner and former DA Bruce Castor who sniffed out the corruption in the previous commissioners administration, and went toe to toe with Corbett in the AG primary in ’04. He’s still around, again would crush Corbett in a primary among SE voters, would have lots to say with credibility about Corbett and Sandusky, and is about as anti-establishment as you can get in the GOP. I’m sure he’s eyeing the situation closely.

By: David Diano

David Diano — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 07:54:49 +0000

PA Pundit-
1) Sestak lives in Virginia, not Pennsylvania. If Sestak runs, this will be an issue that he won’t be able to dodge any longer. (While he was running for Senate in 2010, he got a building permit from Alexandria, VA to do some expansions on his house there).

2) If Sestak runs for Governor, he may have to face an FEC investigation over the money he’s been spending from his Senate campaign account the past two years. (especially since it was reported in Jan 2011, that his staff was overheard discussing that Sestak was using his 67 county defeat-tour as a cover for a run for Governor). Using Federal campaign funds for a state race is a big no-no.

3) He screwed over a lot of Dems around the state with his refusal to participate in coordinated campaign and abandoned the down-ticket candidates.

I was at a party last week with about 20 committee people in Montgomery county. It was my first time meeting them, and only one person liked Sestak. I didn’t have to convince her against him, because the other people there had their own stories. Zero out of twenty in a progressive Democratic committee is not a good “base”.

By: PA Pundit

PA Pundit — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 07:05:15 +0000

I’m leaning toward Sestak as the best option. Whomever decides to run better start the campaign soon and recruit good staff.
I will say this… You can’t run a successful campaign today without a strong social media presence.
That being said, anyone serious should go after the wizard behind the Gene Stilp campaign. Considering he was outspent by over a million bucks and had no party support, he still got 42% of the vote. That’s pretty damn impressive.
If he had even a little money, things would be different.
Not sure what his guy is doing now, but he’s a damn genios. If I’m not mistaken, Politics PA gave Stilp the “Best social media” award.

Hopefully Sestak picks him up. i think he’s the best candidate to win against Corbett, but he needs to start now and recruit well.

By: jjcnpa

jjcnpa — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 04:30:55 +0000

McCord is clearly the strongest Dem. Sestak just seems “off” sometimes. As to the person who said McCord is boring, I think his charisma would far outmatch Corbett who is the least charismatic politician I have ever seen.