John Brabender. Rick Santorum’s long-time media consultant threw a great punch this week when the campaign released a web video to rain on former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman’s announcement parade. Spoofing Huntsman’s attention-grabbing motorcyclist-in-the-desert videos, Brabender made headlines, showed a lighter side of Santorum, and kept abortion in the 2012 conversation.
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Tom Corbett. The Governor laid down the law this week, saying he would veto a state budget even a hair over $27.3 billion. His tough talk has apparently paid off. Lawmakers announced a “handshake agreement” on a $27.15 bil budget, and appear willing to defer the issue of a severance tax or impact fee.
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Tim Murphy. It’s never nice to be called a RINO (Republican in Name Only), but many more incumbents face primaries than lose them. However, after PoliticsPA broke the news that some southwest PA conservatives – unhappy with the Congressman’s support of labor – were trying to recruit a challenger, the ed board of the Tribune Review endorsed their efforts.
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Brendan Boyle. The fresh faced Philadelphia state rep has been called an up-and-comer in the party for awhile now. His recent promotion to HDCC Chair will give him the opportunity to prove it (as well as get to know the state’s biggest donors).
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Michael Nutter. Most observers of the 2011 primaries thought it was fairly clear that voters want to get rid of DROP. Nutter this week vetoed legislation from City Council that would reform – but retain – the controversial program.
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Joe Brennan. Attention lawmakers: please stop doing this. The Lehigh Valley state rep blew at least a 0.16 when he was arrested in front of his Bethlehem office. At 7:30pm. On a Wednesday. The DUI is the latest in legal problems Brennan has had, including, we kid you not, “stealing $2 worth of meat from a grocery.”