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The House that Rahm built: a look at all of the PA House races for 2008
Pittsburgh Tribune Review ^ | salena zito

Posted on 05/21/2008 2:19:53 PM PDT by Salena Zito

The House that Rahm built Tribune-Review By Salena Zito

Just before the 2006 midterm elections, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Rep. Rahm Emmanuel was asked why he chose such moderate candidates for the House races -- breaking rank with liberal bloggers who were demanding liberal candidates.

"Because we want to win," Emmanuel said, promptly ending the interview.

Win he did, big time, taking out four Republicans in Pennsylvania alone, making the Keystone State's delegation the House that Rahm built.

While the country was distracted by the Democratic presidential nomination battle between Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama, the Democrats swept the Republicans in three recent special elections in what had been considered GOP strongholds. The Dems captured Illinois' 14th District in March, Louisiana's 6th District in April and Mississippi-01 last week.

Since Pennsylvania will be a battleground this fall and its 19 congressional seats fairly reflect voting trends around the country, now is probably as good a time as any to test the resiliency of the incumbents and the strengths of their challengers in this year's Congressional contests:

(Excerpt) Read more at pittsburghlive.com ...


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: 110th; 2008; clinton; democrats; elections; gop; hillary; house; itsaburghthing; itsaburgthing; mccain; murtha; nobama; obama; obamatruthfile; pa2008; pennsylvania

1 posted on 05/21/2008 2:19:54 PM PDT by Salena Zito
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To: Salena Zito; Tribune7
Of all of the seats for the Democrats Rep. Joe Sestak, PA-7 is the safest, a freshman Democratic seat where the dynamics and environment means he wins re-election.

I hope your wrong. However, Sestak has an enormous amount of cash on hand, as he bought the seat courtesy of the clinton machine and its false charges against "Able-Danger" Curt Weldon.

Ping to you, Trib.

2 posted on 05/21/2008 2:31:35 PM PDT by brityank (The more I learn about the Constitution, the more I realise this Government is UNconstitutional !!)
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To: Salena Zito
Rahm Emmanuel was asked why he chose such moderate candidates for the House races -- breaking rank with liberal bloggers who were demanding liberal candidates.

"Because we want to win," Emmanuel said

Rahm in the House and Schumer in the Senate did that in 2006, and continue to do it because conservatism works in those districts.

- Why don't we run real conservatives in these same races for the same reason?
- Why not ask the "moderate" or faux "conservative" Democrat who he is going to vote for as Speaker of the House - ultra-liberal Nancy Pelosi whose agenda doesn't represent the interests of the district?
- Why not ask people do the simple math and add 1 to Democrat column voting for Nancy as Speaker, and subtract 1 from Republican column voting against Nancy as Speaker?
They don't have to attack a Democrat personally or go to his "record" which can be phonied up, just ask people to do the "1+1" math on Pelosi.

- Why not ask for referendum on Pelosi and Reid Democrats and for a "real change" this election?
- Why not ask "Are you better off than you were 2 years ago, when you voted for Nancy and Harry?".

So easy even Republicans should be able to do it...

3 posted on 05/21/2008 2:42:42 PM PDT by CutePuppy (If you don't ask the right questions you may not get the right answers)
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To: Salena Zito

Rahm’s Rent-A-Vets! Screw every one of em!


4 posted on 05/21/2008 4:02:08 PM PDT by Anti-Bubba182
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To: Owl_Eagle; brityank; Physicist; WhyisaTexasgirlinPA; GOPJ; abner; baseballmom; Mo1; Ciexyz; ...
Everybody thought Weldon had a safe seat too. There is a very good candidate running against Sestak in the 7th.

There is the danger of the self-fulfilling prophesy -- i.e. Williams doesn't stand a chance so don't bother contributing money -- but I think Sestak is very vulnerable.

5 posted on 05/21/2008 4:04:50 PM PDT by Tribune7 (How is inflicting pain and death on an innocent, helpless human being for profit, moral?)
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To: CutePuppy
Why not ask for referendum on Pelosi and Reid Democrats and for a "real change" this election?

Because the Democrats are making it a referendum on Bush and McCain and claiming they offer 'real change'?

6 posted on 05/21/2008 4:07:36 PM PDT by Non-Sequitur
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To: Salena Zito

Phil English is running against a pro-life ‘Rat business owner.

RINO Phil English - dead man walking.

One of these days, the Stupid Party will wake up. Unfortunately for us, it likely won’t happen prior to 11/08.


7 posted on 05/21/2008 4:08:46 PM PDT by Ogie Oglethorpe (2nd Amendment - the reboot button on the U.S. Constitution)
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To: Non-Sequitur
Why not ask for referendum on Pelosi and Reid Democrats and for a "real change" this election?

Because the Democrats are making it a referendum on Bush and McCain and claiming they offer 'real change'?

Exactly because Democrats are doing it and will continue to do it nationally. And what's the best counter move or alternative, to play defense and run from the conservative agenda and principles or from "Iraq war" as Republicans did in 2006, especially now that everyone can see that "Iraq war" that Pelosi and Reid vowed to "stop" has been long won? Even IF the Democrat is "on paper" more conservative than Republican running against him, he is mathematically enabling Pelosi or Reid to run liberal agenda that doesn't include the main interests of the conservative districts.

Phony "conservative" Democrats in these districts run on local, not national, issues as "good old boys" because that's the only way for them to win. Tie them to national Democratic Party and their leaders. They have to lie or keep quiet about who they really are (enablers of Pelosi and Reid to set the agenda) to get elected, while Republicans can't seem to be capable of telling the truth about conservative agenda or national Democrat agenda.

That's the reason Democrats like to run on "local" issues - "All politics is local" - Thomas 'Tip' O'Neill. That's why Republicans win landslides on national conservative agenda - Reagan, Gingrich.

True, Republicans don't have a national leader right now, but that should not stop them from shining light on national Democrat agenda and their leaders in local races, other things being equal. Change the theme of wholesale "change for change's sake" to the "meaningful real change of leadership" in the House and Senate that brought us misery at the pump and elsewhere. In other words, electing local "conservative" Democrat will not bring "change", it will assure more of the "same ol' same ol'" under the leadership of Nancy and Harry.

With apologies to cavemen everywhere, it's so easy even a Republican should be able to do it.

8 posted on 05/21/2008 6:02:33 PM PDT by CutePuppy (If you don't ask the right questions you may not get the right answers)
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To: Salena Zito

Rahm served in the army of a foreign country. He should be stripped of his citizenship. I would not hesitate to call him a non-American dual loyalist to his face.


9 posted on 05/21/2008 6:03:49 PM PDT by Clemenza (Why do I Find Myself Attracted to Amy Winehouse?)
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