You're right in that the top of the ticket will be Ed Rendell vs. (I hope) Lynn Swann. Swannie will be a big boost and anybody tied to Rendell is going to suffer because of it.
Also, I expect Snarlin' Arlen to pay back BIG TIME. I'm beginning to think that Santorum forsaw just this problem and is hoping Arlen will boost his "moderate" credentials.
IMHO, Arlen't pay back for support in the 2004 primary was his loyal support of Bush on Federal judgeships.
Well not quite, Bucks County elected Mike Fitzpatrick a very pro-life Republicans to replace the RINO Greenwood. Fitzpatrick had a lot of good local experience that was appreciated. But he is drawing some flak lately as he becomes more 'Washington'. We'll see.
Actually da burgh region is actually expected to start increasing in population (for the first time in 50 years) in the next census....
Philly is last dem stronghold left in PA... Pittsburgh old FDR folk are dying off.. younger 30s and under are far more conservative, and while the city proper my stay democratic for many more years... the Dems have lost districts consistently every pres election for a while out in these parts, and its a trend I expect to continue....
Its only a matter of time before the Philly region will no longer carry the state Dem in national elections... We aren't there yet, but PA will become the next OHIO as Ohio moves from battleground to solid R.... PA will move to Battleground and then to R as well... its just a matter of time.
Now this assumes Republicans don't self destruct and run good canidates in national elections.