Posted on 11/21/2005 8:41:11 AM PST by Born Conservative
DNC media operatives begin their campaign to scare up some opposition to the Republican incumbents.
The first step is to depress the "ratings" through push polls and bad news. The second step is say it over and over again till it sounds like truth. Finally, DNC chair Howard Dean starts making house calls on Democrats in the specific districts hunting for suicidal Democrats full of their own myth.
I like Santorum but I'm afraid that he will be gone.
Polls also show that Rendell is in BIG trouble...that will help Santorum..and once Casey starts to open his mouth..his numbers will drop..right now, it's like Rick is polling against the feared.."any candidate"
Maybe that's because "political insiders and journalists" are hoping to pass off the defeat of a conservative Republican in a decidedly "Blue" state as a big loss for President Bush and the GOP.
Independent conservative pollster Scott Rasmussen has Rendell up big over any Republican challenger.
As of last week:
PA Governor 2006: Rendell Lead Grows
November 12, 2005--Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell has gained ground since the summer in his bid for re-election.
Rendell leads former Pittsburgh Steelers star Lynn Swann by fourteen percentage points--50% to 36%. In our July survey, Swann was just six points behind the Governor.
The latest Rasmussen Reports survey also shows Rendell holding an eight point edge, 47% to 39%, over former Lt. Governor Bill Scranton III. That's up from a four point lead in the summer.
Swann is viewed favorably by 49% of voters in the Keystone State and unfavorably by 33%. His support in the African-American community has declined significantly since summer.
Scranton is viewed favorably by 46% of voters and unfavorably by 35%. For Rendell, the numbers are more positive--53% favorable and 37% unfavorable.
I don't know how they can even call PA "blue" when it seems to lean Republican. They haven't elected a Demo US senator since 1991, the House delegation has a GOP majority, and Repubs control both houses of the legislature! Why the gashead voters there have voted (narrowly) for Demo presidential candidates in the last 4 elections is beyond me.
Here is another "journalist" who is reporting on an "unpopular war." Surprising that it is unpopular when we are winning. Just maybe if the media bias was not so strong the war would not be so unpopular.
"Rendell, the numbers are more positive--53% favorable and 37% unfavorable."
Those numbers are crap. I belong to a club where the members are about equal, pubbies and demonRATS, and while the RATS hate President Bush, for the most part, they are firmly against fast eddie. I think my neighbors dog could beat fast eddie.
I wont vote for Santorum. He needs to look for another job.
I'm inclined to agree. An incumbent who polls under 40% doesn't tend to get reelected.
"Why the gashead voters there have voted (narrowly) for the Demo presidential candidates in the last 4 elections is beyond me."
Philadelphia and Pittsburg gave such overwhelming margins to the DemocRATS, it overwhelmed the vote in the rest of the state.
On the other hand, Santorum's greatest asset may be the fact that Casey would be his opponent. Casey in many respects makes Al Gore and John Kerry seem positively charismatic. Even his nominally pro-life and pro-gun stances may not be able to overcome this lack. Secondly, Rendell is somewhat weakened. This may present an opportunity for Santorum if he can cash in on some of that. Although he's running for a federal office, all politics are local. One way he might increase his positives might be to come out in favor of a plan that will be debated shortly in Harrisburg regarding school funding. This plan would result in the elimination of ALL property taxes, for both business and personal property. It would also mandate that that portion of Philly's city wage tax designated for school funding be eliminated (which would play well in those regions where Santorum is weakest). The state sales tax would also be reduced to 5% from 6% (7% in Philly and Pittsburg to help pay for stadiums) but it would be expanded to apply to services which it does not cover now. Property taxes is as big an issue in Pa as it is in NJ. It is particularly concerning to farmers, business owners and senior citizens. Advocating this issue, even though he can't directly vote on it, fosters his image as a leader and directly affects the pocketbooks of large numbers of Pennsylvanians. Additionally, the elimination of business property taxes makes Pennsylvania very attractive for businesses looking to relocate and thus could foster the rebirth of whole towns hit by the collapse of industries like steel.
Nah although the war doesn't help Bush. It's that Bush gave Santorum the kiss of death when he choose politics over principle embracing Specter. It was a moment of truth.
Rendell is in HUGE trouble, his tenure as governor has been an absolute failure.. however, never underestimate the ability for the FDR types in this state to vote for the status quo, even if the status quo is failure.
They just put O'Connor in the mayorship of Pittsburgh, and made Flagherty a judge.
However, the pay raise issue has indeed brought out some long held anger in the constituency, so perhaps PA will indeed show Fast Eddie the door.
Philly carries the state Demo in prez elections.. influence of Pittsburgh has been shifting Republican for years now... soon, only Allegheny County will be left voting blue in the Presidential elections.
As long as the republicans put up strong canidates in the presidential elections, PA will indeed go "red" in the next few cycles.
I don't know enough about PA politics to judge the impact of these local issues,but the mere fact that "Fast Eddie" won't have a walkover, and that many in the state actively dislike him, can only rebound to Santorum's advantage..
God, it stinks in that Senate.
FYI..see #13 & #15 this thread..seems like the reality is somewheres in the middle..which means that Rick may be closer than thought...
I wrote Santorum on his legislation to deny public access to public weather data. It so happens that AccuWeather is in his district, and they had ponied up big time. The response that I received was more hostile than any than I had ever received from any Senator, including Barbara Boxer. I had once been a polite fence sitter, but I sure am not now. The arrogance from this guy's office reveals a remarkable sense of entitlement, and, sadly, this was no isolated incident. Vote the bum out!
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