What was Murtha's margin of victory in the last election and what do the current polls say?
Murtha was unopposed, and there are no polls. I'm frankly getting tired of answering this over and over again, because IMHO people ask the question before deciding if Diana has a chance to win.
She's an underdog. But trust me, she's got a real chance at victory. Especially if folks quit worrying about what the "experts" say and rally around her and against Jack Murtha.
what do the current polls say?
Just came back from a quick trip to Portage, PA, here in the 12th. Red, white and blue balloons everywhere, along with yellow ribbons around trees and lots of signs welcoming back the PA 867th. Big sheet at the intersection of Main Street and Rt. 53, with "HEROES" spray painted in 3 ft. high letters.
Welcome to the local version of a "poll". :)
One key example is the city of LaTrobe, hometown of Arnold Palmer. They just elected their first Republican mayor since the Eisenhower administration. Kerry carried the district by a mere two points, despite making four appearances here to Bush's one.
The leading morning talk show Quinn & Rose has featured Diana on several time-- including sponsoring a bus tour to DC to confront Murtha directly.
Western Pennsylvania has typically been very friendly to women who have more balls than their male opponents. A neighboring district, which has an even heavier Democrat registration edge than Murtha's, is ably represented in congress by one Melissa Hart, a nice lady but not as sharp as Diana.