Posted on 10/23/2006 3:56:37 AM PDT by PJ-Comix
I've been driving around PA with a Santorum sticker on my truck for a couple of months now... And I haven't gotten keyed again yet... So things can't really be all that bad...
It exists because Rendell and Casey had a brutal primary for governor in 2002 - Casey went negative early and had a big lead, only to get swamped in Philly.
So you're right - Rendell is no fan of Casey's - I also think he resented the national dems coming in and deciding who the PA Dem candidate would be. He had to pay off Hoeffel with a patronage job to get him out before the primary, and made some kind of deal with Barbara Hafer to do the same.
It's ironic that the one chance Santorum has is the lack of hard-core D voters for Casey due both to his nominal pro-life stance (which is a charade) as well as Rendell's lukewarm support due to an old primary battle, especially since it is another old primary battle (Specter-Toomey in '04) that has helped put Santorum in the hole he is in.
My guess is Casey still wins - the Rendell vote machine in Philly will be out in force for the Gov race on 11/7. Casey rides in on Rendell's coattails, albeit likely against Rendell's (private) wishes (he must publicly support Casey).
Really, that is only partly true. The reason is also the reason PA politics is often difficult to comprehend for those who do not live here.
The fact is, Eastern and Western PA have little to nothing in common. The eastern side of the state (Philly & small NE cities such as Allentown, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, etc.) is true blue blood northeastern RINO country. However, the area west of Harrisburg is nothing like that - conside it part of the midwest, as Pittsburgh has much more in common with cities such as Cleveland and Cincinnati than Philly.
The East is fiscally conservative and socially liberal (read: country club Pubbies). Central and West is the opposite - fiscal liberals (read: union mentality) and social conservatives (especially pro-life and pro-gun).
All in all, it is an odd mix statewide. The key for 'Rats is to get enough Philly turnout to swamp the rest of the state, while the Pubbie key is to generate enough Central and West turnout to overcome the Philly advantage.
Just not sure if Rick has the numbers to do it (especially after the Toomey-Specter debacle), especially with Rendell on the ballot bringing all the government leeches out to vote in the East.
Get bent. The majority of us are more than happy to support Santorum.
It sure is! Keep that positive attitude! We need to move forward, even if just an inch at a time.
Since you don't want to disclose Chris' screen name, I will trust you to convey my thanks to him when Santorum wins.
I'm sure that Rove has already rigged the Diebold machines (wink, wink). Rove, you magnificent b*****d!
I love Chris like a son and I'm proud of his accomplishments even though I disagree with him on this issue. I don't think Rick deserves to be re-elected, nor do I believe he will be re-elected.
Ditto, CG
Casey doesn't deserve to be elected in the first place. Likewise, Rendell doesn't deserve to be re-elected. As always, I prefer to defeat the greatest of my enemies of which Swann and Santorum are neither. Thus, Swann and Santorum will be the recepient of my vote next week.
Sorry to diasgree with you Smokeyb. Please see reply #51.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.