Political chatter has Barbara Hafer mulling a Democrat run at Rick Santorum

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review ^ | 5/18/03

[LdSentinal]

The primary players will deny it. But the rumor gaining momentum in political circles is that Republican stare Treasurer Barbara Hafer might attempt to unseat GOP Sen. Rick Santorum in 2006. And that she would do so running as a Democrat.

Hafer stunned Republicans last year by publicly supporting Democra Ed Rendell for governor. Political observers have wondered ever since how the governor would repay her for her shocking switch.

One theory being whispered is Rendell will lend his considerable fund-raising acumen to Hafer's Senate bid, which would be the only way Babs could realistically hope to match the amount in Santorum's campaign coffers.

How could Hafer win?

Simple, some say. By splitting the votes in her native western Pennsylvania, capturing the vast majority of votes in largely Democrat Philadelphia and picking up the support of so-called "Rendellicans" -- Republicans, who like Hafer, supported Rendell last year.

Rendell would have vested interest in seeing Hafer receive millions in campaign contributions. If he helped knock off the Senate's third-highest ranking Republican, his national profile would grow even further. Such prominence could enhance a possible Rendell presidential bid in 2008.

Hafer has said she has no plans to switch parties. Regarding running for another office, she has stuck to the line that she plans to finish her second, and by law, final term as treasurer that expires in 2004.

Will she then set her sights on Santorum? In the political arena, stranger things have happened.

[GraniteStateConservative]

I hope the PA-GOP has already started to fix this problem since the 2002 cycle. If not, they will get what they are owed.

[BlackElk]

Hafer is an abortionist pig who deserves to be run out of the GOP. Her run for governor produced a third-party pro-life housewife from Johnstown who took 18% of the vote while announcing in August or September of election year. Replace each finicky baby-slaughtering polo playing snob from Bryn Mawr and similar precincts who might defect with ten blue collar socially conservative Reagan Democrats returning home to the GOP of Rick Santorum.

The 2002 election was a nobody against a somebody. See how long Rendell lasts if Melissa Hart runs against him.

[fieldmarshaldj]

What a bitch. I remember her candidacy against Bob Casey, Sr. in 1990 for Governor. It was the last time the 'Rats had class and morality on their side in a PA race.

[Kuksool]

In 1990, Hafer tried to make abortion the main campaign issue. She had the endorsement of NOW! Hafer demagogued Casey's opposition to abortion even in cases of rape. Casey whipped her 68-32. Strangely the media ignored Casey's landslide victory.