Santorum closes gap, Rendell widens lead

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review ^ | May 4, 2006 | David M. Brown & Brad Bumsted

[GOPwatch]

Santorum closes gap, Rendell widens lead By Brad Bumsted and David M. Brown TRIBUNE-REVIEW Thursday, May 4, 2006

HARRISBURG -- Aided by a $1-million-plus TV advertising blitz, Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell has opened a 14-point lead in his re-election campaign against Republican challenger Lynn Swann, according to the latest Pittsburgh Tribune-Review/WTAE-Channel 4 Keystone poll.

The statewide poll of 578 registered voters released today also showed U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Penn Hills, has pulled within six points of his likely Democratic challenger, state Treasurer Robert P. Casey Jr., of Scranton.

[Coop]

but right now Swann and his team are doing a not so good of a job

Because..?

[Crispus Attucks Patriot]

I've always felt third parties are the enemy and shouyld be marginalized as much as possible.

Whatever you must do to tell these gadfly "independents" to just sit down and shut up works for me. We historically have always been a two-party nation, and I see no reason to change now.

[Crispus Attucks Patriot]

Anyone who would play a third-party spoiler role, (and they always are spoilers), ARE idiots.

I don't care what their IQ is. They're still morons for splitting races, and should be dealt with as any common imbecile is dealt with.

[Al Gator]

"I don't care what their IQ is. They're still morons for splitting races, and should be dealt with as any common imbecile is dealt with."

I think you know nothing about this nation and the political practices thereof.

The underpinnings of the republic rely on the fact that ANYONE can run for an office.

Third party candidates cut both ways, but sometimes they even win.

Would you call Jesse Ventura a moron?

I think you need some remidal education on non liberal politics.

[Mo1]

I've never before ruled out a 3rd party ..

But I am sick of these 3rd party candidates who offer nothing but to help elect more Liberals

[Al Gator]

remidal = remedial

Need to remember calm down and run spell checker!!

[Russ]

Elections are won and lost in October, not May (unless you are in a primary fight). They have four months to get their act together and I have no doubt that they will.

Rendell was in Reading last week and handed out a check for $15 million for "community development". The local press and officials positively swooned over him. He's going all over the state handing out money trying to buy his way into a second term.

[Al Gator]

Your only mad because it MAY work against your guy.

But what did you think of Ralph Nader when he tilted the scales against Gore and Kerry?

They are an integral part of the mix. Take them out, and corruption will set in faster and bigger than you can think.

Third parties keep the system honest.

[Al Gator]

"Rendell was in Reading last week and handed out a check for $15 million for "community development". The local press and officials positively swooned over him. He's going all over the state handing out money trying to buy his way into a second term."

Perks of being the incumbent. This is why Swann is running on financial empty and the usual repub money guys have something else to do.

Eddies got this one unless he shoots somebody. Even then, he may get it.

[Mo1]

I don't give a damn about liberal candidates

Though I am sick of seeing so called conservatives screw up elections to help put liberals back in office

[ContemptofCourt]

But I am sick of these 3rd party candidates who offer nothing but to help elect more Liberals

Then perhaps the pubbies should run a candidate worth voting for....it is a shame that Swann is the best they could do, particularly when Rendell is vulnerable.

[Crispus Attucks Patriot]

What did Ventura actually accomplish of any long-lasting value? I realize anyone has the right to run. However it was an egotistical sawed-off Texan with an ego trhe size of the "Hindenburg" who gave us eight years of Arkansas trailer trash in the White House.

Sometimes you just have to cut some people off at the knees, period. Do you want to win? Or would you rather stand up for some nebulous idealism? Me? I'd rather my side win, and grade-school civics class idealism be damned. I don't believe in being a "good loser". Vince Lombardi was right. Not only is winning the only thing, but a good loser is still a loser.

[Al Gator]

So, what's your take on the recent Toomey challenge?

Conservatives had a serious guy who could have upset the DC crowd of liberals all over the place.

The moderate RINOS stepped in a LIBERAL traitor, Sphinkter, got reelected!

Now that's a liberal candidate getting in because moderates screwed up a conservative run!!

Kinda skews your point of view.

[Al Gator]

"Sometimes you just have to cut some people off at the knees, period. Do you want to win? Or would you rather stand up for some nebulous idealism?"

You didn't read my tag line, did you?

[samson1097]

The santa clause incident happened in the 60's, only a few decades off.

Rendell, IIRC, was throwing snowballs at the Dallas Cowboys. Re-running the picture repeatedly in Philadelphia would give him a 10 point jump.

[Mo1]

I voted for Toomey in the primary

[Al Gator]

" Not only is winning the only thing, but a good loser is still a loser."

And if you are in the game to win, you need to know the rules, inside out and backwards. You need to know how ALL the players will act.

Sometimes your best friend becomes your worst enemy and your worst enemy your best friend.

Yes, I agree with you 100%, winning is the only thing. You can be moral and magnanimous AFTER you bash your opponents head in.

[Al Gator]

So did I.

But I knew it was futal after the prez and Rick endorsed that sh*thead.

I know why they did it, too. Sigh!

[philsfan24]

marty weinberg, streets opponent in the dem primary, ran that ad, not the republican katz.

[Mo1]

I think Swann is a good candidate and stands for more conservative beliefs then Russ does