[Vigilanteman]

I don't think a Santorum comeback is possible in the present climate. The mime (Bob Casey, Jr.) even carried counties in 2006 which Oba Mao lost big in 2008, including ours.

Pat Toomey may be running for governor in 2010 and I think he has a decent shot. He's done a bang-up job with Club for Growth. There are other Republicans who might take on Specter. State Senator Joseph B. Scarnati, who is also our present Lt. Governor, might be one. He seems like a genuinely decent guy and played a major role in blowing the whistle on the pay-raise scandal.

Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing Rendell incapcitated from overeating or speeding and forced to step down. Then Scarnati runs for re-election and Toomey is convinced to take Specter on in a rematch. This time, I think he would beat him. A lot of RINOs have already jumped to the jackass party. The SW part of our state actually gave Oba Mao fewer votes in 2008 than Kerry in 2004.

[Vigilanteman]

FWIW, Scarnati is from Jefferson county, which is also home to Punxsutawney Phil, our famous groundhog. This is one of the more conservative counties in the state and the jackass party doesn't even run an opponent against him sometimes. On one hand, this makes him a great senator because he doesn't have to worry about pandering to the left. On the other, it might make him a poor candidate for the same reason. However, I believe that if he were to takeover before Rendell could finish his term, the power of incumbency plus his refreshing contrast in honesty would be enough to get him over the finish line in a re-election bid.

[bill1952]

I don't think a Santorum comeback is possible in the present climate.

If that is true, then how is Toomey going to beat him?

Why is Santorum so toxic, given that Bush is not in the picture?