Free Republic

Republican challenger Sam Katz has made a race of the fund-raising battle for City Hall, as campaign-finance reports filed yesterday show that he and Mayor Street both have more than $3 million available to spend on the coming campaign. While Street is about $224,000 ahead in cash on hand, Katz outraised Street in the first five months of the year, pulling in more than $4 million to Street's roughly $2.5 million. "I think we're doing a better job of raising money," Katz said in an interview yesterday. "I'm gratified by the extensive support that's materialized both in money, in volunteers...

PHILADELPHIA - Republican mayoral candidate Sam Katz kicked off his campaign Thursday as the man who narrowly defeated him four years ago, incumbent Democrat John F. Street, marked the one-year anniversary of a program to shut down open-air drug markets. Katz, speaking to about 100 supporters outside a South Philadelphia restaurant, said the city had lost "momentum" and was having continued population loss, business woes and problems with its schools. "I am running to end the cronyism, the cynicism and the secrecy inside City Hall," Katz told the crowd. He accused Street of practicing "the politics of division and confrontation"...

Moving aggressively to unite behind a top prospect in one of their most vulnerable open seats, Congressional Republicans are set to unofficially kick off the race for Pennsylvania's 15th district tonight by hosting two events for the state lawmaker they want to succeed Rep. Pat Toomey. State Sen. Charlie Dent, described as the "heir apparent" to the party's nomination, will be the featured guest at back-to-back meet-and-greet events at the Capitol Hill Club. National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Reynolds (N.Y.) is hosting one reception for Dent, sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce PAC. A separate event is being...

Despite three years as incumbent, Mayor Street begins his re-election campaign in a dead-heat in his rerun with Republican challenger Sam Katz, a Daily News/FoxPhiladelphia Keystone Poll has found.

Ohio Congressmen Jailed: I think it's a travisty "they" but James A. Traficant Jr. in Jail for the same stuff they all do. People - 8/5/02

As we sorrowfully know, Ed Rendell will be sworn in today as Governor. Of course, he was elected Governor by Philadelphia, or rather the Philadelphia media, around ten years ago. Time does fly. In less than 2 years, we will have our chance to prove that Rendell was fleeting. In addition to re-electing President Bush and Senator Specter, we have three constitutional offices to win. Please post any comments about the future of PA politics here.

At the Montgomery County Young Republicans Annual Bruce Fox luncheon Saturday, Congressman Pat Toomey said he is strongly considering a run for the U.S. Senate in 2004. Included in the audience: County Commissioner Jim Matthews, state representatives, committee members and activists. (01/06/03)

The ENEMY forged the stolen steel Delighted at the pain we would soon feel A hot branding iron to burn a 9 and 11 In the hearts of all righteous under Heaven The demons smiled and admired their work Then dedicated it with an unholy curse The plans were laid well, the deceptions intact With stooges called "martyrs" they began the attack They boarded the planes with thin, tight-lipped smiles Politely nodding to each small child - In a short time they’d know TERROR too real When their KILLERS captured the pilot’s wheel May the TWIN TOWERS of bright beacon...

The ENEMY forged the stolen steel Delighted at the pain we would soon feel A hot branding iron to burn a 9 and 11 In the hearts of all righteous under Heaven The demons smiled and admired their work Then dedicated it with an unholy curse The plans were laid well, the deceptions intact With stooges called "martyrs" they began the attack They boarded the planes with thin, tight-lipped smiles Politely nodding to each small child - In a short time they’d know TERROR too real When their KILLERS captured the pilot’s wheel May the TWIN TOWERS of bright beacon...

Poll: Brown closing gap on Hoeffel NORRISTOWN - A new poll of likely voters shows Republican Melissa Brown has closed the gap in her race against Congressman Joseph M. Hoeffel III. The poll of 300 likely voters from Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District showed Hoeffel leading Brown 43 percent to 35 percent. With a margin of error of 5 percent, that puts Brown neck and neck with Hoeffel, she says. The poll was conducted for the National Republican Congressional Committee by Washington, D.C.-based Public Opinion Strategies. Brown, a Flourtown eye doctor, says the poll proves her message is resonating with voters....

Oklahoma CD # 1 10/29/2002 Sullivan (R) 56% Dodd (D) 41% Undecided/Other 3% Data Collected 10/26/02 - 10/28/02 Geography Oklahoma CD # 1 Universe 630 Likely Voters Margin of Error 4.0% Client KJRH-TV Tulsa ----- Pennsylvania Governor 10/29/2002 Rendell (D) 56% Fisher (R) 37% Other 5% Undecided 2% Data Collected 10/26/02 - 10/28/02 Geography State of Pennsylvania Universe 668 Likely Voters Margin of Error 3.9% Client KDKA-TV Pittsburgh ----- Tennessee Governor 10/29/2002 Bredesen (D) 48% Hilleary (R) 44% Undecided/Other 8% Data Collected 10/26/02 - 10/28/02 Geography State of Tennessee Universe 726 Likely Voters Margin of Error 3.8% Client WBIR-TV Knoxville...

Democrat Tim Holden received the endorsement of Barbra Streisand. Other endorsements went to Democrats Bob Brady, Chaka Fattah, Dan Wofford, Joe Hoeffel, and Ed O'Brien. Gekas spokesman Mike Shields: “Congressman Gekas has been endorsed by President Bush and Speaker Hastert. Tim Holden has been endorsed by Barbra Streisand and Hillary Clinton, who has contributed to his campaign. Voters should decide if they want the Gekas/Bush/Hastert team or the Holden/Streisand/Hillary team.” (10/29/02)

Received this in my email box tonight http://www.rnc.org/flash/bushsavestheday.html

Among the congressional races that political pundits identify as most likely to produce upsets, the 11th District stands out. U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski, 65, an 18-year congressman, often has cast votes with which we agree, and we've regularly supported his re-election in the past. Also, it is valuable to the district and to the state to have a Democrat with seniority, even in a Republican-controlled House.

Liberal label dogs conservative Democrat in key House race By LARA JAKES JORDAN The Associated Press 10/24/02 10:30 AM ST. CLAIR, Pa. (AP) -- Among the baseball-capped beer drinkers at the St. Clair Fish and Game Club, U.S. Rep. Tim Holden takes his place at the bar. The target shooters have hung up their rifles for the night, and the locals -- Holden included -- are watching the Philadelphia Eagles game on TV. "Oh yeah -- all sorts of liberals hang out here," Holden, a Democrat, says sarcastically as he looks around the wood-paneled room. An ad for Holden's Republican...

<p>NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — President Bush yesterday hit fund-raisers in Georgia and Florida for embattled Republicans — including his brother, Gov. Jeb Bush — kicking off a money drive that will culminate with 14 straight days of campaigning before the Nov. 5 elections.</p>

<p>New Jersey Democrats could help Pennsylvania Republicans win the race for governor. If Democrats in New Jersey can replace their damaged candidate with a stronger one just weeks before the election, the GOP should do the same here.</p> <p>Plan B is for state Attorney General Mike Fisher, the Republican gubernatorial nominee, to listen to the voters instead of his handlers. Anything is possible in politics.</p>

Gekas On the Ropes? By Lauren W. Whittington At a closed-door meeting Tuesday, National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Davis (Va.) told party leaders that Rep. George Gekas is the only GOP incumbent currently trailing in tracking polls, sparking efforts to aid the endangered Pennsylvanian in his race against Rep. Tim Holden (D). The 72-year-old Gekas, facing his first serious re-election challenge in two decades, is battling Holden, 45, in a race set up by redistricting. Davis' assessment was backed up by a recently conducted Democratic poll that showed Gekas trailing Holden by 10 points. The survey, conducted Sept. 19-21...

Poll Predicts Outcome of PA Governor's Race Sep 10, 2002 5:06 pm US/Eastern (KDKA)-(Pittsburgh)-While Labor Day is traditionally the kick-off for the fall campaign, voters can be forgiven if they think this race for governor has been going on forever. Defying the old tradition that pegs labor day as the start of the campaign, Republican Mike Fisher and Democrat Ed Rendell have been spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on campaign commercials -- since early August. Judging by the results of our exclusive KDKA-TV News Poll, (conducted September 7th-9th by SurveyUSA), though, voters may not be paying much attention. One...

<p>It's one of the most distasteful things about Ed Rendell — the Constitution isn't black and white in his mixed up, liberal world.</p> <p>Mr. Rendell, the Democrat nominee for governor, has been taken aback by the National Rifle Association's fall affirmation of its spring determination that the former Philadelphia mayor isn't fit to be governor.</p>