Free Republic

Former Republican Rep. Tom Davis told The Hill newspaper: “The middle is getting squeezed,” but his comment vastly understates the crisis in the capital. Activists in both parties have declared war on moderates. The ideological gap between the two parties is widening rapidly. Paralysis is pervasive. Political scientist Keith Poole of the University of Georgia, who studies voting patterns, told the National Journal: “We are clearly as conflicted as we’ve been since 1905. The parties are, I think, completely dysfunctional and incapable of acting on major policy.” The National Journal reports that as recently as 1999, more than half of...

WASHINGTON — The defeat of two conservative House Democrats by more liberal opponents in Tuesday’s Pennsylvania primary illustrates the strong hold the new health care law still has over committed Democratic voters and foreshadows an even more polarized Congress next year in the aftermath of the latest round of redistricting. Representatives Jason Altmire and Tim Holden both lost in primaries to opponents who joined together with activist groups to pummel the veteran lawmakers over the opposition to the new health care law and climate change legislation — positions they had used to their advantage in the past to show their...

PHILADELPHIA - The son of Penn State football coach Joe Paterno narrowly defeated a former Nittany Lions linebacker and four other candidates Tuesday in one of the nation's most crowded Republican congressional primaries. Scott Paterno, an attorney with little political experience but a legend for a last name, battled with five other Republican hopefuls in the 17th Congressional District for the right to tackle the Democratic incumbent, Rep. Tim Holden, in November. In another hotly contested U.S. House primary, incumbent Republican Rep. Bill Shuster faced a stiff challenge from Michael DelGrosso in the 9th District. With 79 percent of precincts...

<p>Scott Paterno, son of Penn State coaching legend Joe Paterno, is weighing a possible end-around run at U.S. Congress next year.</p> <p>Paterno, 31 and a lawyer, had earlier ruled out a campaign for the seat now held by U.S. Rep Tim Holden, D-Schuylkill, but now appears to be serious about seeking the district's GOP nomination.</p>

Top Capital Hill military money man visits 101stby Pfc. Thomas DayMOSUL, Iraq (Sept. 28, 2003) -- Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-CA, chairman of the House Military Appropriations sub-committee, led a nine-member congressional delegation Sunday to meet constituents fighting with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in Mosul, Iraq.The delegation included GOP Texans Henry Bonilla and Kay Granger, fellow Republicans John Shimkus (IL), George Nerthcutt (WA), and Don Sherwood (PA). Democrats Tim Holden (PA), Norm Dicks (WA), and Ellen Tauscher (CA) made the trip a bipartisan affair.Maj. Gen. David H. Petraeus, 101st Airborne Division commanding general, who has hosted a number...