Bill Cahir Memorial Fund

Bill Cahir, former reporter, veteran, and one time Pennsylvania congressional candidate, was killed last week in Afghanistan. You can make a contribution to his family, including a wife expecting twins, at: http://www.billcahirmemorialfund.org/

Politico Reports Death of Bill Cahir

In 2008 Bill Cahir ran for Congress in a Democratic primary in Pennsylvania's 5th district. Before running for office Cahir worked as a reporter and served in the Marines, with two tours of duty in Iraq. After the election he went back into the Marines and was serving in Afghanistan. Two Pennsylvania papers and Politico are reporting that he has been killed. Our prayers and condolences to his family.

For more details:

Lehigh Valley Live

Daily Item

Politico

(h/t db)

One More 8th Congressional District Debate

There have been, I think, seven debates in the 8th congressional district race. There is one more tomorrow night, Oct. 29th; the debate is taking place at Central Bucks High School West, 375 W. Court Street, in Doylestown. Doors open at 6:30pm and the debate begins at 7pm.

I've watched four of the debates, three in person and one replayed on PCN, and written on two of them (Shir Ami, PCN broadcast of Bristol Riverside Theater ). If you haven't attended any of the previous debates you should go out to the Oct 29th event. Here's a quick preview:

Tom Lingenfelter (Independent): Get government out of the way.
Tom Manion (Republican): Washington is broken.
Patrick Murphy (incumbent Democrat): Green energy jobs. Fourth largest solar field in the US being built in Bucks County. Increased veterans benefits. Veterans cemetery. Need to bring our troops home. Voted my conscience.

Mr. Lingenfelter has, in my opinion, grown more cantankerous as the debates have done on. At the last one I attended he seemed to have progressed from trying to educate the audience to hectoring them.

Mr. Manion is very low-key and often starts sentences with "Well, ..." The exception is when he got angry at Murphy for talking about naming a post office for a Bucks County resident who died in the war. Manion, who also lost a son in Iraq jabbed his finger at Murphy and shouted "Watch yourself!" two or three times. He also said at every debate I attended that Murphy's work to increase veterans benefits took no effort because, after all, who would oppose that? Actually Sen. McCain voted against increased educational benefits for veterans who served for only a few years because it would discourage people from re-enlisting. Manion also hits Murphy for voting against war funding bills that did not include a timeline for troop redeployment (bringing the troops home).

Murphy does well in these debates, though I may be prejudiced having following his 2006 campaign closely. He discusses his record and emphasizes his bipartisan approach in Congress. He often recognizes community leaders or businessmen in the audience that he knows. He mentions his family. At one event a man wearing a Manion button started kibbitzing; Murphy handled it well.

If you live in the 8th and haven't been to one of the previous debates, please try to attend the one on the 29th.

Police Report on Sign Theft in the 13th

You have to read this. Really. John McDermott, third party candidate in the 13th congressional district, called the police because someone in the campaign office of the Republican candidate was taking his campaign signs. You can read the police report here on his website.

Seriously, it will give give you a real appreciation for campaign comedy.

A Note for My Republican Friends

If any of my Republican readers are finding our suburban congressional races unexciting, please allow me to point out a Pennsylvania connection in a Florida congressional race. Rep. Tim Mahoney in Florida's 16th congressional district has hit some rough sledding recently. His Republican opponent, Tom Rooney, is the grandson of Art Rooney, who founded the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tom went to college at Washington and Jefferson University outside of Pittsburgh. So if you want to contribute to a candidate and aren't all that enthusiastic about the local prospects, you might look into Rooney.

PCN Replay of 8th District Debate at Bristol Riverside Theater

Someone emailed to let me know that yesterday's 8th congressional district debate, with Thomas Lingenfelter, Tom Manion, and Patrick Murphy, was being replayed on PCN. The debate was sponsored by the Bucks County Courier Times and the Doylestown Intelligencer (the phillyburbs people). It was held at the Bristol Riverside Theater.

The liveliest part of the debate came in the closing statements. If you want issues go through the whole thing. If you want drama, skip to the end.

As always, keep in mind that I am typing while watching and this is not intended to be, and not represented as, a complete or accurate transcript. It is the rough notes of what I could catch as the candidates talked. If you have any questions about anything that was said, please contact the relevant campaigns for clarification. Apologies in advance for any errors or misconceptions.

Dale Larson, publisher of the Bucks county Courier Times, introduces the debate. Thanks Susan Atkinson of the Bristol Riverside Theater. Guy Petroziello will be the moderator. Lanny Morgnanesi, of the Intelligencer, and Gary Weckselblatt, political reporter for both papers, will ask questions. Thanks PCN. Paper will be publishing endorsement. A separate decision from daily reporting. Invite people to send letters to the editor. Timekeeper is executive editor Patricia Walker.

Incumbent Democrat Patrick Murphy (red striped tie) www.murphy08.com, patrickmurphy.house.gov
Republican Tom Manion (yellow tie) www.votemanion.com
Independent Thomas Lingenfelter (yellow tie) www.tomlingenfelter.com/

Format: 2 minute opening statements, questions 90 second responses, 45-60 second rebuttal. 2 minute closing statements.

Opening Statements

TL: I believe personal freedom is the top priority. Anything else is bad government. decrease taxes and spending. Fair trade not free trade. Enforce immigration laws. Personal freedom. Government overly intrusive in personal lives. Government should prevent problems not cause them. Education should be local. Abolish income tax. Government too intrusive in other countries’ governments. Preparing for war is the best assurance of peace. Right to bear arms. Freedom implies responsibility.

PM: Thanks everyone. [Gives boundaries of district.] I live down the street. I went to Bucks County Community College, Kings College, earned a law degree, joined the Judge Adjutant Generals Corp in the Army, rose through ranks to become a professor at West Point. When 9/11 happened I volunteered and was deployed twice for our county, Bosnia under Petraeus, later to Baghdad part of 82nd Airborne. 19 men in my unit did not come home. Two years ago I stood here and said I would fight for district, vote my conscience. Military fighting two wars. No challenge we cannot meet if we work together. Worked in bipartisan fashion.

TM: Thanks everyone. Challenges facing nation. Election will impact us, our children and our grandchildren. Grew up in Philly area, went to Widener. 19 years in Marines, 11 in Reserves. Worked at Johnson & Johnson for 18 years. Daughter lives in the community. Son Travis did two tours of Iraq and gave his life. He’s my inspiration. Leadership in DC is broken. Deserve more than they are getting. Try to make a different. Infuse something besides politics as usual. Anxious to be here and share my views. Hoping you decide in Nov. where we will take our county.

Q: policy position on current fix on fiscal crisis, do you support current fix, ensure accountability.

TL: No one can seem to answer that question. Must understand what is the problem. Budget is out of control. Cut taxes and spending, that will be a great stimulus. The two political parties have put us in this fix and now we are asking them to solve the problem. First they will cover up what they did and blame someone else. Would not have voted for the first or second plan. Already changes on second plan. Must understand the problem first.

PM: Economy in crisis. We have a struggling economy and are a nation at war and a nation in debt. Three pieces of legislation that Bush and Paulson put forward. I support the last one and did not like having to support it. The provisions I fought for were in the legislation. Taxpayers would become equity taxpayers. Make sure this would never happen again. Cap on executive pay for top 5 exec, no golden parachutes if government had to put money into their industry. Prosecute people who got us into this mess.

TM: Talked to a financial expert the other day. Greed was everywhere. We count on our leaders in congress to provide the oversight and our current leadership didn’t do their job. Legislation pushed through quickly, did not deal with what was systemically wrong. Did not deal with risky loans. Look at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Privatize them. Understand what is right level of oversight. Need checks and balances. Still a lot of work to do. Look at how Congress handled this crisis. Put together a bill. Not good enough. Senate had to put a bill together quickly.

TL: You must know what the problem is before you can solve it. Two party system. Cannot cooperate, always fighting for power. Allowed special interests to call the shots. Have the wrong people in there. More of the same. These two guys might be good guys but they work for their party. They are bought and paid for. Have to do what they are told. I am an independent.

PM: There was need to act. Cannot play Russian roulette with the American economy. Talk to small businesses in Bucks. Couldn’t get credit to pay for inventory and have to lay off people. Manion said he would vote for the bill that passed. Greed was responsible. Lack of oversight. I fought for the proper legislation and oversight.

TM: clearly not put together in the right way because we have so much work to do. Washington doesn’t work on an effective way. Time to act was years ago. Time to act was when took office. Waited to last minute to address it.

Q: NYT gives updated cost of bailout as $2.25T up from original. Increased debt. When it is time to fix medicare and social security will there be any money left.

PM: Proud to be a Blue Dog Democrat, fiscal conservatives, cut fraud and waste, protect seniors. The relief bill I voted for made sure we would get our taxpayer money back. Improper Payments Act – took the floor and spoke on it. A doctor in NY charge government for over 900 operations in one day. Clear fraud. Voted against Dem budget because it didn’t do enough to rein in spending. When you spend $3T in Iraq that is money that can’t go to property tax relief, social security and medicare. Voted to protect lock box.

TM: Great to call yourself a Blue Dog Dem but if that is fiscal conservatism the results don’t show it. Raised debt ceiling three times. The facts just don’t bear out. Costs are out of control. No discipline on priorities. Need balanced budget. Strengthen dollar. Work across the aisle. Just not happening right now. All sorts of opportunities to look at inefficiencies in government. would put a freeze on spending down there to put house in order. Using my experience in business. Always balanced budget in Marines, Johnson & Johnson and at home.

TL: have my own business so I understand importance of balanced budget. Go back to problem, politicians spending money to buy votes to maintain their power to get more money for the special interest. You’re going to hire one of these two guys who work for a company and they have to do what they are told or they will lose their job.

Q: follow up. In your hearts when it comes time to fix social security and medicare do you think the money will be there?

PM: It will be there if we do what needs to be done. Actions speaking louder than words. Co-sponsor of balanced budget amendment. In my first floor speech in the house I talked about how if small businesses in Bucks have to balance their budget, government should too. Every American owes $30,000 as part of debt. Social security, thank goodness 8 years ago we didn’t privatize it which George Bush tried to do. Do everything in my power to make sure it is there. Republican opponent says he is open to privatization. That isn’t a good idea.

TM: I’ve never said anything about privatization, I said we need to set up a sustainable program. 170% increase in deficit. In 2006 during the campaign all the discussion about social security but nothing has been done. They don’t want to touch it. Important issues aren’t being dealt with. Need to look at earmark process. Another key topic in 2006. Murphy signed a bill for 9,000 earmarks. Approved Charlie Rangel’s library, approved Murtha’s [something – security organization?] that was a duplicate organization.

[The moderator forgot TL and was reminded]

TL: Used to getting forgotten or ignored. No, the money won’t be there. It is impossible under the current situation. Needs to restore the situation to where it belongs. How long have you heard talk about the lockbox. When will they do it.

Q: regarding social security, would you vote to increase the retirement age or lower monetary benefits, what should congress do to protect the program for future generations.

TM: I wouldn’t support that approach. We need to keep social security for parents, children and grandchildren. Need a sustainable program. A lot of waste, fraud, and abuse. In favor of sitting down in bipartisan way to develop a sustainable program.

TL: No, it will probably happen because money won’t be there. Another example of politicians promising something and then not doing it. Needs to be nonpartisan not bipartisan. They go from two extremes. Only get sides from special interests, R and D. both trying to distance themselves from their own party.

PM: I’m Patrick Murphy. Please vote for me because I’m a Dem. If you’re an R vote for me because my wife is an R. One of my first pieces of legislation as a cosponsor was lockbox. Voted to cut $3B in overall budget of wasteful spending. I want to make sure we answered and did everything we can. Rangel earmark was for a public university and a public service library. Public service is how I was raised, father a police office, brother just came back from overseas. Sister a schoolteacher. Washington is broken but I’m trying to solve it.

TM: I guess the whole answer is stop what we are doing in Iraq and that will solve our economic problems. But I don’t think so. We are in global war on terror. Need to look at what is happening in Afghanistan. We know what happened when 9/11 hit and we have young men and women overseas. Murphy talks about not supporting budget. That’s a plan. He doesn’t have discipline when it comes to the checkbook. Constantly signs on or doesn’t vote against spending cuts.

Q: epidemic of corruption in dc, would you not take earmarks?

TL: would not go along with any earmarks. Job of congressmen is to provide earmarks, bring money home. Will vote for no earmarks.

PM: we have to lead by example. Lead by example. Voted against payraise. Donated money to charity. Wife not happy with me. Cut earmarks by $7M, now transparent process. In Yardley borough R manager, 3 floods, went to congressman, went to fema. I was able to get Yardley over $1M. Look at Neshaminy Creek we got $2.5M to elevate homes. Stood there with Cawley, R county commissioner. We need to do more. Not going to apologize for fighting for my district. [blogger’s note: the tv froze for a second so I may have missed something]

TM: absolute denial. Talk transparency all you want but earmarks broken. Your money goes to pay for earmarks all over the country. No oversight. We need to make sure that your tax money that goes outside your district is for good projects.

TL: If Murphy is fighting for money for you it is coming from someone else who needs it. By the time it comes to you it probably costs 3 times as much. We have local and state government. it would be more efficient to go through state and local. We have to realize the money comes from someone else. Why should they pay your bills because your congressman made you like him by getting money.

PM: Flooding is an interstate problem, a federal problem, because of development and water management. Proud to have brought money back and process transparent. We can’t talk just about budget and earmark we have to look at the bigger picture. We are spending $3T in Iraq and the Iraqi government is not spending their money. They need to spend their own money.

TM: We are talking about the earmark process and not the Iraq War. Would call for a moratorium on the earmark process until get proper oversight. Iraq is not an earmark.

Q: Lobbyists spend over $2M a year to influence Congress. What does that get them. How much is at expense of taxpayers.

PM: In my office they aren’t getting their money’s worth. I listen to everyone, lobbyists, constituents, R, D, everyone. Number of lobbyists doubled under Bush. I am transparent, let you know who I meet with. I vote my conscience even at political costs.

TM: Again, the problem is not just the Bush administration, the problem is congress and the administration. We need to look to have a time line whether they work on the hill and then go into a lobbying role. There’s some oversight there and we need to continue looking at the problem. Find a way so they don’t influence the situation. Look at Chris Dodd and the money he is getting through those organizations. Even if there is no intent there it is a bad atmosphere. Good examples in the bailout. Need course correction.

TL: First order of business of special interests is to co-opt parties. If coopted at the beginning how can you fix it? How can they solve their own problems. Control of government, control of money. We live in a totalitarian system, control the government while we are distracted by issues.

PM: Underdog in my party. Too many lobbyists in DC. We passed most sweeping ethics legislation in a generation. Closed loophole allowing people to go from government to lobbying. [Tells story about buying Phillies tickets at the window.]

TM: Fact is most of us pay for our tickets at the window. We really do need to do something further. Legislation isn’t enough. Rules in place and still have situation with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

TL: American people don’t believe the problem has been solved. Only 9% approve of congress’s work. Talk is cheap. You are being distracted. Nothing has changed. Two parties fighting each other. Need a third party or a third voice. Political parties shouldn’t even exist. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison warned against formation of political parties.

Q: Can anything can be done to make health care costs more affordable and insure more people?

TM: Clearly we’ve got major challenges. Sense of urgency. We need to do that now. More government intervention is not the way to go. Address challenges in open market way. Patient centric, physician centric way. Tax credits, allow patients to own their own decisions, allow insurance to work across states. Health savings accounts. Quality and cost. Look for opportunities for more preventive care. Newer technologies. Electronic records. Do not bring down system like in Canada.

TL: Lobbyists are why we have trouble in health care. Too many middlemen between doctor and patient. Need to simplify it. Get rid of middleman. Lobbyists want government to control it because they can control government. we cannot change it by putting more regulation in. Create a level playing field and watch – that is government’s job.

PM: We do need to have health care reform. Not advocating single payer system. But not advocating staying where we are. Small businesses in Bucks having trouble providing employees with health insurance. We passed children’s health insurance three times, vetoed by president. What we are doing at Doylestown Hospital. They are doing a fantastic job with electronic medical records. Need to bring everyone together, doctors, patients, insurance co, hospitals, trial attorneys. Shared sacrifice. If an attorney files three frivolous lawsuits he or she should be disbarred.

TM: Also for tort reform. Need to look at small business community. Would also work closely with them. Much more portability. Tax incentive to own their own insurance. Allows a lot more freedom for individual.

TL: Mr. Murphy wants everyone to cooperate with each other to solve the problem. Everyone is going to agree to sacrifice? Not going to happen. Government must be referee. Can’t ask them to do the right thing. They won’t do it.

PM: We have to solve this problem in a bipartisan way. We need to move the ball forward for our communities. We are losing jobs because our employers need some relief. Look at VA, group pharmaceutical buys.

Q: Need a strong industrial base. Higher tariffs?

TL: Problem is we have free trade but we are the only ones practicing it. If another country wants to disadvantage us with tariffs we need to do the same.

PM: Putting tariffs on other countries is protectionism. Not a good idea. Need a fair way not a free way. Child labor standards and environmental standards – other countries don’t have. They don’t have to have the same standards we do but need comparable standards. Voted against trade agreement with Peru, going against party. Look at Jones Apparel – used to manufacture clothes here. Building 4th largest solar field in the US, green jobs at old U.S. Steel plant. Increase in minimum wage.

TM: For making sure we have the right type of regulatory oversight. We know that part of the trade agreement is not only imports but exports. Need to create an environment that has more exports. Canada has 40% of GDP is exports. Need to create more jobs locally. Need to put more resources in this. All too often at the lower end of the stick. Would work closely with trade community to make sure have more scrutiny on what we are doing.

TL: One of our greatest problems is we are in an economic war. Special interests that control our government. our government should not support exporting of American jobs. Should not put our people at a disadvantage. Return to basic free market system.

PM: Partner with business community. Sponsored more than 2 dozen bills for tax relief for small businesses. Believe in free trade but we need to invest in education. Our graduates are competing with jobs in China, India, and Japan. That has been my record.

TM: What I’m hearing in community is too many jobs are leaving the area. Put tax incentives in place to make sure jobs stay here at home. We are not now educating our students for challenges ahead.

Q: About 25,000 public schools labeled failing because of No Child Left Behind. Do we need to keep this law, change it or repeal it.

PM: Absolutely need to make sure we change the law. Do not teach to the test. Unfunded mandates. So many seniors that are having a hard time staying in their own home because of property tax. Hill Murphy tax bill allows their tax bills to be above the line. 60% of our national debt is to foreign countries. We spend $21B a month to pay off debt, only 5B on education. Part of our national security.

TM: Our education system ranks 17th in the world. We should be ranked #1. NCLB is not getting us to where we need to be. Teachers do teach to the test. Three most important things for our future. Leaders of tomorrow need problem solving skills. Need upfront technical skills. I see this at J&J, workers not prepared. Local educators don’t believe NCLB works. We need to sit down and think about where we are going with this.

TL: Education is local not national. Education has gotten worse with involvement of government. Everybody wants somebody else to pay for it. Why do teachers and superintendents need a government bureaucrat telling them what to do. Everyone lobbying for money from Harrisburg and DC. We carry places that can’t pay anything. Too many middlemen. In 1840 we had a better education than we do today.

PM: I am a former west point professor. Sister teaches 6th grade social studies. Agree with TL. Money should go to teachers. We need to focus on educating future workers.

TM: another important area for us. Hasn’t been adequately addressed for our community. Do nothing congress. Need people to go down to DC to deal with it. 110th congress hasn’t done anything. Look at social security, education, health care. Got to get some leadership down there and get started.

Q: What would do in the next 2 years for Bucks?

TM: Jobs jobs and jobs. Need to create more jobs. Have so much to offer. So many knowledge workers. Our infrastructure is outstanding, port, railways, roads. These opportunities will appear if we do the right thing. Partner with ideas like green jobs. Partner with state and local level, attract small businesses to our area. No. 1 would be there for jobs, education.

TL: Steal as much money as I can from anyone else and bring it back here. Oh, someone else said that. That’s what they’re supposed to do. Get government out of our lives as much as possible. Mr. Murphy keeps pushing bipartisan solutions. Nonpartisan is the solution. This country was founded on nonpartisan solutions. Make political parties illegal. They are organizations that have been taken over by special interests.

PM: I’m going to steal nothing. When I was blessed to win two years ago, I sat down with Mike Fitzpatrick, Jim Greenwood, and Pete Kostmeyer [blogger’s note: former 8th district congressional representatives] asked what they would do if they were starting out in congress. They said to focus on two or three things. Focused on green jobs. AE Polysilicon, Gamesa – 3 year backorder, at about 50% capacity, second focus is veterans, fight for veterans, treat with dignity and respect. Passed increase in veterans benefits, veterans cemetery in Bucks, flooding issue.

TM: Great to hear that we have some of these alternative energy companies. They were here before the congressman took office. Want to do new things not take credit for things that were well underway before he showed up on the scene.

TL: Interesting he brought up Jim Greenwood. Where is he now? Making big bucks. Same old problem. Bipartisan. I want no partisan. If Ds and Rs have their special interests. Where are you. I’m not there to please anyone. I’m there looking for the truth. I take no money. A true independent.

PM: correct the record. August 2007 we broke the ground on solar field. Broke ground on AE Polysilicon. Worked with local officials. Worked with Arlen Specter on veterans cemetery. Talked about education and what we have done in this congress. Put in a piece of legislation to create green jobs in Bucks.

Closing statements

TM: thanks again. Great opportunity for us to come here and talk about where I am and where I stand on the issues. Not part of the local R party but running as an R. broken system in DC. Need a change. 30 years in Marines, 18 years at Johnson & Johnson. I want to build relationships at this critical time. Get country on track. Do nothing congress. Passed lowest number of bills in history. Many of them renaming post offices. Talk about run away spending and earmarks. Leadership is broken. Patrick talks about bipartisanship down there. Votes 93% with party leadership. I’ve been down there and they aren’t working across the aisle. Our country can’t afford that any longer.

PM: Proud that one of those post offices was named for Bucks County’s Nate DeTample who was killed in Iraq

[TM breaks in and says his son died in Iraq and tells Murphy “Watch yourself!” and points at him. Says this and jabs his finger at Murphy two or three times.]

I respect your son’s service. Respect your service. [blogger’s note: Manion was talking over Murphy and I may have missed some of Murphy’s remarks.] I am for stem cell research. Proud of my record. Vote my conscience.

TL: Military service seems to be very important. I served in military. Counter intelligence. Top secret clearance. In charge of getting top clearances for other people. I realize how important it is to have good security. We all served. We should all be part of that. Should not be used as a political issue but if you want to do that. I served too. Having an election. Free and fair elections. Does anyone think we will have a free and fair election in Bucks. I have circumstantial evidence that they can be tampered with. With this system you cannot have a recount. That is illegal. Filed a lawsuit so we can have a recount.

Moderator: thanks everyone.

Manion / Murphy Debate at Shir Ami

8th Congressional District Debate, Oct. 12th, 2008, Shir Ami in Newtown.

These are rough notes, hand-written while the candidates were speaking. It is not a complete transcript and it is possible that some words are not presented as they were spoken. A best effort was made at contextual accuracy. Apologies in advance for any errors or misconceptions. Those with questions about either candidate's stance on a particular issue should contact the appropriate campaign. Where specific bills are mention I have included a link to the THOMAS database; if you click on the link and enter the bill number you can read more about that bill.

Rep. Patrick Murphy (D)(legislative site) / Tom Manion ( R )

Introductions by Spence Snyderman of the Shir Amir Men’s Club.
League of Women Voters, timekeeper Judy Clark of Bucks County
League of Women Voters, moderator Kelly Green of Philadelphia (according to LWV rules someone from outside the district has to moderate debates)

Opening Statements

Manion: [provides biographical information] Attended Widener University, in the Marines 11 years, and the Marines for an additional 19. Worked at Johnson & Johnson for 18 years. Washington is broken. I want to make a difference, with leadership and experience. It is time to work together and get things done.

Murphy: Our country faces a lot of challenges. We can tackle them if we work together. We need to wind down the war in Iraq, refocus on Al Qaeda, green energy.

Q: bailout of the financial sector

Murphy: I’m upset we have this problem. Small business would get inventory on credit and now can’t. Seniors with pensions or 401(k) accounts cut in half. Wall Street has been focused on greed and has run wild for the past 8 years. The bill that passed was not a perfect action but we had to do something. It included a cap on executive pay with a review in 5 years. [blogger’s note: I missed some detail on some of this.]

Manion: This is a travesty for our country, complicity and greed throughout and in the leadership in D.C. We need to fix the problem, privatize Fannie and Freddie, with the right level of regulation, no more risky loans

Q: job creation

Manion: Work with businesses to allow them to grow. 90% of the businesses in this area are small businesses. We need partnerships, need to work together. We have port, railway system, roads. We need to market what Bucks County has. We have the 2nd highest tax rate in the world and need to cut the business tax rate.

Murphy: We need tax breaks for small businesses. We need to look out for our seniors. We need to create green jobs, like the hub in Bucks County. 99% of the businesses in this area are small businesses. That’s why we passed the Hill / Murphy law. (HR 3021; press release on it here)

Q: change tax structure?

Murphy: No one wants more taxes. We are now a country at war and a country in debt, 68% of the new debt under Pres. Bush is foreign. We need to tighten our fiscal belts. Everyone here owes over $30,000 in debt. In favor of some tax breaks. Ask 3% more if people make over $250,000.

Manion: The last thing we need to do is increase taxes. We need to simplify the tax code; there should be a one page tax code. We need more discipline. Since Patrick Murphy has been in office the debt has gone up 170%.

Murphy: We must get a handle on where money is spent. My first bill was the Iraqi Accountability Bill (H Res 97). At home I have sponsored the Improper Payments Act (HR 5467).

Manion: It starts at home. The Iraqis need to step up and start paying. We need to get control of earmarks. Murphy is #4 in the US for earmarks.

Q: On social security, should we privatize?

Manion: We need to protect the social security system. It is not sustainable in the long-run. No action has been taken in the last 2 years. We need action to protect what was paid in. First protect those near retirement age. We don’t have the money and system for sustainability.

Murphy: No privatization. If we had privatized when Pres. Bush wanted to we’d be in big trouble. Needs to be more efficient. I voted twice against the budget because it went into social security. The Improper Payments Act, auditing process. Right now if something is under $2 million there is no audit. [gives example of a doctor that billed for several hundred procedures a day]

Manion: I didn’t say I was for privatizing but we need to look at system. Getting rid of waste, fraud and abuse won’t solve the problem. The budget is a piece of paper. The government is run through appropriations.

Murphy: We cut $7 million from earmarks and made the process more transparent.

Q: Energy independence

Murphy: We need to change how we power our country. The nation’s 4th largest solar panel field is being built in Bucks County and is almost complete. The windmill factory is at 56% capacity and has a 3 year backlog. We must work on several types of energy. We also need to work on personal responsibility. We changed CAFÉ standards to 35 mpg.

Manion: I am for an all encompassing strategy, not a business as usual strategy. However, our infrastructure is built on oil. We need to increase internal supply. Murphy helped write the overall energy bill then after a congressional recess he supported the [less comprehensive] Pelosi bill.

Murphy: The bill that passed the House will invest in green collar jobs. My bill will also invest in education for green collar jobs. We need to do more; CAFÉ standards should be higher.

Q: windfall profit tax for oil companies?

Manion: No, we tried that in the 1970’s and it didn’t work. It gets passed on to consumers. When we tax our companies it puts them at a disadvantage in a global economy.

Murphy: It is not the most appropriate or efficient way. We need to get them to buy into green energy. Energy companies need to be good corporate citizens. If oil is taken from US soil, they need to share the wealth earned from it. We also need to change the tax code.

Q: Iraq

Murphy: I served in Iraq. My brother just came home from his overseas deployment. The Iraqi government needs to step up. I support a phased redeployment over 16 months. Leave a small strategic strike force.

Manion: Don’t look back. The surge was successful. We need to talk about the consequences of leaving there. During the Viet Nam war we tried to run a war from Washington. We need to get behind Gen. Petraeus. Don’t share our strategy with the enemy. The Iraqis are stepping up – they are having an election. Conditional withdrawal.

Murphy: I served with Gen. Petraeus. Our troops are doing a great job. Al Qaeda is strongest in Afghanistan and Pakistan. We can’t let Al Qaeda in Pakistan get nukes.

Manion: These are 2006 talking points. We can’t let Iraq fall apart. Gen. Petraeus doesn’t need your advice [said to Murphy].

Q: On Sept. 12th, 2001, what would you have advised the president to do?

Manion: The president talked about going back to normal life as quickly as possible. Would have advised against that. Not normal. We should have tightened our belt, reaching out more.

Murphy: I wouldn’t have told Americans to go shopping and then cut taxes on the wealth. We should have used the spirit of coming together to focus on challenges ahead. We can’t focus on Iraq and Afghanistan; the troops are stretched too thin. I would have advised against going into Iraq. We should have finished the job in Afghanistan.

Manion: Need to get together and recognize the significance of 9/11. Learn from that. Make sure Afghanistan doesn’t go the way of Iraq.

Murphy: Not advocating leaving Iraq in a shambles. Need to spend their money not ours.

Q: Would you go into Pakistan without government’s support and approval?

Murphy: They are our ally and we want to work with them. If they are unwilling or unable to intervene and if we have reliable intelligence, it is the duty of Congress to protect American families.

Manion: If necessary would support it. Starting to change our approach in Pakistan.

Murphy: Given them $10 billion but nothing to show for it.

Manion: Rhetoric about Iraq. The surge was successful. We can’t let the area fall apart. Trust Petraeus. My son worked with Iraqis. He was shot and killed as he fought along with them.

Q: 47 million Americans have no health insurance, 70% of those are in a family with at least one full-time worker

Manion: There are a lot of challenges in health care. I’m not for a single payer system. I want an open market, put responsibility on the individual patient and doctors, open up interstate health insurance. More medical records should be made electronic. More information technology in administrative work. Preventive care. Put patients and doctors back in charge. We have a Do Nothing Congress.

Murphy: Congress passed children’s health insurance three times and the president vetoed it. 300 million Americans can’t afford health insurance. I’m proud of our efforts with Doylestown Hospital for electronic medical records. To say ownership on patient is reckless. Open market – look at financial crisis. Does not support single payer system.

Manion: Open market irresponsible? That’s what America was built on. Opposed to change dynamic. Put decision making back on patient and doctor.

Murphy: Crack down on abuses. Shared sacrifice – doctors, patients, insurance companies, attorneys, more responsibility.

Q: illegal immigration

Murphy: We have an immigration crisis. There are 12 million illegal immigrants in the US. We need to crack down on borders, south and north. 800 miles of fence built. I worked with Rep. Dent (Republican from the 15th congressional district). We need to crack down on employers who knowingly hire illegals. Pres. Clinton brought charges against hundreds of employers. Pres. Bush has brought charges against four. I don’t believe in amnesty.

Manion: We need to close the borders now. Still not secure 7 years after 9/11. Lack of leadership in DC. We need a robust visa program. Deport criminals. Enact the laws. Democrat Pete Shuler of North Carolina has co-sponsored a bill with Murphy. It has never moved to the House floor. Murphy hasn’t signed a discharge petition.

Murphy: When unemployment is rising we should not have more work visas.

Manion: We need to move legislation forward.

Q: American companies hiring workers overseas

Manion: The global environment and marketplace. We need to strengthen companies at home. Work with them. Incentives. Cut tax rates from 35% to 25%.

Murphy: The tax code rewards companies for outsourcing jobs. Americans are the hardest working employees in the world. An open market pits US companies against countries without child labor laws or environmental standards. We need fair trade not free trade.

Manion: I’m for balanced trade. The only way to strengthen the economy is to work with our companies. Strong business in America creates jobs.

Murphy: tax breaks implement in Bucks Co. A former brownfield is now a hub of green energy. Jones Apparel used to make clothes. Those jobs overseas now.

Q: same sex marriage

Murphy: civil unions. Let people see their partners if they are in the hospital. Health benefits. Taught constitutional law. Justice is for everyone.

Manion: civil unions. Let the states decide.

Q: abortion

Manion: Against abortion as a means of birth control. Okay in cases of rape, incest, life of mother. Support stem cell research.

Murphy: I’m pro-choice. I’m a practicing Catholic but cannot impose my religious beliefs on others. I support limitations. No one is for abortion as birth control. Partnered with a Republican for an adoption tax credit (H.R. 471?).

Manion: Don’t believe in federal funding for abortion as birth control. State issue.

Murphy: It is a federal issue.

Q: Israel / Palestine conflict

Murphy: Israel has a right of self-defense; it is the #1 ally of the US. Iran wants to wipe Israel off the map and wants nukes. The symbol of the American eagle has in one talon arrows, to symbolize military leadership. In the other talon is the olive branch of diplomacy.

Manion: Israel is the #1 strategic partner in the Middle East. Do anything that supports that partnership. The US is #1 in protecting Israel. Must strengthen sanctions against Iran. Diplomacy includes pre-conditions. Sanctions. If necessary 100% behind Israel defending itself.

Murphy: We cannot allow Iran to get nuclear weapons. Robust diplomacy. Need to talk with Iran about this.

Candidates ask each other one question.

Murphy to Manion: Do you support Sen. McCain’s comprehensive immigration policy?

Manion: I support my plan. Close borders. Robust visa program. Send home those here illegally. Allow them to apply for legal migration. Send criminals home.

Manion to Murphy: What are your top spending priorities?

Murphy: defense spending. The military needs to have every tool in its toolbox.

Q: Priorities of constituents?

Murphy: A congressional representative who will look them in the eye and tell them the truth. In government: military spending, a change in how we power the country. [Mentions working with local Republican officials in Yardley to get funding for flood prevention.]

Manion: Economy, health care, defense. People not happy with lack of leadership in Washington. This is on both sides of the aisle. Do Nothing Congress. They don’t get it. We need leadership, bipartisanship, reform.

Closing Statements

Murphy: [thanks LWV and synagogue] I am honored to represent the 8th congressional district and serve on the Armed Forces and Intelligence committees. We passed the largest increase in veterans benefits. Post traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries, common in Iraq War veterans. New GI bill. Attracting green energy jobs. My office sends out 180 letters a day, not form letters but answers to constituents’ questions. Both Democrats and Republicans work in my office. I’ve been back at the train stations every week since the election, thanking people for their votes and keeping in touch.

Manion: [thanks LWV and synagogue]. Need straight talk and integrity in DC. All for alternative energy companies. But they were here before our current representative was in office. All for veterans benefits but that’s an easy task to tackle. What have we done about health care and social security. Same people in charge of fixing Fannie and Freddie that were in charge of regulating them. [mentions Barney Frank and Chris Dodd]. Need people of action.

Questionable Tactics II: Leafleting

Two young men in Marina Kats for Congress t-shirts were leaving Kats campaign literature under the windshield wipers of cars in a store parking lot this afternoon. Kats is the Republican candidate for the 13th congressional district. Stores often frown on that.

Candidates Comedy Night

Last night was the 18th annual Stu Bykofsky Candidates Comedy Night, to benefit Variety, the children’s charity. Over the years the event has raised over $300,000 for children with disabilities.

This is an insider’s event. Candidates or groups can buy tables or individuals can buy single tickets. Looking at the layout of the room, there were only a few seats that weren’t at reserved tables. There was also a program that included three introductory letters (one from Bykofsky, two from Variety) and a page length description of Variety. Following that is a letter from Gov. Rendell. The rest of the 24 page book (plus the inside front cover and inside back and back cover) is full and half page ads from candidates, officials, and businesses.

This year 18 candidates were scheduled, but one, the Republican candidate for the first congressional district, did not show, although it sounded like he might never have agreed to or that he had not returned Bykofsky’s phone calls. Could be wrong on that though.

These are notes I took while listening. It is not, by any means, a complete transcription, and is not necessarily even-handed. There were a lot of comments I didn't even try to jot down. Please also see personal observations at the end.

Bykofsky and his co-host radio personality Rhea Hughes gave introductory remarks, including a note that over 400 people were in attendance. In addition to those speaking I also saw Seth Williams, Jonathan Seidel, Lou Freimiller, and Michael Nutter. There were likely others that I just didn’t see or recognize.

Bob Brady, incumbent Democratic congressman for the 1st congressional district was up first. This is his 17th year participating.

Marina Kats, Republican challenger for the 13th congressional district, and the only woman candidate to take the podium. She was right off a plan from Croatia. Kats mentioned she had a LLM degree and won a prize for best opening statement in a foreign language. Her jokes were mostly lawyer jokes.

Patrick Murphy, incumbent Democratic congressman for the 8th congressional district was up next. He mentioned that he will be speaking the Democratic National Convention Wednesday evening in prime time. His jokes were primarily self-deprecating, about being relatively young for a congressman. One related to finally being carded when he came in, another on being too young to make the Chinese gymnastics team. He said he had hidden his campaign strategy in a place where no one would look and held up a copy of his autobiography. He also took a few jobs at McCain.

Rob McCord, Democratic candidate for state treasurer, took the podium. Say the F word several times, talk about swearing in front of your pre-teen children, and you will have an approximation of his 3 minute routine.

Allyson Schwartz, 13th district Democratic congresswoman could not attend but sent her chief of staff, Daniel McElhatton as her surrogate. He read what he said was a letter from Schwartz but I doubt she had seen it. There were a lot of F words and some political jokes. She loves kids, especially Patrick Murphy. Josh Shapiro weeps at the sound of Murphy’s name.

A representative from Conestoga Bank, the primary sponsor of the event, gave a brief welcome speech. He mentioned that he and his wife are expecting their 5th child on November 4th. Congratulations!!!

Jack Morley, Republican candidate for the open 1st state senate district (Vince Fumo) told several Fumo jokes, jokes about being home schooled, and then moved on to making jokes about the city’s public schools, such as kids have a better chance of surviving Iraq than graduating (something like that) or they considered getting their girlfriends pregnant a biology experiment. [blogger’s note: what about the young women in biology class? He implies all the students are male.] He was booed.

John Perzel, Republican representative from the 102nd state house district told several jokes about himself.

Joe Conklin, a radio personality, said the theme song for the presidential debates should be “Ebony and Elderly” and did a lot of voice imitations of political candidates and officials.

John Morganelli, Democratic candidate for Attorney General said if elected he would be the shortest Attorney General in Pennsylvania history.

Bob Barr, former Georgia congressman and Libertarian candidate for president, was a surprise guest. He said he was a member of both the ACLU and the NRA. Several of his other jokes were good but he’s not from Pennsylvania so I didn’t take the time to note them. Sorry.

Adam Lang, Republican candidate for the 2nd congressional district, said he was looking forward to meeting Chaka Fattah (who was not in attendance), and so were many of his neighbors. He said Fattah wasn’t there because he thought it was a community meeting. Among the reasons he gave as to why people should vote for him was that he is not married to a woman who broadcast her artificial insemination but wouldn’t release her tax records for privacy reasons. [blogger’s note: I thought that was the most biting and wittiest line of the entire evening.]

Larry Farnese, Democratic candidate for the open 1st state senate district (Vince Fumo). His jokes were mostly self-deprecating about how small his campaign staff and office are. He said during his last campaign run his office had four tires and a steering wheel. Recently he said he had trouble with the lights in his office but when he called the electricians they never came out. He also read a good humorous poem. [blogger’s note: His opponent, Jack Morley, was standing so he was directly in Farnese’s line of sight while he talked.]

Tom Ellis, Republican candidate for state treasurer, came to the stage dressed as Napoleon. He said he had ruled Montgomery County until Joe Hoeffel exiled him. He told a lot of jokes about being short and sang the “Lollipop Guild” song from “The Wizard of Oz.” He also told a joke about a sign at a fair that the world’s largest rat but when he told Bruce Castor, Castor has said that wasn’t possible because Jim Matthews was in town that day.

Craig Williams, Republican candidate for the 7th congressional district, told a lot of good news / bad news jokes. The good news is Charlie Sexton called and offered to help with his campaign; the bad news is Charlie Sexton called and offered to help with his campaign. The good news is God wants you to vote for John McCain; the bad news is it’s only because they were high school buddies. The good news is that his wife, a federal prosecutor, successfully prosecuted Milton Street; the bad news is the airlines kept losing their luggage.

Rich Costello, candidate for the 172nd state house district, mentioned he was a police officer for over 30 years. He told a lot of sports jokes and said he would designate the middle finger as the PA state bird.

Mark Collazo [blogger’s note: I cannot verify the spelling of his name; it is just an approximation], surrogate for Tom Manion, Republican candidate for the 8th congressional district, is an attorney. He told some Hillary Clinton jokes, one of which had “old cow” as the punch line.

Tom Corbett, Republican incumbent Attorney General, was up next. He said Ed Rendell won’t come back to Philadelphia after his term as governor ends, because the city has banned trans fats. He said Lynne Abraham had hired his daughter and that Abraham was so tough that gang members had her face tattooed on their arms. He said if people voted for him he would ensure that all future bonuses were donated to Stu Bykofsky’s Comedy Night. One of his other jokes was that Paris Hilton said it was okay to vote for the old white-haired dude.

Joe Sestak, Democratic incumbent congressman for the 7th congressional district, ended the show. He said there wouldn’t be a nativity scene in Washington this year because the city can’t find three wise men or a virgin. He also said it was better to offend God than another politician because God will forgive you.

Personal observations: This wasn’t really my cup of tea. A lot of the humor was vulgar and profane, just not my style, and not suitable for a family blog. I didn’t take notes on most of it; I just didn’t want to write it down. However, you might think it is hilarious. If you are curious I would encourage you to attend next year and see for yourself. It is certainly for a good cause.

Like most political events the audience was about 70% (or more) male. One notable exception took me awhile to figure out. Some very young provocatively dressed women kept walking from their table in the back of the room to the other side of the room, where the bar was but came back without drinks. The ladies’ room was by their table so they weren’t headed there. The only other stops along the way that I know of were the mens’ room, the registration desk and the elevator. At one point Bykofsky mentioned that Club Risque was a sponsor and had bought a table. My theory is that the ladies were at that table and that they might have been walking advertisements for “Delaware Valley’s premier gentlemen’s club.” But I could be completely wrong about that.

As for political humor, I thought Adam Lang and Craig Williams had the wittiest jokes, but that is very much a matter of personal taste. As challengers they have greater latitude in taking jabs at their opponents.

PA Shifts in Rothenberg Report

The latest Rothenberg Political Report is out and there are some changes in the ranking of PA races.

The only PA pure toss up is PA-10, incumbent Democrat Chris Carney, and Republican challenger Chris Hackett

Toss up / Tilt Democratic, is PA-11, incumbent Democrat Paul Kanjorski, and Republican challenger Lou Barletta.

Lean Republican, is PA-03, incumbent Republican Phil English, and Democratic challenger Kathy Dahlkemper.

Lean Democratic, is PA-04 incumbent Jason Altmire in a re-match with Republican Melissa Hart.

Republican favored, is PA-06 with incumbent Republican Jim Gerlach and Democratic challenger Bob Roggio.

Any race not appearing is considered safe for the incumbent. PA-08, with incumbent Democrat Patrick Murphy facing Republican challenger Tom Manion, has been dropped from the list.

More Wikipedia Fun

It seems Marina Kats is not the only local congressional candidate to have Wikipedia problems. (Kats is the Republican challenging Allyson Schwartz for the 13th congressional district.) Tom Manion's entry has also been deleted. Manion is challenging 8th district Congressman Patrick Murphy. See "WikiDiss," by Annie Trasker on Phillyburbs. It starts:

Republican congressional candidates Tom Manion and Marina Kats have had their Wikipedia pages deleted after editors for the Web encyclopedia determined they weren’t important enough to have their own entries.

This does not appear to be an entry for Craig Williams, the Republican who is challenging 7th district Congressman Joe Sestak.

Dahlkemper Leads English in New Poll

According to an article in today's Roll Call ("Democratic poll has Rep. English trailing narrowly," by Shira Toeplitz), Democratic challenger Kathy Dahlkemper is ahead of incumbent Republican Phil English in the 3rd congressional district. It is 41% to 40%, with 19% undecided.

Roggio Endorsement

From the inbox, regarding the 6th congressional district race:

Bob Roggio, (D) today received the endorsement of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP), the fastest growing union for nurses and health professionals in Pennsylvania.

“We are thrilled to endorse Bob Roggio’s candidacy for Congress in the 6th District,” said Patricia Eakin, RN, and President of PASNAP. “We believe Bob is an outstanding candidate and appreciate his support for healthcare reform and for legislative priorities, including safe staffing for nurses and banning mandatory overtime for healthcare professionals. We believe our healthcare system is in ‘critical condition’ and know that Bob Roggio will be a champion to improve it for the sake of our patients and our profession.”

Bob Roggio has a proven record of prioritizing healthcare coverage. Throughout his 30-year business career at Zenith Products Corporation, Bob helped to create over 600 new jobs as he rose to the position of Senior Vice President and principal partner. He worked to ensure that all of his employees were eligible for quality and affordable healthcare coverage.

“Healthcare issues are a priority in my campaign,” said Roggio. “I believe that we have a responsibility to make healthcare affordable for everyone. We need to find a way to cover the 47 million Americans – including almost 9 million children – who are currently uninsured.”

“Bob understands the costs and the struggles that rising healthcare costs pose to families and businesses,” said Campaign Manager Liz Conroy. “He believes that our country has an obligation to fight for full coverage and will bring that fight to Washington.”

Get to Know Bob!

Nathan Gonzales over at the Rothenberg Political Report has an interesting post ("Pennsylvania 6: It's Not that Simple")on the 6th congressional district race, between incumbent Republican Jim Gerlach and Democratic challenger Bob Roggio.

The Roggio campaign has boiled the race down to a simple task.

“As soon as voters are introduced to Bob Roggio through a biographical paragraph, Gerlach’s lead vanishes and Bob Roggio assumes a 7% lead,” according to the campaign’s release.

Well, that should be easy. At least the 500 likely general election voters sampled in the poll know who Roggio is, but he’s going to have a hard time introducing himself to the larger electorate in one of the most expensive media markets in the country.

If you would like to meet Bob you don't have to wait for the tv ads. His campaign is hosting an open house / campaign kickoff this evening, details here.

Cook Report Updates Races

From the inbox, the Cook Report has updated at least four Pennsylvania races:

PA-03 Phil English Likely Republican to Lean Republican
PA-05 OPEN (Peterson) Solid Republican to Likely Republican
PA-11 Paul Kanjorksi Likely Democratic to Lean Democratic
PA-15 Charlie Dent Solid Republican to Likely Republican

Fun with Wikipedia

Every now and then I pop into Wikipedia to see what's new, and have written about it a time or two before. The entry for Marina Kats, Republican candidate for the 13th congressional district, is an interesting example. Look at the history. Also check out the discussion section. But look quickly as the page is being considered for deletion.

New Poll in 6th Congressional District

This also from the inbox. I apologize for the appearance of the tables. The grids didn't transfer well so I created them using slashes.

Overview

Despite the fact that Bob Roggio is a virtual unknown, Gerlach is unable to get over 50% on the initial ballot against Roggio, leading 49% to 32%. Gerlach’s net-negative job approval rating, and voter strong desire for change in Washington forecast change in the Sixth District. Sure enough, after voters are introduced to Bob Roggio through a simple biographical paragraph, Gerlach’s lead vanishes and Bob Roggio assumes a 7% lead over Gerlach – a 24% ballot swing just from voters learning who Roggio is.


PA6 Voters Dissatisfied With Direction of Country, Leadership in Washington

Voters in Pennsylvania’s Sixth Congressional District are very unhappy with the direction of the country: 79% said the country is on the wrong track, compared to just 12% who said it is on the right track.

In addition, Bush’s job approval is remarkably low – 84% said Bush was doing a just fair or poor job. And not only are these voters unhappy with the leadership at the top in Washington, they are also unhappy with their Representative in Washington, Jim Gerlach – just 39% approve of the job he is doing as Congressman - ominous in a highly-charged, change-oriented environment such as the Sixth District:

Q 15-16 How would you rate the job being done by…


Q15-16 George W. Bush / Jim Gerlach
Difference -68% / -8%
Excellent/Good 16% / 39%
Fair/ Poor 84% / 47%
Don't know 0% / 14%


Gerlach Leads Against Unknown Roggio, But After Voters Learn About Roggio, He Leads Gerlach By 7%

While 82% of voters know who Gerlach is, Roggio is almost unknown to voters – his name ID is 10%. Yet despite Roggio’s status as a virtually unknown candidate, Gerlach is unable to get over 50% on the initial ballot against him – he leads Roggio 49% to 32%:

If the November election for Congress was held today and the candidates were … for whom would you vote?

Q19 / Total
Difference / -17%
Bob Roggio, the Democrat / 32%
Jim Gerlach, the Republican / 49%
Don't know / 20%

However, once Sixth District voters hear a simple biography of Roggio, Gerlach’s lead is erased and Roggio takes a 7% lead over the incumbent Gerlach:

Bob Roggio and his wife Jeannie have lived in Chester County for almost 40 years, where they raised three children, all of whom attended public schools. Roggio is not a typical politician. He's a local businessman who quit college after his father died to take care of his mother and work in the family business. He rose through the company's ranks to run it, creating 400 new jobs and tripling the company's income during the 10 years he was in charge. After working almost his entire adult life, at age 56, Roggio retired and then went back to college to earn his degree from Penn State in just two years. Roggio has done volunteer work around Charlestown for Little League and the Red Cross, as well as hurricane relief work in Florida.

If the November election for Congress was held today and the candidates were … for whom would you vote?

Q36 / Total
Difference / +7%
Bob Roggio, the Democrat / 45%
Jim Gerlach, the Republican / 38%
Don't know / 17%


The Benenson Strategy Group conducted 500 interviews District-wide with likely 2008 general election voters June 21 –24, 2008. The margin of error for overall results is ±4.37%.

The Benenson Strategy Group’s clients include Governor Tim Kaine (VA), Senator Jim Webb (VA), and Senator Robert Menendez (NJ). Peter Brodnitz, who conducted this survey, was named “Pollster of the Year” by the American Association of Political Consultants in 2007 for his work for Kaine, Webb and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. It is a bi-partisan award given to one pollster every two years.

Gas Prices: The New Hot Issue

Both Freedom's Watch, a conservative group, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee are targeting incumbent congressional representatives and using radio ads to tie them to big oil and/or higher gas prices. Chris Cillizza outlines strategies and the full list of those targeted in his Washington Post blog the Fix today ("Freedom's watch to run radio ads").

Freedom's Watch includes two Pennsylvania congressman on their list: Chris Carney (PA-10) and Paul Kanjorski (PA-11), both Democratics.

The DCCC has three Pennsylvania congressmen on their target list: Charlie Dent (PA-15), Phil English (PA-03), and Jim Gerlach (PA-06).

Josh Drobnyk at Pennsylvania Avenue, just back from vacation and rarin' to go, has some thoughts on the DCCC adds.

New Roggio Video

Bob Roggio, Democratic candidate for the 6th congressional district, has released a biographical video (available on the website and also on YouTube).

It is extremely well done. Roggio mentions leaving college at 22 to support his mother after his father's untimely death. He grew the family business, Zenith Metal, but also made family a priority, coaching his three children's sports teams. After retiring from business Roggio went back to college to finish the degree he started decades earlier.

The cinematography and narration are very professional. The Roggios are a photogenic family and the storyline flows nicely.

It is well worth the effort to watch.

Which of These Things Doesn't Belong?

This evening I was reading story on www.cnn.com about the crash of 2 medical helicopters. At the end of the story there was a string of google ads.

Ads by Google
Jim Gerlach for Congress
Independent Voice for Pennsylvania Help Congressman Gerlach Today!
www.JimGerlachForCongress.com

10 Rules for Stomach Fat
Drop 9 lbs of Stomach Fat every 11 Days by Sticking with the 10 Rules.
FatLoss4Idiots.com/DropStomachFat

Why Your Stomach is Fat
I fought with excess belly fat for years until I found this 1 trick.
www.TruthAboutAbs.com

Checking the same cnn story on a different computer the same three ads came up.

Is it just me or is that a strange grouping?