No Signs for You!

Many of the political figures who have endorsed Sen. Obama say they were encouraged to do so by their children. In this case the rich (and/or well-known) are not different from you and me. My children sent me on a quest to find an Obama yard sign. You don't see many yard signs on my street -- it just isn't done. We had one some years ago when someone the kids knew was running for office and they badgered me until I got one. I set it up half underneath a tree in the front yard. The kids moved it to a more prominent spot. We wanted to encourage their interest in politics, but hopefully in ways that don't involve cluttering up the yard and annoying the neighbors.

When they started asking for an Obama sign I tried to deflect, but they kept at it. So I tracked down an Obama campaign office and set out. The office was busy and I had to wait in line for about 10 minutes to just talk to the receptionist. There were two small group meetings in session and a number of people making calls. The one call I was able to overhear was very impressive. The guy really knew his stuff. Unfortunately there were no signs to be had and none likely until next week. Maybe the kids will be happy with campaign buttons.

AFL-CIO Video Contest

From the inbox:

On Thurs., Apr. 10, the AFL-CIO will launch its first-ever online video contest - - the Turn Around America online video competition - - with national winners as well as city and youth winners. The contest is the kick off of a national AFL-CIO initiative to "Turn Around America" which will go through the summer and culminate with massive rallies around economic issues. Participants will be invited to submit online videos in any creative form that will answer the question of how to turn around America. The contest will run Apr. 10 through May 20. Winners will be announced in early June.

"Working families are excited and ready to turn around America," said AFL-CIO Exec. Vice President Arlene Holt Baker. "The video contest will engage people in a new way that will channel creativity and energy into a national discussion on what is necessary to get America back on track."

The national winner will receive $2,000 and the chance for the video to run on TV stations. City winners will win $1,000 and may be featured at AFL-CIO rallies and on local television. A "young activist" category will also be awarded to the best video made by someone between the ages of 14 and 25. Judges will represent the arts and music industry as well as Americans working to "turn around America," including retired steelworker Steve Skvara who famously asked presidential candidates in Chicago last August, "What's wrong with America and what will you do to change it?"

Winners will be announced in Philadelphia, Pa.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Columbus, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio; Cincinnati, Ohio; Denver, Colo.; Detroit, Mich.; Portland, Ore.; Maine; New Hampshire; St. Paul/Minneapolis/Rochester, Minn.; St. Louis, Mo. and Chicago, Ill.

The contest can be accessed at www.turnaroundvideocontest.com.

Two Steps Forward, One Step ....

Sen. Obama's speech on race was thought-provoking. It has been interesting listening to how those around me reacted to it. I haven't commented; as a middle class white female I'm accorded far more invisible privilege than I could possibly ever be aware of. In short, me talking about the racial climate is like someone who always takes a taxi describing what it's like to drive.

Interesting things do cross my desk though, and two this week dovetailed on the issue of race.

In the March 31 New Yorker there is a story, "Subprime suspect," by John Cassidy, that highlights the fall of former Merrill Lynch CEO E. Stanley O'Neal. In his testimony before Congress O'Neal stated that his grandfather had been born a slave in 1861. That is a long way to travel in just three generation. O'Neal was the first African American CEO on Wall Street.

The other item was the photocopy of an old newspaper article. The citation is hard to read but I think it is from the Philadelphia Evening Item, March 16, 1895; thirty years after the end of the civil war and the eve of the twentieth century. It summarizes a court case in Atlanta, Georgia:

The effort to break the will of the late George Washington Die, of Elbert county, has failed in the lower court. Dye left an estate worth $100,000 to his negro housekeeper and her six children, whose father he was. His relatives attempted to break the will, but the jury rendered a verdict to-day sustaining it. This is in accordance with the decisions of the State Supreme Court. After Dye died $40,000 in cash was found packed in an old trunk. He owned 7,000 acres of land in one body, and was known in his county as "Governor" Dye.

Initially I was taken by the attempt by the relatives to break the will, but relatives fight over money without any other social issues playing a role. On subsequent readings I noted that the jury upheld the will. Now possibly the relatives were out of towners and the jury thought it better for the money to stay in the area. Possibly the jury knew someone in town could separate the housekeeper from her newfound wealth, possibly they just thought it was deservedly hers and her children's. We will never know. But they did uphold the will.

Jeremiah Wright's Philly Connection

I'm working on some long posts but they aren't quite ready yet, so here's a quick local tie in to a national story about Sen. Obama's pastor, Jeremiah Wright, Jr.

In the April 7 New Yorker, "Project Trinity," by Kelefa Sanneh points out that:

Wright was born into the pulpit. His father, Jeremiah A. Wright, Sr., was a preacher, the leader of the Grace Baptist Church of Germantown, in Philadelphia.

Presidential Mailing Total

Today's mail brought three presidential political campaign ads. One was from Obama; Mr. J and I each got one of those. Two Emily's List ads came to me. Both had a testimonial for Sen. Clinton from an individual woman. One was named Jody and this would presumably be my new BFF who has left pro-Clinton phone messages for me twice now.

Presidential Mailing Total: Obama 1, Clinton 2

Buying the Bloopers, Domain Name Version

Sometimes you learn something interesting when you make a mistake. Intending to check out The Politico at www.politico.com, I accidentally typed in www.politoco.com. It comes up with a page entitled "Bad typing will get you nowhere." At the bottom of the screen there is a note that you probably wanted www.politico.com and to type more carefully next time. The main body of the page, though, is a pro-Obama video and the message "Change we can believe in."

I wonder what other bloopers have been bought up?

Tim Briggs Campaign Kick-Off

Tim Briggs, Democratic candidate for the 149th state house district, formally kicked off his campaign today. Formally is the correct word to use politically but it is not an accurate description of the event itself. It was billed as “family friendly.” You must understand that normally at political events this means if your children can sit quietly and not fidget throughout the entire thing then you can bring them. My children, as one store clerk politely referred to them, are “spirited” and therefore left at home. But Briggs was serious; my kids could actually have attended this and not seem out of place. There were, as advertised, face painters. And good ones. I counted at least ten different designs, more than twice the number you usually see, and they were well done. Most children had at least one cheek decorated. There were also crafts for the kids to do. Children moved through the crowd with ease. Balloons and plastic airplanes were shared, horded, tossed, and otherwise dealt with.

There were, of course, other politicos in attendance. Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel, State Senator Connie Williams, Dan Wofford, Frank Custer (candidate for the 61st state house district), Ed Cheri (who ran for county sheriff in 2007), and Councilwoman JoAnn Gadzicki of Bridgeport. Hoeffel introduced Williams who then reintroduced Hoeffel who introduced Briggs. My view was partially blocked but at one point when Hoeffel was talking I think a small child was trying to dive bomb his shoe with a plastic airplane. Joe didn’t miss a beat.

Briggs is a good but not overly polished speaker. He has a long record of public service and has worked for several elected officials. Briggs said he didn’t want to represent just the Democrats of the district but the entire district, and was reaching out to Republicans also. Briggs thanked his cousins for doing the face painting and his sisters and cousins for providing the desserts. I have to put in a word here for the rice krispie treats. I think they are the best I have ever eaten. Kudos to whichever of his sisters made them.

The event was well-attended by a diverse group, suits and jeans, a scattering of racial and ethnic groups, blue collar and white collar, old and young. What most impressed me, and I was impressed, was the attitude of the people there. All of the conversations I took part in or overheard were cordial and seldom dealt with politics. It was mostly just people talking. I had a great time. It was more like a church dinner or extended family gathering than a political rally. Judging a candidate or a campaign by one event isn’t a good idea so I’ll be looking for opportunities to try his sister’s rice krispie treats again.

Local Investment Clubs

April is Financial Literary Month. In the past I have mentioned on the blog that my family is part of an investment club. If this has intrigued you and you are interested in learning more, there are two upcoming events from the Philadelphia area chapter of BetterInvesting, an umbrella organization for a number of investment clubs, to keep in mind:

On Thurday May 8, 2008, the Annual Meeting and Social hour will be held at the DoubleTree Guest Suites in Plymouth Meeting. There will be a brief meeting for election of chapter directors. After the meeting, a wine and cheese social hour will be held. Please join us and let us know what we can do to enhance your investing skills. This event is free but you must register by May 3 for an accurate count.

The Philadelphia Area Model Investment Club will have its first public meeting at the Norristown Library from 9:30am to Noon on May 10, 2008. Like any investment club, the Model Club’s purpose is to make money for its members. But as a model club, it is also intended to serve as an educational tool. Chapter members who are not members of the Model club may attend Model Club meetings as observers. You may pick up ideas to improve the operation of your own investment club. This event is free.

PA in the WSJ

It was a hectic week so I'm sure I missed some things.

This is a list of articles regarding Pennsylvania in this week's Wall Street Journal. Chances are I missed something, but these are the articles that caught my eye.

It should be noted that I routinely do not read the editorials in the WSJ. So any discussions of the state, its elected officials, businesses, or citizens, in editorials will not be mentioned here.


PA Politicians

Sen. Specter does the honors this week in “Data security, privacy get new attention,” by Amy Schatz (3/31)

Sen. Casey’s endorsement of Sen. Obama is mentioned in “New backing for Obama as party seeks unity,” by Jackie Calmes (3/31)

Everything there is to know about campaigning statewide in PA in “Running 3 distinct races, at once,” by Kris Maher and Timothy Aeppel (3/31)

Filed from Wilkes-Barre, “Tailoring rust-belt economic appeals,” by Nick Timiraos (4/02)

Filed from Manheim, “Democrats respond to Bush plan,” by Nick Timiraos (4/01)

Not politics exactly but certainly political, Judge Thomas Agretis of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Pittsburgh is presiding over almost 300 cases involving Country Financial Corp.’s mortgage practices. See “Judge authorizes probe of countrywide’s practices,” by Peg Brickley (4/02)

Don’t mess with Philly. “Jackson quits HUD amid storm,” by Michael M. Phillips and Evan Perez (4/01)


PA Businesses

“Manufacturers may take cue from Alcoa,” by Robert Guy Matthews (4/05)

Robert Randall, CEO of Cranberry-based window maker Traco, Inc. is quoted in “U.S. suffers biggest job drop in 5 years as downturn spreads,” by Kelly Evans, Kirs Maher, and Timothy Aeppel (4/05)

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center mentioned in “Nonprofit hospitals, once for the poor, strike it rich,” by John Carreyrou and Barbara Marinez (4/04)

“Vanguard will offer a global index fund,” by Tony Cooke (4/03)

Apparently we are all full of beans, see “Gas producers rush to Pennsylvania,” by Russell Gold (4/02)

Hershey is mentioned in “Retailers lawsuits accuse candy makers of fixing prices,” by Julie Jargon (4/01)

Cheryl Jones, one time manager of a health club in Chalfont, is mentioned in “Health clubs look to kids to bulk up membership,” by Arden Dale (4/01)

Kevin Waldron, a Merrill Lynch financial advisor in Bala Cynwyd is quoted in “Americans delay retirement as housing, stocks swoon,” by Jennifer Levitz (4/01)

Other PA

A few Pennsylvania colleges and universities are mentioned in “Bad news U: colleges reject record numbers,” by Anjali Athavaley (4/03)

Donald E. Heller, directory of the Center for the Study of Higher Education at Penn State, is quoted in “College within reach despite tighter credit,” by Julian Mincer (4/03)

According to a chart accompanying “Felons’ voting requests pile up,” by Gary Fields (3/31), less than 2.5% of the adult population of Pennsylvania can’t vote due to felony convictions.

Other Interesting Tidbits

If you would like to be happier spend more time talking with people, going to church, and doing things you enjoy. See “Down the tube: the sad stats on happiness, money and tv,” by Jonathan Clements (4/02)

weekly legislative update

This is a list of bills that passed the Pennsylvania House or Senate this week, and mention of any noteworthy resolutions. Standard caveats apply (resolutions not generally included, list of sponsors deleted if it was too long - three lines in the originally formatting).

Our accountant friends at PICPA have provided their usual informative weekly update.


Other updates this week:

PA GOP Senate
PA Democratic Senate
PA GOP House
PA Democratic House

Bills

HOUSE

HB 16 An Act establishing a State Energy Office and providing for its powers and duties; and making related repeals.

HB 982 An Act establishing the Code Enforcement Challenge Grant Program; and providing for the powers and duties of the Department of Community and Economic Development.

HB 2005 An Act amending the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921, providing for small group health benefits.

HB 2098 An Act establishing a system for payment or reduction in payment for preventable serious adverse events within Commonwealth programs; informing health insurers of payment policies used by Medicaid and Medicare; and providing for the powers and duties of the Department of Public Welfare, the Insurance Department, the Department of Health and the Department of State.

HB 2252 By Representatives CALTAGIRONE, MARSICO, BELFANTI, FRANKEL, HARKINS, HENNESSEY, HERSHEY, MUNDY, SIPTROTH and YOUNGBLOOD. Prior Printer's No. 3291.Printer's No. 3499. An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for child medical support, for annual fees, for review of orders of support, for effect of incarceration, for pass-through of support and for assignment of support.

HB 874 Prior Printer's No. 1029.Printer's No. 2261. An Act providing for umbilical cord blood banking; requiring health care facilities and providers to give pregnant patients information regarding umbilical cord blood banking; and requiring health care facilities to permit pregnant patients to arrange for umbilical cord blood donations.

HB 2233 An Act amending the act of February 9, 2004 (P.L.61, No.7), known as the Elm Street Program Act, further providing for program requirements and for guidelines; and repealing the expiration date of the act.



SENATE

SB 1103 By Senator FUMO. Printer's No. 1427. An Act authorizing the Department of Transportation, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority a tract of land situate in the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County.

SB 1308 By Senator McILHINNEY. Printer's No. 1832. An Act authorizing the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to grant and convey to Solebury Township, certain lands situate in Solebury Township, Bucks County.

SB 1311 By Senator SCARNATI. Prior Printer's No. 1834.Printer's No. 1845. An Act authorizing the City of Warren, Warren County, to sell and convey certain Project 70 lands free of restrictions imposed by the Project 70 Land Acquisition and Borrowing Act.

Presidential Call Total III

Two more calls concerning the presidential campaign over the past week. Last weekend the Hillary Clinton campaign called. Her name came up on caller id with a 610 phone number. The lady who called just wanted to know who I supported in the primary.

Tonight when I got home there was a voicemail message from Emily's List. It assured me that the call was not paid for by a candidate, etc. A woman gave a testimonial on why she was going to vote for Sen. Clinton. Short and sweet.


Presidential Call Total: Clinton 6, Obama 1

Things to Do, Delco/Montco Edition

Tired of staring at the walls? Looking for something to do? Here is a list of upcoming political events (2 free, 1 not very expensive) for the next week or so.

State Rep. Bryan Lentz (D-161) is having a fundraiser on April 12. See votelentz.com for details.

This Sunday afternoon Tim Briggs, candidate for the 149th house district, is hosting a family friendly campaign kick off. see www.timbriggs.org/ for details.

John DeFrancisco, candidate for State Representative in the 162nd Legislative District, kicks off the campaign with a headquarters opening this weekend! Saturday, April 5, 2008, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, 1100 Lincoln Ave (Rt 420) in Prospect Park

Gov. Ed to Jane: You Are OLD and You Are Going to DIE!!

Mortality has been on my mind this past month. In February a cousin died; he was 50. I had only seen him once in the past 40 or so years so there wasn't really a personal sense of loss, but it does make one think. Later in February Mr. J's mother died after a long illness.

So it did not exactly cheer me up to receive a letter from Gov. Rendell today regarding long-term care insurance. First off, the printing was blurred. As someone just getting used to lined bifocals it is especially disconcerting to try to read something that doesn't get any clearer not matter how much I play trombone with it. Whoever had the printing contract on that should be taken off the state vendors list.

The governor writes:

Dear Fellow Pennsylvanian:

I am writing you about one of the most important issues we all have need to consider: planning ahead for our long term living needs. Although we often do not like to think about the challenges that come as we age, it is likely that most of us will need long term living services and supports at some point in the future. The cost of long-term care is very high and Medicare generally does not pay for it. If we do not plan ahead, covering the costs of these services can be a major burden to us and to our families.

As Governor, I am committed to ensuring that Pennsylvanians experience a positive quality of life along their entire life span. By the year 2020, one in four Pennsylvanians will be age 60 or older. This is why I encourage you to learn more about Own Your Future, a partnership between Pennsylvania and the federal government to help Pennsylvanians between the age of 45 and 65 plan ahead for their long term living needs.

It goes on for two more paragraphs. There is a free long-term care planning kit available at www.longtermcare.gov/campaign.

The gist of the letter, as I read it, is take care of yourself, Honey, because you are on your own. Don't you fret, Ed. Mr. J and I already have long-term care insurance. However, you might want to look into that printing company.

Creekside Controversy

For more than 30 years (4/01) residents of the Creekside Apartments in Bensalem voted in the apartment complex. They formed three fourths of the voters in the Lower Middle 5 voting district. In the spring of 2007 two people in Lower Middle 5 who do not live at Creekside wrote letters asking for the polling place to be moved for safety reasons.

Creekside Apartments has had some ups and down. In earlier years the complex of buildings had crime problems but was turning around by the early 1990’s (7/11/93):

Even more impressive than the improved appearance are the ambitious programs for residents, which all grew out of an idea [Vera] Ellison had three years ago. They range from computer training, day care and job-search advice at the complex's new Women's Center to summer camps, flea markets, international dinners and language lessons in Gujarati, an Indian language. The programs are run by a volunteer corps of enthusiastic residents, recruited, organized and motivated by Ellison, now employed full-time as resident service coordinator.

In the Best of Apartment Living competition, Creekside ranked third in its category for overall community excellence (7/13/1997). In recent years there have been some notable crimes, including two fatal shootings. Last April the two letters were sent; one of the requests was written by a current or past GOP committee person. Most of the Creekside voters are Democrats (3/26).

The polling place was moved a mile or so away to a hall that also serves as the voting place for another district. Creekside voters voted in a dimly lit bar while the other district used a banquet hall. The chairman of the Bensalem Republican Club suggested that Creekside voters who found it difficult to travel to the new polling place use an absentee ballot. This suggestion was not made to those who lived outside of Creekside and did not want to go there to vote (keep in mind that almost 75% of those in the district live in the apartments) (4/10/2007). An April 11th editorial in the Bucks County Courier Times suggested having a mobile voting unit on the edge of the apartments or those who did not want to go there to vote, but thought the main voting should stay where it had been (4/11/2007) Voting rates among Creekside residents declined after the move (3/25/08).

On March 26th the Bucks County Courier Times ran an editorial which said, in part:

Bottom line: fewer Creekside residents voted last year.

That fallout is troubling enough. But when you consider that Creekside makes up more than 75 percent of the voting district's population, the fact the polling place was moved is even more disturbing.

Then there's this: One of the two letter writers is a Republican committeewoman. And this: Neither letter writer has spoken publicly even though the issue has been raised several times in public forums. And finally this: Most Creekside voters are Democrats.

An editorial in today’s (4/01/2008) paper supports a compromise measure:

Make Creekside its own voting district.
This could be accomplished by moving all non-Creekside residents, who currently share a district with Creekside, into the neighboring district. This makes sense because Creekside has nearly a thousand registered voters, which is many times the size of a lot of voting districts. In fact, Creekside voters comprise three-quarters of the current district.

Cites:
Boccella, Kathy, “Back from despair a sense of community arises in a once-neglected complex,” Philadelphia Inquirer, 7/11/1993

“Grand old politics,” Bucks County Courier Times, 3/26/08

Heavens, Alan J. “The envelope, please,” Philadelphia Inquirer 7/13/1997

McGinnis, James, “Bucks NAACP resists effort to move polls,” Bucks County Courier Times 4/10/2007

“Majority should rule: keep disputed polling place right where it is,” Bucks County Courier Times, 04/11/2007

“Perfect solution,” Bucks County Courier Times, 4/01/2008

Portnoy, Jenna, “Commisioners reject call to relocate polling site,” Bucks County Courier Times, 03/25/08

Reprieve on Campaign Contributions

You have an extra two days to contribute to Pennsylvania congressional campaigns. The extension is to match state deadlines, and has something to do with the date of the primary. The details are beyond me. What I know for certain is you have two extra days.

All Democratic candidates are likely to be available through ActBlue.

Princeton Scientists Get Okay on Voting Machines

Two Princeton scientists received legal approval to dismantle a Sequoia voting machine. From "More tests allowed for touch-screen voting machines," by Elise Young, northjersey.com 3/26:

Two Princeton University computer experts are free to test electronic voting machines that may have malfunctioned on Super Tuesday, a judge ruled Tuesday.

The decision, by Superior Court Judge Linda R. Feinberg, came nearly two weeks after the machines' manufacturer, Sequoia Voting Systems, threatened legal action against the professors, citing a licensing infringement.

The Sequoia machines are also in use in parts of Pennsylvania.

Mayor Nutter on "Face the Nation"

I was home this Sunday morning and Mayor Nutter was on "Face the Nation" so I watched. These are my rough notes. Keep in mind that it is not intended to be an actual transcript. As always, my apologies in advance for any errors or misconceptions.

Face the Nation, with Bill Schieffer 3/30.

Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico (Obama supporter), Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia (Clinton supporter)

BR: At the end of June 3rd, after primaries, we need to come together to support candidate. Do not agree with those who say HRC needs to drop out.

BS: How would you go about doing that (party unity)?

BR: You don’t want the big shots in the party to determine the nominee. It should be the voters. Maybe some of the major party leaders find ways that some of the superdelegates can have discussions. We don’t want the nominee weakened. John McCain out campaigning while we are fighting. The Democratic campaign has just gotten much too negative.

BS: You have endorsed Sen. Obama. Someone called you Judas Iscariot. Why are the Clinton people taking it so hard that you endorsed OBama?

BR: I barely know Jim Carville. Loyalty to the party more than personal loyalty. Owe the Clintons a lot. Very loyal to Pres. Clinton but doesn’t mean I will be in lockstep with everything they do for the rest of my life. I ran against Sen. Clinton for the presidency. Obama has something that brings people together. Felt that I should rise above personal loyalty to look at what is best for the country.

BS: Did you lead the Clintons to believe you would endorse HRC?

BR: I was undecided for about 3 months. I was on the verge a couple of times for going for Sen. Clinton. But I didn’t because I felt the campaign had gotten too rancorous. Clintons would get hundreds of their supports to contact me; Obama called me personally. Obama can bring people together. Attended rallies where people are full of hope and enthusiasm.

BS: Has Obama done enough to distance himself from comments of his pastor?

BR: One of the reasons I was attracted to Obama is that he faces things directly. Obama faced the race issue directly with the American people. His speech on race reinforced my decision that this was the right decision. Think of this man as a symbol of America, can rise above problems that come before his campaign, lead and be honest and candid.

BS: Introduces Michael Nutter. Do you believe Barack Obama has put enough distance between himself and his pastor?

MN: That is for the American people to decide. I listened to the speech Obama made here in Philadelphia. The comments Wright made were very damaging and most Americans reject that kind of hate filled language.

BS: If he had been your pastor would you have been satisfied?

MN: My pastor would not make statements like that and if he did I would talk with him but I could not stay in a church that made statements like that.

BS: Advice for Obama

MN: Should focus on issues relating to cities. A week or so ago we had to shut down part of I-95 because of a lack of investment in the infrastructure. I’m trying to get a community conversation going on. HRC has responded to that call but waiting for a response from Sen. Obama.

BS: [name] wrote an op-ed. Both good candidates. Should have a Clinton/Obama or Obama/ Clinton ticket.

MN: Would not presume to make a decision for Sen. Clinton. Picking a vp not like picking your best buddy in 3rd grade. Decision best made by candidate and candidate’s advisors. Still have a great election to take place herein PA and in many other states and territories. People excited and enthused about the race and want their votes to be counted and have an impact.

BS: What do you think of all of these superdelegates?

MN: Superdelegates didn’t just drop out of the sky. Their main responsibility is to exercise judgment and discretion.

BS: As an African American mayor in a primarily African American city, assume Obama will get many votes.

MN: Clinton gets many votes too.

BS: If Clinton wins by superdelegates will African Americans be upset?

MN: We cannot let this election come down to race. You have to play this out to the conclusion. Neither Clinton nor Obama can get the required number of delegates. Let’s let the voters decide.

Campaign Round Table

Joe Trippi and John Dickinson

JT: Richardson, putting country above personal loyalty. Also the whole thing about rancor coming out of Clinton campaign.

JD: Richardson first said HRC should drop out. Now backing off.

JT: Every time one side says other should drop out, it’s over, the other side benefits.

BS: HRC in till the bitter end.

JT: If she doesn’t win in Indiana and NC, if she doesn win on May 6 she may drop out.

JD: if superdelegates start lining up behind Obama then she will have to drop out.

BS: Maybe she’s not all that worried about cutting up Obama because 2012 down the road.

JT: The problem is they need to keep this up then others will start to wonder if you are not just tearing Obama down but keeping door open until 2012 party will shut her down.

JD: Florida and Michigan, Clinton says Obama not negotiating. Not a do over

BS: Rev. Wright

JD: Polls show it hasn’t really scratched Obama. A little time bomb in there. May show up later

JT: This one is not over. There are signs that this a bigger problem over the long haul.

BS: what does he do about it.

JT: have to win over white voters again. Important in PA and NC. Right now it looks like he’s put it behind him but needs to keep moving on economic issues.

JD: needs to keep working on patriotism. Has to talk about love of country.

BS: Finally today, I like the speech John McCain made on foreign policy last week. [long quote]

PA in the WSJ

This is a list of articles regarding Pennsylvania in this week's Wall Street Journal. Chances are I missed something, but these are the articles that caught my eye.

It should be noted that I routinely do not read the editorials in the WSJ. So any discussions of the state, its elected officials, businesses, or citizens, in editorials will not be mentioned here.


PA Politicians

For the duration I am using discretion in listing articles on the presidential race that mention Pennsylvania but do not focus on Pennsylvania. If I think it is interesting I list it, otherwise no.

Filed from Philadelphia, “Clinton details mortgage plan,” by Amy Chozick and Nick Timiraos (3/25).

“Clinton uses history as Pennsylvania guide,” by Nick Timiraos (3/27)

There are a lot of Pennsylvania quotes in “At the barricades in the gender wars,” by Jonathan Kaufman and Carol Hymowitz,” (3/29) which is filed from Pittsburgh.

PA Businesses

“Alcoa invests near planned mines,” by Devon Maylie (3/24)

Dr. Susan C. Taylor, CEO of Rx for Brown Skin and co-founding director of the Skin of Color Center at St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals in Manhatten, who has or had a dermatology practice in Philadelphia is the focus of “Building a beauty regimen for dark skin,” by Elva Ramirez (3/27)

“Pep Boys rack up fourth-quarter loss,” by Mike Barris (3/27).

This week’s request Mark Zandi (of West-Chester based Moody’s Economy.com) quote is in “Clinton fears Japan-style malaise,” by Bob Davis and Amy Chozick (3/27)

Brief mentions: Comcast (3/24)

Other PA

Not something I thought would be a problem here. From “Call the pandas: bamboo engulfs defenseless yards,” by Matthew Rose (3/24):

Randy Bothwell, a police detective in Chester, Pa., considered and rejected a number of ways to rid his yard of bamboo: salt, an exorcism, shooting it with his service revolver. When he asked for advice at a local garden center, he says, they laughed hysterically

An executive currently working Harrisburg is the focus of an article on work related moves, “Help increases for partners of relocated workers,” by Erin White (3/25)

Penn State is among the colleges and universities that have, or have applied to, move to direct lending as opposed relying on private lenders for college loans. See “Colleges turn away from private lenders,” by Robert Tomsho (3/25)

Wharton Professor Jeremy Siegel is quoted in “Stocks tarnished by ‘lost decade’,” by E. S. Browning (3/26)

From “Violence roils black funeral parlors,” by Gary Fields (3/26), we find:

Last year, the National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association – a black trade group – held a panel discussion at its 2007 Philadelphia convention about the rising incidence of violence on funeral premises. Among some strategies recommended: increasing security and not publicizing funerals.

Pennsylvania native and pioneering investigative reporter Ida Tarbell is the one of the subjects of a book reviewed in “A reporter at the Ramparts,” by Paul E. Steiger (3/28). The book is Taking on the Trust by Steve Weinberg.

Attorney General Francis Biddle of the Philadelphia Biddles is highlighted in “The World War II effect,” by Douglas A. Blackmon (3/29), which discusses the country’s efforts to stop defacto slavery in the US on the eve of WWII.

Other Interesting Tidbits

In the “things that make my head explode” category, we find this from “American Axle lifts pay of top executive by 9.6%,” by Jeff Bennett (3/25):

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc., locked in a nearly month-long strike with the United Auto Workers union over proposed pay cuts, gave its chief executive a 9.6% pay raise and stock and options valued at $4 million last year.

In the “things that distress me” category, file “Veterans struggle to find jobs,” by Yochi J. Dreasen (3/25). These paragraphs are near the end:

The Army has long pitched military service as a way for recruits to gain valuable work experience, but the report found that most of the returning veterans were unable to find civilian jobs that matched their previous military occupations.

The only exceptions were the veterans working for private-security firms such as Blackwater or in the maintenance and repair fields, and the report suggested that the government steer veterans to those types of jobs.

weekly legislative update

A few bills and resolutions introduced this week in the Pennsylvania legislature but nothing was voted on. Hopefully things will pick up next week.

Political Media Guidebook

From the inbox:

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