Democrats Jockey for Pennsylvania Governor

[RandySF]

"The Democratic sweep at the top of Pennsylvania's ballot has so energized the party that three prospective candidates are already sending out strong signals of interest in contesting Republican Gov. Tom Corbett's re-election bid two years from now," the AP reports.

Tom Wolf (D), Tom Knox (D) and John Hanger (D) have all said they are seriously considering seeking the 2014 Democratic nomination or have already decided to run. Former Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) also said he is "very interested" in returning to public service but would not discuss his plans for 2014.

Ruling out a gubernatorial campaign: Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) and former Gov. Ed Rendell (D).


http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/11/24/democrats_jockey_for_pennsylvania_governor.html

[femmocrat]

1. A.B.C. (Anyone But Corbett!!!)

I don't know any of those guys, but I would support any of them. I love Sestak. I hated that he lost to that schmuck Toomey.

I hope that Corbett is vulnerable, but you never know. It's hard to defeat an incumbent, even one as corrupt as him.

[blue neen]

6. IMHO, Corbett is vulnerable.

I saw a sign home made sign last month that said, "Tom Corbett Turned My Husband into a Democrat!"

That pretty much sums up what a lot of people in Pennsylvania are feeling. The only demographic group in Pennsylvania who hasn't been screwed over by Tom Terrific are the Robber Barons.

Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Green Party, you name it-----Corbett's corruption is so bad that everyone is taking notice.

[hrmjustin]

2. I don't see Corbett winning another term. He is not that popular.

[elleng]

3. And, Pennsylvania Could Be a Path Forward for G.O.P.

http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/23/pennsylvania-could-be-a-path-forward-for-g-o-p/

[Freddie]

4. Corbett is involved in the Jerry Sandusky scandal

Many believe that as AG he did not put sufficient resources on the case so it would not blow up during the 2010 election. This will be a HUGE issue in the campaign and he is definitely vulnerable to being ousted over it. The Democrats need a really strong candidate!!

[PennsylvaniaMatt]

5. I don't see Corbett being re-elected...

Educators and parents HATE him, even some who voted for Romney. I would personally like to see Joe Sestak as the Dem nominee. He is well known throughout the state and I have the feeling there are a lot who feel they should have voted for him over Toomey in 2010.

Now with regards to the article from Nate Silver, I definitely see the point he is trying to highlight when it comes to Republicans having an opening in PA that is on par with states that may be considered more like ''battlegrounds'' like Iowa and New Hampshire. I live in Cambria County. All of the local elected officials (except for 2 county commissioners) are Democrat, this was the area that John Murtha came from, and the number of registered Democrats WAY outnumbers Republicans. President Obama won Cambria County narrowly in 2008, but in 2012, Romney beat Obama by 18 points (58 to 40). Also, Keith Rothfus won John Murtha's old House seat (a lot of that was because of redistricting), but even the ''old'' district was becoming tough for Democrats to old onto. Murtha, for as powerful and well liked as he was, only won re-election in 2008 narrowly. Democrats were able to NARROWLY hold onto local state representative and senate races as well.

Democrats, particularly national Democrats, are losing support in rural areas of PA, and if this trend continues, you will see PA be more of a winnable battleground state for the GOP in future elections. Turnout will have to be high in urban areas for the Democrats to continue to win PA/

[blue neen]

7. Murtha won by 17 percentage points in 2008.

Our local state rep won by quite a large margin in 2012 despite the millions that the Koch Bros spent.

[PennsylvaniaMatt]

8. I'm sorry...I got Murtha's 2008 final results confused with Critz's results in the special election.

The 2010 special election race was a nail bitter until the last days. I volunteered with the Critz campaign and they were worried. The atmosphere and mood got a lot better after Bill Clinton came to Johnstown!

Also, it was only the John Wozniak/Tim Houser race for the State Senate that was close. For some reason, I thought the Barbin/Stalley race was closer...I was too focused on the Presidential race on election night!

I didn't know anything at all about the Koch brothers pouring money into a local race. Which race was that? Or was that just the Koch brothers influence in the state overall?

[blue neen]

9. Critz won the special election by 7.5%.

The Koch Bros and Friends Super Pacs spent millions upon millions in Pennsylvania in 2012---national, statewide, local.

[PennsylvaniaMatt]

10. I'm so tired and I am trying to go off numbers off the top of my head!

You're right again, I'm sorry...Critz beat Tim Burns by 7.5 in May, but it was 51-49 in November!

I do remember the final poll from PPP conducted right before the special election with Tim Burns at 48% and Critz at 47%. That is why I thought the special election final results were closer. And I have no idea why I thought Murtha's 08 race was close.

And yes, the Koch Brothers and company really thought their money was going to pay off here, but it didn't! So much for Romney being within striking distance in PA. President Obama won by 5%.

Are you in Cambria County as well?