Pennsylvania 2014 Discussion Thread

[J. J.]

<Raises hand>

For Kane herself, big deal. A possible chance to recover and stay in office in two years IF it doesn't get much worse or prolonged, but at very least in regards her running against Toomey--baring some independent investigation broadly, unconditionally, and LOUDLY exonerating her--she's already been "Christieized".

For the governor's race, however--meh. Even moreso if "outsider" Wolf is the nominee as expected, but not much worse even if it's Schwartz or McCord.

I'll say it again: At present it seems this realistically won't change more than about a thousand votes statewide come November. In trying to tar Wolf and other Democrats with Kane's woes, Corbett backers are grasping at straws here because---well, what else have they got? This is VERY much a Kathleen Kane problem, not a Democrat problem. And the type of Republican "rallied" enough by Kane's scandal to turn out and vote for Corbett because "CORRUPT DEMOCRATS!!" was 99% likely to vote anyway.

But don't stop believing, JJ.

Wolf already distance himself from her, so he would be the least damaged.

Schwartz, however, is seen as a liberal woman, just like Kane.  She did not distance herself.

Even for Wolf (and I may be voting for him), it creates doubt with Republicans in the general conduct of Democrats.

[J. J.]

Kanegate takes another turn:  http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20140424_Kane_not_turning_over_sting_files_to_Williams.html

She is being compared to Emily Latella. 

It is almost as if Kane is deliberately trying to destroy herself.

[moderatevoter]

What the heck is she doing.

[J. J.]

What the heck is she doing.

Screwing up royally.

Some of her PR people have quit; Kane has gone through three press secretaries in less than two years. 

As I said about another local candidate recently, this would be the situation where, if I was working for the person, I would walk up them, grab them by the lapels, and say, "What the f[Inks] are you thinking?"

[J. J.]

Minor attack, but is the start of sniping by Schwartz on Wolf.  http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2014/04/accused_of_plagiarism_wolf_edi.html#incart_river_default

[Keystone Phil]

"Seth, you think you can handle this? Fine! Take the case!"

"Sure, buddy."

"No, you can't have it."


A total disaster.

[TX Conservative Dem]

It means Corbett is coming baaack from the political dead.

[free my dawg]

Your concern trolling is admirable.

I, for one, welcome Tom Wolf's ascent.

[Badger]

It means Corbett is coming baaack from the political dead. diddly-squat.

[henster]

It means Corbett is coming baaack from the political dead.

Ya the Penn State scandal/coverup , massive education cuts, numerous gaffes "Just close your eyes"  are all just going away

[J. J.]

Your concern trolling is admirable.

I, for one, welcome Tom Wolf's ascent.

I actually like Wolf and prefer to see him challenge Corbett in the fall.

I would definitely vote for Corbett over Schwartz and am leaning to voting Wolf over Corbett.

We could see a bruising primary.

[J. J.]

It means Corbett is coming baaack from the political dead.

Ya the Penn State scandal/coverup , massive education cuts, numerous gaffes "Just close your eyes"  are all just going away

The Penn State Scandal has exploded with Kane.  What has come out has supported what he has said.

Corbett has done exceptionally little, but it seems like everyone else is screwing up worse. 

[TX Conservative Dem]

Back in 1994, all of the so-called experts predicted then-California Governor Pete Wilson (R) was toast following the disastrous budget crisis, etc.,

Wilson came from the political dead and won reelection by double digits.

[henster]

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That was from Quinnipiac's poll from February about three months. I am not seeing how these little things will help him win re-election? If he were hovering in the low to mid forties then he would have a chance at a comeback but I don't see what he can do between now and November to go from a 36 approval rating to a point where he can win re-election.

[Maxwell]

Back in 1994, all of the so-called experts predicted then-California Governor Pete Wilson (R) was toast following the disastrous budget crisis, etc.,

Wilson came from the political dead and won reelection by double digits.

Corbett, thus far, has not given us any evidence that he has near the political skill that Pete Wilson has.

[J. J.]

Title: "Kane's Korruption Keep-Away."



This is a Democratic newspaper, the Harrisburg Patriot News. 

How Democratic?  They panned the Gettysburg Address. 

[Keystone Phil]

Yeah, Kane is the gift that just keeps on giving (and she can't take that away).

[J. J.]

Back in 1994, all of the so-called experts predicted then-California Governor Pete Wilson (R) was toast following the disastrous budget crisis, etc.,

Wilson came from the political dead and won reelection by double digits.

Corbett, thus far, has not given us any evidence that he has near the political skill that Pete Wilson has.

The question is, do any of the Democratic candidates have the political skills of Corbett.  I am starting to wonder.

Corbett cannot win the governor's race, but Democratic Nominee [insert name here] can lose it.

It might be a case of the evil of two lessers. 

[Keystone Phil]

I post this without comment: Rendell recently said the Dems better not take this for granted and stressed the advantages of an incumbent especially in Pennsylvania.

Again, posted without comment.

[IceSpear]

Back in 1994, all of the so-called experts predicted then-California Governor Pete Wilson (R) was toast following the disastrous budget crisis, etc.,

Wilson came from the political dead and won reelection by double digits.

Corbett, thus far, has not given us any evidence that he has near the political skill that Pete Wilson has.

The question is, do any of the Democratic candidates have the political skills of Corbett.  I am starting to wonder.

Corbett cannot win the governor's race, but Democratic Nominee [insert name here] can lose it.

It might be a case of the evil of two lessers. 

If Corbett had such great political skills, his approval wouldn't be sitting at 36%.

[J. J.]

Back in 1994, all of the so-called experts predicted then-California Governor Pete Wilson (R) was toast following the disastrous budget crisis, etc.,

Wilson came from the political dead and won reelection by double digits.

Corbett, thus far, has not given us any evidence that he has near the political skill that Pete Wilson has.

The question is, do any of the Democratic candidates have the political skills of Corbett.  I am starting to wonder.

Corbett cannot win the governor's race, but Democratic Nominee [insert name here] can lose it.

It might be a case of the evil of two lessers. 

If Corbett had such great political skills, his approval wouldn't be sitting at 36%.

My point is that Corbett is not great, but the others might be worse.

[henster]

Back in 1994, all of the so-called experts predicted then-California Governor Pete Wilson (R) was toast following the disastrous budget crisis, etc.,

Wilson came from the political dead and won reelection by double digits.

Corbett, thus far, has not given us any evidence that he has near the political skill that Pete Wilson has.

The question is, do any of the Democratic candidates have the political skills of Corbett.  I am starting to wonder.

Corbett cannot win the governor's race, but Democratic Nominee [insert name here] can lose it.

It might be a case of the evil of two lessers. 

If Corbett had such great political skills, his approval wouldn't be sitting at 36%.

My point is that Corbett is not great, but the others might be worse.

I think we're at the point in PA where voters are willing to overlook the flaws of Corbett's opponent in order to throw him out. He's deeply disliked and very unpopular and the voters are ready to get rid of him unless one of the Dem nominees has a criminal background or something I'm not seeing how one of them could allow for Corbett to be re-elected.

[J. J.]

I think we're at the point in PA where voters are willing to overlook the flaws of Corbett's opponent in order to throw him out. He's deeply disliked and very unpopular and the voters are ready to get rid of him unless one of the Dem nominees has a criminal background or something I'm not seeing how one of them could allow for Corbett to be re-elected.

I spent most of the 2010 cycle calling him "Tom Corbett, Space Cadet," so I am not exactly a fan. 

One of the great problems is Kane.  We elected her, in spite of her flaws, and we have Kanegate.  People just have to look at her and ask, do we want to do that again?  It is more prevalent with Schwartz, as both are flaming liberal women, but it is still there with the other candidates.

(And Kane is suppose to be investigating the Sandusky investigation, but it has taken her half as long, so far, as the AG's investigation.)

I easily would have voted for Wagner over Corbett in 2010, but not a more liberal Onorato.

[Badger]

Back in 1994, all of the so-called experts predicted then-California Governor Pete Wilson (R) was toast following the disastrous budget crisis, etc.,

Wilson came from the political dead and won reelection by double digits.

Corbett, thus far, has not given us any evidence that he has near the political skill that Pete Wilson has.

The question is, do any of the Democratic candidates have the political skills of Corbett.  I am starting to wonder.

Corbett cannot win the governor's race, but Democratic Nominee [insert name here] can lose it.

It might be a case of the evil of two lessers. 

If Corbett had such great political skills, his approval wouldn't be sitting at 36%.

My point is that Corbett is not great, but the others might be worse.

"Kathleen Kane" =/= "others".

About the only thing this has proven JJ, is that Corbett might be able to make a political comeback in 2016 by running against Kane (assuming he could get the GOP nom).

[publicunofficial]

I think we're at the point in PA where voters are willing to overlook the flaws of Corbett's opponent in order to throw him out. He's deeply disliked and very unpopular and the voters are ready to get rid of him unless one of the Dem nominees has a criminal background or something I'm not seeing how one of them could allow for Corbett to be re-elected.

I spent most of the 2010 cycle calling him "Tom Corbett, Space Cadet," so I am not exactly a fan. 

One of the great problems is Kane.  We elected her, in spite of her flaws, and we have Kanegate.  People just have to look at her and ask, do we want to do that again?  It is more prevalent with Schwartz, as both are flaming liberal women, but it is still there with the other candidates.

(And Kane is suppose to be investigating the Sandusky investigation, but it has taken her half as long, so far, as the AG's investigation.)

I easily would have voted for Wagner over Corbett in 2010, but not a more liberal Onorato.

I think Kanegate has much broader implications than that JJ. Surely voters all across the nation are asking themselves "What's the difference between Kane and any other Democrat?" and aren't coming up with any answers. I expect a full R wave in even the most liberal areas, followed shortly thereafter by the complete collapse of the Democratic Party.