Wally Edge's blog

In the entertaining youtube video of the day Congressman Paul Kanjorski takes up rapping.

First we at PolitickerPA.com wish the best for Catherine Baker Knoll and will keep her and her family in our prayers.

However, this illness could greatly affect Governor Ed Rendell and his future. If Barack Obama were to win the presidency, an Ed Rendell in the cabinet would be an attractive proposition for the Obama administration. Rendell has been around the block and is a sound political mind that would be a valuable addition to any democratic administration. Rendell has also hinted he would be open to accepting such a position. But CBK’s recent admission of cancer, which she appears to have hidden from the Governor for more than a month, could put a plug in any plans for Rendell to head to DC.

If Rendell were to leave for the administration, Knoll would become Governor and Republican Senate President Joe Scarnati would become the Lt. Governor. Then any health problems which may cause Knoll to leave office would leave a Republican as Governor. While no one wants to think or talk about such a dire situation, it has to go through Rendell’s thought processing. The possibilities of such will likely figure deep into any decision.

Should Bill DeWeese resign his Majority Leader Position? The general publican says yes, the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus says no. Here is how each Democratic Representative feels on the issue. I will be emailing each member and asking them. Once they are emailed I will put them in the unknown catagory until they respond. If they remain in the unknown column it is because they have not taken a position on the issue. I will constantly update as more people come out and declare one way or the other.

With the indictments of Democrats earlier this summer, you would expect the Republicans to have been jumping all over the situation.  But that has not been the case. Republicans have been quiet and many assume that is because they know they are next.

There have been numerous reports of Attorney General Tom Corbett’s investigation into the Republican caucuses’ role in Bonusgate.  Democrats suffered the first round of indictments earlier this summer and are still feeling the sting.  Republicans are concerned that their round may come closer to the election and have a greater effect on them when all is said and done.

Republicans are concerned on two fronts.  First the names involved.  Republicans Inside Edge talked to are concerned the prominent names that could take a hit on the Republican side could be even more devastating than what the Democrats faced.  They are also concerned that timing could be a lot more damaging.  As the election draws closer voters start paying more attention.  While a September or later round of indictments could greatly benefit Republican Corbett in his reelection bid, it could have a devastating effect on Republican legislators because the focus would shift to them right when voters are really starting to tune in.

While any possible indictments are not known for sure, Republicans who agreed to talk to us are very concerned about the rumors they are hearing and are bracing for the worst.

Two weeks ago the Senate Republican Committee convinced Bob Regola to step aside because polling showed him losing badly in his race and he was replaced by Kim Ward.  It appears Republicans are not the only ones who pick their candidates with polling information.

Today the Pennsylvania State Democratic Committee will be picking their candidate for PA-47 to replace Sean Ramaley.  Last week Lawrence County supported Jason Petrella and Beaver County has supported County Commissioner Joe Spanik.  With each candidate getting the support of one county the decision was sent to the State Democratic Executive Committee. 

Early word was the Executive Committee was going to strongly support Spanik who has long been active in the party.  Petrella seems to have an advantage though heading into the vote thanks to polling that shows him running stronger in a general election.  According to one source Democratic Senate Leader Bob Mellow is working the phones hard to make sure Petrella is the candidate because of his stronger polling numbers.  While both candidates polled ahead of Republican Elder Vogel, but according to a source Petrella was stronger.  We have had reports that Mellow has been joined by other Senators on the phone, but have yet been unable to confirm.

In only 3 weeks, on September 8th state Senator Vince Fumo’s trial is scheduled to start. The closer the trial gets, the more bad news Fumo seems to receive. Mark Eister, a Camp Hill computer technician who worked for Fumo is expected to plead guilty on conspiracy to obstruct justice during the investigation of Fumo. This will make the third plea in as many weeks in the Fumo investigation.

PA-10 congressional candidate Chris Hackett will greet the Straight Talk Express and John McCain campaign surrogate Carley Fiorina tonight in Clarks Summit.  Fiorina will be hosting a meet and greet for McCain and Hackettat 7:30pm at the Ramada Inn in Clarks Summit.  

When Michael Nutter won the Democratic primary last year it was just a matter of putting in his time before he became the Mayor of Philadelphia.  But Nutter did not just “put in his time.”  Nutter was everywhere during the election season.

So now that Nutter has been Mayor for over a half year, the only thing that has changed is when he makes his numerous public appearances each week people call him “Mr. Mayor.” 

Dan Hirschhorn has an interesting piece today about how even his Republican opponent Al Taubenberger is a Nutter fan. Ask many of the residents in the City of Brotherly Love and they will tell you the same thing.  One of the reason’s Nutter gets such high marks from his constituents is because most of them have not just met him, but seem to have met him numerous times.  Nutter seems to be everywhere.  There are not many public events, and even some not so public neighborhood events you will not find the new Mayor at. Some may even wonder if he may have been the first to clone himself.

While Ed Rendell was so beloved because he always seemed like “one of us” to Philadelphians, Nutter is uping the stakes even more.  The only concern from one City Hall insider was he doing to much?  Would he be able to keep up the pace?

There does not appear to be any sign of him slowing down yet. 

Patriot-News reporter Brett Lieberman is leaving the paper after 15 years to pursue a new opportunity with The Forward newspaper, a New York based Jewish paper.

Lieberman was going to be a casualty of the November cuts at Newhouse News Services so decided to take this opportunity when it presented itself.

Lieberman will be a new political correspondent covering the presidential race for The Forward and will remain based in DC.

We wish you well Brett and we are sure Rick Santorum will really miss you.

After the Lawrence County Democratic Committee voted unanimously to support Jason Petrella to replace Sean Ramaley on the ballot as the senate candidate from SD-47, the Beaver County Committee threw a monkey wrench into the system.

Last night the Beaver County Democratic Committee met and overwhelmingly decided to support County Commissioner Joe Spanik over Petrella. 

With the two committees not agreeing on a candidate the decision now goes to the State Committee’s Executive Committee.  One western Executive Committee member told Inside Edge on background they believed Spanik had the inside track.  “Joe has been an active party member for years and has earned our support.  I fully believe and expect he will be the nominee after we vote.”

The state committee vote is planned for next Wednesday.  Until then both candidates will be burning up the phone lines dialing for support.