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Please keep the family and friends of Senator Jim Rhoades in your thoughts and prayers.
Senator Rhoades tragically passed away at the age of 66 on Saturday from injuries sustained in a car accident.
Sure puts the campaign in perspective, doesn't it?
The State Senate here in Harrisburg is about to complete its fall legislative session. Can you imagine: 9 workdays over a four-month period (from September through the end of the year). After today, the Senators will go back to their districts, and half of them will seek reelection in November.
So what have they done on the pressing issues of the day? Well, not a whole lot.
Energy and health care costs are as high as ever. And little to no relief is coming at the gas pump, on home heating bills, or for those without health insurance.
The Delco Times tells us as much.
The same goes for the shrinking cost share that the state has provided for education, forcing school boards to raise property taxes. And governmental and electoral reform are not taken seriously enough by the Republican leadership in the Senate.
So where does that leave us?
Less than 4 weeks away from electing a new slate of legislators that is responsive to the needs of Pennsylvanians.
Please help us make this goal a reality.
Thanks and talk to you soon.
Please take a few minutes out of your day to remember our fellow Americans who perished on September 11th, 2001. They will remain forever in our thoughts and prayers.
How do these two stories make sense?
From PolitickerPA.com
Pennsylvania Democrats are touting the new voter registration numbers released on Monday. The data shows another 30K Democrats were registered bringing their total to 4,307,056 while the Republicans added another 16K to bring their total to 3,188,759.
From Christian Science Monitor:
But the 19 new districts were drawn in such a way as to give Republicans at least a 12-to-7 advantage over Democrats, even though there were more registered Democrats in Pennsylvania than Republicans.
Just remember this example when people say to you that local elections don't matter. We cannot afford more gerrymandering in our state.
Help us take back the State Senate in less than 8 weeks!
While I have a minute, I thought I would say hello from the Democratic National Convention in Denver. You can feel the enthusiasm and excitement as you walk through the streets, and the convention hall itself has been filled with energy. It is time for a change.
Our very own Governor Rendell and Senator Casey spoke yesterday and did a great job framing the choice between Democrats' plans for change and Republicans' desire for more of the same. We know that Pennsylvania will be the center of the American political world again in 2008. Let's make sure we do our part downballot and help turn the state Senate back to Democratic control.
Enjoy the rest of the convention, and I will talk to you next week. And you know what happens on Labor Day: campaign season truly begins. Get ready.
Please visit our new ActBlue page!
As you know, there are some real pickup opportunities for Democrats in the Pennsylvania State Senate this cycle. And with redistricting fast approaching (in 2010), we must cut into the 4-seat advantage that Republicans currently enjoy. We would love to have the financial resources to support every candidate who has a strong chance of winning come November. But we need your help to do that.
Please tell your friends in Pennsylvania and around the country about us. And yes, races downballot can affect the outcome of statewide and federal elections. At the end of the day, all politics is local.
Rest assured that your contribution will go toward advertising and canvassing in targeted races, not paying for bloated overhead in Harrisburg. Please help us by contributing $25 or $50 now so that our candidates receive media attention after Labor Day.
Thanks and talk to you soon.
Just to keep you up to date on 2 of our most hotly contested races (both open seats):
In the 39th district, we have a potential opponent for Democratic nominee Dr. Tony Bompiani. The Westmoreland County Republican Party will decide officially on Saturday, but they likely will select Bush loyalist Kim Ward. By the way, President Bush is very unpopular in Westmoreland County.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article
In the 47th district, we are moving closer towards selecting an opponent for Republican nominee Elder Vogel, Jr. Lawrence County Democrats selected Jason Petrella selected last night, with Beaver and Allegheny Counties still yet to weigh in.
Beaver County Times & Allegheny Times article
Check back this weekend and early next week for updates. Both of these races will be competitive and on both parties' radar screens.
Please contribute to help our candidates spread their message and win these races! Remember, we need to pick up 4 seats by 2010 to avoid the gerrymandering of 2000 all over again. And these 2 races are vital in that endeavor.
Our new ActBlue page!
Thanks and we'll be in touch soon.
Asher Provides Outlook For GOP
Chris Freind: Will 2008 be as bad for the GOP as 2006?
Bob Asher: No. In 2006, we became fat, dumb and happy. We became arrogant and overconfident - and had no message. The Republican congress didn't act like a conservative congress when we were in charge. We were spending money like Democrats, and our base didn't appreciate that. So we have to win them back - with the right message and with good candidates. But also, there's no question that the war at that time was unpopular. I think President Bush is a wonderful human being but not a great communicator. I don't think he got the message out there the way it had to be done. But he's been proven right - the surge in Iraq is working.
Why don't I think it will be as bad this year? First, we'll maintain the state senate, maybe even pick up a seat. Second, I think the Republicans have an excellent chance of winning the state house back. I think we have a real good shot at picking up (freshman Democratic Congressman Chris) Carney's seat, with (challenger Chris) Hackett winning that one. And we're going to carry the state for John McCain.
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That is called throwing down the gauntlet, ladies and gentlemen.
Hi everyone. My name is S.R. Sidarth and I am the Communications Director at the DSSCC. We are planning to ramp up our online efforts in the areas of voter outreach, fundraising, and social networking, so plan to visit us at dsscc.org, on our Facebook page, and on our ActBlue pages early and often over the next 3 months.
Redistricting will occur after the 2010 census. If you don’t remember what happened after the 2000 redistricting, here are some headlines that tell you all that you need to know: "Court throws power to draw political districts to elected officials." "Justices Bow to Legislatures in Political Gerrymander Case." "Democracy Takes a Hit." This was all part of a strategy to eliminate 4 Democratic members of Congress by pitting our incumbents against one another. That is fitting from the party of “fuzzy math.”
Pennsylvania cannot afford for this perversion of democracy to repeat itself. That is why the State Senate Democrats need your help in 2008 to win 4 seats and take back control of the legislature. As the campaign trail heats up, please consider volunteering your time in support of your local candidate.
Thanks for reading and talk to you soon!
Welcome to the new online home of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Senate Campaign Committee!
2008 is shaping up to be one of the most historic election years in recent history. Pennsylvania Democrats have the opportunity to play a key part in this election by not only supporting a strong national candidate, but also by working to elect more Democrats to the Pennsylvania Senate.
This year we will loosen the Republican stranglehold in the Senate that is tying up such key initiatives that will provide health insurance for all Pennsylvanians and that will make Pennsylvania energy independent.
So stay tuned to DSSCC.org! Make us one of your favorites and visit often!
Connie Williams
Chair, DSSCC
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