One reads on PolitcsPa.Com of candidates for other congressional districts around the state already annoucing their candidacies. As we know, it will take a lot of time and money to challenge Charlie Dent. Any word out there on whom the Democrats might run? Are they actively recruiting? Or, have they given up already?
I think a democrat can win this seat, but it would have to be a democrat from the Casey wing of the party. There are enough Republicans who think, at least on social issues, that dent is just not acceptable. The Democrats have obvioulsy figured that out as well because I am hearing Rich Grucela's name being floated by more than one source. Grucela would be an awesome candidate. Democrats love him and he is conservative enough to pull many many republicans away from Charlie Dent. I am one Republican who would vote for Grucela over Dent.
It will take more than just a conservative, it has to be a credible, likable, respected candidate.
I hope the D's don't sit this one out. Otherwise we are all going to watch yet another unexciting Dent vs. Orloski election.
Anybody interested in a draft Rich Grucela for Congress campaign?!?
Grucela would be an interesting candidate in the slate belt area, but is largely unknown elsewhere. Besides, he's arguably the worst politician ever. He can't remember anybody's name. No name tag, no recollection. Still, he doesn't seem to be beatable in his district (he pulled a 2:1 over a well known councilman in 2004)
Personally, I have a feeling the Dems are banking on Cunningham winning over 70% Jane and then laying back for 2010 when Donny C can run without losing the county executive seat. Nothing to lose is the moto. That's the big problem that a guy like Grucela would be forced to address in order to run.
That being said, if Grucela announces tomorrow, I have a $250 check with his name on it waiting here. I'm not a big money guy, but imagine the kind of support he could generate with that kind of out of the blue support. In the meantime, I have a feeling the Dems will end up putting out a county commish from either Northco or Lehighco who will have little to no chance but is willing to be the party's good guy/girl and go after Dent.
Truth be told, I think if anybody is looking for Dent to lose in 2006, it's going to come from the GOP right. Keep in mind that he barely pulled in 50% in 2004 with a divided conservative vote (while being a well known state senate with broad party organization support). If O'Neil would have ducked out, Pascuzzo could have made that race really interesting and with Driscoll being the democratic nominee, Pascuzzo wouldl likely be the Congressman. That is scary to think about.
Today (Jul 07), PoliticsPA is reporting Dent will have $350k COH on the June 30 filing date. Looks like Dent has been doing everything a first-termer should be doing: shaking the money tree. This much COH at such an early stage would prove quite formidable to any challenger. Maybe the real question I should have asked about the dems is who will be the sacrificial lamb?
Dent will squash anybody right now. He will have soooo much $$$ on hand by the time the election comes around, and he will not do anything outlandish or stupid, so there will be nothing to beat him up on. He even agrees with most Dems on stem cells and abortion, so they cannot portray him as a right-wing whacko, which is the ultimate Dem trump card.
Joe Pascuzzo moved to California too soon. He should have stayed for one more crack at the 15th. It would have been interesting. Competition is always a good thing, especially in the world of politics.
I thought the interview on Politicspa.com with Bull Burton (of the DCCC) was interesting: He mentioned all the competitive races in PA from the dems perspective, but no mention at all about Charlie Dent. I guess the dems have written this one off for good. Its a shame: the district is very much a swing district, at least in its party registration and presedential preference.
Apparently Charlie Dent isn't only a shoo-in; he's unopposed, except for any minor party/independent candidates. Both Democratic Congessional candidates, Justin Behrens and Bob Dodge, failed to get enough petition signatures filed in time.
Boy, has this board been dead for a while! Anyway, Northampton County Commissioner Charles Dertinger won the write-in vote for the Democratic nomination in the 15th CD. He is clearly more qualified than either of the two candidates who circulated petitions to run.
