GOP auditor general candidate expects Palin bounce

Minnetonka, Minn. -- First Arlen Specter, the longtime U.S. senator and national figure, spoke. He was followed by former governor, secretary of Homeland Security andperennial vice presidential bridesmaid Tom Ridge.

So who batted cleanup Thursday morning at the Pennsylvania delegation's breakfast?

Chet Beiler.

"Naturally, following them was an honor," the GOP auditor general candidate told PolitickerPA.com shortly after his speech, during which he extolled the importance of having a Republican checking the state's finances with a Democrat as governor. "No way I could match what they bring, given their experience and legendary service to the Commonwealth.

"I was actually supposed to go ahead of them," he said, laughing, "then they arrived earlier than anticipated."

Beiler faces an uphill battle against Democratic incumbent Jack Wagner, himself a rumored gubernatorial candidate in 2010, as he tries to become the state's financial watchdog. But Beiler, a Lancaster native, isn't deterred.

Especially, he said, with arrival of Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin to the GOP ticket.

"The Palin bounce will help Republicans in Pennsylvania -- the enthusiasm gap has now been closed," Beiler said. "Her message ... helps my message because it is a message of great responsibility, transparency and accountability in government. And that's exactly what I've been running on the past six months."

Both presidential campaigns overshadow every other campaign across the country, and candidates for lesser office often complain how the lack of media attention cripples their chances. Beiler echoed similar sentiment earlier this year when he asked the media to help him push Wagner into a lineup of seven debates across the state.

But he said the enthusiasm for presidential campaigns at the grassroots level helps less famous candidates because they can "piggyback" off their supporters. In addition, he said, the campaign will use a combination of tactics to reach voters, including some direct mail, radio ads, and TV spots.

The secret key to success? Beiler said it might lie in reaching the 1 million small business owners across the state.

"They want an advocate in state government leadership," he said. "Now I need to find a way to connect with them to gain their support on November 4."

Beiler, who said he has organizations in place in 62 of the state's 67 counties, will receive help from the two men who spoke before him at Thursday's breakfast.

Specter will chair a fundraiser for Beiler in Philadelphia, Ridge in Lancaster.