Wake-Up Call: Friday, August 1, 2008

With the PolitickerPA.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Pennsylvania's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.

With the PolitickerPA.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Pennslyvania's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.

Obama’s Pa. lead narrows to 7 in new poll

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's (D-Ill.) high-profile trip abroad has not given him an immediate bump in the polls, with U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) making up ground in Pennsylvania and two other swing states, according to a poll release this morning. (PolitickerPA.com, Dan Hirschorn)

Link: http://www.politickerpa.com/danh/1056/obama-s-pa-lead-narrows-7-new-poll

Ramaley bows out of Pa. Senate race

PITTSBURGH - The only sitting state legislator charged in an investigation into the use of taxpayer money for political campaigns said yesterday that he is dropping out of his race for state Senate. (Inquirer, AP)

Link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080801_Ramaley_bows_out_of_Pa__Se...

CBS eyes Kanjorski earmark

A Nanticoke lawmaker was interviewed by a crew from “CBS Evening News with Katie Couric” about a $5.6 million federal grant secured by U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski. The report is set to air tonight. (Times Leader, Bill O'Boyle)

Link: http://www.timesleader.com/news/CBS_eyes_Kanjorski__earmark_07-31-2008.h...

Local Obama supporters hail energy plan

Local backers of likely Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama used the backdrop of a Center City gas station yesterday to stage a rally in support of the senator's energy plan. (Philly Daily News, Joshua Mellman)

Link: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20080801_Local_Obama_supporters_ha...

Campaign aims to ban processed meats from school lunch menus

A national cancer prevention nonprofit is using an in-your-face TV commercial to ask the Philadelphia School District to ban hot dogs and other processed meats from its cafeterias. (Inquirer, Kristen Graham)

Link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080801_Campaign_aims_to_ban_proce...

Pa. House Dems spend $1.4M on bonus probe

HARRISBURG — The state House Democratic caucus disclosed Thursday that it has paid lawyers and consultants more than $1.4 million in public money for help responding to an investigation into whether government funds and resources were illegally used for political campaigns. (Times Leader, AP)

Link: http://www.timesleader.com/news/Pa__House_Dems_spend__1_4M_on_bonus_prob...

Appeals board bans video, cell cameras

Video cameras and camera cell phones have been banned from Luzerne County’s two reassessment centers, raising legal questions. (Times Leader, Jennifer Learn-Andes)

Link: http://www.timesleader.com/news/Appeals_board_bans_video__cell_cameras_0...

Challenger wants to debate auditor general

HARRISBURG -- Chet Beiler, the Republican candidate for auditor general, is challenging incumbent Jack Wagner to debate the role the state's top fiscal watchdog should play.

Mr. Beiler proposed a series of seven forums throughout the state, including in Allegheny County, in a letter to Mr. Wagner dated July 22 and released to Capitol reporters during a news conference yesterday. (Post Gazette, Tracie Mauriello)

Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08214/901058-178.stm?cmpid=elections.xml

Stevens’ cash to Barletta rapped

U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski is questioning a donation made by U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens to Lou Barletta’s 2002 congressional campaign, a move the Republican challenger called desperate. (Times Leader, Bill O'Boyle)

Link: http://www.timesleader.com/news/Stevens_rsquo__cash_to_Barletta_rapped_0...

DeWeese reminds voters he is not accused of any crimes

HARRISBURG -- As a state grand jury investigation continues, House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese is urging voters to remember he hasn't been accused of any crimes related to alleged widespread corruption in the Democratic Caucus he heads. (Tribune Review, Brad Bumsted)

Link: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_580542.html

Subcommittee reviews proposed 'Blues' merger

WASHINGTON -- Two senators said they are concerned that mergers among health insurers are leading to higher premiums for consumers -- and questioned whether a proposed merger between Pennsylvania's two largest health insurance companies is a good idea. (Tribune Review, AP)

Link: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_580590.html

With the PolitickerPA.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Pennsylvania's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.