Wake-Up Call: Thursday, August 7, 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.

Continuing expansion, Obama’s Keystone State campaign brings on political lieutenants

With Barack Obama's presidential campaign continuing to open more field offices across the state, the campaign today announced the hiring of several senior-level advisers and political directors who will help Obama, the Illinois Democrat, compete in Pennsylvania. (PolitickerPA.com, Dan Hirschorn)

Link: http://www.politickerpa.com/danh/1117/continuing-expansion-obama-s-keyst...

Computer tech involved in Fumo corruption case expected to plead guilty

A former computer technician charged with conspiracy and obstruction of justice in state Sen. Vince Fumo's federal corruption case has agreed to plead guilty.

Leonard P. Luchko, 52, of Collingdale, is expected to enter a guilty plea in federal district court Monday. (Philly Daily News, Michael Hinkelman)

Link: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20080807_Computer_tech_involved_in...

Councilman's aide, 3 others plead not guilty to fraud, conspiracy

City Councilman Jack Kelly's top aide, his campaign treasurer, and his two top political contributors pleaded not guilty to federal fraud and conspiracy charges yesterday and were released on $10,000 bail.

The aide, chief of staff Christopher G. Wright, 44, will continue working for the city, his attorney, Lisa Mathewson, said yesterday. (Inquirer, Jeff Shields)

Link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080807_Councilman_s_aide__3_other...

In Phila., mayors urge action on crime

Something is missing from the presidential campaign, according to many of the nation's mayors and police chiefs: a substantive debate about crime and how best to fight it. (Inquirer, Patrick Kerkstra)

Link:  http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080807_In_Phila___mayors_urge_act...

Dems fire back against Freedom’s Watch ads

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is releasing its own batch of radio ads in response to the conservative group Freedom's Watch, with spots airing in 10 districts, including U.S. Rep. Chris Carney's (D-Dimock) 10th Congressional District. (PolitickerPA.com, Dan Hirschorn)

Link: http://www.politickerpa.com/danh/1130/dems-fire-back-against-freedom-s-w...

Cherry Hill group wants public posts open to all

A Cherry Hill group wants to require appointments to public boards to be open and available to all residents.

Backed by more than 2,000 signatures, the Cherry Hill Political Reform Committee is petitioning to add to the the November ballot an ordinance that would mandate a public registry of all appointed municipal positions and the requirements for filling them. (Inquirer, Karen Langley)

Link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080807_Cherry_Hill_group_wants_pu...

Internal poll: Barletta up by 4 points

HAZLETON – A second internal poll conducted by the Lou Barletta campaign shows the Republican mayor holds a 4-point lead over Democrat incumbent Paul E. Kanjorski. (Times Leader, Bill O'Boyle)

Link: http://www.timesleader.com/news/Internal_poll__Barletta_up_by_4_points_0...

Two more lawmakers want DeWeese to resign

HARRISBURG -- Two more lawmakers have joined the groundswell pressuring House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese to step down because of his caucus's alleged involvement in a government corruption scandal. (Post Gazette, Tracie Mauriello)

Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08220/902485-178.stm?cmpid=elections.xml

Mayor wants proof of suspended URA chief innocence

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said Wednesday he wants proof that the state Ethics Commission has exonerated Pittsburgh's suspended Urban Redevelopment Authority chief. (Tribune Review, Jeremy Boren)

Link:  http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_581552.html

Democrats to discuss platform in city meeting

Pittsburgh will host the Democratic Party's 186-member platform committee on Saturday as the group puts final touches on the party's 2008 platform and adopts it in advance of the Democratic National Convention late this month. (Tribune Review, David Brown)

Link: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_581523.html

McCain to give $5,000 to Flight 93 memorial

Sen. John McCain is giving money to the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County.

A check for $5,000 was mailed July 31, campaign spokesman Paul Lindsay said Wednesday. (Tribune Review, Richard Robbins)

Link: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_581513.html

Lawmakers huddle to discuss government merger

Local state lawmakers met for lunch behind closed doors today at Point Park University to discuss merging the governments of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.

The talks produced consensus that the merits of consolidation need greater scrutiny before voters can be permitted to decide if the city and county should merge, said state Rep. Dan Frankel, who conducted the discussion session in the university's Lawrence Hall. (Tribune Review, Jeremy Boren)

Link: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_581433.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.