Wake-Up Call: Tuesday, August 12, 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.

Pindell Report: Pa. has more competitive congressional races than any other state

With six U.S. House races in play this fall, Pennsylvania has the largest number of competitive congressional races than any other state in the country, a new Politicker.com report shows.

The Pindell Report, which launched today, aims to provide the country's most dynamic and richly reported ranking and analysis of U.S. Senate, U.S. House and gubernatorial races, plus presidential swing states. (PolitickerPA.com, Staff)

Link: 

http://www.politickerpa.com/editorpa/1178/pindell-report-pa-has-more-competitive-congressional-races-any-other-state

Pa. Republican leaves race

HARRISBURG - A state senator from Western Pennsylvania whose gun a teenage neighbor used in an apparent suicide has abandoned his campaign for a second term.

Sen. Robert Regola submitted paperwork yesterday to the Department of State indicating his decision to remove his name from the general election ballot, officials said. (Inquirer, Staff)

Link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080812_Pa__Republican_leaves_race...

Ward 'non-committal' about replacing Regola, local county chairman says

Westmoreland County GOP Chairman George Dunbar said Commissioner Kim Ward is the overwhelming choice of local Republicans to replace Sen. Bob Regola (R-Westmoreland County) on the ballot. (PolitickerPA.com, Alex Roarty)

Link: http://www.politickerpa.com/alexroarty/1174/ward-non-committal-about-rep...

Rendell is Obama surrogate in Pa., as McCain visits with Ridge

As Sen. John McCain toured Pennsylvania with former governor Tom Ridge yesterday, Sen. Barack Obama's campaign fought to snatch away local headlines.

With the Democratic presidential candidate on vacation in Hawaii, they trotted out a well- known local surrogate - Gov. Rendell. (Philly Daily News, Catherine Lucey)

Link: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20080812_Rendell_is_Obama_surrogat...

John Baer: Push to reform Legislature could be just a waste of time

WHILE I TEND to buy H.L. Mencken's view that "All government is evil and trying to improve it is largely a waste of time," there is a move afoot to improve our sorry Legislature.

I just wonder if it's a waste of time. (Philly Daily News, John Baer)

Link: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20080812_John_Baer__Push_to_reform...

Ex-aide to Fumo pleads guilty

A top computer technician for State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo told a federal judge yesterday that he followed Fumo's orders to erase e-mails being sought by federal agents investigating the powerful Philadelphia Democrat. (Inquirer, Joseph Slobodzian)

Link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080812_Ex-aide_to_Fumo_pleads_gui...

Lawmakers seek to boost volunteer firefighting

HARRISBURG - Faced with a steady decline in the numbers of volunteer firefighters, state lawmakers have been championing legislation to provide greater financial assistance and other incentives to volunteers. (Inquirer, Matthew Spolar)

Link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080812_Lawmakers_seek_to_boost_vo...

Rendell planning meeting on casino sites for Aug. 21

Gov. Rendell plans to convene a meeting in Philadelphia on Aug. 21 to discuss the city's two proposed casino sites with local legislators, casino operators and Mayor Nutter. (Inquirer, Jennifer Lin)

Link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080812_Rendell_planning_meeting_o...

Debates touchy topic for Hackett, Carney

More than a month ago, Chris Hackett challenged his opponent, freshman U.S. Rep. Chris Carney, D-Dimock Township, to a series of eight debates this summer and fall. To date, only one debate is scheduled and it was actually agreed to before Hackett’s debate challenge was issued. (Times Leader, Andrew Seder)

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

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.