Wake-Up Call: Monday, August 25, 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.

Biden pick could help downballot Dems

As hard as it is to assess the impact of a vice presidential candidate on a would-be president's electoral chances, forecasting any effect on downballot races is even more difficult. (PolitickerPA.com, Dan Hirschorn)

Link: http://www.politickerpa.com/danh/1341/biden-pick-could-help-down-ballot-...

Complete state-by-state coverage: Obama picks Biden as VP running mate

On Saturday, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) selected U.S. Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) as his vice presidential runningmate. Here is complete coverage of the Biden announcement, state-by-state across the Politicker network. (Politicker.com, Michael Grass)

Link: http://www.politicker.com/complete-state-state-coverage-obama-picks-bide...

Diversity, political addicts mark panel

WILKES-BARRE – One is a 43-year-old female school teacher who supports Barack Obama. Another 43-year-old female – also a teacher -- plans to vote for John McCain.

There is a 67-year-old retiree who likes McCain and a 68-year-old retiree who favors Obama. (Times Leader, Bill O'Boyle)

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

Treasurer's race hurt by inattention

HARRISBURG -- The race for state treasurer, held every four years, isn't one that attracts a whole lot of attention from voters or reporters.

That's the problem faced by both the Republican candidate for treasurer, Tom Ellis, and his Democratic opponent, Rob McCord. (Post Gazette, Kari Andren)

Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08237/906356-178.stm?cmpid=elections.xml

Biden will be 'enormous help' to Obama, Casey says

SCRANTON -- Delaware Sen. Joe Biden has long been known as the "third senator from Pennsylvania" and he'll be an "enormous help" to Barack Obama carrying the Keystone State, Sen. Bob Casey said today. (Tribune Review, Brad Bumsted)

Link: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_584596.html

Two area Clinton delegates ready for convention

WILKES-BARRE -- Democratic delegates Mark Bufalino and Mike Butera plan to vote for Hillary Clinton on the first ballot at the Democratic National Convention in Denver next week. Once that formality is over, they – and all Democrats attending the conclave – are expected to throw their full support behind Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. (Times Leader, Bill O'Boyle)

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

Wife of suspended city official asks for money

The wife of Pittsburgh's suspended development chief is soliciting contributions to his legal defense fund with an e-mail to a "variety of friends who have inquired about helping," his lawyer said Friday. (Tribune Review, Andrew Conte)

Link: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_584518.html

GOP: Dems should reimburse taxpayers if law violated

Republicans on Allegheny County Council plan to ask their council counterparts to reimburse taxpayers for legal representation if a judge finds the Democrats violated the Sunshine Act by discussing a drink tax referendum behind closed doors. (Tribune Review, Justin Vellucci)

Link: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_584505.html

Nutter challenged on convention expenses

GOP state House candidate Matt Taubenberger wrote a public letter to Mayor Nutter yesterday, chastising him for using taxpayer funds to pay for members of his staff to attend the Democratic National Convention next week in Denver. (Inquirer, Staff)

Link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/Nutter_challenged_on_convention_exp...

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.