Wake-Up Call: Monday, September 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.

This week, Politicker.com will be at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. Stay tuned to Politicker.com over the course of the week for live updates from the convention.

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.

Pollster says Palin pick could help with suburban women in Pa.

Like many in the political world, G. Terry Madonna says his initial reaction to the news that U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) had chosen Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate was one of skepticism. (PolitickerPA.com, Dan Hirschorn)

Link: http://www.politickerpa.com/danh/1547/pollster-says-palin-pick-could-hel...

GOP ticket goes after Pa. votes

ST. PAUL, Minn. — John McCain introduced new running mate Sarah Palin to voters in battleground Pennsylvania on Saturday as they wound their way toward St. Paul and a Republican National Convention where the mood was suddenly threatened by Hurricane Gustav. (Times Leader, AP)

Link: http://www.timesleader.com/news/GOP_ticket_goes_after_Pa__votes_08-31-20...

Jones passes hat to open district offices

Freshman City Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. is going outside the box to get out into the community. Jones sent an e-mail last week, seeking donations to his campaign committee to open two offices in his district. (Inquirer, Staff)

Link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080901_Jones_passes_hat_to_open_d...

Anti-smoking law ready to hit Pa.

HARRISBURG — The clock is ticking down on smokers who want to light up in bars, restaurants and other public places across Pennsylvania. (Times Leader, AP)

Link: http://www.timesleader.com/news/Anti-smoking_law_ready_to_hit_Pa__08-31-...

Hackett won’t speak tonight

All speeches at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., have been canceled for this evening, according to Mark Harris, campaign manager for Chris Hackett. (Times Leader, Staff)

Link: http://www.timesleader.com/news/Hackett_won_rsquo_t_speak_tonight_08-31-...

Special learning experience awaits teen at GOP event

KINGSTON – Alexandra Mazaleski will be rubbing elbows with the Republican elite as she attends the Republican National Convention this week. (Times Leader, Sherry Long)

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

Gun rights group protests arrest at Obama event

A gun rights group is calling on Gov. Ed Rendell to "order a halt to unlawful police-state tactics at presidential campaign events" after a Beaver County man was arrested Friday for openly carrying a gun near where Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama later made an appearance. (Tribune Review, Staff)

Link: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_585890.html

Presidency may hang on free-thinking voters

Every four years, the Rust Belt shines.

Each president in the past 80 years has been elected with the help of some combination of Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan. More than half the time, the winner carried all three. (Tribune Review, Mike Wereschagin)

Link: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_585892.html

lPa. candidates vying for attention

HARRISBURG — Competing for attention against the battle for the White House, candidates for three statewide offices are raising millions of dollars and campaigning across Pennsylvania in the hope that voters will consider their messages by Election Day. (Times Leader, AP)

Link: http://www.timesleader.com/news/Pa__candidates_vying_for_attention_08-31...

Study: Pa. will lose jobs when electricity rate caps expire

HARRISBURG — In a little more than two years, nearly everyone across Pennsylvania will feel the pain of substantially higher electricity bills as degregulation-era rate caps expire. (Times Leader, AP)

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

McCain, Palin campaign in region

The fierce battle for Pennsylvania's 21 electoral votes continued today as Republican Sen. John McCain and running mate Gov. Sarah Palin capped a day of campaigning in the Pittsburgh region with rally of thousands of supporters at Consol Energy Park in Washington County. (Tribune Review, Staff)

Link: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_585739.html

Rendell sends Gustav assistance

HARRISBURG -- Gov. Ed Rendell is sending ambulances, emergency responders and more to help the response to Hurricane Gustav, which is threatening the Gulf Coast. (Tribune Review, AP)

Link: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_585701.html

Cops say Councilman Darrell Clarke victim of hate crime

City Councilman Darrell Clarke stood in a quiet state of disbelief outside his North Philadelphia home yesterday morning.

His eyes carefully traced the all-too-familiar symbols of hatred that were inexplicably spray-painted along the side of his car. (Philly Daily News, David Gamborcata)

Link: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20080830_Cops_say_Councilman_Darre...

Ravenstahl raps 'malicious' claims in Ford resignation

A former administrator's allegations of corruption at city hall might seem "sexy," but they're simply untrue, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said Friday. (Tribune Review, Andrew Conte)

Link: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_585644.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.