Wake-Up Call: Thursday, September 4, 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.

Specter: Palin has 'potential' to be vice president

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- During a sit down interview with reporters at the Crown Plaza hotel Wednesday morning, U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Philadelphia) said that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, John McCain’s vice presidential nominee, will be a “common sense people person from the outside” and that voters are hungry for someone to end the bickering in Washington. (PolitickerPA.com, Alex Roarty)

Link: http://www.politickerpa.com/alexroarty/1602/specter-palin-has-potential-...

Bargaining session today for Duquesne district, striking teachers

A state-appointed mediator has scheduled a bargaining session for 9:30 a.m. today with negotiators for striking teachers in the Duquesne Education Association and the school district. (Tribune Review, Staff)

Link: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/breaking/s_586403.htm...

John Baer: Sarah wows the party faithful

ST. PAUL - Well, I guess John McCain and the Republicans are serious.

I had my doubts about Sarah Palin. (Philly Daily News, John Baer)

Link: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20080904_John_Baer__Sarah_wows_the...

Troubled schools could get more reform options

Pennsylvania's education secretary wants schools to know that when their leaders fail, a state takeover is still an option. (Tribune Review, Timothy Puko)

Link: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/state/s_586122.html

Clout: Localite Amoore is GOP 'cheerleader'

RENEE AMOORE, a working-class kid from Haverford who grew up to become a successful businesswoman, calls herself "cheerleader of the Republican Party."

Last night, she addressed the Republican National Convention in a Red State red dress. (Philly Daily News, Staff)

Link: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20080904_Clout__Localite_Amoore_is...

Rumored gubernatorial candidate Meehan: 'In November, the world will shift'

MINNETONKA, Minn. -- The Pennsylvania delegation's Wednesday morning breakfast will be remembered by most in the crowd for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee speech on behalf of John McCain. (PolitickerPA.com, Alex Roarty)

Link: http://www.politickerpa.com/alexroarty/1617/rumored-gubernatorial-candid...

John Baer: Rendell can relate to sideline critiques

FOR GOV. RENDELL, a veteran politician who knows more than a little bit about Philly sports and Philly fans - and the woes that can come with living life in the public eye - Donovan McNabb is one of those guys who don't get no respect. (Philly Daily News, John Baer)

Link: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/columnists/20080904_John_Baer__Ren...

Stu Bykofsky: Hey, Mayor Nutter: Let's reward our Nerds

WITH PHILADELPHIA schools opening today, let's talk about the Nerds - nose-in-the-book grinds who grow into overachievers like Bill Gates, Alicia Keys, Condoleezza Rice, Yo-Yo Ma, Steven Spielberg. (Philly Daily News, Stu Bykofsky)

Link: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20080904_Stu_Bykofsky__Hey__Mayor_...

Regola employee suspected of misusing money

HARRISBURG -- An employee in state Sen. Bob Regola's Harrisburg office has been suspended without pay and benefits because she is suspected of misusing more than $40,000 of his funds. (Post Gazette, Tom Barnes)

Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08248/909327-59.stm

Ethics board sees union bug on fliers that violated state election law

A legal action filed by the city Board of Ethics links the city electricians' union to two anonymous fliers distributed in last year's mayoral election, both violating a state law by failing to disclose who paid for them. (Philly Daily News, Bob Warner)

Link: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20080903_Ethics_board_sees_union_b...

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.