Wake-Up Call: Monday, September 8, 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.

Vince Fumo says hello to jury selection, goodbye to politics

PHILADELPHIA - On the basement wall of Vince Fumo's district office in South Philadelphia hangs a painting that could end up telling his story better than he would hope. It's the famous "Sword of Damocles" piece, depicting the Greek legend who switched places with a king only to discover a sharp sword looming ominously above him.  (PolitickerPA.com, Dan Hirschorn)

Link: http://www.politickerpa.com/danh/1649/vince-fumo-says-hello-jury-selecti...

PhillyBlocks loses some key funding

Add this to what Mayor Nutter means by a "new day, new way."

After seven years, Ed Schwartz's Institute for Civic Values is losing a big chunk of its city funding. (Inquirer, Staff)

Link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080908_PhillyBlocks_loses_some_ke...

Pa. is key state for U.S. House

WASHINGTON - Pennsylvania, a key battleground two years ago in the Democrats' successful fight to gain control of the U.S. House, is again chock full of House races to watch. (Inquirer, AP)

Link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080908_Pa__is_key_state_for_U_S__...

Kanjorski backs Fannie, Freddie move

WILKES-BARRE – U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski, chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on capital markets, insurance and government sponsored enterprises, commented on the actions taken Sunday by the Treasury Department and the Federal Housing Finance Agency related to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mae: (Times Leader, Staff)

Link:  http://www.timesleader.com/news/Kanjorski_backs_Fannie__Freddie_move_09-...

Barletta to attend HQ opening

WILKES-BARRE – Congressional candidate Lou Barletta will host the grand opening of his Wilkes-Barre campaign headquarters tonight at 6 at 17 E. Market St., just west of South Washington Street. (Times Leader, Staff)

Link: http://www.timesleader.com/news/Barletta_to_attend_HQ_opening_09-07-2008...

Valley tavern owners worried, confused about smoking ban

As the statewide smoking ban looms, bar owners across the Alle-Kiski Valley say they are still confused about what it means for them -- and many say they plan to do nothing until a citation shows up in the mail. (Tribune Review, Celanie Polanick)

Link: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_587050.html

Pa. 3rd-party candidates make cases in court

HARRISBURG — It’s decision time for several political outsiders who want to take on establishment candidates in the Nov. 4 election.

Challenges filed against and, in one case, by third-party candidates have prompted courtroom debates over the validity of petition signatures, the fairness of filing deadlines and other issues that stand between them and the ballot. (Times Leader, AP)

Link:  http://www.timesleader.com/news/Pa__3rd-party_candidates_make_cases_in_c...

W-B mayor says administration hasn’t forgotten Parsons section

WILKES-BARRE – The sign at the corner of George and Trethaway avenues is as faded as the memories of this once vibrant section of the city. (Times Leader, Bill O'Boyle)

Link: http://www.timesleader.com/news/Hoping_for_a_revival_09-07-2008.html

Bush tours Gettysburg

GETTYSBURG- President Bush touched up on his Civil War history yesterday as he toured Gettysburg National Military Park. (Inquirer, AP)

Link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080906_Bush_tours_Gettysburg.html

Pa. District Attorney candidate criticizes radio ads

HARRISBURG - The Democratic nominee for state attorney general has criticized incumbent Tom Corbett for spending hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars on public service announcements in the Philadelphia region. (Inquirer, David Spett)

Link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080906_Pa__District_Attorney_cand...

Biden gets mixed welcome in Northeast

DEMOCRATIC vice-presidential nominee Joe Biden went stumping for votes yesterday in Northeast Philadelphia, where Democrats need to earn the love of Democrats who voted overwhelmingly for Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama in the April primary. (Phillly Daily News, Dave Davies)

Link: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20080906_Biden_gets_mixed_welcome_...

Non-profit hiring people to help Obama

WILKES-BARRE – The contact person on the fliers is fictitious, but the jobs that Progressive Future is advertising are real. (Times Leader, Staff)

Link: http://www.timesleader.com/news/Non-profit_hiring_people_to_help_Obama_0...

Obama goes to work

DURYEA – Barack Obama on Friday returned to a region where he failed in the April primary to ask for a second chance. (Times Leader, Bill O'Boyle)

Link: http://www.timesleader.com/news/Obama_goes_to_work_09-05-2008.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.