George Bush

2008 is starting to look like 2004 in the Pennsylvania presidential election. A new poll released this morning from Franklin & Marshall confirms other polls that show the Democratic nominee opening up a lead. According to this poll, Barack Obama now leads John McCain 45% to 38%. Towards the end of September - beginning of October is when John Kerry started pulling away from George Bush in 2004. In a mid-September poll in 2004 George Bush lead Kerry 47% to then by the first poll in October Kerry had gained control with a 48% to 41% advantage.

Yesterday's Rasmussen poll showed John McCain was tied with Barack Obama in Pennsylvania at 47%.  A poll earlier this month by Quinnipiac showed Obama with a 48%-45% lead, both within the margin of error.  In August Obama lead McCain 45%-40 in the Rasmussen poll and 49%-42% in the Quinnipiac poll. 

Taking a look at the 2004 numbers from Quinnipiac shows an interesting correlation.  In August of 2004 John Kerry lead George Bush by 47%-42 and then in September Bush lead Kerry 47%-44%.  

One has to wonder what the family reunion dinners are like at the Paterno household.  We know from his writings and his stances on the issues during his congressional run that Scott Paterno, youngest son of Joe Paterno, is a very conservative Republican.  We also know JoePa has stumped for many Republican candidates over the last few decades including George W. Bush.  Joe and Scott even did a fundraiser event with George Bush, Sr. when Scott ran for Congress. But, it appears not all of the Paterno clan falls in the Republican camp as another one of Joe’s sons, Jay Paterno, spent last night stumping with Democrats at a rally for Barack Obama.  Jay used part of his speaking time to take a shot at George W. Bush, who is father and Scott campaigned for in 2004..  Scott is known to be very outspoken about his views and this should make for interesting discussions.  Paterno and congressional candidate Mark McCracken were among the featured speakers in Center County. 

It used to be a candidate had 30 seconds on television to introduce himself to voters in his initial biography commercials. Now they have unlimited time to do so on their websites. Two candidates for Congress have done just that.

As talk heats up about vice-presidential candidates and names are floated, Ed Rendell may make the best case for why he should not be chosen. 

In 2000, after John McCain’s strong primary challenge to George Bush, some pundits talked about McCain as Bush’s running mate.