Pa’s 2 remaining hold outs.. why?

Congressman Jason Altmire is in what could be a tough reelection fight against Melissa Hart. Some Democrats understand why he is waiting to make a formal announcement on who he is endorsing for President. Now that the election fight is over and the Democrats have a presumptive nominee it will be easy for Altmire to make that decision. Altmire has said for weeks now that he was going to wait until after the last vote was cast, then by the end of that week (this week) make his decision know. He has not hidden from the fact he did not want to upset any Democrats in his district by choosing the wrong candidate. Even as Altmire announced today he would support Barack Obama he treaded lightly.

Over in the 17th Congressional District it is a little harder to understand the thinking of Tim Holden. For a decade now every one of Holden’s political opponents have called him a “do nothing,” “go-along, get-along” Congressman. Every one of his opponents has questioned his leadership and willingness to take a stand in Congress. Well, Holden is playing right into those stereotypes now.

One has to wonder why Holden was so reluctant to take a stand and endorse a candidate. It has long been believed Holden’s choice of candidate was Hillary Clinton. During the presidential primary in Pennsylvania Clinton easily carried Holden’s district giving him plenty of political cover to endorse the candidate who his constituents supported. But Holden refused to take a stand. Holden is up for reelection, but after defeating George Gekas, Holden put a clamp on the seat that will keep him there as long as he wants it. Or until there is an attempt to redistrict him out of it again. Holden’s reelection fate is about as safe as anyone in the state, yet he still was and is unwilling to take a stand on a presidential candidate.

Is it possible Holden could wait until after the vote in Denver before he backed the nominee? If there is one Pa. politician who could do it, it will more than likely be Holden.

Update: Holden has talked Brett Lierberman and said Barack Obama is the nominee. Holden hints hard in the story he did indeed support Clinton, but did not come out and say who he supported.

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