POLS ON THE STREET: Poll Shows Dems Closing on GOP For Congress

The last Zogby International poll shows Republicans lead Democrats, 42%-41%, among likely voters on the question of which party’s candidates for Congress they intend to support. This is a tightening of the GOP margin from Jul. 29, when Republicans led, 46%-38%.

President Barack Obama’s approval rating remains as it was at the end of July at 43%. These results are from an Aug. 9-11 interactive survey of 2,067 likely voters.

Compared to its Jul. 29 interactive poll, Democratic candidates gained four percentage points among Democratic voters and two percentage points from independents. Support for GOP candidates among Republican voters slips three percentage points.

WILL ONORATO KEEP HIS WORD?

State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams is a hard bargainer.  He endorsed his one-time Democratic gubernatorial rival, Dan Onorato, but in turn got an Onorato pledge he would support the educational choice program promoted by the Senator.

Odds are, if elected Governor, Onorato will keep his pledge. There are enough pro-choice advocates in Allegheny Co. to support that effort.

When both men spoke at their Philly press conference, Onorato, the Allegheny Co. Executive and 2010 Democratic gubernatorial nominee, echoed Williams’ thoughts. Uneducated students continue to find no place for them in the job market, which is constantly being strained to find qualified employees … meaning those who can read, write and add. According to the Pennsylvania Dept. of Education, 78.4% of the state’s schools made adequate yearly progress as outlined by federal guidelines – about a “C” or “C+” in most academic circles. In real terms, that equates to 672 schools in the Commonwealth designated as neither making adequate yearly progress.

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO POSITIVE CAMPAIGNS?

It’s tit for tat in the US Senate race in Pennsylvania.

GOP nominee Pat Toomey has been slinging mash at Congressman Joe Sestak for three weeks now. Now it’s Sestak’s turn. His first TV campaign ad went negative.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee sponsored the ad, which portrays Republican Pat Toomey as a champion of Wall Street and the financial instruments that toppled some financial institutions beginning in 2008.

LEACH TO CARRY CAMPAIGN BALL

State Sen. Daylin Leach will assume the chairmanship of the Democratic State Senate Campaign Committee on Aug. 24. Leach will oversee the Democratic State Senate election efforts this year.

“Sen. Leach came into the State Senate with a landslide victory in a District that had been — up until recently— a ‘safe’ seat for Republicans,” said his colleague Jay Costa. “He will bring fresh ideas and bold leadership to the DSSCC, as well as firsthand experience winning elections.”

“Sen. Leach is the best choice to put the DSSCC on trajectory towards a Democratic majority in the State Senate,” said State Sen. Mike Stack. “Daylin’s political acumen is unmatched, and I am eager to watch him use his talents to elect Democrats across Pennsylvania to the State Senate.”

WHERE’S PAT MEEHAN?

If Republican nominee for the7th Congressional Dist. seat Pat Meehan has a friend in the District, that friend should call him about his nonexistent race.

If he has a press office, they don’t seem to be at work. His campaign may be visible somewhere in the District, but no on the internet where half the campaigns are waging their battles.

Banging away at him in every way is State Rep. Bryan Lentz, whose campaign team floods the airwaves, the internet, and the local press with reasons why he’s the best man for Congress.

Lentz this week reported he,s unveiled a new website designed to educate voters “about  Pat Meehan’s record as an insider, corporate lawyer, etc.” It’s www.patmeehansrealrecord.com.

CHALLENGES SHAKE OFF 3^RD PARTY CANDIDATES

Third parties, facing court challenges to their nominating petitions this week, are finding it tough to withstand those challenges. Two have already withdrawn their petitions. Green Party Senate candidate Mel Packer said he was not surprised by Democrat Joe Sestak’s challenge to his nominating papers. Also, Tea Party gubernatorial candidate John Krupa says he’s withdrawing from that race.

Challenges have also been filed against Libertarian Senate candidate Douglas Jamison and Libertarian lawyer Marakay Rogers, who’s running for Governor.

Minor parties just have too many signatures to get — approximately 10 times as many as major parties.

   Send article as PDF