ELEPHANT CORNER: Who Won The Pa. Senatorial Debate?

Last Friday, US Senate candidates Republican businessman TOM SMITH and incumbent Democrat SEN. BOB CASEY participated in their one and only debate. Many pundits claimed Casey won. This elephant believes Smith won, merely because he forced Casey to take him seriously enough to debate him.

Even if Casey had won, it probably would not have mattered, as not too many people saw the debate aside from the political junkies who have already made up their minds. The debate was recorded on Friday, but was aired at 1 p.m. on Sunday – the same time Eagles played. Given the outcome of that game, some Eagles fans probably wished they had watched the debate instead.

Veteran newscaster JIM GARDNER moderated the debate. The two candidates sparred at times, but the overall tone was friendlier than the presidential and vice presidential debates. The debate for the most part was unremarkable. Smith, a businessman who is relatively new to politics, is not a seasoned public speaker. However, he was not at a great disadvantage to Casey in this area. Despite having run for office four times, Casey has not developed an engaging public-speaking style. Casey’s biggest political asset, in this elephant’s opinion, remains his name – that of his popular father and former GOV. BOB CASEY, SR.

The debate highlighted the two men’s strikingly different political views. Smith is a fiscal conservative who wants see reduced spending. He also wants to roll back regulations, including Obamacare, which are strangling private-sector job creators. Casey conversely has a voting record that has demonstrated that he supports increased spending and greater regulation. Casey did at one point in the debate state he was an independently minded Democrat. Smith responded Casey’s assertion was stunning as Casey, he noted, has voted with President Obama roughly 95% of the time. The one issue on which Casey is at odds with his party is on abortion. He is pro-life.

Sunday, the 35th Ward held a fundraiser at SmokeEaters in Mayfair. Attendance at the event was a little lighter than expected, as many were afraid to venture out in the prelude to Hurricane Sandy. Although 35TH WARD LEADER AGNES (CHUCKIE) TILLEY is close to MIKE MEEHAN, she is well liked and respected by many on the other side of the party rift, as evidenced by the attendance of Young Republican CHAIRMAN STEVE BOC and COUNCILMAN DENNY O’BRIEN’S staffer PHIL INNAMORATO, as well as 27TH WARD LEADER MATT WOLFE.

Last Wednesday, the Commonwealth Club held an evening reception at the Conshohocken Marriott. CONGRESSMAN JIM GERLACH was the keynote speaker. He stepped in for GOV. TOM CORBETT, who was pulled away at the last minute on election matters. Pennsylvania Republican Party CHAIRMAN ROB GLEASON introduced Gerlach.

Gerlach stated the Romney-Ryan ticket can will Pennsylvania. If that occurs, we win the White House. This elephant believes a Romney win in the state will have the coattail effect of putting Smith over the top. Gerlach also believes we can add one more Republican to Pennsylvania delegation to the US House of Representatives. Current Congressman Democrat MARK CRITZ is in a tight race with Republican KEITH ROTHFUS in the 12th Dist. The district was realigned this year to adjust for the state’s losing a representative owing to the 2010 Census. The new seat combines large parts of Critz’s old district centered in Johnstown. The district now takes in part of Democratic CONGRESSMAN JASON ALTMIRE’S district, including parts of suburban Pittsburgh. Rothfus is from the Pittsburgh area. Of the 18 Pennsylvania congressional districts up for election this year, Republicans incumbents hold 13.

The event was attended by elephants from all parts of the state. PAGOP State Committee member RAY ALLEN drove four hours to be there. JOYCE HAAS, PAGOP co-chairwoman, came from State College. A few members of the Philadelphia herd were there, including 5TH WARD LEADER MIKE CIBIK, Republican City Committee CHAIRMAN RICK HELLBERG, 8TH WARD CHAIRMAN ANDREW TERHUNE and Republican activist DENISE FUREY.

The Commonwealth Club is a political fundraising group affiliated with the PAGOP. The next Commonwealth Club event is its annual luncheon, which is one of the premier events of the Pennsylvania Society weekend in New York this December.

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