Wow:
http://www.nationaljournal.com/...
Beset by legislative failures and bleak poll numbers, the Republican looks like the country's most vulnerable governor heading into the 2014 election. And Republicans are questioning whether they should let Corbett face a near-certain defeat when they could find a ready replacement with a much better chance of winning.
Already, speculation among GOP operatives has shifted to a quartet of candidates the party might turn to, including several Republicans in the state's congressional delegation. Fearful of alienating a sitting governor, they've done little to publicly jockey for the potential opening. But all are said to be keeping a close eye on Corbett.
A dramatic move from Corbett to step aside isn't imminent. On Tuesday, he replaced his chief of staff with a veteran political operative. Corbett allies say he remains laser-focused on winning reelection, even if he knows his path to victory is narrow. Meanwhile, Republicans aren't looking to run against him in a primary, only eager to run if he opts not to run for a second term.
But unless Corbett can show improvement in the coming months, Republicans expect the calls for him to step aside to reach a fever pitch. According to one GOP operative in the state, speculation about replacing the governor is "rampant."
"The problem is, you need a path to victory," said one GOP source, who spoke on condition of anonymity to offer his blunt perspective about the governor's situation. "I think they have trouble right now with activists and donors showing them a path to victory. If that doesn't improve in the next couple of months, they'll close their wallets and shut their front doors, and activists and donors will make up their mind for him." - National Journal, 7/17/13
The potential GOP alternatives the sources mentioned are Reps. Jim Gerlach, Pat Meehan, Mike Kelly, and state Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi. Of course publicly none of these men will state that their planning to run for the position because they're waiting to see what decision Corbett will make. Pennsylvania Republican party chairman Rob Gleason claims the PA GOP is united in helping Corbett win re-election next year. The PA GOP really have put themselves in quite a dilemma with Corbett. If he runs again, he's certain to lose re-election. But having him step aside wouldn't look good for the PA GOP:
http://lancasteronline.com/...
Though political scientist G. Terry Madonna agrees that the National Journal might be right that Corbett's legislative failures and bleak poll numbers make him among the country's most vulnerable governors heading into 2014, he doubts the rumors are true.
The director of Franklin & Marshall College's Center for Politics and Public Affairs said the move would only paint the Republican Party as a failure.
"When you control both chambers of the Legislature and the governorship, it would look as if you failed," he said.
Madonna said he also has a hard time believing any of the four Republicans mentioned to replace Corbett would be interested in running.
The article names congressmen Pat Meehan, Jim Gerlach and Mike Kelly as well as state Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi.
Since redistricting Pennsylvania's congressional seats last year, Madonna said it's unlikely the incumbents would leave a safe seat behind for Harrisburg. As for Pileggi, chances are slim that he would give up his leadership title to run a risky race. - Lancaster Online, 7/17/13
The Pennsylvania Republican Party knows that Corbett is a toxic loser but they won't admit it. He's so vulnerable that despite having control of the state House and Senate, Republicans are too afraid to help pass Corbett's agenda. Hell, even his own administration is in turmoil:
http://www.pennlive.com/...
And the news Wednesday that administration Chief of Staff Steve Aichele was out and veteran Republican operative Leslie Gromis Baker was in, are not the actions of a team still in the first quarter of play.
They’re the actions of a coach making late-season trades in hopes of clinging to the last play-off spot or perhaps a Wild Card berth.
“It’s fairly clear this [administration] hasn’t gelled,” veteran pollster and political analyst G. Terry Madonna said, noting that Corbett, even three years into his first term, “hasn’t found the combination of advisers” to hand him political and policy wins.
Corbett’s problems come on top of increasing dysfunction between the House and Senate, both of which are controlled by Republicans, but who nonetheless resemble the warring family factions of some sprawling and difficult to read Russian novel.
“It’s bad enough that House and Senate leaders not on the same page. Now have a governor’s office that can’t pull them together,” Madonna said. “When you don’t get the governor’s agenda, when the interactions are not successful, everything is sort of held in place. There’s no movement. There’s no way to communicate.” - The Patriot-News, 7/17/13
Aichele is just another rat abandoning a sinking ship. Here's a list of people who have been reshuffled or resigned:
Education Secretary Ron Tomalis; Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Richard Allen; Welfare Secretary Gary Alexander, Environmental Secretary Michael Krancer, Health Secretary Eli N. Avila, and Inspector General Kenya Mann Faulkner.
Plus Corbett is so out of touch that he thinks the increase in college tuition is a good thing:
http://www.pennlive.com/...
Freshmen heading to one of the 16 state-owned or state-related universities this fall will find themselves paying between 2.2 percent and 3.4 percent more in tuition than last year’s freshmen class.
That range meets Gov. Tom Corbett’s February request for the schools to keep tuition increases as low as possible in return for a commitment to provide the same level of state funding the schools received last year. Legislative leaders and Corbett sought a similar commitment from the school's leaders the prior year.
"My administration and the leaders of Pennsylvania’s state and state-related universities are committed to making the dream of higher education attainable," Corbett said in an e-mailed statement. "Together, we are working to make a higher education in Pennsylvania both excellent and affordable.’’
In February, Corbett said he wouldn’t hold the schools to keeping their increase within the rate of inflation. But he also didn’t want to see the rates going up by double digits. The Consumer Price Index in June showed prices rose by 1.8 percent over the prior June.
The University of Pittsburgh’s board announced on Wednesday that it is raising tuition by almost double that June CPI figure. - The Patriot-News, 7/17/13
So yeah, no wonder Corbett's own party is hoping he steps aside but they shouldn't hold their breath. They chose him as their nominee in 2010 and they'll go down with him in 2014. Meanwhile, Corbett's opponent, Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (D. PA-13) has been helping secure funding for infrastructure:
http://lansdale.patch.com/...
Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz joined Lansdale Borough officials on Tuesday to unveil the $3.2 million Lansdale Streetscape Project.
Schwartz, who helped to secure $2.36 million in funding for the project, stated that the new sidewalks, lighting, benches, trees and other upgrades that were made through the project will both improve the quality of life for Lansdale residents and foster an environment for further economic development.
“One of my top priorities in congress is to improve neighborhoods in Southeastern Pennsylvania and across the country by making areas greener, safer and more livable,” said Schwartz. “The Streetscape project is contributing to a downtown renaissance in Lansdale that is visible, tangible and exciting." - Montgomeryville-Lansdale, 7/17/13
By the way, there's still time to sign up to host an event to meet Schwartz in person:
On the afternoon of Sunday August 4, I am going to pay a visit to the homes of my supporters all over the state - and one of those homes could be yours! But here’s the thing - I need to know if you are willing to host a house party for our campaign.
Can you click here and let us know that you want to be a host?
http://action.allysonschwartz.com/...
I of course can only speak from one location, but we'll be streaming my speech live to house parties all over the state. At these parties you’ll not only be able to chat with me and ask questions, you’ll also have a chance to meet and talk with your fellow grassroots supporters from all across Pennsylvania. Whether it's Cambria County, Luzerne County, or Columbia County, I'll be dropping in homes all over the state. Supporters have already signed up- make sure you're a part of this.
Click here to learn more and sign up to host a party.
http://action.allysonschwartz.com/...
It’s quick, easy, and we will tell you all the steps that you need to take to make your party is a success. The house parties will be a great way to be involved, informed, and engaged early in the campaign.
Looking forward to meeting you!
Allyson
You can click here to sign up to host a house party to meet Schwartz here:
http://action.allysonschwartz.com/...
And you can click here to get involved with her campaign:
http://www.allysonschwartz.com/...