This weekend is an important one for the Democratic gubernatorial candidates in Pennsylvania as they attend the regional caucus meetings in western Pennsylvania. I was just informed by a friend that perhaps the first smack has been delivered in the PA Guvs race.
Dan Onorato spoke about his active record as Allegheny County Chief Executive, reciting a laundry list of things he did "First i bought the steel mills, then i cleaned up the brownfields"... and then I did that...
Jack Wagner, when up to speak then delivered quite a line... "this election is not about me... me... me... it is about WE...WE... WE!" Was this the first shot delivered in what could be quite an epic battle for Wagner and Onorato against each other?
If so, I think on their feet, Jack Wagner is one of the better retail politicans out there, and it could be very hard for Onorato to go toe to toe with him. Joe Hoeffel recently got into the action too by taking a swipe at Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl for vetoing a prevailing wage bill.
The key focus heading into 2010 is financial reform and I must say, that Jack Wagner, the state's Auditor General... has been issuing calls for "no-bid" contracts to end in Harrisburg and also has called for School District swaps that waste away taxpayer money to end. I also like that he is in favor of no tax increases.
Onorato on the taxes? Im not particularly sure what he will propose, but I do know they call him "Dan the Tax Man" in Allegheny County. Onorato has had a very active period as Allegheny County Executive, where he has had good experience in fiscal management himself. I think two will emerge as the front runner, and Wagner polls better than Onorato against Corbett, aside from being the leading vote getter in Pennsylvania history.
However, that said, I would NOT dismiss Doherty or Hoeffel, as I am anxious to see them as well!
It should be interesting to see what happens at State Committee!