Sorry I haven had a lot of diaries like I normally do this week. My dad was in town from Pittsburgh on business and wanted to spend time with me. I live and work in Los Angeles. My dad is a forensic engineer and expert witness who was in town investigating an electrocution case. Over dinner we were discussing politics and of course we both discussed how awful Governor Tom Corbett (R. PA) is. My dad is very confident that Corbett will lose and I told him that the Democrats may have their star candidate in Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (D. PA-13) who has now gone from being 80% sure about her run for Governor to 100%:
http://thehill.com/...
Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.) plans to run against Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett (R) in 2014.
"It is my intention," Schwartz told the Philadelphia Daily News when asked if she'll run.
The congresswoman has a deep national fundraising network, built partly by her work with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and is close to both House leadership and national liberal groups.
Polls show Corbett is very vulnerable in the Democratic-leaning state. He has low approval ratings, and a recent partisan poll conducted for the Democratic Governors Association showed Schwartz ahead. - The Hill, 2/25/13
Schwartz made her intentions on running for Governor very clear in her interview with the Philadelphia Daily News:
http://www.philly.com/...
In November, even December, Schwartz seemed certain that she wouldn't challenge Tom Corbett for governor. Now she seems certain that she will.
"It is my intention," she tells me, to give up her House seat and take on T.C.
Why the change? Not so much frustration with Congress or being in the House minority, she says. Instead, it's more an "opportunity" to push priorities and issues related to jobs, education and economic development she sees largely ignored.
"I am very disappointed in the lack of leadership, vision and effectiveness of this governor," says Schwartz.
Then there's that recent poll her team touts.
Commissioned by the Democratic Governors Association, the poll suggests that Schwartz is positioned to win: She leads the governor 50-42 statewide; 81-12 in Philly; 53-42 in Philly's burbs and Pittsburgh, and 51-38 among women. - Philadelphia Daily News, 2/25/13
My dad likes the idea of Schwartz running and he followed that up with an interesting quote, "That's good because I want to vote in more women in 2014." Now my dad is a strong supporter of economic equality, a woman's right to choose, civil rights and marriage equality. He's a very open minded guy but he's also the type of guy that will vote who he thinks is right for the job. The candidate's sex, race, religion and orientation were never factors that made him decide who to vote for. Of course I don't object to what my dad said, I agree with him, but I asked him why he thinks we need more women in office. He said that the political system has become too much of a boys club which has lead to incompetence and corruption. He feels that female politicians have a more of a clear understanding of the problems and are more composed and focused to get the job done than men. Of course he did say there are some exceptions like Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann but for the most part, female politicians, especially female Democrats, have a better grasp on the reality of the situations and get shit done. He has his fingers crossed that Hillary Clinton will run for President in 2016.
My dad is right about this. 2012 was a great year for women, especially in Pennsylvania where Kathleen Kane not only became the first Democrat to win the Attorney General's race but also the first woman to hold that office. I have been pleased with Kane's work so far and she has kept her word bringing in a special prosecutor for the Penn State scandal case in helping conduct the probe into how Corbett, while serving as Attorney General at the time of the Penn State scandal came to light, handled the case. There's a lot of evidence that indicates Corbett intentionally slow walked the process and let Jerry Sandusky go so he could get the Penn State Alumni Associations backing for the 2010 Governor's race. My dad pointed out though that is a huge factor that will hurt Corbett, he also pointed out the long list of shit Corbett and his GOP cronies have been doing that are hurting Pennsylvania and pissing off voters. I'll have a long diary about Corbett's long list of offenses soon. From education cuts to proposed pension cuts to letting the gas companies do whatever they want to voter ID laws to trying to privatizing the lottery to mandatory ultrasounds to trying to to rig the electoral college system in Pennsylvania, the list is long.
I wrote a pretty detailed diary about why Schwartz would be the Democrats best candidate for this race:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
Now there are some other potential Democratic candidates that I also really like. I really like this guy:
Ebullient, inquisitive and, yes, a bit undisciplined, McCord is unlike any prominent politician to cross the Pennsylvania stage in years. And he’s obviously having an awfully good time.
As well he should. Life has been very good to McCord, an ambitious Main Liner and venture capitalist turned political aspirant. He is a rich man gifted both with the right connections and the talent to maximize those advantages. Born into an academic family, he was schooled at Harvard and Wharton. He was mentored in politics by two-time U.S. Cabinet Secretary Norman Mineta, and in business by legendary former Safeguard Scientifics CEO Pete Musser. He made millions investing in tech start-ups, then waltzed into statewide elected office four years ago as a first-time candidate. And in early November, he was easily reelected to a second term as state treasurer.
And so, in a state Democratic Party short on high-profile talent, McCord’s profile is surging, and the calls for him to challenge Governor Corbett in 2014 are growing louder. State Democratic chairman Jim Burn says McCord is a “top-tier” name “held in the highest esteem” by party bosses. Congressman Chaka Fattah pronounces himself a “big fan.” Philadelphia Democratic Party boss Bob Brady considers him “formidable” and “probably our strongest candidate.”
What makes this establishment enthusiasm for McCord so interesting is the fact that he in no way resembles gubernatorial candidates of the past. Pennsylvanians tend to be traditionalists when it comes to their elected leaders. Governors Corbett and Rendell are both redolent of the 20th century, with old-fashioned political résumés and brands (Rendell the charismatic operator, Corbett the sober uncle). So were Dan Onorato (a longtime lawyer and pol) and Lynn Swann (the ex-athlete trope).
McCord, though, is a thoroughly modern politician. He’s run a think tank and a series of investment funds. He’s considered a critical early leader in the development of the region’s tech industry. He has an African-American wife. And he entered politics late in life, meaning he has ascended without the benefit—or baggage—of a machine to call his own. - Philly Mag, December 2012
And of course I still love this man and I'm happy to hear he wants to return to politics:
http://www.politico.com/...
Former Rep. Joe Sestak wants to run again — for what, he’s not saying.
“I want to serve again, and want to do it right,” the former Democratic Pennsylvania congressman told The Delaware County Daily Times on Tuesday after he was asked whether he would run for governor. Sestak did not specify which, if any, office he would seek.
Sestak, who endorsed Hillary Clinton during the 2008 Democratic presidential primary, is often mentioned as a potential gubernatorial candidate against Republican Gov. Tom Corbett, who is up for reelection in 2014. Whether Sestak would run for governor or Senate, he didn’t specify — but he seems to have his daughter’s approval.
“My daughter Alex thinks I am too involved in her homework and asks when I am going to get out there again,” he told the suburban-Philadelphia newspaper. - Politico, 2/20/13
But let me explain why I think Sestak and McCord should sit the Governor's race out and clear the field for Schwartz. First off, I think McCord would make a strong candidate and I think he's been an excellent Treasurer for the Keystone State. Pennsylvania trusts the Democrats when it comes to the state's finances. Current Senator Bob Casey (D. PA) was State Auditor and Treasurer of the state and did an excellent job for Pennsylvania's tax payers. Like McCord, Casey too wanted to become Governor and follow in his father's footsteps but lost the 2002 Democratic primary to former Philadelphia Mayor, Ed Rendell (D. PA) who would go on to serve two terms as Governor. McCord is wealthy and a strong supporter of putting Philadelphia on the map as the new hot spot for technological boom:
http://technicallyphilly.com/...
Since 1994, McCord, 51, served as a senior executive at Safeguard Scientifics and founded the Eastern Technology Fund. He co-founded Pennsylvania Early Stage Partners and, from 1996 to 2007, he led the Eastern Technology Council.
He’s a venture capitalist in background, a Harvard kid and a Wharton grad by education and now he’s in his first term safeguarding $120 billion in public funds. In that role, McCord is offering the office up to his base – whom he describes as “job-creating, technology-orientated entrepreneurs”– for advising, investing and as a potential client.
If nothing else, he thinks the Philadelphia technology community ought to know who he is. If only because he grew up on the Main Line, invested in tech businesses here and, well, because when it comes to statewide representation, Philadelphia could use a friend.
Fortunately, McCord is swearing by the position for now, despite prognostications to the contrary that suggest he is a sure bet to run for governor.
“I love being treasurer. People who watch me will know, it looks a lot more fun to be treasurer than in Congress, which was another option,” McCord told Technically Philly. “I plan to run for reelection [in 2012], and I do not take it for granted. So I’m obsessively focused on the treasurer’s office.” - Technically Philly, 2/4/11
McCord also sees Philadelphia as the new hot spot for technological entrepreneurship:
Where is Philadelphia in this scheme of entrepreneurship compared nationally?
I’m a glass half full guy. Pennsylvania is doing very well, not perfect, but very well.
Most regions in the country couldn’t just add water — give them a certain amount of money — and have jobs follow. Philadelphia is one of those regions.
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, is another. Very few people in the southeast known what is happening in that southwest portion. It takes more work there, but it’s real… I look at it region by region, and Pennsylvania has a uniquely high number of those regions that can offer wealth from entrepreneurial-ism.
So just add water?
Yes…if you had another billion dollars, if you said to entrepreneurs that we will back your company but you have to be located in the Greater Philadelphia region… there are few entrepreneurs who would say ‘no way, I can’t make that work.’
When you look at our operating costs when compared to Silicon Valley or San Francisco or Manhattan or Boston or even Austin, TX, we’re right up there with the rest of them [in terms of being a competitive place to be]. - Technically Philly, 2/4/11
I like McCord's attitude and his positive views towards the potential Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have in being great spots in creating new technology driven jobs. Especially when it comes to the role IT plays in local government:
There are two different directions: as cost reducer and quality of life improve and job creator.
As a cost reducer, when less money is used to get the same work done, you almost always need to call on technology, so we’ve been able to cut [treasury] payroll 16 percent while increasing productivity by 25 percent in our direct service areas. - Technically Philly, 2/4/11
So McCord has the brains and the experience needed to help update Pennsylvania's job market to the 21st century while campaigning on a strong, positive message about the Keystone State's future. But McCord also knows how to throw a punch, he's been Corbett's loudest critic of his decision to privatize the lottery:
http://www.keystonepolitics.com/...
Treasurer Rob McCord is using a clever legal argument to combat Governor Tom Corbett’s midnight privatization raid of the Pennsylvania Lottery, and it is worth looking at in detail.
After the 4:45 Friday announcement was made by the Corbett administration that they had accepted the bid of a foreign company, Camelot Gaming, Treasurer McCord immediately threatened to “reject payments associated with the business plan.”
Essentially, McCord is saying to Governor Corbett that “you bought it, but I ain’t paying for it.”
In a letter to the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, McCord argues that the privatization scheme “involves the deployment of monitor- or video-based gaming beyond that authorized by current statutory law.”
McCord is using the language of Camelot Gaming’s own proposal against them.
Specifically, McCord is asserting it is the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board that has regulatory oversight over anything broadly defined as a slot machine, NOT the PA Lottery. - Keystone Politics, 1/12/13
McCord has even developed a great working relationship with Attorney General Kane in going after Corbett on privatizing the lottery:
http://www.pennlive.com/...
Attorney General Kathleen Kane says Gov. Tom Corbett overstepped his authority in signing a contract with Camelot Global Services PA, LLC to take over management of the Pennsylvania Lottery.
But that wasn’t the only reason she rejected it. She cited the state lottery act, the gaming act and other applicable case law as reasons why the contract didn’t meet her test for form and legality.
“It is our duty to defend and protect the constitution of the commonwealth and that is what our office has done by declining this contract,” Kane said in a news release. - The Patriot-News, 2/14/13
Having Kane as an ally would be a great thing for a potential McCord Governor bid. Kane received more votes than both President Obama and Senator Casey in the 2012 election because she ran a great campaign hitting Corbett hard on his handling of the Penn State case. She keeps up the good work, she will have a bright political future in Pennsylvania. She could one day be Governor herself or if she wants to only serve one term as Attorney General (which I doubt) her term ends in 2016 which is a Presidential election year and when Tea Party Senator Pat Toomey (R. PA) would be up for re-election. But back to McCord. So yes, McCord has a lot of great qualities that would make him a good candidate for Governor but I think he needs to stay on as Treasurer. There is still a lot of work to do in helping revitalize Pennsylvania's economy and McCord could be a great ally for Schwartz in helping create more jobs. Plus having Schwartz as Governor along with Kane as Attorney General and McCord as Treasurer would be a great Democratic trio that can get things done. Plus if McCord stays and fulfills two terms, he can strengthen his name recognition and make himself a strong Senate candidate to go up against Toomey. McCord wouldn't be the first popular Treasurer to take out a right-wing extremist in the race for U.S. Senate. Plus McCord's intelligence and record as a public servant would come in handy drafting legislation in the Senate that would help small businesses around the country thrive.
Now on to Sestak. I, like many of you, love this man. I was heart broken when he narrowly lost to Toomey and since then I have been patiently waiting to get rid of Toomey. I have also been eager to see Sestak make a return to politics. When he went to every county in Pennsylvania after the 2010 elections to thank all of his supporters, I could tell we would not be seeing the last of him. He's kept himself in the limelight making the political talk shows from MSNBC to Fox News to Good Morning America. Sestak is not your traditional candidate and he pulled off an excellent surprise win in the Democratic primary against Arlen Specter when he hit Specter hard with this ad:
Now I don't want to speak too ill of the dead but I never voted for Specter. I didn't vote for him in the 2004 election, which was the first Presidential election I could vote in. Even though I wasn't a fan of his, I always gave him credit when he delivered for Pennsylvania and I agreed with him 100% on stem cell research. I understood why Specter switched parties because Tea Party Senate Leader Jim DeMint (R. SC) told him that he would be backing Toomey over him after Specter was one of three Republicans to vote for President Obama's stimulus package. Now to be fair, Rendell, who was one of Specter's oldest friends, and other state Democrats were pleading Arlen for years to switch parties because his popularity was up with Democrats than with voters of his own party. Without George W. Bush and Rick Santorum's endorsement, Specter would've lost to Toomey in 2004. Though I appreciated his party switch, it was too little too late and once he released this ad swift boating Sestak's military career, it officially made me become a Sestak supporter:
This ad hurt Specter in the press so bad that even Toomey himself ripped Specter a new one for swiftboating Joe. The ad also caused Sestak back to fight back with this great response ad:
Now Sestak proved to be a great campaigner despite having his bumps along the campaign trail, including the non-news story about President Obama trying to offer him a job in the White House to avoid a nasty primary with Specter. Of course, Sestak turned down the offer but his decision to remain mum on the story I think did hurt his image early on in the campaign. Toomey outraised Sestak in funds and outspent him but Sestak stayed strong and campaigned on which helped him climb back up in the polls. This great attack ad was what really helped Sestak's campaign:
When Sestak compared Toomey to Bush or Santorum, it helped hurt Toomey's image and it was effective. I think Sestak's biggest mistake was comparing Toomey to Tea Party Delaware Senate candidate, Christine O'Donnell (R. DE), because of Toomey's Tea Party support. Now Toomey drinks the same Tea Party Kool Aid as O'Donnell but Toomey is a much smoother politician than someone like O'Donnell or Santorum because Toomey knew he had to come off as a friendly conservative who could appeal to both the Tea Party and moderates. Unfortunately, it worked but even in a great year for Republicans, Toomey's victory was pretty narrow. So it's understandable why we would all want Sestak to run for Governor. He's honest, he's not a career politician, he even fought the party establishment when he ran for Senate. Then Majority Whip Steny Hoyer (D. MD-5) praised Sestak as one of the most ambitious and hardest working freshmen Congressmen. Sestak would work eighteen hour days and voted the right way on several issues. Now I'm sure some of the wounds between Sestak and the PA Democratic Party have healed because they were anticipating that Sestak would run for his old seat in 2012 against Congressman Pat Meehan (PA-7). But Sestak took too long to announce that he would not run for that seat and it frustrated the party. I can't blame him though for turning it down with how gerrmandered the Pennsylvania Republicans made the congressional map. I do wish though he hadn't taken as long as he did and if he runs for Governor, he can't take forever to make an announcement about it.
Now I do think if Sestak wants to return to politics, I think he needs to go back to D.C. and I think if he were to run for his old congressional seat in 2014, he would have a better shot. Schwartz would be the big name that year and she could make Corbett's plan to rig the electoral system with the help of State Senate Leader Dominic Pileggi (R. PA) a serious campaign issue. She'll be able to highlight how Corbett and his Republican cronies are hurting the democratic process by rigging the system, gerrymadering and voter ID laws, suppressing the vote. This could not only help Schwartz win but also help other Democrats overcome the gerrymandering by getting more independents and even centrist Republican voters (yes they still exist in Pennsylvania) by voting in more Democrats in the Keystone State. That would help both on a local level and help someone like Sestak get back into Congress. Of course Sestak is also in great health and has the fire in his belly to serve again so he could always give the Senate another try in 2016. It wouldn't be a crazy idea. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D. NH) lost to John E. Sununu (R. NH) in 2002 but then defeated him in 2008. Toomey's fiscal conservatism is right in line with Sununu's, who is also fellow member of the Club For Growth. Not to mention the DCCC wants to win more seats in Pennsylvania this year. They're already working on getting former Congressmen Chris Carney and Mark Critz to make their comeback bids. So maybe it's better that Sestak tries again for his congressional seat. He said he wants to do it right this time when it comes to serving again, why not do it in a bid for your old seat? I would campaign and raise money for him if he did that.
Now onto Schwartz. Pennsylvania has the chance to make history on two accounts. First, Democrats could make Tom Corbett the first term governor since 1968 when the law was changed that Governors could now serve two terms. Pennsylvania's been pretty consistent with re-electing their Governors but it's a different game in 2014. Corbett is the center of one of the biggest scandals in Pennsylvania history along with a long list of shit that has both pissed off Democrats and Republicans in the state. Hence why Larry Sabato now has this race in the Toss Up category:
http://www.centerforpolitics.org/...
Pennsylvania: A recent Franklin & Marshall College poll summed up Gov. Tom Corbett’s (R) troubles in the Keystone State: With only 26% of voters saying that Corbett is doing an “excellent” or “good” job, “Corbett’s job performance ratings are the lowest for a sitting governor in the [18-year] history” of the poll. Piling on, Quinnipiac recently found that only 49% of Republicans in Pennsylvania thought Corbett deserved to be reelected. Corbett’s troubles may open the door for Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce Castor (R) to take on the incumbent in the GOP primary. As for the Democratic side of the aisle, numerous names have been bandied about but so far the biggest ones have yet to get into the contest. However, it looks like at least one of those major names, Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D), will soon announce a run. Other Democratic possibilities include state Treasurer Rob McCord and ex-Reps. Joe Sestak and Kathy Dahlkemper. Interestingly, since the 1940s the two major parties have consistently switched control of the governorship every eight years. While Corbett has major problems, history may be on his side since he was just elected in 2010. But these “rules” of politics get broken sooner or later, and Corbett is sorely testing this rule. TOSS-UP. - Sabato's Crystal Ball, 2/21/13
Also, Corbett's sanctions against the NCAA haven't won him any love from voters and has now back fired on him:
http://bleacherreport.com/...
The NCAA is suing Governor Tom Corbett and other Pennsylvania officials for allegedly going against the U.S. Constitution and attempting to meddle with a sanction agreement between the association and Penn State, according to Michael R. Sisak of the Citizens' Voice.
After the Jerry Sandusky scandal, the NCAA fined Penn State $60 million. But the state of Pennsylvania is considering moving forward with a law that would require the NCAA to spend the money in-state.
The NCAA is claiming that the state would be illegally interfering with interstate commerce by passing the law.
Corbett sued the NCAA just last month, claiming the fine and the sanctions were "an attack on past, present and future students of Penn State, the citizens of our commonwealth and our economy," per the Citizens' Voice report. - bleacher Report, 2/20/13
The second way Pennsylvanians would be making history in 2014 is Schwartz would be the first female Governor of Pennsylvania:
If she runs, she can make history: The state has never elected a woman governor nor ousted an incumbent who sought re-election.
It could be more interesting than Lynn Yeakel vs. Arlen Specter in 1992.
Yeakel was a novice without Schwartz's experience or savvy and nearly upset Specter (losing by 2 percentage points). And, in terms of political prowess, Corbett's no Arlen Specter.
Now, as then, a female opponent is problematic for the incumbent.
Specter angered women by grilling Anita Hill, who claimed she was sexually harassed by nominee (now Justice) Clarence Thomas.
Corbett backed mandatory ultrasounds for abortion patients, suggesting if women oppose the requirement, "you just have to close your eyes."
And his state spending cuts and privatization efforts don't help. National Women's Law Center data show that women make up 57 percent of the public-sector work force.
Still, Schwartz supports gun control, gay rights and abortion rights, and ran a Planned Parenthood center in a state with large pockets of social conservatives.
(Attorney General Kathleen Kane cashed in on Penn State stuff, anti-Corbett stuff and women P.O.'ed at stupid GOP stuff about rape and birth control, and was a fresh face without a vast voting record to pick apart.) - Philadelphia Daily News, 2/25/13
And the best part is Schwartz has an early fundraising edge:
http://www.nationaljournal.com/...
One advantage that Schwartz has is that she doesn’t need to get started explicitly raising money for a gubernatorial bid yet. Her congressional campaign treasury—$3 million and counting—can be transferred under Pennsylvania law to a future governor’s race. That law also means that Schwartz can continue to stock her congressional account with new money, even if she plans to use it later for a statewide run. - National Journal, 2/20/13
She also hired Aubrey Montgomery, the fundraising juggernaut (who read my diary on Schwartz and was flattered to be called a juggernaut) from the Pennsylvania Democrats to work on her campaign:
With more than a decade of experience in both candidate and political non-profit fundraising, Aubrey is an expert at executing political finance plans, coaching candidates, state and federal fundraising compliance, and managing finance staff. She has a wealth of knowledge about targeting and soliciting potential donors, methods and means for maximizing contributions, as well as how to avoid common mistakes and misconceptions about fundraising.
Aubrey has worked on dozens of local, state, and federal races throughout the country as well as several political issue campaigns. She served previously as Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Pennsylvania, led the campaigns of State Senator Daylin Leach, Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams and Bryan Lentz’s top-targeted campaign for Congress. Aubrey, a Philadelphia native, is currently the finance director for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and serves on the national faculty for the Center for Progressive Leadership, The Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics and the New Leaders Council. - Democracy For America Training Team
Schwartz is also a fundraising juggernaut as finance director for the DCCC and with Montgomery on her team, they can raise the resources they need to both win the primary and the general election. This is going to be an expensive especially now that Comcast is throwing it's support behind Corbett:
http://www.pennlive.com/...
Comcast Executive Vice President David L. Cohen, a longtime political confidant of former Gov. Ed Rendell, stunned Pennsylvania Democrats and Republicans alike when he announced he was supporting Corbett's as yet undeclared re-election campaign.
It was an earth-shattering coup for Corbett, who has endured months of abysmal approval ratings and open speculation about his viability as a candidate. And it sent a clear message that the governor means to hold what he's won.
“It's obviously hugely important to Corbett,” said Franklin & Marshall College pollster G. Terry Madonna. “There's a message in there” for primary challengers. - The Patriot-News, 2/25/13
I can understand some Democrats hesitation about Schwartz. She is very socially liberal and has been a loud vocal supporter of abortion rights, gay rights and gun control. But her stance on these issues only strengthen the argument for Schwartz's candidacy. In a midterm election, turn out is very important and with Corbett's lowest approval rating with women voters, Schwartz would help generate a large turnout with women and younger voters. Plus it would help her win the Philly suburbs where the voters there are fiscally moderate but socially liberal. It worked for Rendell in his run for governor in 2002 both in the general election and the primary. And even though not all of the Affordable Health Care Act is popular in Pennsylvania, Corbett choosing to deny the expansion of Medicaid in the state will hurt Corbett. Republican governors in Ohio, Florida and Arizona were smart enough to allow Medicaid expansion but Corbett decided to go the path of Texas Governor Rick Perry (R. TX). Plus Schwartz is already making Corbett's decision on Medicaid expansion a serious campaign issue:
http://www.politicspa.com/...
“Governor Christie said today, and I’m going to quote him, that expanding Medicaid is, quote, ‘the smart thing to do for our fiscal and public health,’” she said. “We’re calling on Governor Corbett to do the smart thing.”
The Montgomery County Congresswoman, who is actively pursuing a bid for Governor in 2014, took a soft tone toward her prospective rival.
“Hopefully he’ll see the way forward to making this work,” she said, noting that Christie’s decision gives Corbett political cover. Other Republicans governors have also recently bought into the program.
“We want to keep up the drum beat and hopefully he’ll change his mind.” - Politics PA, 2/27/13
Democrats in Pennsylvania are eager to get rid of Corbett and believe he can be beaten, hence why they want to avoid crowded and expensive primary because it could hurt their chances at taking back the Governorship. Even Senator Casey echoed state party chairman, Jim Burn's call to avoid a crowded primary:
http://www.delcotimes.com/...
Casey said there are a number of Democrats who are eyeing the seat in 2014, but he was unwilling to say who he’d support at this time.
“I hope we can avoid an expensive primary,” he said. - Delco Times, 2/19/13
If there is one state that needs a woman who stands up for women's rights, it's Pennsylvania. Schwartz fits that bill perfectly and she can excite the base and get the female vote to give Corbett the boot. We made history in 2012 by electing the first female to the Attorney General's office and we can do it again by making Allyson Schwartz the first female Governor of Pennsylvania in 2014. I'm all in for Schwartz. To my fellow Pennsylvanians, I will leave you with this great quote from Mel Brooks' Space Balls: