Well another big name that's often been mentioned as a potential gubernatorial candidate for 2014 just made a big move that could indicate he is running for office:
http://www.politicspa.com/...
Sen. Bob Casey’s longtime Finance Director Mike Butler will join the campaign team of Rob McCord. Since he is term limited as Pa. Treasurer, it’s a clear sign that McCord is gearing up for a bid for Governor.
“I’m excited to have Mike on our team,” said McCord, of Montgomery County, in a campaign statement. “He has a depth of fundraising and campaign experience in Pennsylvania that is unmatched. He is, quite simply, the best at what he does. And he’s going to be a key player on our team.”
Prior to Casey 2012, when the campaign raised $16 million, Butler served as FD for 2010 Guv hopeful Dan Onorato. He was western Pa. FD for Casey in 2006. PoliticsPA named him one of the state’s Top Political Operatives in 2012. - Politics PA, 3/14/13
McCord is term limited and has been mentioned several times as a strong candidate for Governor. McCord has been one of the loudest critics of Governor Tom Corbett's (R) plan to privatize the lottery:
http://www.pennlive.com/...
State Treasurer Rob McCord criticized Gov. Tom Corbett's handling of the effort to boost profits from the Pennsylvania Lottery to raise money for programs serving a growing senior citizen population.
At a Senate budget hearing, McCord suggested the administration would have done better had it had an open conversation with the Legislature about expanding the lottery to include terminal-based games such as keno at the same time it was looking at the idea of privatizing the lottery's management.
"We could do much, much better. We could serve seniors better. We could be more thoughtful about our tax revenues, significant tax revenues that are flowing from gaming," McCord said.
He was talking about the 20- to 30-year contract that Corbett's administration signed with United Kingdom-based Camelot Global Services PA, LLC to manage the lottery that was rejected last week by Attorney General Kathleen Kane as illegal and unconstitutional.
"It doesn’t mean we don’t privatize things, but we can’t just use the word privatization like pixie dust and think maybe ... (it will) look like a win before campaign season and everything will be fine. This is real money for senior citizens we're talking about. And we can do better.” - The Patriot-News, 2/20/13
Privatizing the lottery has proven to be a losing issue for Corbett:
http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/...
The issues that have been most prominent in the news lately are not serving Corbett well. Only 25% of voters approve of how he's handled the Penn State situation, to 58% who disapprove. And just 17% support his plan for privatizing the state lottery, compared to 67% who oppose it. In both cases Corbett's leadership is being repudiated even by members of his own party- he has just 35/45 support for his handling of Penn State and 25/55 support for lottery privatization from Republicans. - PPP, 3/12/13
I mentioned earlier this week that McCord found a great ally in Attorney General Kathleen Kane (D. PA) in opposing Corbett's plan to privatize the lottery:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
“I commend the Attorney General for her independent review and subsequent rejection of the administration’s attempt to expand gambling through the state contracting process. The administration was repeatedly warned, as early as last year, that the proposed contract would permit new forms of gambling not currently authorized by the legislature and not regulated by the Gaming Control Board. Expanding the lottery is a policy decision that should include the General Assembly, not be done through a closed-door contracting process. Beyond the legal issues, this proposal also raised serious questions about how best to serve seniors efficiently with the programs that the lottery pays for.” - Pittsburgh business Times, 2/14/13
Kane, who became both the first female and Democrat to win Corbett's old job, is a great friend to have in Pennsylvania politics these days. Especially since she is hard at work with her probe into Corbett's handling of the Penn State sex scandal and how he may have let convicted child molester, Jerry Sandusky, lose to avoid losing the Penn State Alumni Association's endorsement for his 2010 gubernatorial campaign. McCord has also been Corbett's harshest critic on his plan for pension reform:
http://www.delcotimes.com/...
Pennsylvania's state treasurer is teaming up with an ally of organized labor to oppose a key part of Gov. Tom Corbett's plan to overhaul the state's largest public employee pension plans.
Treasurer Rob McCord and economist Stephen Herzenberg of the Keystone Research Center said Tuesday that a proposal to divert newly hired state workers into a 401(k)-style plan would not save money but instead would cost taxpayers more.
They say shutting off the existing pension plan would reduce investment returns for current employees that taxpayers would have to help make up, while requiring additional money for employees enrolled in the new plan. - 2/26/13
Corbett's pension reform plan would also cost a key group that helped him win his bid in 2010:
http://triblive.com/...
The Fraternal Order of Police, which endorsed Corbett‘s 2010 campaign, would oppose proposals to cut benefits, said state FOP president Les Neri. Police retire earlier than most public employees and don‘t have as much time to build a nest egg, said Neri, whose 40,000-member organization has 6,000 people in the state pension system. Raising the retirement age would be a mistake, he said.
“A violent criminal in his 20s or early 30s being pursued by a 58-year-old, gray-haired police officer — I don‘t think that‘s what we have in mind when we‘re talking about public safety,” Neri said. - Pittsburgh Tribune Review, 12/5/12
So yes, I think McCord is serious looking into challenging Corbett in 2014. Now I've been writing a lot about this race and I have stated that I like McCord but my preference is Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (D. PA-13). I've written about why I think Schwartz, so far, is the best choice to go up against Corbett. You can read why here:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
But this great article from Philly Mag make a pretty good argument for a McCord For Governor campaign:
http://www.phillymag.com/...
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 even though Schwartz has a fundraising edge, that's not going to stop McCord from throwing his hat in the race:
He’s heard the Schwartz chatter too – and he’s not deterred.
“There’s nobody talking about getting in that I’ve heard of that would affect my choice,” he said.
“Rob McCord needs to say he’s in,” concluded one operative, if he wants to prevent Schwartz from gaining steam.
Chairman Groen also represents McCords home county. He said he didn’t think the race would make it all the way to primary day.
“If Allyson gets in, raises a bunch of money, gets a bunch of support, then Rob McCord will need to take a look around and decide how far he wants to go. If Rob McCord gets in and gets the money and support, then Allyson will need to decide.” - Politics PA, 2/8/13
I also like McCord's views on how Pittsburgh and Philadelphia could be the new hot spots for technical entrepreneurship, giving him a strong, positive message for a new and brighter future and a stronger economy for Pennsylvania:
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
So McCord is certainly an appealing candidate and maybe his entrance into the race could be a good thing. Personally, I still think McCord should be patient and wait until 2016 to go up against Tea Party Senator Pat Toomey (R. PA) in 2016. It'll be presidential year and McCord can certainly raise the money he needs to unseat Toomey. Plus if he finishes his second term as state Treasurer, he'll have a great record to run on. But his entrance into the Governor's race would make Schwartz really have to fight for the nominee giving her an opportunity to make a name for herself. There is also former congressman, decorated admiral and 2010 U.S. Senate candidate, Joe Sestak (D) who could also prove to be a strong opponent against Corbett. Both PPP and most recently, Quinnipac, shows him to be a strong contender:
http://articles.mcall.com/...
Sestak, the former Delaware County congressman, Navy admiral and Arlen Specter-career handicapper hasn't made any early moves to run, but if he throws his name in the ring, as many insiders assume he will, he would win 47 percent to 38 percent today.
Sestak, who narrowly lost the 2010 Senate race to Pat Toomey, has aimed to stay relevant by appearing on national cable shows as a pundit. He has the highest name identification of the potential Democratic primary field, but despite running statewide just over two years ago, 58 percent of Pennsylvania voters say they don't know enough about him to form an opinion. Around one-quarter of voters have a favorable view of him and 14 percent don't. - The Morning Call, 3/13/13
Sestak has the most name recognition after very narrowly losing to Toomey in 2010 and he's been on all the political news shows and kept his face in the limelight. So who knows, he could be the wild card that pulls this off.
It's still very early in the race and a lot can happen between now and 2014 but at least the Democrats have a good bench of great candidates. Democrats have an amazing shot to take out Corbett but head this warning from Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman, Jim Burn:
“We have a real shot,” said state chairman Jim Burn, a Pittsburgh lawyer. “This is the most unpopular governor in the United States.”
The chairman added that state party leaders agree it would be wise to unite behind a single candidate in the 2014 gubernatorial primary, to avoid an expensive brawl and conserve resources for the fight against Corbett in a state that historically does not turn out incumbent chief executives.
“There are a lot of conversations taking place,” Burn said. “We have a responsibility to vet this before the primary. Ideally we don’t want a contested primary.” - Philadelphia Inquirer, 9/6/12