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Maybe, maybe not.

But he’s #7 on CBS’s possible list.

Joe Klein of Time Magazine recently wrote that McCain was frustrated by the obvious political reasons for why he couldn’t pick any of his top three vice-presidential candidates. According to Klein, Ridge was number one on McCain’s dream VP list. But how can McCain, who has had trouble rallying the conservative base, endure the grumblings among the Republican rank and file if he were to select a pro-choice running mate? Another reason for Ridge’s slip in the rankings: Roll Call recently reported that “for almost two years former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge failed to register a nearly half-million-dollar lobbying contract that he had with the government of Albania.” Could McCain afford the political fallout of running with a former lobbyist?

The Watercooler’s unofficial favorite, Alaska Gov Sarah Palin gets in at number nine.

I’m going to throw a name out there.

Former HP CEO Carly Fiorina.

Highly successful businesswoman, a Fiorina ticket will bring the economic experience and understanding that McCain (by his own admission) lacks.

Anyone? Anyone?

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A battle of what might have been…

The Manufacturers’ Association of Northwest Pennsylvania is mixing a Democrat and a Republican again for its annual event.

Democrat John Edwards and Republican Fred Thompson, both of whom failed to gain traction in the 2008 presidential race, will be the featured speakers at the association’s 103rd annual event on June 18.

In June 2007, the association booked at Tullio Arena the husband-and-wife team of Democratic strategist James Carville and Republican adviser Mary Matalin.

This year’s event will be at the Bayfront Convention Center.

Adding to the political flavor, former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow will moderate.

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A quick look around shows some pretty interesting races coming up here in the Northwest

For full articles click on the County’s name.

Erie County:

In a very rare occurence here in Erie, the Erie GOP has nominated a candidate for City Council in a city that has a 3 to 1 Democrat advantage.

Their Candidate is Tim Butler, 25, who is a lifelong resident of Erie. He is a landlord in the city and formerly worked for Senator Rick Santorum in his Erie office. Butler, an African American who is a deacon in his church, is running on keeping spending in check and lower taxes.   

Butler is an extremely attractive candidate and represents a definate shift in strategy for the Erie County GOP. This year an aggressive effort was made to field candidates by new Erie County GOP Chairman Brad Moore.

Moore is hoping to lead and revitalize the Erie party that has been stagnant the last few years. Challenging City Council and making a true effort is something that hasn’t been done in some time. Tuesday, a press conference was held with Butler and Moore and about 10 other supporters, a tactic that was unheard of under the prior leadership, as shocking as that sounds.

Erie County will be a county to watch as the party has a new leader with fresh ideas, or as Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook said at the GOP dinner last Friday “Our ship has a rudder!”

In other races:

• In the May Primary Republican County Councilwoman Carol Loll will be challenged by Mark Schwab and Daniel T. Galena. Democrat Lyle Sanders awaits the winner in November  
• Democrat Phil Fatica will challenge the winner of the Republican primary between newly appointed County Councilman Charles Augustine and Gil Rocco.
• Democrat County Councilman and Chairman Fiore Lione will face Mike Kobylka in the November election.

Crawford County:

11 Candidates file for County Commissioner

5 Democrats: Sherman Allen, Robert Davis, Dominic Frisina, Patricia Gillette, Kenny Keltner and LeRoy Stearns.

Democratic Incumbent, Roger Williams, is retiring.

6 Republicans, including 2 incumbents: Harold Corner, George Greig, incumbent Jack Preston, Bonnie Tingley and incumbent Morris Waid.

All other positions will not be contested by the democrats which is interesting considering this story from a few months ago.

Mercer County

10 candidates file for Commissioner:

Democrats: Incumbent Brian Beader, Kenneth R. Ammann, Jim Kaibas, Dave Ryan and Timothy P. Templeton.
Republicans: Mary A. Buckwalter, Michael M. Cooney, John N. Lechner, Lewis P. McEwen, and Phillip P. Steele.

 Intriguing Story: Brian Shipley(R) returns to the ballot. Shipley a former Mercer County Commissioner, left office after allegations of improper use of county credit cars, phones and computers were raised. He is running for a seat on Greenville Council.

Venango County

11 people for Commissioner.

Democrats:  Stan Grzasko, Jan Beichner, Malcolm Sullivan, Trish McKissick and Jodi Baker-Lewis
Republicans: Incumbent Sue Smith, incumbent Larry Horn, Troy Wood, Timothy Brooks, David P. Moore and Daniel Kaylor

Also Marquee District Judge Race:
Robert Boyer, magisterial district judge vs.  Keith Pemrick, well regarded attorney, vs Marie Veon, county district attorney

Clarion County:

County Commissioner

Republican Incumbents: David Cyphert and Donna Oberlander
Democrats: Incumbent Donna Hartle, Donald E. Montgomery, Joseph W. Billotte II, and Randy Vossburg

Warren County

County Commissioner
Democrats: incumbent John Eggleston and Maurice “Buster” Godden
Republicans: Incumbent John Bortz Jr., Incumbent David Bauer, Terry Hawk,  Raymond Thomas, and Sue Kibbey

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I think Chief Deputy Whip Eric Cantor gets it right in a video he posted on his website.

See it here at Redstate in case he moves it from his website.

It’s a shame Rep English and the other supporters of this awful resolution failed to see the historical significance of their votes today.

The lessons of History must not be forgotten!
-Eric Cantor on the Floor of the House

Observe the Lessons of History:

“The Summer Soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country…”
-Thomas Paine

Remember that in these grave days in the affairs of the world we need internal unity, national unity, for the good of the nation. That is good advice and it never grows old.
-Franklin D. Roosevelt

Alexander Hamilton said that A nation that prefers disgrace to danger is prepared for a master and deserves one. Now let’s set the record straight: there’s no argument over the choice between war and peace but there’s only one guaranteed way you can have peace and you can have it this second: surrender.
-Ronald Reagan

EDIT: Here’s the embeded video – AlexC

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File this story under “Waaaaaah! I refuse to admit that I lost!”

Dr. Steven Porter, the two-time loser against US Representative Phil English has decided to sue English for misrepresenting what Porter wrote in his own book.

Come again?

Hat tip to The Herald (Sharon, PA).

It seems that the English campaign took quotes from “The Ethics of a Democracy” and used them against Porter. Porter claims the words don’t represent what he thinks.

This isn’t the first tantrum for Porter, either. After his most recent defeat, he went on a tirade against his own party for not supporting him.

More commentary on the story can be found on That’s Rich.

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Millcreek Twp teachers reached an agreement avoiding a strike that was slated to begin on Thursday.

Full Article Here(Free Reg Required)

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Phil English (R-3rd) got a rare positive editorial from the Erie Times as they praised his efforts to keep funding coming for sand replenishment at Presque Isle State Park.

Presque Isle is an important part of the Erie community and economy and is truly a treasure.

Read it here(registration required) OR:

The editorial is below the break 

(more…)

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I was interviewed for an article on tonights State of the Union in the Erie Times.

 A decent article but one thing: On the front page were 3 Democrats, and then tucked in the middle pages were two Republicans and a Democrat. Along the side with shorter blurbs there was 1 Republican, 2 independents, and four more Democrats. Balance?

Below the break is the full text of my section

(more…)

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Why not, Ben? It’s easier to hold everyone hostage that way.

Middle of the year, everyone’s in “school season” etc.

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See story here

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It seems there will be a some sort of smoking ban in the four Corners of PA, Allegany Count Erie County, Scranton, and Philadelphia. I am very surprised by the Scranton ban because from my perspective most people in NEPA smoked. Anyways a least we are not New York. For many reasons I am glad about this, today especially because they are banning trans-fat. I don’t know specifically what trans-fat is, but I probably just ate some for lunch.

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Alex,

No I’m not. In fact I can’t stand the stuff. I watched my grandmother die from leukemia because she smoked religously. So on a personal level no, I don’t like smoking.

My personal preference though doesn’t mean that the government should enforce that preference on others. There are several options for me if I want to avoid smoking when I eat or drink.

It irks me the Kyle Foust is using this issue to raise his profile for what I think will be a run for higher office sometime soon. It especially irks me that my tax money is going to go to a lawsuit to defend a ‘law’ clearly violates state law. Unless of course they can find a judge to become a legislator unto him or herself and declare that law null and void. Which irks me further that my tax dollars are going to subverting the democratic process.

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Ben, are you a smoker?

I saw this shirt available for purchase.

It’s naturally targetted at nanny-staters… although that really doesn’t look like a cigarette… a tobacco one, anyway… or so I’ve heard.

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Erie County governments rush to become the nannies to our children and citizens continues

Tuesday saw the Erie County Council taking the steps toward a smoking ban.

Last night the City Council passed a 10pm curfew on all minors under the age of 18.

Read this quote by advocate of the curfew Ed Dawson:

Ed Dawson, a member of a committee that developed the curfew guidelines for council, said too many children roam around at night with nothing to do — and those circumstances make it too easy for adults to tempt them with alcohol, marijuana or gambling.

I half expected the next line to read: Then Dawson broke into song reminiscent of The Music Man’s lead character Harold Hill’s admonition to the people of River City: “Oh, we got we got trouble my friends; right here, I say trouble, right here, in Erie City.”

Ridiculous.

Both City Council and County Council have better way to use their time and my tax dollars.

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What the hell is going on in my county!

The City Council in Erie is trying to replace parents now with a 10pm curfew! 10pm? What’s next? Are we going to mandate bedtimes now too?

After reading today’s paper I have a headache!

See Here

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