As expected, state treasurer switches to Democratic Party

[modrepub]

Barbara Hafer backed Ed Rendell in his bid for governor. Her affiliation will allow a run against Sen. Rick Santorum in '06.

By Oliver Prichard

Inquirer Staff Writer

In a move widely anticipated ever since she crossed party lines to endorse Ed Rendell for governor, state Treasurer Barbara Hafer announced yesterday she had switched her affiliation to the Democratic Party.

Her defection, which Hafer had all but promised while speaking at a political gathering three weeks ago in New York, will allow her to pursue a possible run against U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, a conservative Republican, in 2006. Hafer's eight-year run as treasurer expires in January 2005.

<snip>
link:

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/pennsylvania/counties/chester_county/7602336.htm

Hafer has a real good chance to send Santorum packing. She will do well in Pittsburgh, Philly and its more moderate suburbs. Her biggest hurdle will be winning the primary. PA dems tend to elect pro-life candidates which have little appeal in the Philly suburbs where dems need to take votes away from repubs. Her only drawback is her age. I wish she had done this 10 years ago.

[MaineDem]

1. You go, Barbara!

Two days in a row we've had a story of a switch to the Democratic Party. I'm hoping this is a sign. :)

[lancdem]

10. Who else switched parties?

[Democrats unite]

2. Great News!!!!

I can't stand that Asshole Santorum!

[dusty64]

3. Sounds good.

ANYBODY but santorum. He's in my top five most loathed list.

[Judi Lynn]

4. What about Strom Thurmond? Now that was OLD!

I looked for a photo so I could try to guess her age, found this one. Is it recent? If so, I'll betcha she's got a lot of good years left in Senate time!



Thanks for the good news. It would be great to see someone as bizarre as Rick Santorum sent packing.

[54anickel]

5. But will she take on a more Dem ideaology, or just be another

Repug-lite, Lord knows we have enough of them already.
I am all for getting more people under the Dem tent, but not if they are going to corrupt this party to the point where there really isn't a 2 party system.
She changed to be able to run, it doesn't mean she's changed.

[Divernan]

12. She's always been a social moderate and fiscal conservative.

I am delighted to welcome her to the Pennsylvania Democrats. She has always done an excellent job in her statewide offices as treasurer and auditor general - she has great name recognition in the state and best of all, she is as tough a campaigner as I have ever seen. Santorum will finally be in a fight with someone who can go toe to toe with him and make him squirm in the spotlight of public ridicule.

[beyurslf]

6. Did she switch parties just to run against Rick

or did she find her views were no longer a part of the Republican party?

Of course, a moderate R would be better than Rick.

[phillybri]

7. Either way is good, Santorum is a fucking psycho....

:crazy:

[RamboLiberal]

9. She found her views no longer part of Repugs

Hafer endorsed Rendell and Dan Onorato a Dem running for County Executive in Allegheny County (Pittsburgh). Local news this morning said the Repugs told her to get out of the party, though it's been rumored for months she was going to switch.

Wish Daschle and the Dems would tell Zell Miller he's no longer welcome.

And Hafer has the state wide name factor that just might beat Senator Sanctimoneous.

[CBHagman]

11. "Senator Sanctimonious" (Snicker)

Amen to that. If there was ever a more irritating phoney than Rick Santorum, I can't think of one.

[MasonJar]

8. Santorium is so evil that I bet even the Pugs hope he loses. n/t