Hoeffel gets high-powered assistance

[Freddie Stubbs]

PHILADELPHIA - Flanked by key national Democratic Party players, Congressman Joe Hoeffel fired the first shot Monday in Philadelphia's tony Rittenhouse Hotel in his bid for the U.S. Senate.

Joined by the Senate's minority leader, Tom Daschle of South Dakota, and Sen. Jon Corzine of New Jersey, Hoeffel said he is confident he will beat incumbent Republican Arlen Specter in November 2004.

"Arlen Specter is enabling the right wing to win close vote after close vote," Hoeffel said. "That's got to change. I'm the guy who can do it."

Hoeffel, Daschle and Corzine spent about half an hour rallying about 60 supporters in the lobby of the Rittenhouse on Monday afternoon, then adjourned upstairs to speak to the press. It was the first press conference of Hoeffel's campaign.

more: http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/113-09092003-156071.html

[mndemocrat_29]

1. Hoeffel's gaining steam

I have a feeling that Pennsylvania is to the Democrats what Georgia is to the Repukes. In Georgia, Democrats have lost the governorship and a senate race. In 2002, we picked up a governorship in Pennsylvania, and we should have senatorial pickups in 2004 and 2006.

[goobergunch]

2. I hope you're right

What I think might happen is while Specter and Toomey batter each other on TV, Hoeffel's positives will stay high and he'll be able to capitalize on the freeper dislike of Specter.

Odd note: Every Specter or Toomey ad I have seen so far was when flipping past Faux News.

[wrkclskid]

3. One of my supervisors over the summer used to work in Hoeffels' office

He still knows the staff, he said that while Hoeffel hopes he can beat Spectre, the main reason he is prob running is to get "name recognition" to try and challenge Santorum, who is more polarizing and easier to beat. Though who knows, he just may have a plan to unseat Spectre.

[mndemocrat_29]

4. I think he'll beat Specter in 2004

Probably part of the Pennsylvania sweep that I keep predicting. Therefore, Bob Casey Jr. will take on Santorum in 2006, leaving Pennsylvania with 2 Democratic senators.

[Freddie Stubbs]

5. Casey won't run for the Senate

He has repeatedly turned down opportunites to run for the State House, State Senate, Congress and US Senate. Every time he has stated that he has absolutley no desire to be a legislator. He is running for State Treasurer next year, and will probably be a candidate for Governor soemwhere down the road.

[jos]

6. Toomey

I think Toomey has a good shot to knock off Specter. The anti-abortion crowd will be out in force and Specter has been around forever. If that happens, Hoeffel will have an excellent chance to win the seat.

[wrkclskid]

7. Is Specter pro-choice

I know the freeper crowds consider him liberal but I didn;t know he supported abortion rights.

[jos]

8. Yes

he is.