RW candidates for Senate, Governor now legally on ballot - will they hurt the GOP?

[old mark]

Candidates for minority parties - Libertarian, Tea Party and Green have gained enough signatures on the petitions to run for office this November. There will be several RW candidates running for Governor and US Senator, as well as a Green Party candidate. I am wondering if there is enough support for them to take votes from the republican candidates, and in effect helping the Democrats win.

FWIW, I believe we will win the Senate with Sestak, and that we still might win the Governors race, although it will be a lot closer...


mark

[JPZenger]

1. Very good news

Charlie Dent (R-15) also has a libertarian challenger on the ballot in Nov.

I expect Republican challenges against their petitions, which can be used to further generate anger among the teabaggers.

We should be doing everything we can to promote these libertarian and tea party candidates. They may provide the margin for victory.

There also is a movement (reported in the Phila. Inquirer) to write in Sam Rohrer's name for governor. Go Sam!

[old mark]

2. I sign the petitions whenever I get the chance - the more people

after the same republican votes, the better is is for us.


mark

[JPZenger]

3. Yes

Yes, I happily signed a libertarian's petition.

A few years ago, the Green Party's petition processes for statewide offices in PA. was funded by hardcore Republicans.

[wisteria]

4. What are your reasons for believing Sestak will pull out a win in PA?

I am not wanting to start any trouble, I am just curious. Toomey leads right now in polls, but polls in August don't reflect much. What press I have read on Sestak seems to place him in the lukewarm category. How is he for funds? I have no intention of voting for Toomey, but I would like some other reason to vote for Sestak other than he isn't a Republican and he is a Democrat.
What has he had to say about jobs in PA and the economy-two huge issues which I think are going to dominate the November elections?

[howaboutme]

5. Toomey is heavily advertising

He has more $$$ in his war chest. I personally think that Sestak will come out with some good ads in the month or two leading up to elections as he did with Specter. Toomey's ads are not that effective imho.

[old mark]

7. Toomey's ads are basically, "Lower taxes, smaller government."

I think he has outlived his prime time as a potential senator.


mark

[old mark]

6. Sestak usually spends his ad money late in the campaign - Since he won

the primary, he has been driving himself around the state to speak and appear on local radio programming, etc - he really campaigns hard! Specter led the polls till the last week before the primary, ended up losing all but 3 counties.
Sestak makes every dollar count. Sestak would be the most progressive senator we havehad in a long time - the only problem I have with him is that he favore gun control, but I doube that will ever come up at the Federa level.

Plus, the teabagger party candidates and the libertarians will take votes from Toomey.

I have less faith that Onorato will win but I believe it will never be other than a close race, and the numbers right now are really pretty meaningless.

mark

[wisteria]

8. Thanks for the information-everyone! n/t

[old mark]

9. Vote for Democrats - we don't need any fucking republicans here in PA...nt

[JPZenger]

10. Tea Bagger in Meehan Race

More good news, a libertarian tea bagger has qualified to run in the Meehan-Lentz US House race in the western suburbs of PA. Another teabagger has entered the race in a key PA. state house district race.

[JPZenger]

11. Green Party Candidate in Senate Race

Sestak is challenging the Green Party candidate in the US Senate race. In the past, republicans have funded the petition drives in US senate races in Pa. for green party candidates.

[old mark]

12. I have contributed to Onotoro's campaign, although not a lot...

Next month I will contribute a bit to Sestak, and search for local/Berks County Democrats to support as the time gets closer.

Thanks for this information, JP - to me, THESE are the really important elections - they affect all of us every day.

:hi:

mark

[anthroguy101]

13. I'm voting for Sestak and Onorato

I turn 18 on the 28th, and I've already registered. Hopefully they will be able to SPEAK UP and campaign effectively in the coming months. I will also be voting for Dahlkemper (too bad she's a blue dog, but I have no choice). Unfortunately, I think Kathy Rapp is running unopposed, though I could be wrong about that. I'm glad to see some confidence, so let's turn them into votes.

[old mark]

14. I wish your attitude would spread all over the country. I am 63, and I have voted

in every election since I was able to vote-never for a republican. Thanks for your response and welcome to DU- and to voting.

mark

[anthroguy101]

15. Thanks