| There are two pieces out of Pennsylvania this morning. First, the lawsuit Golden English v. Chester County was filed in Federal Court. This is a racial discrimination suit related to problems with African-American voting in the 2008 general election. You can read the suit here. In summary: A federal lawsuit was filed today on behalf of African-American residents and Lincoln University students in Chester County, asserting that the County Board of Elections and Department of Voter Services have deprived African-Americans in Lower Oxford East Township of their right to vote by assigning them to inconvenient and inadequate polling facilities. Prior to the November 2008 election, community members had warned county officials that the existing polling place could not handle the anticipated turnout, but county officials refused to move the polling place. As a result, on Election Day 2008, hundreds of Lower Oxford East voters - most of them African-American - waited up to seven hours in the pouring rain to cast their votes. Those who were unable to wait left without voting. The suit asks the court to order Chester County to return the Lower Oxford East polling place to the Lincoln University campus, authorize federal elections monitors, and award damages to residents who faced extreme difficulties or were prevented from voting in the 2008 general election.
While you won't find it surprising, the County Commission had then two Republican commissioners and one Democrat. The vote was 2 - 1. The other news relates to the Senate race. A new heavily slanted and biased Rasmussen poll shows Joe Sestak up on point from their last poll, to a spread of eight, and Specter falling further behind Toomey. Specifically: Toomey leads Specter by 49%-40%, and he leads Sestak by 43%-35%. A month ago Toomey led Specter by 46%-42%, and led Sestak by 44%-38%.
You can see the historical graphs here. The difference between being 8 points behind vs 9 points is not statistically significant, but when you look at the trends, Sestak was last ahead of Toomey in October, and his rate of separation is slowing, along with double digit uncommitted voters. Meanwhile, Specter peaked in August, undecideds are down to 8%, and it looks to be in free fall. In addition, Sestak has publicly asked Specter to debate early and often one-on-one. For those of us who saw them live, together on the stage at Netroots Nation last summer, that will only increase Sestaks's popularity. It is therefore likely that Specter will hold the number of debates to a minimum. Years ago, even 5 years ago, you'd see Arlen Specter in person and be impressed. You might not have agreed with him, but he knew his facts, spoke with conviction, and truly was an interesting listen. Last summer he was unsure, halting, and "old-old". I cannot remember if he was undergoing chemo at the time. If he was, that certainly would have contributed, so we'll see if the debates come off. Update from Matt: One more bit of PA news: Wealthy businessman Steve Welch (R) said today he won't drop out of the race against Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-PA), forcing the incumbent into a potentially costly, and damaging, primary.
GOPers were excited when Gerlach dropped his longshot GOV bid earlier this month to run for re-election to his swing suburban Philly CD. But they certainly didn't bargain on Welch -- and his $650K war chest -- staying in the contest.
In fact, most of the other serious contenders have dropped out of the race; some, begrudgingly so. Most expected Welch to drop his bid, but he has decided to stay in. "If you were us, why would you stop?" Welch told PoliticsPA today. "We're clearly gaining support."
Update from DocJess: Tom Knox has officially dropped out of the gubernatorial race, and endorsed Dan Onorato. |
