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McCain stumps in Allentown 05/01/2008 Tim Lambert (Allentown) -- Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain is touting his proposal for a "gas tax holiday." In Allentown, McCain criticized Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama for opposing the plan, which would go into effect between Memorial and Labor Days.  00305_mccain1.mp3
Obama has said a "gas tax holiday" would only save consumers about $30 over the course of three months. During his campaign stop in the Lehigh Valley, McCain also criticized so-called earmarks -- which are pet projects that lawmakers regularly put into spending bills. The Arizona senator says Congress wastes too much money on unnecessary projects and doesn't leave enought funding for things that are needed. PA Senate approves measure to restrict automated political phone calls 05/01/2008 Scott Detrow and Radio Pennsylvania (Harrisburg) -- Many Pennsylvania voters were peppered with automated phone calls from political campaigns in the weeks leading up to the April 22nd primary. Now, the state Senate has passed a bill that would let residents sign up for a "Do Not Call" list that would restrict robo-calls. Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi sponsored the measure and says it would operate like the one that bans telemarketers. 00302_ROBO4.mp3
The measure passed by a 48-1 margin. It would go into effect on October 15th of this year -- about a month before Election Day. Republican leaders aim to regain control of the PA House 04/28/2008 Taunya English (Harrisburg) -- More than two dozen seats in the state Legislature are up for grabs in November and Republican leaders say they plan to work hard to regain control of House. But, Franklin and Marshall College political scientist Terry Madonna says Democrats are riding a wave of enthusiasm following the presidential primary. He says that momentum should allow the party to hold on to their slim majority in the chamber. 00299_mad25d.mp3
Madonna says many of the open slots are vacant because of retirements, not defeats at the polls or widespread voter dissatisfaction. The Democratic Party gained more than 300,000 new registrants for the April primary. Many were former Republicans or Independents, who crossed party lines to participate in the presidential contest. PA GOP hopes to bring former party members back into the fold 04/25/2008 Scott Detrow (Lancaster) -- The Republican party has launched an effort to re-register the thousands of voters who switched their affiliation to Democrat to take part in this week's presidential primary. Officials say they'll contact every single voter who switched his or her party over the coming months. The effort will include phone calls, mail drops and door-to-door canvassing. Andrew Heath is the Executive Director of the Lancaster County Republican Committee. He says the party is confident the continuing strife surrounding the Democratic contest will bring voters back to the GOP. 00296_gopefforts2.mp3
Health says the surge in Democratic registration had more to do with the excitement of the primary than a dissatisfaction with John McCain and other Republican candidates. He's predicting a Republican win in Pennsylvania this fall. Rendell says his role in Clinton win overblown 04/24/2008 Tim Lambert and Radio Pennsylvania (Harrisburg) -- Governor Rendell is downplaying his role in Hillary Clinton's 10 point primary win in Pennsylvania this week. Rendell made countless appearances across the state with the New York senator, as well as her daughter Chelsea and former President Bill Clinton. But, he says he really only assisted the Clinton campaign in organizing its efforts in the Commonwealth. 00293_RENDELL4.mp3
Rendell was Clinton's top advocate in the state, becoming a fixture on the cable news networks supporting her campaign. Citing her strength in key battleground areas like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida and Michichan, the governor says Clinton gives the Democrats the best chance to win in those states in November. He adds he believes the nominee will need to win at least three of them to win the White House. |
