Holden enjoys a sizable lead in polls and the money haul. He's been on the air for weeks with a hard-hitting ad attacking Argall's votes to boost his state pension and the ill-fated 2005 pay raise. Those votes came at a time when Argall was in the GOP House leadership as caucus whip. Argall fights back that Holden is not conservative enough for the district he represents and should not claim the mantle of a conservative-leaning Blue Dog Democrat. Argall slams Holden for voting to recess this fall rather than vote on extending the so-called Bush tax cuts. House leadership postponed a vote on that controversial bill until after the mid-term elections. Check out Argall's one and only ad against Holden launched just in the last week.
Argall also tries to tie Holden to perhaps the most-hated woman in America among conservatives -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Holden votes with the democratic leadership 95.6 % of the time. Pelosi, campaigning in Pittsburgh last week, said Pennsylvania's congressional races are vital to Democrats' ability to maintain power in the U-S House. Holden voted against the health-care overhaul bill but voted for TARP, the auto-industry bailout, and the Obama administration's $800 billion economic stimulus plan. Unemployment runs high in the 17th district with Schuylkill County, both candidates' home base, registering the highest at 10.8% in August. That's above both the national and state rates. Argall will bring in former House Speaker Newt Gingrich this morning to try to rally the GOP faithful to turn out at the polls next Tuesday.
When I asked Argall's press secretary if there were any part of the GOP's Pledge to America that Argall does not support, the answer was no. The latest Susquehanna Polling survey shows Holden with a comfortable 30-point lead. But in this volatile election cycle, no one is taking the voters' loyalty for granted.
I regret that we were not able to bring you the Holden-Argall debate. We'd still love to hear from you! Please send your thoughts on this race and how you plan to vote on November 2. Which issues motivate you to choose one of the candidates over the other? Share your questions and comments at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or www.facebook.com/witf.org. We'll keep you updated on the 17th District race this Thursday night at 8 on Smart Talk and on Election Night during a special Election 2010 Smart Talk from 9-10 p.m. on WITF-TV. Let your voice be heard. Be sure to vote on November 2.
