| The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee released its first "Red to Blue" list today targeting what they think are Congressional seats ripe for the taking in 2010. They include PA-10 (Charlie Dent) and PA-07 (Joe Sestak's open seat) along with Delaware's lone seat being vacated by Mike Castle who is running for the Senate. John Callahan is mounting the first major Democratic threat to Charlie Dent in the Lehigh Valley. He is out raising Dent in money and has put together a good team.
Bryan Lentz was the original challenger to Crazy Curt Weldon four years ago then ran for the State House so Joe Sestak could take the Congressional District. Now that Sestak is running for the Senate Lentz is taking his great record working in Harrisburg with him to Washington. I met with Bryan Lentz in early December to interview him for the national Progressive Change Campaign Committee. I was quite impressed with him and his willingness to discuss progressive issues with me. (I also interviewed Manan Trivedi)
The Delaware seat is intriguing also. Our neighbor to the south was originally part of Penn's Woods and was referred to as the "lower three counties" in early colonial times. We share state colors and a circular border drawn from the courthouse in picturesque old New Castle. Voters in Delaware tend to go with the person rather than Party but the state has been trending ble in recent years. Once they like someone they tend to stay with them as they rise from Lt. Governor to Governor to Congress and then Senate. Joe Biden went directly from New Castle County government directly to the Senate but Castle rode the train through the ranks. He now wants Biden's Senate seat. He's been a moderate Republican as Delawareans tend to prefer but Carney is quite a challenge for his vacated seat.
The DCCC has their work cut out for them this year and nowhere is more important than Pennsylvania. Chris Carney has challengers in the 10th which is traditionally heavily Republican. Paul Kanjorski has several challengers as does Tim Holden. Two Democrats are trying to derail Jim Gerlach though I don't see either of them winning, Patrick Murphy will have a rematch with Mike Fitzpatrick in Bucks, the 12th is wide open and ripe for a Republican takeover, and the GOP is setting their target on retaking the 3rd CD. Lois Herr thinks Joe Pitts could be vulnerable after co-sponsoring the Stupak-Pitts Amendment and is waging a good campaign in the 16th. There are few safe seats in Pennsylvania this year. |
