A SLEW OF HOT CONGRESSIONAL RACES SHAPING UP PENNSYLVANIA-- AND ONE IN LOS ANGELES

Sam Bennett and a bunch of male politicians; PA needs her, obviously

This morning's Congressional Quarterly puts the spotlight on Pennsylvania's upcoming House races. Like 2006, this looks like it will be another year where Pennsylvania is in the middle of the action. While Democrats feel certain they cane make some more inroads to add to their four take-overs last year, Republicans have deluded themselves into believing they cane win back a seat or two. The state's House delegation stands at 11 Democrats vs 8 Republicans. (In 2005 there were 12 Republicans and only 7 Democrats.)

There's one retirement, rubber stamp loon John Peterson (PA-05), a blood-red district. None of the state's incumbents have any primary challenges to speak of but, of course there's a hot primary between the wing nuts-- 9 of them-- to see who gets the party nod in the 5th. (There are also 3 Democrats vying for the nomination, including journalist and Iraq war vet Bill Cahir.)

CQ rates 6 districts are more prone to change than the 5th. First and foremost is the 4th CD (suburban Pittsburgh), where freshman Jason Altmire has basically voted like a Republican for the past year, racking up one of the worst, most reactionary voting records among Democrats in Congress, just under Rahm's boy Heath Shuler and a smidge better than Brad Ellsworth from Indiana. The former Republican rubber stamp, Melissa Hart bought herself a rematch and is deceptively and crudely attacking the right-of-center Altmire as a flaming liberal.

With an almost identical reactionary voting record, and a well-earned reputation for dishonesty, Chris Carney will also face an as yet undetermined right-winger in the very Republican 10th CD. He's been one of Bush's and Cheney's most dependable Democratic allies on a wide array of issues, a disgrace to the Democratic Party.

The other two districts wrested from the Republicans in 2006, both in the Philly suburbs, are both relatively safe. Patrick Murphy and Joe Sestak each has a respectable moderate voting record in sync with his district and both are extremely popular and well-financed. Neither has a credible Republican challenger. My old Congressman, Paul Kanjorski (PA-11) is facing a challenge from far right extremist loon and xenophobic one-issue maniac Lou Barletta, the outspoken racist mayor of Hazelton. He is widely considered an embarrassing joke and lost to Kanjorski in 2002 by 13%.

Meanwhile there are 4 Republican seats that are vulnerable. First and foremost is the 15th CD (Lehigh Valley) where an unpopular rubber stamp disguised as a fake moderate, Charlie Dent, is being vigorously challenged by Blue America-endorsed Sam Bennett. The other vulnerable Republicans are Phil English, Jim Gerlach and Tim Murphy, all of whom will face winners of hotly contested Democratic primaries.

Someone who will not be facing a Democratic primary, we've just learned, is the Blue America endorsed Russ Warner in suburban Los Angeles (CA-26). Having learned from his experience in 2006, Russ paid more attention to his primary challenge this year and his persistent grassroots work has paid off, with his Democratic opponent, Hoyt Hilsman, withdrawing from the race a few days ago.

“I respect Hoyt’s decision and wish him well," Russ told us. "He’s a good man who is committed to improving his community and his country.  However, I am glad to be able to turn my full attention to David Dreier.  Dreier has lost touch with the people here-- and his record shows it. When Dreier votes to deny millions of children health care and consistently supports the continued expansion of the Iraq war-- he’s voting for George Bush’s agenda-- not ours."

The photo on the right was taken last year at a house party in the Valley and shows Russ with bloggers Jane Hamsher, and myself (flanking Russ) and, in the back row, Dave (D-Day), Todd Beeton, and Lucas Gardner. With the Democratic field cleared, Russ can now focus his resources and energy on one of Bush's most persistent rubber stamps, creepy Kansas City-based closet queen David Dreier. He is busy making sure voters in his moderate suburban district understand that their congressman is a radical right extremist and utter Bush tool.

"We deserve a representative in Congress who will fight to improve our communities, not just sit around Washington and serve as a lap dog for the President's agenda." 

• In the past five years, Dreier voted with President George W. Bush 96% of the time - that's more than almost any other California congressman.

•  In 2002, Dreier voted for the legislation giving President Bush the authority to use force in Iraq and said: "the vote I cast giving President Bush the authority to act pre-emptively against Iraq I consider to be an anti-war vote."

• Just last year, Dreier voted against expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which provided health care coverage to the children who need it most.  He also voted twice to support the President's veto of this legislation.  To view our web-ad on this issue, visit www.warnerforcongress.com

•  Between 1980 and 2006, Dreier received over $400,000 from health care interests.  In 2003, he voted for the Bush-backed Medicare prescription drug plan.

•  Just last year, Dreier said that "the jury is still out" on the human effects on global warming.

•  Between 1980 and 2006, Dreier received over $184,000 from energy and natural resource industry interests.  In 2005, Dreier voted for President Bush's 2005 energy bill, which gave $2.6 billion in tax breaks to energy companies.

"I'm running for Congress because I believe we need new leadership in Washington, not more career politicians like David Dreier who have become part of the problem. I will fight every day to make sure our government is accountable and focused on serving the people of the 26th District."

Suggestion for today: consider a split contribution, for Sam Bennett in PA and Russ Warner in CA. Everyone who donates at least $5 to both of them in the next 24 hours will be entered in a drawing for a lovely navy blue embroidered Impeach Cheney baseball cap.