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Bad News for Dems: Murtha Seat Now a 'Toss-Up'

Party faces yet another battleground

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 9, 2010 10:55 AM CST
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(Newser) – John Murtha’s death has left Democrats with another fight on their hands. Last night the Cook Political Report changed its rating of the race to “toss-up,” one of 50 Democratic-held seats bearing that rating. Voting isn’t far off either; Ed Rendell has 10 days to schedule a special election, which will have to happen within 60 days of that. The most likely date is May 18, during Pennsylvania’s state primary.

“It’s a much more difficult political equation without John Murtha in that seat,” the state party chairman tells Politico. Murtha’s reputation for bringing home the pork kept him in power, but the district was the only one in the country to flip from voting Kerry in 2004 to McCain in 2008. “The voters there are more pro-life, pro-gun and patriotic, but need help from the government” economically, explained one analyst. “You could not categorically rule out a Republican.”

Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., meets with reporters on Capitol Hill in this file photo.
Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., meets with reporters on Capitol Hill in this file photo.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 27 comments
riffran
Feb 9, 2010 7:35 AM CST
damn citrix..that was TO THE FRICKEN BONE...lmao..... thumbs up on the king of pork aspect
Galileo
Feb 9, 2010 6:46 AM CST
@Nondeep - I think you have a gene which causes an inability to process data and settle on a conclusion. The data is history. Roe v. Wade went through a long time ago, and it was a supreme court decision which GRANTED rights. Why don't you list some supreme court decisions, which granted additional rights to a group of people, that was later overturned, thereby taking away their rights? It's a pretty difficult task. Conversely, do you think it's possible that we would overturn a woman's right to vote? Maybe we can roll back and re-segregate the schools. Obviously not. I have a reason for being certain it won't change. That's how I'm different than you, I have reasons for my opinions. Do you? Or maybe you can just whine about how other people have their own opinions and I shouldn't be such a meanie.
Non-deep-thinker
Feb 9, 2010 6:45 AM CST
Shouldn't that be: the blame lies on the shoulders of the starter who pitched the first 8 innings, and not the 73 relief pitchers who were called in near the end?

 
John Murtha • Pennsylvania • House of Representatives • special election

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