Ex-Mass. governor
backs McCain

Campaign Bits
By Tom Waring

Former Massachusetts Gov. Jane Swift is backing John McCain for the Republican presidential nomination because of his leadership, independence and experience.
Swift was the star attraction last week as the McCain campaign opened its Southeast Pennsylvania headquarters in Blue Bell, Montgomery County. A Philadelphia office will open in Mayfair.
The former governor campaigned for McCain in crucial primary states such as New Hampshire and Florida and came to Pennsylvania because it is a "swing state" in general elections. She also lists Maine and New Hampshire as other so-called "blue" states in the northeastern part of the country as ones that McCain can win.
On the issues, she said McCain will not raise taxes on families and small businesses like his Democratic opponent, Barack Obama. She also cited his proposals to strengthen public education without bowing to special interests and his measured approach to the illegal immigration issue.
In general, she said, the Arizona senator will put the needs of the country before his self-interest and the Republican Party.
"John McCain will do what’s right," she said. "John McCain has done that again and again."
Jon Seaton is a regional campaign manager for McCain. He oversees operations in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Four years ago, he was part of the team that helped President George W. Bush carry Iowa.
Seaton said the campaign will have a good grassroots effort in Pennsylvania, including phone banks and door-to-door contact with voters.
"We will turn this state red," he predicted, using the color designated for states won by Republicans.
Seaton said Pennsylvania voters, including Democrats and independents, will be attracted by McCain’s focus on low taxes, creating jobs for small businesses and weaning the nation off foreign oil. While Philadelphia is widely expected to overwhelmingly support Obama, the McCain campaign will look to middle-class areas such as the Northeast to keep the margin down.
"We’ll fight for votes in Philadelphia," Seaton said.
Others at the office opening included Marina Kats, the Republican candidate in the 13th Congressional District, and Tom Ellis, the GOP contender for state treasurer.

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Bob Kerns, chairman of the Montgomery County Republican Committee, has high hopes for several candidates whose districts include portions of the Northeast and the suburbs.
Kerns, who attended the McCain office opening, acknowledges that Kats will have a tough time against U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-13th dist.), but he thinks her strengths are her background as a successful lawyer and energy on the campaign trail.
"She has lots of enthusiasm, and that bodes well," he said.
Kerns believes voters will re-elect state Rep. Tom Murt (R-152nd dist.), who is being challenged by Democrat Lisa Romaniello, because he works hard and is community oriented.
"Tom fits that district perfectly," he said.
Kerns understands that Matt Taubenberger, the Republican candidate in the 170th Legislative District, will have to win the votes of Democrats who in the past have supported retiring GOP Rep. George Kenney. Taubenberger faces Democrat Brendan Boyle.
"Matt is a very good candidate in the Kenney mold," Kerns said.

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Local supporters of Obama will hold a town hall meeting on Saturday, from noon to 2 p.m., at the Northeast Boys and Girls Club, at 1709 Kinsey St. in Frankford.
The event is being held in conjunction with state Rep. Tony Payton (D-179th dist.), an Obama delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

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John McDermott, the Constitution Party candidate in the 13th Congressional District, believes President George W. Bush waited too long to lift the executive ban on offshore oil drilling.
The ban had been in place since 1992, when Bush’s father, George H.W. Bush, was president.
"The present energy crisis that has led to record gasoline prices has been building up for years," McDermott said. "This ban should have been lifted long ago, but it is a step in the right direction."
McDermott, who sells electricity and natural gas to commercial and industrial operations, notes that Bush’s decision to lift the executive moratorium has no immediate effect because Congress enacted its own prohibition on offshore drilling in 1981.
If elected, McDermott said he would work to rescind the congressional ban.
"This is a vital step toward reducing our dependency on imported oil and natural gas," he said. "It needs to be done, it must be done and it will be done."

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Brendan Boyle, the Democratic candidate in the 170th district, is proposing a ban on the ability of legislators to vote themselves a pay raise or hand out legislative bonuses.
Boyle is acting after the recent indictments of 12 Democrats, including a current state representative and a former minority-party whip, for taking part in an alleged scheme to pay bonuses to legislative aides for performing work on political campaigns.
The candidate also cited the infamous 2005 legislative pay raise, which attracted public outrage.
"After the pay raise scandal and now the Bonusgate scandal, it’s clear the legislature should not have the power to determine its own pay or the pay of those working for the legislature," he said.
His proposal would create an independent, non-partisan commission that would determine compensation levels for all members of the legislature and their staffs.
"If this one reform is enacted, then we can prevent the sort of gross abuses that we have seen from Harrisburg over the last few years," he said.
Meanwhile, the Service Employees International Union has endorsed Boyle.
Eileen Connelly, executive director of the SEIU, said the union is backing Boyle because of his support on issues that are important to working families.
Boyle has already been endorsed by the Teamsters Joint Council, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, the local building trades and the Pennsylvania State Education Association.
The unions had supported retiring Republican Rep. George Kenney in previous races. Kenney’s aide, Matt Taubenberger, is the GOP candidate.

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Joe Conklin and Rhea Hughes, members of WIP’s morning show, will take part in the 18th annual Stu Bykofsky Candidates Comedy Night on Tuesday, Aug. 19, at Finnigan’s Wake, at Third and Spring Garden streets.
Conklin, known for mimicking the likes of Arlen Specter, Andy Reid and Allen Iverson, will perform his comedy act. Hughes will serve as co-host.
Doors opens at 7:30 p.m. The show begins at 8 p.m.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Variety — the Children’s Charity.
The candidates who will appear are state Attorney General Tom Corbett and challenger John Morganelli; state treasurer hopefuls Tom Ellis and Rob McCord; Larry Farnese and Jack Morley, the contenders in the 1st Senatorial District; state Rep. John Perzel and challenger Rich Costello; U.S. Rep. Bob Brady and opponent Mike Muhammad; U.S. Rep Patrick Murphy; and U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz and challenger Marina Kats.
Tickets cost $60. Checks can be sent to Variety, c/o Ellen Ganley, 1520 Locust St., second floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
For more information, call 215-735-0803. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com