Appetites for Specter, Rendell

Timothy McNulty | August 17, 2009

Apologies for our lateness: we're still getting out from under the Netroots Nation and RightOnline conferences last week, as well as a news conference on Pittsburgh's first-of-its-kind iPhone app this morning. It's all very 21st century.

Philly Daily News reports, via Pa2010, on an Obama fundraiser for Specter next month:

PRESIDENT OBAMA will attend a Sept. 15 fundraiser for Sen. Arlen Specter at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, according to an e-mail that Comcast Executive Vice President David L. Cohen sent supporters. The event that Mayor Nutter, Gov. Rendell and Specter will attend features a $1,000 cocktail reception, another VIP reception for those who raise at least $10,000, and a dinner for which "an individual must write (not raise) a minimum of $10,000 or raise $50,000" to attend, Cohen's note says. The missive asks guests to make checks payable to Pennsylvania Senate Victory 2010, and promises that all dinner guests will have a picture taken with Obama and Specter.

At least somebody's getting something out of the state budget crisis. Ed Rendell has dropped 40 pounds, the Inquirer reports:

Rendell said he started the diet in mid June when it became clear that a budget solution in a recession year wasn't going to come quickly, especially when Republican legislative leaders were dead-set against raising taxes.

"I thought this would give me something to strive for, something positive that I could see happening compared to the lack of progress with the budget," he said.

A reminder: Specter and Sestak are in Pittsburgh today.


Posted Aug 17 2009, 11:29 AM by Timothy McNulty