Powered by Bravenet Bravenet Blog

Tag Board

pika: GO CLINTON!
Bits & Pieces: hello...care to exchange link? if so let me know so I can add your link to my blog...tnx
Jennifer: Sure, GK. Feel free.
GK: happy new year..care to exchange link?if so let me know so I can add your link to my blog.
apal: death pool = bad karma. stay away.
sparkle: Hello. I am traveling to neighbourhood with warm greetings to bravers wishing you an awesome week ahead
apal: Awesome bathroom! I've been "holding it" for months until the new one is ready.
apal: My blog will never measure up to "bathroom updates."
Kerri: Hi, I was just journal surfing when I landed here. You have some interesting posts. I don't blame you for getting rid of that 70's gold tile in your bath. We had it at our previous house. We tried to get rid of it, but in that case went from bad to worse. It looks like y'all are doing a much better job at it.
apal: I've learned so much about your bathroom...I feel as if I've already used it !!!
Bruce: Hi Jen! Good seeing you Saturday night. Your blog is very well written, as can be expected of a pro like you!
Humble Hermit: One of your columnists shares my last name, small world I guess :).
Bree: Nice blog!
MiracleGirl: KOOL BLOG!
Harold: Jennifer, thanks for the link!

Please type in the characters shown in the black box.

Wednesday, April 23rd 2008

2:52 PM

Post-election Hangover

If you'd like to see the results from yesterday's Pennsylvania primary, you can do so HERE.  The folks at the PA Dept. of State are ever so helpful and the site has some neat features to help you break down the results of individual races.

Some observations about yesterday's primary from someone who was maybe too close to the action to see what was really happening.  Maybe that's why I'm a little surprised by the following:

1.  I'm surprised that Hillary won by 10 points.  The polls were all over the place, though most showed somewhere in the range of a 5 or 6 point edge for Hillary.  Even Survey USA, which had Hillary with a 12-point lead one week ago, ended up with a 6-point margin the day before the election.  My guess is that, on election day, the undecided voters largely went for Hillary at the last-minute.  Either that or the young people who registered to vote because they support Obama were too busy enjoying the sunshine to step inside for a few moments to cast a ballot.  Either way, it seems to be the win Hillary needed.  Whether the Democratic party leaders wanted that win is a whole other issue.

2.  I'm surprised - a little - that Chris Hackett topped Dan Meuser for the GOP nomination in the 10th CD.  My personal feeling was that Hackett would win.  But, as I tried to figure out how to staff our election night coverage, I asked around and heard some things that made me believe Meuser had the edge.  That belief seemed to be playing out as the early returns favored Meuser.  But, around 10PM or so, Hackett grabbed the lead and held it.  Even though we guessed wrong on the winner, I think our presence at Meuser's gathering worked out for the best since he spoke to his supporters in time for the 11PM news while Hackett didn't come out until later.

3.  I'm surprised - a lot - that Steve Cappelli lost the GOP primary in the 23rd PA Senate District.  Cappelli is a sitting state rep. and a former mayor of Williamsport.  I figured him to be the odds-on favorite to win the nomination in the race to replace outgoing state senator Roger Madigan.  But, Gene Yaw, the Lycoming County solicitor, basically ran away with it.  He had almost as many votes as Cappelli and the third Republican, Doug McLinko, combined.  HERE is the county-by-county breakdown.  At least McLinko carried his home county of Bradford.  Cappelli, on the other hand, finished second in his home county of Lycoming and finished third everywhere else.  Wow!

I'm not an expert in Central PA politics by any means, but I have to wonder what happened here.  As far as I could tell, Yaw was the only candidate in the race who did any kind of TV advertising.  About a week or so before the election, he came out with a commercial that went negative on his opponents while going positive on his own behalf.  I don't know what he or the other candidates might have done on radio, newspaper, or billboard.  If Cappelli made any effort to get name recognition or support outside Lycoming County, it certainly wasn't effective.  Why not?  If he didn't make much of an effort, why not?

Inquiring minds ... have until October to think about these things.  Then, it's time to gear up for November.

2 total marks.

Posted by Anonymous:

I'm surprised that you had nothing to say concerning Frank Shimkus.
Thursday, April 24th 2008 @ 9:53 PM

Posted by Jennifer Wade:

The results in the 113th didn't surprise me, so I didn't mention them.
Friday, April 25th 2008 @ 12:00 AM

Post New Comment

BraveJournal Member Non-Member
No Smilies More Smilies »

Please type in the characters shown in the black box.