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Every Monday-Thursday morning, pa2010.com compiles the most important political news of the day, from newspapers to the blogosphere and back. Enjoy this edition.

For all the latest news, log on to pa2010.com, your destination for Pennsylvania's big 2010 elections.

Gay and lesbian leaders rally for Specter
PHILADELPHIA—The gay community here has a long memory. And despite a changing political landscape and a couple party-switches over the years, few gay and lesbian activists have forgotten the Arlen Specter of the 1960s and 1970s. They still see him as the assistant district attorney who clamped down on Philly cops for harassing and extorting gay men, and one of the first Pennsylvania politicians to publicly shake a gay man’s hand. Read More
        Also on pa2010.com: Sestak blames Specter for stalled debate on healthcare reform
                                           Specter pressured to approve I-80 tolls
                                           How Arlen Specter solved his Sestak problem
                                           Ted Turner to host fundraiser for Specter

Tim Burns Tweets bibles and ammo
Twitter remains a straightforward, to-the-point message medium in contemporary politics, and Republican congressional hopeful Tim Burns had something to say Sunday that fit easily enough in 140 characters. Read More 

Dow-Ford declares against Holden; still staffing up
Congressman Tim Holden’s recent statement that he’ll oppose the Senate health care bill if it comes up for a vote has given his Democratic primary challenger in the 17th District more ammunition against him. And Sheila Dow-Ford is using it. Read More 
                               
Where the 'nay' votes on health care are heading
Only two Pennsylvania Democrats voted against health care reform legislation the first time around. And only one of those two still might change his mind for Round Two. Read More 
        Also: Altmire a high-profile swing vote on health care
                 Dahlkemper in tight spot on health care reform

Tea Party in Pa. finding strength in independence
Some day it might be remembered as the Tea Party primary. Read More 

LEFTOVERS: 'Fumocrats' for Meehan, Payton backs Onorato, Pike still wants a pledge
Apparently former U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan is getting some help from friends and allies of the man he helped put in prison, the convicted Vince Fumo. Read More
 
GOP jumps at chance to erode Democrats' hold in Pennsylvania
The national Republican Party hasn't looked away from Congressman Jason Altmire's seat since the McCandless Democrat won it in 2006. Read More
Democrats could have edge in Murtha race
Each party has chosen a candidate for the special election to replace the late U.S. Rep John Murtha. The next challenge: getting people to the polls. Read More
        Also: Special election could go national

Specter leads Toomey by 6 in new poll
Another poll says Arlen Specter's winning. Read More
        Also: Corbett still up over Dem opponents
Former Berks County jury commissioner seeking House seat
Mark M. Gillen of Mohnton figures he has a track record to back up promises he's making in his campaign for the Republican nomination in the 128th Legislative District for the state House of Representatives. Read More
        Also: Scicchitano seeks GOP nomination for seat in 107th

Jury begins deliberations in Pa. corruption case
A jury began deliberations Friday in the political corruption case against former state Mike Veon and three ex-aides after a prosecutor described what they did as a "form of organized crime" with Veon as the don. Read More
Karl Rove predicts GOP gains
Former Bush adviser Karl Rove led a full-throated denunciation of the Obama administration before a confident GOP audience Friday night at the annual Lincoln Day dinner of the Allegheny County Republican Party. Read More

The Metcalfe Factor
He was once rated as having the most conservative voting record in the state House. Read More


Have a great day!