Ya know, the rumor mill blast e-mails have been ratcheting up lately. Around these parts it got busy fast when Lance Rogers, Lower Merion Township Commissioner and Independent said he was going to run for Connie Williams State Senate Seat. (Not that THAT is the only bit of political interest...)

Township commissioner seeking Senate seat
By MARGARET GIBBONS, Times Herald Staff

COURTHOUSE — A Lower Merion Township commissioner this week officially announced his candidacy for the 17th District state Senate seat from which incumbent Democrat Connie Williams is stepping down at the end of the year.

Lance Rogers, a lawyer in his second year as township commissioner, said he will be seeking the Republican nomination for the seat.

Ironically, the 33-year-old Rogers won election to his township post as an independent candidate and just switched his party registration to Republican last week.

Hmmm, a motivation for political party realignment could be money - simple economics- it's hard to run as an Independent unless you are Joe Lieberman or Michael Bloomberg. That's reality. But is alligning yourself to party bosses not so universally respected let alone locally respected be the way to go? Or could this end up for just that reason being political hari-kari? Falling on your sword is cool and honorable, but when the folks you are potentially falling on your sword for have the reputations of selling their mothers if necessary, well is this smart politics?

Ok, so then the other rumors are found true: Daylin Leach will step up and run for State Senate on the Democratic ticket. Hmmm.

Montco's Sen. Williams: I won't run again
By WILLIAM BENDER
Philadelphia Daily News
215-854-5255

State Sen. Connie Williams, D-Montgomery, announced yesterday that she will not seek re-election next year, and state Rep. Daylin Leach wants to replace her.

"I will be running for the Senate next year," Leach, D-Montgomery, said yesterday, as he unveiled an all-star cast of Democrats to lead his 2008 campaign in the 17th District.

Gov. Rendell, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and Williams herself will co-chair Leach's campaign. U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak will chair the Delaware County effort and Commissioner Joe Hoeffel will run the show in Montgomery County.

Since these announcements became more than rumors, man, if you follow local politics, the fur is already flying. First you have the Delco Camp from people around Radnor and other parts of Delco included (this is the 17th PA State Senatorial District race we're talking about, by the way) who are saying "why can't we get a Delco candidate" (actually saw this up here somewhere as well in some post).

Oh hello, like you have to ask? Let's look at Radnor: paper tigers are in one party, and the other party is part of the same old tired Delco political party machine. How can you field effective candidates on a state level when the local level is so dysfunctional?

To be fair, that is not to say that Montgomery County politics aren't as bad. Can't we attribute some issues where the political party is headed for the county by a former Lower Merion Township Commissioner and locally by a U.S. Senator's daughter in law?

Maybe it is that politics in general in PA is so dysfunctional we're lucky that we actually get decent politicians once in a while? Here in the Keystone State politics is definitely fun to watch. One of the most curious things about this State Senate race is simply wondering how Lance Rogers got out in front of another local politico with rumored aspirations of higher office? What about Scott Zelov? What will he run for now? Nothing or perhaps State House now that Leach has announced his intentions? And what of the challenge recently announce from the other side of Montgomery County? Will Montgomery County Sheriff John Durante run against Rogers in the primary? What has John Durante ever done exactly other than be a dutiful Montco Republican? How does being careeer Sheriff give a person the experience needed to be a State Senator? Just curious.

And what about Bob Rovner? The Times Herald says that the Lower Merion Democrat who for a VERY LONG TIME was a Bucks County Republican may
run against Leach in the Democratic primary. Hmmm, wasn't Rovner once a republican State Senator from Bucks County? What was his record then? From his own bio on his website:

In 1970, Rovner was elected the youngest State Senator in Pennsylvania history. He was elected as Delegate to the Presidential National Conventions in 1972, 1976 and 1988....serving as State Senator and Assistant District Attorney under Arlen Specter. He was called a hardworking and effective State Senator, and recognized as a civic leader and a man with a strong involvement in local charities....Rovner also ran as a candidate to the U.S. Senate in 2000.

Now this definitely livens up the race - has PA ever had a State Senator that lived and served first in one county as part of one political party to then move to another county and political party and serve that way? This sure means some primary fun in this race. Hmmmm....it seems BOTH political parties are guilty of having switchy party candidates for office, eh? And along that vein of conspiracy, innuendo, and politics as usual in PA, e-mail rings and blogs are also having fun:

PA WaterCooler: The Montco Daily Dose January 14 2008
Filed under Counties - Cronies are still Cronies by AlexC

I missed see this editorial from the Pottstown Mercury on Friday. County appointments still cronyism even when cronies are Democrats.....“The obligation is to pick qualified people, not just cronies.”

Durante for Pa-Sen 17th

Montgomery County Sheriff John Durante has decided to throw his hat in the ring for the 17th District seat, which Senator Connie Williams is giving up.

He’s looking to go against State Rep Daylin Leach .....But first he must get past Lance Rogers on the GOP side. Recently an independent, freshly minted Republican Rogers is on the Lower Merion Board of Commissioners.

Matthews Appearance

I got this email from a committeeperson wishing to remain anonymous.

As a committeeperson, I’m offended that the Lower Merion GOP has invited Jim Matthews to their meeting this week to speak. This guy hands over the keys to the courthouse to the Democrats and how does Lower Merion react? Let’s have him over for dinner. This after Davis had lunch with the guy last week moments before he pulled off the dirty deed.

Tracey Specter, Arlen’s daughter in law, is the leader down here. It’s no secret she’s not a fan of Castor’s, but this is over the top. It reminds me of “Hanoi” Jane Fonda

Ok the intrigue and conspiracy is on, so then read these from conservative pundits:

Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Quisling!
HT to Tony Phyrillas for this:

Next?

Monday, January 07, 2008
Will Montco GOP kick out Matthews?

We already know that Ken Davis is a lame duck as Montgomery County Republican Party chairman.

Friday, December 28, 2007
Lance Rogers wants Connie Williams' state Senate seat

Someone named Lance Rogers wants to be the next state senator for Pennsylvania's 17th Senatorial District

This is utterly amusing if you live in Montgomery County and follow the soap operas:
The Centrist:Monday, December 24, 2007
Tony Phyrillas: Can the Montgomery County Republican Party be saved from itself?

Over the next two weeks, we'll find out the answer to an important question. Is the Republican Party in Montgomery County bigger than three men? Who is in charge of the party? The voters, the elected committee members, the financial contributors? Or is the party owned by three men who have their own agenda?

I see the actions of Jim Matthews, Ken Davis and Bob Asher as no different from those of playground bullies. They want their way. They're willing to step on anyone to get what they want.

Alrighty, now that we've acknowledged one end of the blogging spectrum, let's check the other side...Are they much easier to digest in a lot ways? Could half of Montgomery County's GOP issues be that they are headed for a Delco style meltdown?

Above Average Jane:Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Known Open State House and Senate Seats

Actually, if you want a well reasoned read on things political, Above Average Jane is an excellent choice...also fun?
Pennsyltucky Politics

Others worth mentioning? Statewide fave Keystone Politics. Something called Pennsylvania Progressive. Also, A Smoke Filled Room, Marc Stier at Large,GrassRootsPA, not very active but amusing -Delaware County For a Better Democracy ,I live in Delaware County,PA Delco Watch....the list goes on....

It's a jungle out there....and it's going to be one ugly turn off the electorate political season on every level from local to state to national. Favorite annoying thing about national politics at present? Use of the buzz word "change"? What is the definition of change? The same old B.S. being spouted in rearranged phrases from some new and old faces? Are politics in PA getting so sticky that it makes Jersey look good?

Ha ha ha. Let the games begin? Which candidate for which race will suck up to you out there first? Do tell, do share...if you dare....