Wednesday deluge

• Election yap
  
  
  
  • The PhilaWeekly thinks "swiftboating" won't work on Murtha's reelection race. Murtha has a long and lauded record of public service, and saying otherwise tends to make the accusors look bad.
    
    
  • The Daily News appears ready to call the Rendell and Casey races with a week to go. That doesn't let voters off the hook, though!!
    
    
  • The PhilaWeekly gives a boo-yah for Ed Rendell. They also give a round-up of regional races from the perspective of how your vote could affect our stay in Iraq.
    
    
  • Expect the 8th District House race (Fitzpatrick-Murphy) to be called very late in the evening, given how close the polls show things to be.
    
    
  • I guess it really was one scandal too many: the GOP is cutting Weldon loose, canceling a bunch of planned ad buys. (More here.) Probably more funds for Gerlach and Fitzpatrick, as a result. I noticed that a recent anti-Murphy ad portrays him as "everything that's wrong with Congress"!! Trying to turn anti-incumbent sentiment on the challenger! wow.
    
    
  • The Inquirer offers endorsements in the PA 6th state Senate race and NJ's Camden freeholders race. I guess that's like City Council?
    
    
  • Daddy Democrat gives a round-up of the Delco Times endorsements in state legislative races.
    
    
  • Tom Ferrick thinks that Santorum has given up his Senate race and is now aiming for President with his current hawkish rhetoric, aiming to be the Martyr of True Conservatism. Please, Lord, no -- shades of Ashcroft, anyone?
    
    
  • Ben Waxman is amazed that even a minority of labor unions would endorse Santorum, given his record.
    
    
  • Jill Porter hates automated calls. There do seem to be a lot of them this year.
  
  
• City Council focus
  
  
  
  • The Inquirer reveals that there are Republican candidates for the three open seats, whether or not the Democratic nominees are already picking out their office furniture.
    
    
  • The Daily News is unwilling to make an endorsement in the 4th District race. They encourage new faces to get into the battle next year.
    
    
  • The DN makes a pick in the 7th District race, giving a surprise endorsement to the Republican in the race while muttering about the inexperience of both candidates.
    
    
  • The DN does give Greenlee the nod in the at-large race, saying he's in good position to hit the ground running. And all signs indicate he'll have to run fast to stay ahead of the pack that will materialize next May!
  
  
• Tips for voters
  
  
  
  • The Daily News offers some advice for voters, from being sure that your polling place hasn't moved (see list of new locations), to various past problems with interpreters, access, etc.
    
    
  • Here's some more details, including poll hours, your rights, and what to do if a problem arises.
    
    
  • A Philadelphia Weekly columnist calls on Jews to return to their liberal roots, rather than letting support for Israel draw them into backing crazy extremists at home.
  
  
• Other news
  
  
  
  • City Council is hearing testimony on prison crowding and the state of the state's capabilities. More here.
    
    
  • Much excitement over money that doesn't yet exist. That is, crap headline of "Schools get $5 million slots win," in the deferred "once we actually have money flowing in" kind of way . . .
    
    
  • The FBI has just wrapped up a three-year sting, resulting in charges for 35 folks involved in an insurance fraud scheme.
    
    
  • The Weekly includes a piece looking at coalitions that help poor and homeless folks vote and get their needs addressed by candidates.
    
    
  • A YPP poster alerts us to a Commuter Options Program to help shuttle suburban residents to jobs downtown, as a possible spur to economic growth in the city.
    
    
  • Apparently I missed news yesterday that a the newspaper guild and city papers have extended their negotiation deadline by another month, so no strike around election time.
    (via Philadelphia Will Do)
    
    
  • Events:
    1. Sidney Blumenthal at the Constitution Center tonight.
       
    2. Election weekend kick-off with YPP and PAS Friday.
       
       Update: this appears to have been cancelled. Check with Dan...