Gilhooley, Kats, Hart for Congress

In Pennsylvania's history, only two women have been elected to the U.S. Congress: Melissa Hart, who is running (see below) to regain her seat in PA's 4th District and Allyson Schwartz, who is running against Marina Kats in PA's 13th District (see below). Three Republican women (including Hart) are running this year. Gilhooley and Kats are underdogs, but it's not inconceivable that all three of these women could win -- especially at a time when the national Democratic Party is engaged in a demolition derby. (If you scroll down, you'll see another column about PA congressional races; it's called "America's Future.")

Antoinette ("Toni") Gilhooley, a 25-year veteran of the Pennsylvania State Police, is running for Congress against incumbent Tim Holden in Pennsylvania's 17th district. The keys to victory for Toni are to: (1) Point out that Holden's supposed "conservatism" is a facade; (2) Link Holden to left-wing Nancy Pelosi, whom Holden voted for as Speaker of the House; (3) Emphasize that she support John McCain (who will carry the 17th by a large margin) while emphasizing that her opponent does not; (4) Spend the money she raises (which will be much less than her opponent generates) on building a strong group of volunteers; (5) Solidify her support among police officers, fire personnel and EMTs.

Marina Kats is an attorney who is running against extreme liberal Allyson Schwartz in Pennsylvania's 13th congressional district. Marina's key to victory are to: (1) Raise enough money to introduce herself to the voters of Montgomery County and Northeast Philadelphia; (2)Seek political and fundraising advice from the two talented individuals who preceded her in running against Schwartz, Raj Bhakta and, especially, Melissa Brown (who raised nearly $2 million); (3) Be willing to spend enough time and money to create a corps of volunteers who will go door-to-door to help "wean" voters from Schwartz; (4) Use her lawyerly skills to make the case that Allyson Schwartz is part of the Pelosi-Reid agenda that is hampering the country's ability to protect itself from terrorists; (5) Experiment in finding issues that resonate with district voters.

Melissa Hart, an attorney, standing with Republican Minority Leader John Boehner, served three terms in Congress before she was defeated in 2006 by Jason Altmire in Pennsylvania's 4th Congressional District. Keys to victory are to: (1) Continue tying Altmire to Obama's remarks about Pennsylvanians "clinging" to religion, guns, racism, and xenophobia; (2) Recognize that Altmire, who's sold out to every interest group imaginable, will outspend her, but that she can outsmart him -- particularly by relying on grassroots support; (3) Point out that it makes no sense for people to vote for John McCain (who will win the district decisively) and then to vote for Altmire; (4) Rely heavily on drive-time radio rather than (extremely expensive) TV ads; (5) Tie Altmire to Pelosi (whom he voted for as House Speaker) and the "San Francisco Democrats," people who have only contempt for those of us in Beaver and Lawrence counties; (6) Anticipate Altmire's chronic mudslinging and be ready to respond quickly and decisively. ("How come everytime Jason Altmire launches a new ad his nose grows?" -- in short, be imaginative, funny, and tough)

The big question in politics is: How do you get people to vote for -- and donate funds -- to you? The very simple answer is: You ask them.

All the candidates discussed above have to outwork their opponents. The more "face-time" with voters/contributors the better. Politics is in fact "the art of the possible," but very few things in life are impossible. The United States Congress would be a better place with Gilhooley, Kats, and Hart in it. Please support them.