Tomorrow (Thursday) More about an important congressional race in PA's 7th district (Delaware County and adjacent areas) between Rep. Joe Sestak and challenger Craig Williams. Frankly, Craig Williams, a Marine, is a courageous and thoughtful man. Sestak is an ex-soldier who's determined the best path to a Beltway political career is to join with Nancy Pelosi and John Murtha in endangering the lives of American servicemen and servicewomen.

Bulletin: Rasmussen: McCain Trusted More Than Obama On 9 Out of 14 Electoral Issues

Like Speaker Pelosi, Sestak believes the best solution to $4 a gallon gasoline is to do nothing. Sestak is great political fundraiser (see OpenSecrets.com), which means he's learned the "Beltway Trick": sell out to every special interest group that shows up with a bag-full of money. He should be ashamed of himself, but of course shame is not the Democrats' strong suit.

Another important race is taking place in Pennsylvania's 4th district, where I live. This district is one that consists mainly of moderate-to-conservative Democrats and conservative Republicans. "Our" representative is Jason Altmire, who masquerades as a moderate -- but always votes the Pelosi-line on important matters.

In 2006, Altmire -- an overweight individuals who sneers a lot -- ran as something of a hawk on military matters. He said he opposed a "timetable" for withdrawal on Iraq. He added that he would base his views on information received from "commanders-on-the-ground" in Iraq. He used this stance to narrowly defeat Congresswoman Melissa Hart -- his opponent again this year.

After the election, Altmire sang a different tune. The recipient of huge direct and indirect contributions for John Murtha, Altmire described the Johnstown congressman as his "campaign manager." The same lobbyists who have paid off Murtha for years have found a "new friend" in Jason Altmire.

In D.C., he moved quickly to vote with Murtha in calling for a withdrawal timetable. Like Murtha and Pelosi, he ignored guidance from commanders on the ground. The underlying message to people in the 4th district was, "Fooled ya, didn't I?"

How much has Altmire deviated from Pelosi's far-left line? Not all all. In fact, columnist Robert Novak said of Altmire that "he doesn't have a conservative bone in his body." Of course, Altmire's re-election depends on keeping that fundamental reality hidden from his constituents.

How does Altmire stand on the crucial issue of bringing gas prices down by encouraging domestic energy production? He claims he's all for such production. However, he never votes for it. He acts as if energy is not a problem. He has no coherent view of how America can stop spending a good chunk of its national wealth on foreign oil.

Melissa Hart's campaign released the following press release, which defines Pelosi's control over weak and insincere congressmen like Altmire. I urge you to read it.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 2008

CONTACT: Alicia Collins
724-779-4750 office
724-612-9490 cell

ALTMIRE GIVEN PERMISSION SLIP FROM

POLITICAL BOSS TO BUCK LEADERSHIP

Will his actions finally match his rhetoric?

Cranberry Township, PA – In light of recent reports that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has given Jason Altmire the green light to buck her will and that of the rest of the Washington, D.C. Democratic leadership, Melissa Hart issued a statement calling on Jason Altmire to end his refusal and immediately sign the American Energy Production and Exploration discharge petitions that are circulating in Congress. These petitions would bring the bills for more American supply up for a vote immediately.

“Altmire’s political boss, Speaker Pelosi has given him permission to disagree with her publicly, so let’s see some action. Jason Altmire has talked a lot about how much he would like to move this issue forward in the House - now he has the opportunity to put his name down on paper and prove that he wants a vote,” said Hart

According to House Democratic staff, Altmire’s new found independence is all part of Speaker Pelosi’s plan:

“Democratic House aides say the energy agenda has been carefully gamed out in strategy sessions, and Pelosi always intended to take heat on gas prices while tacitly encouraging more vulnerable Democrats to publicly disagree with her and show their independence.

Freshman Democrats like Jason Altmire of Pennsylvania and Don Cazayoux of Louisiana have taken her up on the offer.” The Politico, 8/5/08

“There have been a number of good proposals introduced in the House for over a year, Altmire did not support them and Pelosi would not allow even one vote on any of them. In fact, Altmire blocked efforts to bring these bills up for a vote as recently as last week. If Altmire’s nifty new pro-drilling position is more than desperate rhetoric, he will sign the discharge petitions and ensure there is an immediate up-or-down vote, so our country can begin on the path to American energy independence. The voters in Western Pennsylvania have been begging for this for a long time, but we aren’t foolish enough to hold our breath where Altmire is concerned,” stated Hart.

There are currently seven discharge petitions circulating for legislation that will open America’s oceans to energy exploration, open new American oil refineries, and invest in clean energy sources such as wind, nuclear, and captured carbon dioxide. When the necessary 218 signatures are obtained on the petition, Speaker Pelosi would be forced to have an up or down vote on the bill.

“I’ve yet to see or hear anything from Altmire to explain the timing of this brand new position, so I’m left to think, as are the rest of the voters that the only logical reason is it was politically expedient. This situation raises the real issue at hand – do the voters want a Congressman that will represent them all the time, or just when their political boss gives him the go ahead?”