Even as the state
spar-over-case-1.1385891">House spars over a non-binding resolution calling for a federal probe of then-Attorney General Tom Corbett's handling of the Sandusky case, there's some additional political fall-out for the now-Republican governor.The insider publication Politico takes a look this morning at the potential ramifications the Sandusky case could have on Corbett's 2014 re-election bid and finds the fallout could be strongest in central Pennsylvania, where support for Penn State runs high.
"It is potentially a problem for Gov. Corbett. The polls clearly show that there is voter concern about the way it was handled. It was done on his watch,” Franklin & Marshall College pollster G. Terry Madonna tells the online news org. “You have to get into the whole ball of wax: Did he go slow? Were victims hurt? Did he play politics with it?”
A recent F&M poll found that only 17 percent Pennsylvanians thought Corbett did a good or excellent job of handling the case,
In a statement, Corbett again defended his handling of the case:
“Some things are bigger than politics. Justice for Jerry Sandusky’s victims is one of them," he said. "Because we did things right, Sandusky was convicted on 45 of 48 criminal counts and, today, a judge took this serial predator off the street for life,”
Corbett came under fire from Sandusky's defense attorney, Joe Amendola, during a post-sentencing press conference yesterda.
If Sandusky was such a threat, Amendola, mused, why didn't the Corbett-run AG's office move to take him off the streets sooner?
"There's a lot of unanswered questions," said Amendola, who plans to appeal the former Nittany Lions' assistant coach's 30- to 60-year sentence on the grounds that it was rushed and that Sandusky was denied due process.
The rest of today's news starts, as always, after the jump.
Simmons Launches New Campaign Commercial.
In what's shaping up to be one of the more hotly contested state House races this campaign season, state Rep. Justin Simmons, R-Lehigh, is on the local airwaves with his second campaign commercial.
Simmons, who's seeking a second term in the 131st House District, faces a challenge from teacher Kevin Deely.
Here's the clip, which is airing on WFMZ-TV and local cable:
PA Turnpike CEO Roger E. Nutt ...
... will leave his post at the end of the month, citing health concerns.
Appointed in November 2011, Nutt is the father of Corbett campaign guru Brian Nutt.
Here's a copy of Nutt's resignation letter and a response from Turnpike officials.
Nutt Resgination Letter
Former Senate Minority Leader Bob Mellow's Sentencing ...
... on federal corruption charges could be delayed because his defense attorney is planning a month-long vacation, the Times-Tribune reports this morning,
Tattoo You Dept.
Auditor General Jack Wagner says he wants to tighten state oversight of tattoo parlors.
We demand minimum standards, at least, for people who have Chinese, Japanese and Hebrew characters etched onto their bodies without fully understanding their meaning.
Suddenly Finding Himself ...
... in an actual horse race, GOP U.S. Senate candidate Tom Smith stopped by a dairy farm in Cambria County yesterday to chat not about agricultural issues -- but the national debt? Win some, lose some, we guess.
Our D.C. Colleague ...
... Colby Itkowitz takes a look at Mitt Romney's post-debate poll bounce in some key swing states, including Pennsylvania.
What Goes On.
The House Education Committee holds an 11 a.m. public hearing in the Majority Caucus Room on legislation intended to prevent bullying and cyber-bullying among PA schoolkids.
What Goes On (Nakedly Political Edition).
5 p.m.: Reception for GOP Auditor General candidate John Maher
5:30 p.m.: Reception for City Councilman Bill Greenlee
5:30 p.m.: Reception for House Minority Leader Frank Dermody
5:30 p.m.: Reception for Democratic Auditor General candidate Eugene DePasquale
6 p.m.: Reception for state Rep. Nick Miccarelli
Ride the circuit and give at the max and you'll part with $12,150 today -- blame Dermody for that. His maximum asking price is $10,000 for a table at the Omni William Penn in Pittsburgh.
You Say It's Your Birthday Dept.
Best wishes go out this morning to Ron Boston of Triad Strategies; U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts, R-16th; Colleen Weldon at Cold Spark Media; Rachel Turner of Global Citizen and reader Stan Bialecki of Bethlehem, Pa. Congratulations all around.
On The Capitol Ideas iPod This Morning.
Here's one that keeps popping up on the shuffle these days. It's Adele with "Rumour Has It."
Wednesday's Gratuitous Soccer Link.
The Orioles had the night off last night, so we briefly return our attention to the Beautiful Game during this break in post-season action.
Newcastle United are feeling some heat over a recently inked sponsorship deal with a controversial loans company, The Guardian reports this morning. The company is called, and we swear we're not making this up, Wonga.
And now you're up to date. See you back here in a bit with more news and updates.
Source:
http://blogs.mcall.com/capitol_ideas/2012/10/wednesday-morning-coffee-sandusky-fall-out-for-gov-corbetts-electoral-fortunes.html