The Thin Man

Big 5th move comes late

In endorsing Glenn Thompson of Centre County last Friday, U.S. Rep. John Peterson seemed to acknowledge that it might be a little late, with barely a week left until the April 22 primary election.

At least three of the nine Republican candidates probably have built up stronger name recognition than Thompson because they've been buying expensive TC air time to broadcast commercials to promote their names.

Peterson said he didn't make the final decision until Thursday morning, the day before the Toftrees news conference was hastily arranged to announced it.

"I should have decided quicker — I apologize," Peterson told the Toftrees audience.

Club for Growth: Shaner

The Club for Growth PAC on Monday endorsed State College businessman Matt Shaner, for the 5th Congressional District seat.

The endorsement e-mail said Shaner has shown the courage to fight against wasteful spending in Washington by signing an anti-earmark pledge.

The Club said Shaner is also a strong believer in cutting taxes, opening foreign markets to American exports and limited government.

The Club identified Shaner, Clearfield County financial consultant Derek Walker and Lycoming County businessman Jeff Stroehmann as the three top candidates for the Republican nomination.

They are the only candidates so far spending money on TV commercials.

The president of the Club for Growth is former U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey, whom Shaner supported when Toomey unsuccessfully challenged U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter in 2004 for the Republican nomination for senator.

“A lot of candidates like to call themselves ‘conservative’ but don’t take the steps to back up their words," Toomey said in the press release. "By signing a pledge to reform the earmarking process, Shaner demonstrates the backbone necessary to fight for taxpayers in Pennsylvania’s 5th Congressional District.”

Cahir on King anniversary

Bill Cahir, Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania's 5th Congressisonal District, issued the following statement today in recognizing the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:

“The 40th anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., reminds us that Dr. King was more than a spokesman for civil rights. Dr. King was one of the great heroes of the 20th Century. He challenged all Americans to make real the Constitution's promise of equal rights, universal justice and due process under law.

"We remember Dr. King not as a victim, but as a leader who helped revive the Southern economy, enhance the voting rights of all citizens and breathe new life into the U.S. Constitution. Dr. King was a rebel and a patriot; his dream is alive today; and the country is a better place because of it.”

White backs Walker

State Sen. Don White, Republican of Indiana County, has endorsed Clearfield County Republican Derek Walker for the 5th District Republican nomination.

White said he has known Walker for a long time and referred to his plan to get more doctors and health care professionals to locate in rural Pennsylvania.

"Pennsylvania has not been friendly to our doctors," White said. "Gov. Rendell has made it quite clear that he is not going to support any legislation addressing tort reform and capping limits on non-economic damage awards from medical malpractice cases."

White's district includes a part of Clearfield County that is in the 5th Congressional District.

Rendell endorses Vilello

Lock Haven Mayor Rick Vilello, one of three Democrats competing for the 5th District congressional nomination, captured the endorsement of Gov. Ed Rendell on Tuesday night.

The governor was quoted in an e-mail sent by the Vilello campaign saying that Vilello would continue the economic development for the 5th District that he has undertaken in the Clinton County city of Lock Haven.

The other Democrats in the 5th District race are Bill Cahir of Bellefonte and Mark McCracken of Clearfield County.