tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481330.post6279808648764863328..comments2023-10-24T11:05:25.288-04:00Comments on Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events: YOU be the judge.Mark Rauterkushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17157914569686528007noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481330.post-87051942089419186632007-08-19T07:27:00.000-04:002007-08-19T07:27:00.000-04:00I take a swipe at both the Ds and the Rs in the po...I take a swipe at both the Ds and the Rs in the post. Keep reading the Early Returns posting to find out why the Ds get a knock too. <BR/><BR/>Or, here it is below:<BR/><BR/><I>Betting against Fumo<BR/><BR/>Next year is shaping up as a tough time for state Sen. Vincent Fumo, a powerful and outspoken Philadelphia Democrat who's been in the Senate for nearly 30 years.<BR/><BR/>He's facing a trial in February on charges filed by federal authorities claiming he misused a nonprofit group for personal and political gain and defrauded taxpayers of more than $2 million. The indictment also claims he used state workers to spy on his ex-wife and work on his farm near Harrisburg. He has maintained his innocence.<BR/><BR/>Now comes word, from the Philadelphia Inquirer, that Mr. Fumo will face an opponent, anti-casino activist Anne Dicker, in the Democratic primary for senate in April. She became interested in politics during the 2004 presidential campaign of Howard Dean.<BR/><BR/>She told the Inquirer, "How can this guy continue to stay in office when he's accused of having done so many wrong things against the community?"<BR/><BR/>One of Mr. Fumo's claims to fame is his leadership in getting the state's casino law passed in July 2004. But neighborhood groups in Philadelphia are putting up a fierce fight against both stand-alone casinos licensed for their city. Ms. Dicker has been a leader in a south Philadelphia group that is opposed to a Foxwoods casino planned for that area, along the Delaware River. </I>Mark Rauterkushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17157914569686528007noreply@blogger.com