Students quiz Senate candidate Hoeffel

[Freddie Stubbs]

By Bob Stiles
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, May 4, 2004


U.S. Rep. Joe Hoeffel, Pennsylvania's Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, said Monday that Arlen Specter's narrow win in last week's primary election gave the challenger hope of unseating the 24-year federal lawmaker.

Hoeffel, a three-term U.S. House member from Montgomery County, answered questions yesterday after speaking to two political science classes at Hempfield Area High School.

Specter, Hoeffel's opponent this fall, won the Republican nomination by a razor-thin margin against challenger Pat Toomey last week.

"I think Arlen is clearly vulnerable," Hoeffel said. "It was a pretty weak showing in his own primary, which indicates what I have felt all along: He's just not got his finger on the pulse of the state anymore."

more: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/regional/s_192417.html

[tigereye]

1. who is this guy

and what is the deal on him? What are some of his policies?

[Freddie Stubbs]

2. He is a moderate Democrat from the Philly Suburbs

He voted no on Permanant Normal Trade Relations with China. He has supported repealing the Bush tax cut. He voted to authorize use of force in Iraq. As a New Democrat, he is associated with the DLC.

[tigereye]

3. ah

my problem with PA politics is that the state Dem groups tend to run people who are often unknown outside their corner of the state. It is funny, I never heard that much disaffection with the DNC until I came to DU - a lot of it appears to be based on the Gore "campaign" and how it was perceived as avoiding traditional Dem issues and running to the middle right. (Clinton's welfare policies, etc)

Ironically, it was CLinton's New Dem, Blue Dog appeal that appeared to help him to appeal to Dems who had strayed and Moderate and maybe not so moderate Reps and thereby win the National Election. We are very hard to please in our big tent at times. Interesting. Thanks.

[Padem20]

5. Compare Hoeffel and Specter

Visit the Hoeffel for Senate Web site and compare the candidates:

http://www.hoeffelforsenate.com/issues/issues.cfm

Also check out their flash ads:

http://www.hoeffelforsenate.com/video.cfm

[newyawker99]

6. Hi Padem20!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[PittPoliSci]

7. i actually met him.

He's very strong on fiscal matters. He sounds like a more FDR classic democrat. He didn't matter social matters much though.

[IronLionZion]

4. Go Joe!

He can win if we support him, get his name and platform out there, and get people to vote.