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Special Election-PA 12th House District-May 18 (Murtha's seat)
Key House Races ^ | 4/13/10 | randita

Posted on 04/13/2010 7:50:30 AM PDT by randita

This is a VERY important election. We've been fighting for this seat for a long time and finally have a great shot of taking it both in the May 18 Special Election and in November. Tim Burns (R) has been selected as the GOP candidate to run in the May 18 Special Election against Mark Critz (D), but both Burns and another good GOP candidate, Bill Russell, are running in the May 18 Primary to face off against Critz in November. Burns needs our support now to win the seat on May 18.

Note that this district went for McCain in 2008.

An up to date list of vulnerable DEM seats and must hold GOP seats is located at Key House Races.Photobucket


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Pennsylvania
KEYWORDS: burns; keyhouseraces; khr; murtha; pa12thdistrict; russell
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This race isn't getting much attention, but it is VERY important and could be an early indicator of where swing districts are heading.
1 posted on 04/13/2010 7:50:30 AM PDT by randita
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To: InterceptPoint; Impy

Thought this was timely for the first post of this type on FR. Feedback?


2 posted on 04/13/2010 7:51:29 AM PDT by randita (Sarah Palin has the same computer that I have.)
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To: Recovering_Democrat; smoothsailing; nd76; jazusamo; Juan Medén; liege; Jim Noble; ...

ping


3 posted on 04/13/2010 7:52:50 AM PDT by randita (Sarah Palin has the same computer that I have.)
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To: randita

I take it that you think Burns is a good candidate. He’s the choice of the party pros, who have a pretty lousy record of choosing good candidates. And Russell is a good man, who gave Murtha a fight for his seat even though he had bought the whole district.

I’d like to know more about Burns than just the assertion from a gang of RINOs that he’s a conservative Republican. That’s what they say about Romney and McCain, when it’s primary time.


4 posted on 04/13/2010 7:55:46 AM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: randita

Thanks, yes all seats are important and I have done what I can for him and the other special elections.


5 posted on 04/13/2010 7:56:11 AM PDT by TJC
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To: randita
I would hope that Murtha’s seat would be in the grave with him. He owns nothing any more. The position he chaired was only temporary and will move to another.
6 posted on 04/13/2010 8:13:54 AM PDT by mountainlion (concerned conservative.)
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To: Cicero

I’d recommend this for Republican voters:

(1) Vote for Burns in the special election. That’s open to R and D. We need an R in the seat.

(2) Vote for the candidate of your choice in the (closed) primary.

Each candidate is a good conservative but has good and bad points. The selection was not made by a backroom cabal, but by over 100 activists in the local party.

By the way, this indicates how much influence you can have in a local party. There are only a few people who get up off their butts to get involved.


7 posted on 04/13/2010 8:16:48 AM PDT by AmishDude (It doesn't matter whom you vote for, it matters who takes office.)
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To: Cicero

I think Burns is the best candidate in the May 18 Special Election-far preferable to Critz (D). That’s what this thread is basically about.

Russell looks like a great candidate as well and may win the primary over Burns.


8 posted on 04/13/2010 8:17:02 AM PDT by randita (Sarah Palin has the same computer that I have.)
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To: randita
Thought this was timely for the first post of this type on FR. Feedback?

Thank-you for posting this.
As a native of western Pa myself, I believe that the people of this district would be best served by Tim Burns, who also is native to the area.

I am NOT impressed by the partisan carpetbagger credentials of Russell.
His previous campaign focused primarily on Murtha-bashing,
but on other issues he is hopelessly out-of-touch with local interests.
It is apparent that his ambition is not to actually represent his constituents, but to obtain an easy ticket out of Johnstown back to the DC Beltway where he can hobnob with likeminded carpetbaggers.

The People of Johnstown deserve better.
Elect Tim Burns, his roots are in the region.

9 posted on 04/13/2010 8:22:12 AM PDT by Willie Green (Go Pat Go!!!)
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To: randita

Oh, OK. Sorry. I’d forgotten that there are TWO elections this year.

Then I agree. Burns now, over Critz, in the special election.

And then choose the best candidate in the primary for next fall’s regular election.


10 posted on 04/13/2010 8:27:21 AM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: Cicero
I don't live in this district, but if I did, I would be voting for Bill Russell. Many candidates tried and failed to unseat Murtha. Bill Russell is the only one who had the guts to come back for a rematch.

That's the type of backbone we need in Washington, not people who will fight the good fight only as long as the opposition is not too strong.

I have a generally favorable impression of Burns and think it is great that he has actual business experience, but I also had the same impression of George W. Bush and Mitt Romney for the same reasons and have to admit that both came up short in their eagerness to work with the opposition rather than defeat them.

Remind me again why we have to have a bunch of government employed unionized slugs go through your bags every time you take an airline flight. Does it really give us better security than the privately contracted security companies who did it before? The TSA would not have prevented 9-11 under the rules in effect at that time. I'm not even sure they would prevent it now.

11 posted on 04/13/2010 8:52:38 AM PDT by Vigilanteman (Obama: Fake black man. Fake Messiah. Fake American. How many fakes can you fit in one Zer0?)
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To: randita; smoothsailing
Thanks for posting this. I don't live in PA but supported Diana Irey and Bill Russell when they ran against John Murtha and no one else would come forward to challenge him. I supported both by donating to them and promoting them here at FR.

There are a few here that have been quick label Bill Russell as a carpetbagger, BTW that was practically the first word out of Murtha and his thugs mouths when challenged by Russell.

Russell has served the nation well over a period of about 30 years and never had his stakes down to consider anyplace a permanent home until 3 years ago when moving his family to Johnstown and retiring. Excerpt from his about page:

Military Heritage

The son of a career military officer, Bill Russell’s “home” addresses spanned some eleven states and seven countries, before settling his own family in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. A fifth generation soldier, he began his military career as an Enlisted man, attended West Point, graduated from Louisiana State University, and earned his commission through Officer Candidate’s School at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Bill Russell

Tim Burns looks to be a conservative from his website but it's yet to be proven. He was the choice of Rob Gleason and Gleason used his influence with conferees to get Burns selected for the special election. Gleason had supported Murtha for a number of years even though Gleason is the GOP PA state chair. It has been thought Gleason supported Murtha because of his insurance business having clients that were Murtha's fair haired boys. I doubt there's a bigger RINO than Gleason in PA now that Specter turned Democrat.

Russell is a good man and has done his homework in the district. He's kept campaigning since losing in the last election to Murtha and has gained many supporters in the district.

12 posted on 04/13/2010 9:49:13 AM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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To: randita

if i lived closer to the district I would be there. Anyone within an hour (or even two) should consider getting there in person.

I am too far for the NY district, too. I think it is NY29. I am full-time now as a citizen activist on a HOUSE race in CT. 30 hours per week. Must be my night job.


13 posted on 04/13/2010 10:08:08 AM PDT by campaignPete R-CT ("pray without ceasing" - Paul of Tarsus)
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To: randita; Cicero; Vigilanteman; jazusamo; AmishDude

SUPPORT BILL RUSSELL IN THE MAY 18th PA-12 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY


LtCol William T. Russell - FOB Midway, Ad-Daluyah Provence - Fall 2004

I am a conservative. I believe in the sovereignty and security of this one nation, under God. I believe in the sanctity of life and that life begins at conception. I believe in marriage between one man and one woman. I believe that all children in our school systems should be educated in English and taught the civic duties and responsibilities of citizenship and patriotism. I believe that we have the responsibility and obligation to control our borders and determine who is allowed to live and work in our country. I believe in private property rights and that the death tax should be killed. I believe government economic policies should reward those who build business or save and invest their money. I believe in the right to bear arms and the right of self defense. I believe in rugged individualism and that no one owes me anything just because I live and breathe. I believe we should all practice charity in some form or fashion, especially to those who are suffering and least fortunate. But charity must be voluntary and spring from a spirit of altruism and love for your neighbor. I believe that imposed systems of wealth redistribution destroy families, produce a culture of dependence and hurt everyone. Finally, I believe there is room to acknowledge the role of our Creator in public life as stated in the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. ---Bill Russell in his own words .

.

.

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free." --President Ronald Reagan

GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN ENDORSES COMBAT VETERANS FOR CONGRESS PAC

Tue, 03/30/2010

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14 posted on 04/13/2010 10:17:48 AM PDT by smoothsailing
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To: smoothsailing

OK, that kind of post makes me way less supportive, just so you know.


15 posted on 04/13/2010 10:25:14 AM PDT by AmishDude (It doesn't matter whom you vote for, it matters who takes office.)
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To: randita; jazusamo
This special election has a factor that's been played down by the media, but it's one that is bad for Burns and helpful to Critz.

The NRCC has provided $15,000 to conduct a poll in the district, if it ignores the independent and third party vote it may not tell us much.

House race has 3rd hopeful-Libertarian seeks Murtha’s seat

Libertarian may cause GOP headaches in Pennsylvania special election

16 posted on 04/13/2010 10:34:41 AM PDT by smoothsailing
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To: AmishDude

Why would one post sway you so much? I certainly apologize if it offended you. I just happen to support Russell in the primary and am proud to trumpet it.


17 posted on 04/13/2010 10:43:26 AM PDT by smoothsailing
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To: smoothsailing

Played down by the media is correct. No one that I could find reported on the Libertarian candidate until a couple days ago.


18 posted on 04/13/2010 10:47:52 AM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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To: jazusamo
You're right, the local papers are just now starting to mention the Libertarian.

Last modified: Monday, April 12, 2010 11:32 PM EDT

Newspaper to host candidates forum

The Daily American has organized a community forum for the 12th Congressional District race.

The event will be held at 7 p.m. May 3 at Laurel View Village in Davidsville. All candidates whose names will appear on the primary or special election ballots have been invited to attend.

“We think this is a great opportunity for the community to meet the 12th District candidates,” Editor Brian Whipkey said. “This is an important race and residents of Somerset County can use this opportunity to learn about the different candidates so they can decide which one will best serve the county.”

The candidates for the 12th District seat are Democrats Mark Critz, Ryan Bucchianeri and Ron Mackell and Republicans Bill Russell and Tim Burns.

Critz and Burns will appear as the party candidates for the special election to fill the remainder of the late U.S. Rep. John Murtha’s term along with Libertarian Demo Agoris. The special election will be held May 18, the same day as the primary.

The candidates will be given time to introduce themselves and then answer questions posed by a moderator. The Daily American is accepting suggested questions at michelleg@dailyamerican.com.

The 12th Congressional District includes the northern part of Somerset County, parts of Allegheny, Armstrong, Cambria, Fayette, Indiana, Washington, and Westmoreland counties, and all of Greene County.


19 posted on 04/13/2010 11:16:06 AM PDT by smoothsailing
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To: smoothsailing

http://www.riehlworldview.com/carnivorous_conservative/2010/04/nrcc-puts-200k-on-gops-tim-burns-in-pa-12.html


20 posted on 04/13/2010 11:46:38 AM PDT by randita (Sarah Palin has the same computer that I have.)
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