Free Republic

The Treasury Department’s counterterrorism arm is investigating speaking fees paid to a long-time Democratic Party leader who is among the most vocal advocates of an Iranian opposition group designated as a terrorist group by the State Department. Former Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell told The Washington Times that Treasury investigators last week subpoenaed records related to payments he has accepted in exchange for public speaking engagements. Mr. Rendell is among a bipartisan group of prominent former officials - including Cabinet-level Republicans - who have accepted payment in exchange for speeches calling for the removal of the Mujahideen-e Khalq (MEK) from...

Rendell: 'Bad Person' Wouldn't Support Universal Health Care Pennsylvania governor says Clinton's fight for 'universal care' in line with Obama By Paul Detrick Business & Media Institute 8/25/2008 5:43:43 PM An opponent of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama’s health care proposal is a “bad person” in Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell’s book, even if that opponent is Sen. Hillary Clinton. “Hillary has fought for universal health-care for all her life. The McCain plan is respectfully a joke. Sen. Obama has a real good plan to bring health care to every American,” Rendell told CBS “The Early Show” co-host Harry Smith...

Although they belong to the party of the backdoor draft, Republicans have made "we support our troops" their political mantra. In support of the idea that the GOP is the patriotic home of the military, conservative talk radio has recently been making electoral mischief in Pennsylvania. Here is political opportunism without shame. The idea put about is that the absentee ballots of those serving their country overseas will not be counted because of those tricky Democrats in the Rendell administration. This reckless political charge marks the return of a golden oldie; a furor over challenges to military ballots was part...

Families of U.S. troops have long adhered to a clan code that prohibits speaking out against a war. Now some are going public over Iraq.PHILADELPHIA — In Love Plaza, about 75 people mingled in bright sunshine, chatting noisily while one speaker after another droned on at a campaign rally. Vendors hawked T-shirts, and children frolicked in a fountain opposite ornate City Hall. Then Celeste Zappala stepped onstage. Standing between columns of red, white and blue balloons, she held up the Purple Heart awarded posthumously to her oldest son. The plaza fell silent. In calm, measured tones, Zappala talked about her...

By DAVID B. CARUSO Associated Press Writer Hospitals in eastern Pennsylvania braced for a potential New Year's Day walkout by scores of surgeons who say they can no longer afford to buy malpractice insurance policies. But with Tuesday's midnight deadline looming, there were signs that Gov.-elect Ed Rendell might have averted a large-scale work stoppage with a proposed aid package that would reduce doctors' insurance payments by $220 million in 2003. Several large surgical practices in northeast Pennsylvania backed off Tuesday from a threat to stop performing operations Wednesday if something wasn't done about their insurance costs. Scranton's biggest hospital,...