NEW YORK—Last weekend's 107th annual Pennsylvania Society gathering at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel proved as significant as anticipated. Candidates and speculation buzzed about Manhattan as deals were made, alliances solidified and money pledged. Causing the most stir were candidates for next year's gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races and 2007's mayoral race.

The society, a nonprofit patriotic and charitable organization, was founded in 1899 to encourage the ideals of William Penn, but its annual gathering has become a springboard for political campaigns and a huge statewide networking forum. It's held in the Big Apple because that's where several of the founding members (among them, Andrew Carnegie, also the founder of the Waldorf) wanted to meet more than 100 years ago. Nobody complained about heading north, either.

Friday afternoon, Klett Rooney, Ceisler Jubelirer and the Pittsburgh Steelers hosted the seventh annual Pennsylvania Society Scrimmage at the ESPN Zone on Broadway, which was followed by state Auditor General Jack Wagner's reception at the Waldorf. Democrats went from there to Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato's party while most of the Republicans (and some Democrats) headed over to the InterContinental Hotel for Blank Rome's annual confab. The receiving line was long as Blank Rome Chairman David Girard-diCarlo greeted guests while law-firm partner Nelson Diaz drew a crowd. One lawyer remarked that Girard-diCarlo has asked employees to withhold support for mayoral candidates until Diaz decides if he will run for mayor.

Also on the scene were pollster Terry Madonna and Brian Tierney, who was keeping up with his political-biz relationships before leaving for Taiwan the next day to consider the investment potential of a new company for his hybrid venture-capital firm, Tierney Holdings. Bonnie Grant, who has added a new sheen to the Eagles as their PR maven since defecting from her position as deputy city representative in October, looked particularly dishy at the buffet table, while GOP gubernatorial candidate and former Steeler Lynn Swann held his own mini press conference near the shrimp. U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum spent some time chatting up Republican State Committee Co-Chair Renee Amoore, who will be his campaign-trail surrogate, while Santorum's campaign manager, Vince Galko, and his finance chair, Robert Bickhart, worked the room. Sharif Street stopped by with invitations to his fundraiser in support of "New Leadership for Philadelphia" to be held at the Loews Hotel back home. The younger Street is still mum on what office he plans to seek.

Back at the Waldorf, a big party brought in a cadre of curious onlookers and supporters of Local 98 Business Manager John Dougherty. The union bash was complete with a dance band, top-shelf libations and desserts. Guests, whether they were supporting Dougherty for mayor or not, dropped in for the atmosphere. Even mayoral candidate Tom Knox stopped by.

Frank Keel, there with his wife, Theresa, said he would handle press for Dougherty's campaign. Dougherty's lawyer, George Bochetto, lent support even though he is still deciding whether he will run on the GOP ticket. House Speaker John Perzel hung around for a while as did Santorum and his Democratic opponent, Bob Casey Jr. , who just returned from a successful fundraiser at the Harvard Club.

Republican lawyer Richard Furia predicted that Dougherty would not run if U.S. Rep. and Democratic City Committee Chairman Bob Brady did but that Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell would seek the office regardless. (Neither Brady nor Blackwell were in town.) At the door, union elves handed out party favors of chocolates and Christmas tree ornaments engraved with "Dougherty '07." A top aide to Mayor John Street said he thought it was a mistake for Dougherty to spend so much money so early. "How many people here are actually from Philadelphia?" he asked.

Dougherty supporter Vernon Anastasio chatted up Sharon Suleta, who represented Councilman Frank DiCicco ally Sarah DeRose in a 2003 legal action that removed Anastasio from the primary ballot. Suleta has since left Ballard for Klehr, Harrison.

Meanwhile, on another floor, the Gov. Mifflin Society party was being hosted by David Urban, Gregg Melinson and Eric Weinberg. Santorum eventually made his way up there to mix with friends like former state Attorney General Jerry Pappert and professional clothier (for Tom James Company) Sara Canuso, wife of GOP City Committee Chairman Vito Canuso. Sara's designs are much in demand by the well-dressed men of Philly.

On Saturday, the options were to sleep in, head over to the Penn breakfast, attend the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association (PMA) symposium at the Metropolitan Club or to hit Bill and Maryla Scranton's Holiday Cheer Party at O'Neill's Irish pub. The Scrantons' party didn't involve endless speeches like the PMA event. The joint was jumping and his event was packed with Scranton supporters like GOP ward leader Matthew Wolfe, who will be fundraising for Scranton's quest to unseat Gov. Ed Rendell.

Later, U.S. Sen. John Kerry strolled down Park Avenue near the Waldorf after meeting with a Pennsylvania pol whom he wouldn't identify.

Saturday afternoon, Crown, Cork & Seal hosted a reception for Santorum and wife Karen at the Waldorf's Starlight Roof Room.

Next up was the Buchanan Ingersoll soiree, which fed into the cocktail reception for the weekend's keynote event: the Society gala. The formal sitdown dinner in the Waldorf ballroom ran way behind schedule and Gold Medal recipient Chris Matthews was still giving his speech when guests began wandering into the Governor's Reception, given by S.R. Wojdak & Associates and Ballard. The hosts were Ballard Chairman Arthur Makadon and top Wojdak lobbyist and Senior VP Holly Kinser Linsley, who looked elegant in her gold, flowing gown.

After dinner, the rest of the guests promenaded down the Silver Hall to the reception along with Rendell and his wife, Midge, who looked especially nice. The party went on past 1 a.m.

Milling about were a tuxedoed U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah and City Councilman Michael Nutter. Fattah, who is up for re-election next year, said that there should not be a doubt in anyone's mind that he intends to run for mayor.

By Sunday morning, the bleary-eyed arrived at the Temple University and Wachovia-sponsored brunch at the hotel where the omelet-and-pumpkin-ravioli crowd included U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter and wife Joan, George Burrell, Minority Business Enterprise Council Executive Director Michael Williams, sporting longer locks, and longtime domestic partner Tony Rodriguez.