The three positions are the seats formerly held by at-large Councilman David Cohen, who died last October; Rick Mariano, who served the 7th District and is now doing time in the federal pen at Fort Dix, N.J.; and the4th District seat that opened when Michael Nutter resigned to run for mayor.

Anthony Radwanski, communications director for Verna, said that Verna would make a decision shortly after Council reconvenes on Sept. 14. Currently, the six remaining City Council at-large members are picking up the slack in the vacant districts. Radwanski said the offices are staffed with small crews taking constituent calls. Key staff members, like former Mariano Chief of Staff Jay McCalla, have been let go.

Those working for the remaining council members said that the volume of calls from constituents, both in Mariano's and Nutter's districts, has been overwhelming so Verna is concerned that residents are not being represented.

In order to get on the ballot this fall for the special election, ward leaders from both parties in the empty districts would handpick their candidates, who would then appear on the ballot. But in next May's primary, that elected councilperson would have to run again to retain the seat.

In the case of Cohen's seat, ward leaders citywide would vote for the candidate.

In the 4th District, which Nutter represented for almost 15 years, there's a lot of activity this summer by Democrats. The diverse 4th District encompasses Wynnefield, Overbrook, Roxborough, Manayunk, East Falls, Mt. Airy, and parts of North and West Philadelphia.

"If there is a special election, then I won't win" endorsement by the ward leaders, said Matt McClure, a lawyer at Ballard Spahr who is actively seeking Nutter's seat. Undeterred, McClure said he is running in the 2007 primary and will make an impact on voters by going door-to-door, introducing himself and his ideas. He said he believes that voters will ultimately decide who will win.

Others rumored to want a shot at the seat include ward leaders Lou Agre and Ralph Wynder; Philadelphia Commercial Development Corporation President and CEO Curtis Jones Jr. ; Richard Subbio, policy advisor to U.S. Rep. Bob Brady; and Shawn Fordham, Mayor John Street's relative and personal aide.

Ward leaders tend to favor one of their own in special elections. There is speculation that, for Cohen's seat, Bill Greenlee, a ward leader who worked for the late councilman, has the edge.

With recent polls showing his Democratic opponent, Bob Casey, not as far ahead in the polls as he once was, Santorum appealed to what he called the "heartland" of the state, where family values take precedence and agriculture is a dominant source of income.

Admitting that his re-election was not going to be easy, Santorum appealed for votes to the 100 or so supporters assembled under the pavilion wearing Santorum buttons.

"I need your help," said Santorum. "I need a big vote out of the rural counties. Sixty-five to 70 percent of the vote."

Santorum depends heavily on this part of the state, a traditional conservative Republican stronghold, because he will not win Philadelphia or its suburbs.

"Welcome to Alabama," he said in a reference to Democratic strategist James Carville's famous line about Pennsylvania's interior.

On the recent foiled terrorist attacks in London last week, Santorum called for immediate action in combating terrorism and warned against passive defense. "These are not terrorists, these are Islamic fascists that will stop at nothing," said Santorum.

Calling Iran one of the biggest threats, Santorum said he has talked to President George W. Bush about the danger posed by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Later, at a press conference, Santorum said he supports Green Party candidate Carl Romanelli because he needs someone to debate the issues with. "Bob Casey won't do it," he said.

Meanwhile, Casey, who is preparing for fall debates, is wrapping up a bus tour in the next few weeks that also includes lots of western Pennsylvania stops.

(m_patel@citypaper.net)