Crunch Time

by Mary F. Patel

It's not over until it's really over. And with just days until Nov. 4, campaign workers from both sides are pulling out all the stops.

While Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is leading in the polls, his national worker bees are taking nothing for granted.

Moveon.org, the federal Political Action Committee (PAC) that mobilizes Democrats, and which endorsed Obama, is sending mass communications to supporters, beseeching them to work harder than ever and not be complacent.

Obama told his staff to act as if he's 20 points behind, despite his current surge in the polls.

Elliott Curson (CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

Local races are also looking good for Democrats, though candidates are not taking anything for granted there, either (or, if they are, they at least have to look as though they're running a campaign).

There are a few local races to watch. Democratic U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy is running against GOP candidate Tom Manion in Bucks County, and Democrat Brendan Boyle is looking to beat GOP contender Matt Taubenberger for state Rep. George Kenney's seat, as he is not running for re-election (for more on these races, see our Local Roundup on p. 12).

Even Larry Farnese is not taking his race against Republican John Morley lightly, though he is likely to prevail and succeed state Sen. Vincent Fumo, who's currently on trial for corruption in federal court. Farnese's campaign manager, Renee Gilinger, says Farnese's victory party will be held at Nineteen atop the Park Hyatt Bellevue Hotel on election night. That's not a cheap location, so Farnese must be comfortable with his available cash. After the election, Gilinger will become Democratic District Attorney candidate Dan McCaffery's deputy campaign manager — he runs in the primary next year. Ken Snyder will handle McCaffery's media.

Other final efforts by the Democrats include a big rally Friday night at Pure nightclub, sponsored by Liberty City Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club, to energize the masses. Special guests include Jennifer Beals of Showtime's The L Word.

Not to be left on the sidelines, Republican presidential candidate John McCain's supporters are out there banging the drum and using innovative ways to reach out to the base. Last Sunday, motorcycle clubs convened for a jaunt through the city. The Second Brigade, the Leathernecks and Vietnam Vets for McCain, led by Chris Hill, co-chair for Philadelphia Vets for McCain, rolled through the streets of Center City and Chinatown.

Captain Rod Knutson, U.S. Navy Ret., a fellow POW of McCain's, flew in from his Montana home to be part of the festivities and ride with the 40-plus bikers.

The program ended with a reception showing the documentary Medal of Honor.

Beth Hegedus, a McCain supporter who rode on the back of Hill's bike, said it was inspiring to see veterans come together for the cause. It was a rally, but she described the scene as non-political.

There is a reality check for national Republicans coming over the horizon. Veteran political consultant (and CP contributing photographer) Elliott Curson describes the current scenario thusly:

"It went from Obama's to lose to McCain's to lose and back to Obama's to lose."

This is trouble for local Republicans, too, but they're doing what they can. State Rep. and former Speaker of the House John Perzel is aggressively looking to win friends and influence people in his race against Democrat Richard Costello in the 172nd District in the Northeast.

Perzel was the beneficiary of a $500-a-person fundraiser last Monday night at the Society Hill Sheraton.

Costello supporters, like a lot of Democrats, are hoping that voters will pull the big D lever for a massive Democratic sweep.

Costello has accused Perzel of being out of touch with his district and too cozy with lobbyists. Perzel's campaign aides say he's fighting back tenaciously.

"John knocks on hundreds of doors in his district," says Al Schmidt, executive director of the Republican City Committee. He says Perzel has the ability to raise a lot of money, and despite being trounced from the Speaker's throne, still wields a lot of power in Harrisburg. Perzel lost his Speaker job to fellow Republican House member Dennis O'Brien almost two years ago.

(rcpatel@aol.com)