What do you think of Wolf for GOV?

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by GeneW

So I understand why I don't support Corbett: he's a conservative Republican and I'm a Democrat who wishes the Democrats were more liberal. What I don't understand is why so many Republicans in PA obviously don't support him either. To my lefty eye he seems like he ticks off all the right boxes to qualify as a conservative: he's pro-life, anti-gay, anti-tax, pro gas and oil industry, anti-pollution regulation, anti-union, anti-public school, anti-ACA, etc.

So what is it? Why does he get so little support from his fellow Republicans?

Honestly Corbett, while an awful, ineffective governor, isn't that conservative compared to most of the rest of the class of '10. Walker (WI), Scott (FL), LePage (ME), and even "moderate" Snyder (MI) all have more conservative legislative records than he does in states with around the same political balance.

The only "conservative" issues he's consistent on are cutting funds for public education and ensuring Marcellus Shale fracking isn't taxed. Neither of these are "red meat" issues for the base of the party. He didn't really do anything of note to push through new abortion restrictions. He decided not to ask for a stay/appeal of the SSM ban being overturned. He hasn't attacked public employee unions, or pushed for PA to become Right to Work. The only two things that were passed since he was governor (aside from the budgets) that were "right wing" were Voter ID and gerrymandering. They were really more self-serving actions for the local Republican machine, and the latter was overturned anyway. Plus he raised gas taxes, and hasn't moved to cut any state taxes at all. If I were a serious conservative, I would be pretty mad.

Even on his two signature issues, education cuts and fracking, he talks mealymouthed and just says things like "economic realities require we do ___." That's Democratic framing. The hard right-wing base (who has the biggest qualms about him) want him to do things like publicly attack teachers unions like Chris Christie, or make fun of environmentalists. He's too above the fray (or tin-eared) to know he should do that.

IMHO Corbett isn't losing because of the issues though - he's losing because he's one of the most inept, bumbling politicians I've ever seen take the helm of a major state. If he went full Tea Party I think he would probably lose this year anyway, but have more of a legislative legacy. And he clearly could have marketed himself successfully as a semi-moderate (like Sandoval, Bransted, and Martinez) if he had an ounce of political skill. Thankfully for him, all he had to deal with in 2010 was Dan Onarato, but he's not so lucky this time.

[Enough_Already]

Originally Posted by Buckeye Burgher

I know very little about this guy. His ads seem to be filled with pleasant generalities about improving education.
That all sounds very nice, but the devil is in the details. I would not want at Governor who started hiking a bunch of taxes (and yes....I know what Corbett just did to our gas tax) because right now PA is in a pretty good competitive position vis-a-vis our neighboring states.

I don't know about you but every time I go West or South I realize how expensive it is here in Pennsylvania. Everything seems to cost noticeably less in Ohio. PA is out of control. We need politicians who will fix it.

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by GeneW

So I understand why I don't support Corbett: he's a conservative Republican and I'm a Democrat who wishes the Democrats were more liberal. What I don't understand is why so many Republicans in PA obviously don't support him either. To my lefty eye he seems like he ticks off all the right boxes to qualify as a conservative: he's pro-life, anti-gay, anti-tax, pro gas and oil industry, anti-pollution regulation, anti-union, anti-public school, anti-ACA, etc.

So what is it? Why does he get so little support from his fellow Republicans?

Actually, Gov. Corbett isn't "anti-gay"- he has ordered gay marriage to not be challenged--and he isn't really "anti-ACA" either as he is working to push through a new medicaid program under ACA auspices to sell insurance to indigents.

Gov. Corbett is seen as a tad too moderate for many conservative voters, and they could be right- he's pretty much down in the polls although its still early. When all the votes are counted, its likely that the GOP is going to wish they went with a more conservative candidate in 2014.

[UKyank]

In my mind his main problem is that Corbett hadn't accomplished much of anything yet had party control over both houses of the legislature.

Wolf on the other hand hasn't said much of anything of substance yet & one thing that I disagree with (ending PA's flat income tax structure for individuals).

I remain very much undecided until I hear more substance from wolf