Toomey for Senate

ARDMORE, PA

By Dan Kristie
Main Line Times

U.S. Senate candidate Pat Toomey was the keynote speaker at the Chester County Republican Committee's spring banquet, held Tuesday night at the Desmond Hotel.

Speaking to an audience of more than 200 committeepeople, Toomey predicted that U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, D-7th, of Edgmont, would win next week's Democratic senatorial primary and be his opponent in November.

"Joe Sestak is a card-carrying liberal's liberal … he is totally signed up to turn America into a European-style socialist state, because I guess he thinks Greece is a good example," Toomey told the audience.

Toomey directed most of

his criticism at Sestak, making only brief mention of U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, who will go against Sestak in next week's Democratic primary.

Polls currently indicate that Sestak could enjoy a slight lead over Specter in the primary. Polls also show Toomey beating both Sestak and Specter in a November matchup. Toomey warned Republicans, however, that Sestak could see a media-fueled jump in the polls if he beats Specter next week.

Toomey criticized the Obama administration and Democratic legislators for supporting the stimulus bill and health care reform. He focused his remarks around the theme of "taking back our government" but provided few specifics regarding what he would do if elected.

Toomey faces Peg Luksik, a business owner from Johnstown, in the Republican primary. Toomey is expected to win by a large margin.

The banquet was moderated by Chester County Republican Committee Chairman Skip Brion. Also speaking were Sue Corbett, the wife of Pennsylvania Attorney General and Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett; Bucks County Commissioner and lieutenant governor candidate Jim Cawley; and West Chester conservative activist Rich Davis.

Corbett said that her husband has promised to make principled decision-making a bigger priority than political expediency.

"One promise Tom has made in addition to not raising taxes is to turn this state around," Corbett said.

Cawley, one of the nine Republican candidates for lieutenant governor, called for the state to spur the economy by lowering corporate taxes and promoting small business.

"It's about government being a full partner in helping (small businesses) create jobs," said Cawley, who has the endorsement of the Chester County Republican Committee.

He added that he believes government, in many cases, can help by being a "silent partner" and getting out of the way.

Davis, who leads the Chester County Victory Movement rallies that take place in downtown West Chester every Saturday morning, made brief remarks in support of U.S. troops and veterans.

And Brion, the county GOP chairman, rallied the county's Republican committeepeople, urging them to promote the party's endorsed candidates.