Toomey for Senate

By KELLY MONITZ (Staff Writer kmonitz@standardspeaker.com)

TAMAQUA - Republican Pat Toomey told supporters not to believe a poll putting him ahead of Democratic Rep. Joe Sestak in their bid for U.S. Senate.

"We have a lead but it's a small lead," he told folks gathered Thursday morning at the Tamaqua Train Station. "This race is very close. The person who wins this race is the person who turns out their supporters best."

A Time Magazine/CNN/Opinion Research survey shows Toomey ahead 49 percent to 45 percent, while a Muhlenberg College/Morning Call poll gives him an 8-point lead over Sestak.

With five days until the election, Toomey asked supporters to reach out to five people who may not consider voting or are undecided, and urge them to vote for him and for state Sen. David Argall, R-29, in his bid for Congress against incumbent Rep. Tim Holden, D-17.

Argall, who also appeared at the Restaurant at the Station for breakfast Thursday, spoke in support of Toomey and felt confident of a Republican victory in eastern Schuylkill County. State Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-124, also addressed the group, endorsing Toomey.

All three politicians greeted and chatted with smiling supporters prior to offering short speeches. Toomey held the floor the longest and garnered enthusiastic applause, advocating a Republican platform of smaller government and tax cuts.

"We have to get spending under control so our kids have a chance growing up with the kind of life we want them to have," he said. "One of the things that strikes me as a hallmark ... is the fact that every generation of Americans has built this country up ... and handed over to their kids a better life than they had.

"If we stay on the road these guys have us on of ever-expanding government and staggering amount of debt, then the danger is we will be the first generation to hand over to our kids a diminished country, one with fewer opportunities and one with less hope and potential," Toomey said.

He pledged not to allow that to happen, and promised to restore the prosperity that is the next generation's birthright.

To do that, however, Toomey said he needs every vote and asked his audience to talk to friends, co-workers and even Democrats about voting Republican in the final days before the election.

"There are a lot of Democrats who have common-sense, conservative values we have," Toomey said. "I'm asking you to reach out to them and vote."