Santorum, Republicans Find Philadelphia Suburbs `Ground Zero'

[LynneSin]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aL0XNMxd38nE&refer=us

Santorum, Republicans Find Philadelphia Suburbs `Ground Zero'

By Laura Litvan

Oct. 17 (Bloomberg) -- Philadelphia's prosperous suburbs are the site of a political showdown that may determine which party will emerge victorious from this year's midterm elections.

The four counties outside the city -- Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester -- have the highest concentration of close congressional races in the nation. Three local Republican congressmen are locked in races rated ``toss-ups'' by the nonpartisan Rothenberg Political Report in Washington -- and that was before news that one of them, Representative Curt Weldon, is under investigation for allegedly steering lobbying contracts to his daughter.

How residents of the counties vote Nov. 7 may also determine the fate of Senator Rick Santorum, the No. 3 Republican leader. ``If you're going to pick a ground zero in the 2006 elections, the Philadelphia suburbs are it,'' said Democratic strategist Paul Begala, who was an aide to former President Bill Clinton. ``If you see Democrats taking two of those three House seats, you're looking at a Democratic House.''

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[TheCowsCameHome]

1. I'd rather see them Ground Up.

Like fertilizer.

[dajoki]

2. I think Rendell...

carried them. It's his home area so maybe he could help Casey there.