http://voicesweb.org/node/3822

Joe Hoeffel, Candidate for Pennsylvania Governor speaks to Voices
Submitted by voicesweb on March 9, 2010 - 3:37pm
by Jordan Toronto

In mid-February, Voices had an exclusive interview with Joe Hoeffel, a Democratic candidate running for Governor of Pennsylvania. Hoeffel has served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Pennsylvania’s 13th district, and is currently vice-chair for the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners.

The paragraphs summarize the views expressed by Hoeffel in portions of the interview that are not directly quoted. They are not the options of Voices or of the writer.

Joe Hoeffel can see why voters are scared, in this unstable economy, but believes that makes it all the more important for the democrats in office to step up to the challenge.

(cross-posted from Daily Kos) I'm generally cautious by nature. I've often gone with the "most electable" and "more moderate" Dem candidate in primaries because I don't want to risk losing a key district or statewide office. But I'm planning to vote for Joe Hoeffel for governor in the primary. I expect to support the Democratic nominee even if it's not Hoeffel, but Joe Hoeffel is my first choice. My reasons go beyond him being the only Democrat running who supports full marriage equality. I think Hoeffel has the best position on several major issues and is showing more leadership on those issues.

JOIN JOE HOEFFEL 2010 for a Campaign Kickoff Party Tuesday, Jan 26, 5pm to 7pm Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 103 Enter at 12th and Arch, West Entrance Featuring the Lincoln University Marching Musical Storm Drumline

It will be fun, and a great chance to build momentum and show some strength for the campaign!

(The usual disclaimer: I'm with Joe's campaign)

I'm Joe Hoeffel's New Media and Technology Director, and while I think I'm pretty evenhanded, I definitely want your votes and your active support to spread the word.

This is my first post on YPP - I tried to register in December but that was during Dan's LogicWeb nightmare and it didn't go so well.

I am a recent emigree (moved to PA because its where my fiancee and her children lived; now we are married and live in West Philly) and I'm guessing many of you know Joe's track record as a Montgomery County Commissioner and a three term US Congressman in the 90s, so I'll just highlight a few of the things that got me excited and involved in his campaign:

Joe Hoeffel recognizes that the tax code is regressive, that we need major campaign finance and ethics reform, and that the way out of recession is to invest in people and jobs and not to cut programs that fall on the most vulnerable while protecting a few special interests.

Joe Hoeffel is not only pro-choice (at least 2 of 4 other primary candidates are pro-life), he favors CARE, he voted against PACA in 1981, heck he was around in the late 70s fighting the same kind of rearguard attacks as Stupak-Pitts. He is REALLY pro-choice in both word and deed.

Joe Hoeffel is for full marriage equality. Whether or not the legislature puts something on his desk, I want a Governor who recognizes that this is about discrimination and denying basic human rights, not some rational debate about fictional merits on both sides.

Brady Dale has been sharing important news about the Marcellus Shale - he spoke about it at Philly for Change last week too - and Joe is waaaay out in front of the other candidates in bringing attention to the issues around natural gas drilling and protecting the environment generally.

Basically, Joe Hoeffel is a real progressive, in the mold of what we call "Democrats" where I grew up in Massachusetts, and at least three of the four other candidates in the primary seem more like the people I always called "Republicans." He's also got the experience to back it up, and I think he's the best candidate to beat Corbett in the general - but that's a long way off. For now, I hope you'll check out www.joehoeffel2010.com and decide to help us this spring.

More than a few Philly progressives are wondering what's going to happen to Harrisburg politics when Ed Rendell -- disappointment that he may have been -- retires to the broadcasting booth, or the cheese steak franchise, or wherever he and Midge plan to spend their golden years.

Can the Democrats hold the Governor's Mansion? In the wake of the still-ongoing budget fiasco, can Harrisburg become a healthy functioning place of government any time in the near future?

How bad can state politics get if the Republicans win?

One candidate with progressive credentials who's seeking to answer these questions is Montgomery County's former Congressman Joe Hoeffel. He's running for governor, and he's speaking at Philly For Change Meetup, which starts tonight at 7:00 at Tritone, 1508 South Street (wheelchair accessible).

This is an outdated bio of Joe Hoeffel (from his Senate race against Specter, i think, and it stops there) from ourcampaigns.com, that I am cut and pasting here because it should provide some useful background about his history in Southeast PA.

What is truly remarkable, and you should keep this in mind when you read it, is that Joe Hoeffel has served his entire political career in majority Republican districts.

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Candidate: Hoeffel, Joseph Merril
Website: www.friendsofjoehoeffel.com
Affiliation Democratic
Address 1908 Lycoming Avenue
Abington, Pennsylvania 19001-1106, United States
Email info@hoeffelforsenate.com
Born September 03, 1950

Info Congressman Joe Hoeffel is a Democratic Member of Congress from Pennsylvania's 13th District. Hoeffel is a member of the International Relations Committee, and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.