With 6 months left before retirement, State Senator Vince Fumo is certainly making the most of his time, using his extraordinary gift of getting his point across like no one else can.  This week, in protest of a bill to amend the PA Constitution to ban gay marriage, he tacked on an amendment to ban divorce, as well.  Classic Fumo.  When he’s gone, we’re really going to miss having someone we can always count on to shake things up. 

Endorsing Hillary Clinton was a smart move for Chris Carney.  The Democrats in his district agree with the choice, but by waiting until after Senator Clinton’s momentum faded to make his choice, nobody’s feelings get hurt.

Good luck to state House candidate John Ritter, battling leukemia as he runs for the open seat in the 187^th District.  And in the words of Pennsylvania’s senior United States Senator, never give in. 

As if House Speaker Dennis O’Brien wasn’t on the fence enough, he waged a successful write-in campaign for the Democratic nod in his district.  No doubt O’Brien is a lost cause to conservatives throughout the state, but he gets points for creativity – again. 

It’s been a less than stellar year for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.  Specialty wine sales are down – 30 percent or so since January 1 – and now a citizen’s commission has been formed to help bring better wine selections to imbibers across the state.  Somewhere (outside Pennsylvania’s economic orbit), Newman Wine & Spirits is enjoying this.