So Left It's Right

Altmire, Critz face off in primary debate.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012 | 1:01 p.m.

It was "unclear at times" whether Reps. Jason Altmire (D) and Mark Critz (D) "were speaking to a primary electorate" or a gen. election audience. They "alternately raced to the left and back to the center" during April 9’s debate at the Univ. of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

It was Critz’s "home turf," but the crowd "was friendly, and Altmire earned his fair share of applause." Each candidate "boasted of his record of working across the aisle to find common, non-partisan solutions." Then, each argued "why he was the better" Dem.

Critz "struck early, hammering home a major attack from his campaign: Altmire’s vote in favor of a Balanced Budget Amendment." Critz: "This is where there’s a huge disagreement between Jason and I, is that, the Republican Balanced Budget Amendment, and independent study said that it would cost this country 15 million jobs. It would be devastating to Social Security and Medicare. ...Social Security and Medicare didn’t put us in this situation, they shouldn’t be used to balance the budget."

Altmire "didn’t back down" but reiterated his support for a BBA. He said the study Critz cited "was out of date and moot." Critz: “I do support balancing the budget. I support a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution because I don’t want to crowd out the vital spending that needs to be done on our earned programs."

Critz "charged" Altmire "with voting to repeal vital elements of the health care law." Critz: “The system we had [before the new law] was not working. Is the health care bill the answer? Does it solve all the issues? Well, no. It needs a lot of work... I voted every time to support the bill in its current form and worked to improve it.”

Another question "mentioned Planned Parenthood." It was Altmire’s turn "to attack." Altmire: “I am pro-life, but I have voted at every opportunity to provide funding for Planned Parenthood. ...My position is funding for Planned Parenthood helps prevent abortions."

The clearest example "of the dizzying left-to-center, back-to-left dynamic" was an email "sent mid-debate" from the Critz campaign. Critz email: "Altmire supported legislation that would allow insurance companies to deny coverage for contraception. ...A vote AGAINST H.R. 358 is a vote in support of women’s health.” Indeed Altmire "vote in favor for H.R. 358. So did Critz."

Critz: “I’m not the candidate trying to run as a pro-choice candidate." Altmire: “I’m not hiding from the fact that I’m pro-life. I am pro-life. Mark told you what my record is with pro-choice groups. The issue is on Planned Parenthood funding, that money does not fund abortions. That money funds cancer screenings and preventive health care for women.”

Critz "won applause" from the Dems in the crowd when he declared: “I’m pro-life, and I don’t hide from that fact.”

Likewise, Altmire "received a hearty hand when he stressed his tough stance on illegal immigration." Altmire: “I am a hard liner on illegal immigration. I think I am as hard line as anybody in the Congress on this issue. This has to be about preventing the illegal immigration from happening in the first place.” Critz echoed him "almost point for point" (Gibson, PoliticsPA, 4/9).

During the debate Altmire "looked beyond the April 24 primary" and portrayed himself as “the most viable Democratic nominee in the fall.” And Critz "stuck to his Johnstown roots while also playing up his endorsements from organized labor" (Faher, Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, 4/9).

Who Won?

PA local Debbie Church, "who was among numerous people wearing Critz stickers, said that she kept an open mind even during the debate despite of her support for Critz." Church: “I think it was a tie" (Sojak, Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, 4/9).

PoliticsPA's Gibson writes, "There was no definitive moment; each scored a few hits, each had to retreat a few times. Altmire’s experience on the stump showed and he came across more polished. Critz did a better job throwing red meat. Forced to pick, we’d give the edge to Altmire. He came out of the lion’s den with few scars, if any, and had some of the Critz sticker-wearers clapping despite themselves" (4/9).

Pennsylvania: Mark Critz, Jason Altmire Battle in Round 2

Pennsylvania: Mark Critz, Jason Altmire Battle in Round 2:
PITTSBURGH — Reps. Mark Critz and Jason Altmire debated for the second time in as many days this evening, striving to define their differences ahead of the April 24 Democratic primary.

In an otherwise tepid exchange, Critz emphasized his support from local labor unions, and Altmire underscored his Congressional voting record as reason to keep him in office.

“Every major union that has endorsed, has endorsed me,” Critz, serving his first full term in Congress, declared. “What that tells people is there are groups that know both of us, and they know they can trust me.”

Altmire, meantime, cited the more than 4,600 votes he’s cast in Congress since his 2006 election.

“Most importantly, I work hard. I show up for work. I travel the district. I’ve never missed a vote,” he said.

But for the most part, the tone was congenial between two House Democrats, who were moved into the same southwestern Pennsylvania district when Republicans redrew the Congressional map last year.



Altmire has the upper hand in the primary because he’s represented 66 percent of the redrawn 12th district — a point he emphasized in his on-camera remarks.

“The fact is the majority of the district as it’s been drawn are people I’ve represented,” he said.

The candidates agreed more often than not during the exchange on issues such as bargaining rights for local teachers, developing energy resources in the region and their disagreements with the president’s policies. Even the moderator, WPXI-TV anchorman David Johnson, commented on the “very collegial” debate and encouraged the two Democrats to “duke it out” more often.

Neither Democrat said he’d be willing to ask the president to campaign for him this fall when pressed by the moderator.

“The way I approach it is I’ve got a Congressional district to run,” Critz said. “I run my race.”

“The success or failure for the candidate for Congress is going to be based on the record,” Altmire said.

Both candidates said they would campaign for the winner of the Democratic primary against the likely GOP nominee, attorney Keith Rothfus. It’s a competitive area, and the winner of the Democratic primary will encounter a targeted GOP race this fall.

Critz repeatedly stumbled over his own words, making offhand comments like, “This is much more difficult than talking to an audience” and “I’m learning how to be on TV.” About halfway through the debate, Critz looked off camera to another television screen and said: “My commercial is on TV. Hey, look at that.”

Battle Royale

Critz, Altmire release fundraising numbers; debate today.

Monday, April 9, 2012 | 12:38 p.m.

Rep. Mark Critz (D) and Rep. Jason Altmire (D) will debate "at Pitt-Johnstown" April 9 (Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, 4/6).

Funds With Numbers

Critz April 6 announced that his camp raised approximately $285K during the 1stQ. Critz: "Our campaign is gaining momentum every day, and these fundraising numbers show that voters are enthusiastically responding to my record of fighting to create jobs for western Pennsylvania" (release, 4/6).

Meanwhile, Altmire's camp raised approximately $330K during the period. Altmire has raised nearly $1.5M "cycle-to-date" (release, 4/6)

Pennsylvania: Altmire Raises More than Critz in Last Three Months

Pennsylvania: Altmire Raises More than Critz in Last Three Months:
Rep. Jason Altmire raised slightly more than Rep. Mark Critz in the final months before their April 24 Democratic primary in a southwestern Pennsylvania House district.

Altmire’s campaign announced he raised approximately $330,000 from Jan. 1 through April 4, which is the pre-primary reporting period.

Critz raised about $285,000 during the same period, his top campaign aide confirmed to Roll Call.

Cash on hand totals were not available yet for either campaign. But Altmire’s team boasted he’s raised $1.5 million so far this cycle, and Critz’s most recent haul brings his campaign fundraising total to just more than $1.1 million.

An internal poll done in late March for the Critz campaign showed Altmire ahead by 7 points, but the race was tightening. The only Democrat in the Keystone State delegation who has publicly taken sides in the contest is Rep. Robert Brady. However, many Members’ loyalties privately lie with Critz, a former top aide to the late Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.).

The winner of the Democratic primary will face likely GOP nominee attorney Keith Rothfus in November.

Roll Call rates the 12th district race as a Tossup.

A Little Neighborly Love

Dem delegation seems to back Critz; Altmire hasn't asked for their support.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012 | 12:43 p.m.

Many PA Dems "hope the underdog" Rep. Mark Critz (D) "will eke out a primary victory later this month." Critz: "I guess what I can tell you is I'm still hanging out in the Pennsylvania corner (of the House floor)."

Many House Dems "remain loyal to Critz because they revered his late boss and predecessor, Rep.John Murtha (D). Rep. Jason Altmire (D), meanwhile, never cozied up" to other Dems in the delegation. "He still takes heat from them for his vote against the health care bill two years ago."

"Most Democrats in the delegation emphasized their neutrality, at least publicly." Rep. Mike Doyle(D-14): "I'm Switzerland. I think the position of most of the delegation is we're going to make sure whoever wins the primary wins the general election."

"Last week, Rep. Robert Brady (D-01) broke ranks and backed Critz," saying he had donated to Critz's campaign as well. PA Dems "view Brady as the unofficial dean of their delegation, and his endorsement carries symbolic weight. ... Aides argued that Brady's support shows where" many PA Dems "stand on the race: More than two years after Murtha's death, many Members are loyal to Critz." One PA Dem staffer: "Most people are rooting for Mark. There's clearly a history. A lot of Members worked with Mark when he was a staffer. Mr. Murtha was beloved by the delegation, and I think that merits a certain loyalty."

Critz: "When I got through that special election, I was adopted by a lot of senior Members. In the Pennsylvania corner, those guys really took me under their wing. Even though I was Jack Murtha's guy, I was still a rookie."

"Meanwhile, Altmire staked out a distinctly different path in Congress." His decision to vote against Dems' health care overhaul irked Dems "who felt he held them out to dry with his last-minute and closely held decision to vote 'nay.' ... These days, instead of hanging out" in the PA corner, "Altmire sits with fellow" Blue Dogs during votes. "And as of last week, Altmire said he hasn't asked anyone in the delegation for support."

Despite their defense of Critz against a misleading ad put out by the Altmire campaign last week, many Members "remain quiet about their support" in the race.

Dem consultant Daren Berringer: "With no statewide campaign having a major ground game to drive turnout, this is all going to come down to Critz and his endorsements. Organized labor has wanted to send Altmire a payback message for a while, and if they run their operation at full tilt, Critz could pull this out" (Toeplitz, Roll Call, 4/3).

Missing The Mark?

Rep. Mark Critz (D) released a new TV ad hitting Rep. Jason Altmire (D). Full script, "Not True":

CRITZ: “I’m Mark Critz, and this attack from Jason Altmire is simply not true. I’ve fought against every Republican attempt to dismantle Medicare and gut Social Security. The vote Jason is attacking me for was actually an effort by Democrats in Congress to defeat the Republican budget. Every Pennsylvania Democrat except Jason voted the same as me. Look at what others are saying. It is, in fact, false. I approve this message because Jason is better than this” (youtube, 3/30).

Editor's Note

Pittsburgh Post Gazette endorsed Altmire, writing: "Given the similar records that cast" Altmire and Critz as conservative Dems, "many voters will have a tough time telling them apart. Not so the Post-Gazette, which favors" Altmire "for the nomination." Some Dems "may see their differences as slight, but we find them significant."

Altmire voted to abolish "don't ask, don't tell"... Altmire "has voted 'at every opportunity' to fund Planned Parenthood because he sees access to contraception as part of being pro-life." Altmire "voted yes to ban the use of troops in Libya without Congress' approval..." Altmire "has cast votes to reduce the use of fossil fuels and develop energy alternatives..."

"During their interview with Post-Gazette editorial writers," Altmire "also showed a keener understanding of key legislation. They may vote the same on many issues and, despite competing in the primary, share a respect for each other." But Dems "should see enough differences to nominate Jason Altmire as their candidate in the 12th District" (4/1).

Mailed It!

In a new mailer in the CD, Altmire "dings" Critz "for voting to defund Planned Parenthood." Altmire, in mailer: “The political war being waged by extremists treats women as second-class citizens. That’s why I stood up to extremists and voted against their plan to cut funding to Planned Parenthood.”

The issue "plays against the broader backdrop of a race where each candidate tried to portray himself as more liberal" – after winning gen. elections "on the basis of being conservative" (Gibson, PoliticsPA, 3/31).

Old News

To "bolster his credibility on entitlements," Critz March 30 "rolled out an endorsement" from the Alliance for Retired Americans, an org. with about 15K members in the CD.

PA chapter pres. Jean Friday: “Nobody has a stronger record of fighting to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare than Mark Critz. His 100 percent record on seniors’ issues, and his willingness to stand up to those who want to cut benefits makes him the clear choice in this race" (Gibson, PoliticsPA, 3/30).