Republican Mike Fisher previewed his campaign for governor Saturday by telling party faithful in Monroeville that Pennsylvanians would not turn their backs on eight successful years of GOP rule.
"We are going to win in November" because of "eight years of prosperity, a lower crime rate, lower taxes and a higher job (creation) rate," Fisher told the party's southwestern caucus.
Fisher, the state's attorney general, painted both his potential Democratic opponents as big-spending liberals who would waste taxpayer dollars, if elected.
Fisher said that Democrats "would do everything they can to tear (the state) down" during the campaign. But, he argued, most Pennsylvanians believe the state was moving in the right direction under Republican leadership.
Fisher was particularly critical of former Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell for failing to reform the public schools of that city. Without being specific, Fisher pledged himself to school "reform," suggesting that failed schools need the assistance of private-sector executives.
On the same day that Democrats endorsed state Auditor General Bob Casey Jr. for governor, Fisher joked that his endorsement by the southwestern Republican caucus was a lot easier than he had expected. Fisher's sole opponent for the GOP nomination, state Treasurer Barbara Hafer, withdrew from the race, leaving him as the presumptive nominee.
Fisher told the members of the caucus that he expected Casey and Rendell to battle each other in the primary while spending down to the last dime.
Though he said he has no preference for an opponent, Fisher suggested that Rendell may be a more inviting target than Casey, having run Philadelphia for eight years as mayor and thus amassing a record that could be examined and criticized.
The 11-county caucus also heard from the two announced Republican candidates for lieutenant governor — state Sen. Jane Earll of Erie and Chester County Commissioner Karen Martynik.
Fisher said he would consult with party leadership about his selection. He said he would likely announce a choice before the Republican state committee meets on Feb. 2. He denied a Tribune-Review report that Earll had the inside track to the nomination. "I would not necessarily say that," Fisher said.
According to party officials, other names have surfaced as possible GOP candidates for lieutenant governor. These include former Philadelphia mayoral candidate Sam Katz and Hazelton Mayor Louis Barletta.
