HARRISBURG - If you want the fastest cup of Starbucks coffee in what I believe is the entire world, come to the shop that’s in the Harrisburg Hilton. Never longer than 90 seconds, even when crowded. Impressive.
Don’t have much time to chat. I have to shortly rush to the Harrisburg train station to catch an Amtrak commuter back to Lancaster. I will say today’s most tense moment from the presser with Vice President Joe Biden was when a reporter asked Biden his thoughts about Republicans who wouldn’t support the stimulus plan. Every House member, all 177 of them, have voted against it, and only 3 GOP Senators have jumped on board.
So what does Biden think of those Republicans? We’ll never know. He smirked, and then like a Secret Service agent jumping in front of his man, Gov. Ed Rendell moved to the podium to answer the question. His answer wasn’t particularly relevant. It saved Biden from one of those impromptu moments when he says something frank and with a little too much honesty, it becomes a headline in every newspaper, and the Obama administration is forced into damage control. And every reporter knew such a moment had arrived. Every pen was put to pad at the ready, every laptop silent as hands prepared to furiously type Biden’s response. Never came. But that’s what Rendell is suppose to do, I guess. Provide political cover.
Elsewhere:
* Our friends in Connecticut, the Quinnipiac University poll, has answered a question many of us could not on our own: How do Pennsylvanians feel about legalized video poker and a new sales tax:
Nearly seven of 10 voters across the state oppose Gov. Ed Rendell’s proposal to allow counties to raise the sales tax by 1 percent and keep the revenue for local government, according to the latest Quinnipiac University poll released this morning.
Voters, however, support by 67 to 28 percent the governor’s proposal to increase cigarette taxes 10 cents a pack. Voters also back, by 62 to 34 percent, Mr. Rendell’s plan to legalize video poker machines in bars, using the money for tuition assistance at state and community colleges.
* Auditor General Jack Wagner, considered to be a Democratic gubernatorial possibility for 2010, rips into Rendell in a report about how the administration handled tech contracts. Report by the Patriot-News.
There’s a distant train whistle. See you next time.
