By: Phillip D. McFarren, ERG Partner
We have witnessed a historic political moment which many of us may never witness again. The voters of Pennsylvania joined a broad band of states in America's rural and industrial heartland to send a clear message-Don't count us out-change your ways government so that we have economic security at home.
During the past six weeks I have traveled thru much of this part of the United States meeting public officials, meeting companies and industrialists who have and are continuing the fight for energy independence. They are the investors, the proud workers, government partners and the rural America that some politicians seem to forget in their lust for power and publicity. They responded with Vigor and Vitality yesterday by electing one of their own as the 44th President of the United States. During these past few weeks you could feel the tempo growing not for partisan reasons but for economic reasons.
We toured last week the new processes being developed in partnership with agriculture and industry to greatly enhance the food chain while creating a more competitive product needed to achieve energy independence. We toured the leading manufacturing plant of the needed equipment and we discussed with other companies the most likely technology to be utilized in the future of manufacturing the next generation of biofuels. Political leaders should well consider the same experience for they too will see American entrepreneurship at its best.
Energy independence is the most important goal of Barack Obama after he and others stabilize our financial structure so that financing is once again readily available to quality projects. This is the overriding goal of Midwestern America where the goals of agriculture mesh with the goals of heavy industry and where both have learned to work together for many years regardless of political choice.
The Change in Pennsylvania As Well
Obama won Pennsylvania by some 11% of the votes cast -a modern day record in the past 50 years for a presidential candidate. The national election brought new waves of voter reaction to the ballot box but in general Pennsylvanians favored those who have been loyal to the interests of their district and who have shown excellence in the administration of their office.
Democrat Auditor General Jack Wagner, an early supporter of Barack Obama, received the highest number of votes cast for any candidate running for any office with 60 percent of the vote, a huge margin, and a big boost to his prospects for further elective success and a possible run for Governor. Rob McCord, a Democrat, easily won the State Treasurer's job with more than 55 percent of the statewide vote.
At the same time, Republican Attorney General Tom Corbett, won re-election as voters recognized his statewide accomplishments, thus maintaining the precedent that every elected state Attorney General has been a Republican.
Congressman Phil English, a very influential and brilliant member of the U. S. House Ways and Means Committee, was narrowly defeated by an excellent opposing campaign and by the surge of support for Obama in his Congressional District. All other Pennsylvania Members of Congress were re-elected in spite of the large voter shifts in many areas of the Commonwealth, leaving our delegation at 12 Democrats and 7 Republicans.
Legislators and state government leaders will need to find the same courage and support as exhibited by the Obama campaign which was superbly managed and equally effective.
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