Jason Altmire

Congressional candidate Melissa Hart has received the endorsement of Firearm Owners Against Crime, a Second Amendment Political Action Committee that could help her pro-gun credentials after her opponent, U.S. Jason Altmire (D-McCandless), received the NRA endorsement.

FAOC has 60,000 "contacts" across the state and is the state's largest pro-gun PAC, according to a release from Hart's campaign,

Kim Stofler, chairwoman of the group, credited the former congresswoman for her dedication to protecting Second Amendment Rights.

"Unfortunately the same cannot be said for her opponenent as the incumbent has avoided making the tough decisions when it comes to choosing between politics and citizens freedoms," Stofler said in a statement.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.) said Tuesday that  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) faces a potential revolt from rank-and-file members of Congress over her handling of a bill that would lift a ban on offshore oil drilling. Altmire told PolitickerPA.com that many Democrats, including the 24 who co-sponsored the compromise energy bill, have challenged Pelosi's position, and he said the Speaker of the House knows her stance might soon be toppled by members who will bring the measure for a vote by Sept. 30. "Well, I can't speak for her, but I think she realizes she's starting to lose her grip on this issue," he said. "The PR battle has been lost."

Former Congresswomen Melissa Hart has issued the following statement on the endorsement of the NRA for her opponent Congressman Jason Altmire.

“The Washington, D.C. NRA group has a policy of giving endorsement preference to incumbents if they have not voted against NRA issues.

Democratic Congressman Jason Altmire picked up a major endorsement today when the National Rifle Association endorsed his candidacy against Melissa Hart. The NRA endorsement is a major blow to Hart who needs every conservative group she can obtain to rally behind her and work for her effort to take back the seat she lost two years ago.

Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) held a telephone town hall meeting with constituents to discuss the energy crisis in America.  According Altmire, more than 10,700 constituents joined him on the call. 

The conservative group Freedom's Watch has unleashed yet another round of robocalls, this one attacking Democrats in Congress for "standing between us and billions of barrels of American oil."

The robocall campaigns are being run in New Hampshire, Arizona, California, Kentucky, New York, Illinois, Florida and Ohio, as well as in Pennsylvania.

With similar scripts, the Pennsylvania calls are targeting U.S. Reps. Jason Altmire (D-McCandless) in the 4th Congressional District, Chris Carney (D-Dimock) in the 10th Congressional District and Paul Kanjorski (D-Nanticoke City) in the 11th Congressional District.

The voice on the call reminds listeners that President Bush recently lifted the executive ban on offshore drilling, and blames its Democratic targets for stopping increases in domestic oil production. It gives listeners a number of times that each target has "sided with Nancy Pelosi and liberals in Congress instead of us" and urges listeners to call the target.

"Tell him to stop standing between the American people and American oil," the call closes.

Eight Pennsylvania Democrats running for Congress are being criticized by the National Republican Congressional Committee for accepting donations from U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), who is embroiled in scandal after being accused of using his high-profile status to secure rent-stabilized apartments.

The NRCC sent two sets of e-mails, one Saturday to incumbents and another Wednesday to challengers, saying Democrats should return donations from the politically powerful Rangel.

U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire (D-McCandless) continues to maintain a cash advantage over challenger Melissa Hart in a matchup of two of the state's fundraising heavyweights.

Altmire raised about $456,000 in the second quarter, bringing his total fundraising take to $1.57 million.

His totals overshadow a strong quarter from Hart, who raised almost $300,000 in the second quarter. She now has roughly $624,000 in cash on hand.

U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire (D-McCandless) continues to maintain a cash advantage over challenger Melissa Hart in a matchup of two of the state's fundraising heavyweights.

Altmire raised about $456,000 in the second quarter, bringing his total fundraising take to $1.57 million.

His totals overshadow a strong quarter from Hart, who raised almost $300,000 in the second quarter. She now has roughly $624,000 in cash on hand.

Coal is any western Pennsylvania lawmaker's best friend.

But congressional candidate Melissa Hart says her opponent, U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire (D-McCandless), doesn't vote like it.

"I see him as not a friend of coal," Hart told PolitickerPA.com in an interview last week.

She particularly harped on his decision not to include coal as an alternative energy, and the former congresswoman suggested his reluctance to do so might stem from intra-party pressure.