Tom Corbett

HARRISBURG -- Democratic challenger John Morganelli reiterated Wednesday his accusations that Republican Attorney General Tom Corbett botched his office's high-profile "Bonusgate" investigation, saying the incumbent disregarded his clear conflict of interest and focused on House Democrats while ignoring Republicans.

Morganelli's press conference, held in the Capitol, rehashed old arguments Morganelli has made for months on the campaign trail, but it did summarize the challenger's stance on what is surely the signature issue in the competitive attorney general's race.

Spokesmen from the attorney general's office and campaign headquarters, both on hand to answer reporters' questions after the speech, dismissed Morganelli's criticism as the "laughable" accusations of somebody who knows nothing about the investigation.

Corbett's office indicted 12 House Democrats in July of illegally using taxpayer money and resources for campaigns as part of its "Bonusgate" investigation, what some Capitol observers have called the state's biggest scandal in a generation. Although the investigation is continuing, Corbett announced in September his office will not bring any additional charges before Nov. 4 as to not have any "undue influence" on the election.

He later also told PolitickerPA.com the investigation's massive scope makes bringing more charges before Election Day "physically impossible."

But Morganelli, citing several newspaper reports, said the attorney general has squandered public trust of the investigation.

Republican Attorney General Tom Corbett could only shrug his shoulders when asked about the near daily anonymous e-mails that call his office's "Bonusgate" investigation blatantly partisan.

"I can't let that affect me," Corbett told PolitickerPA.com Monday.

The attorney general pointed out several of the 12 former and current House Democratic lawmakers and staffers have waived their preliminary hearing, scheduled for Tuesday.

The e-mails, which each come from a different e-mail address and are sent to an unknown number of recipients, have attracted attention from many in the Capitol.

To view more cartoons by Politicker.com editorial cartoonist Rob Tornoe, click here.

MINNETONKA, Minn. -- The Pennsylvania delegation's Wednesday morning breakfast will be remembered by most in the crowd for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee speech on behalf of John McCain.

Less memorable, but perhaps more interesting to political observers -- it featured the two rumored leading GOP gubernatorial candidates, Attorney General Tom Corbett and former U.S. attorney Patrick Meehan, sitting in the same room.

Corbet spoke before the delegation -- Meehan to PolitickerPA.com.

During a short interview after breakfast, Meehan deflected talk of running for governor but conceded that since stepping down from his position he has met "many new friends" across the state.

MINNETONKA, Minn. -- Republican Attorney General Tom Corbett, at once battling for re-election and a rumored gubernatorial candidate in 2010, mostly stayed away from campaigning for himself Wednesday morning when he addressed the Pennsylvania delegation over breakfast.

Instead, Pennsylvania's head prosecutor urged those in the crowd to help create a grassroots organization he said will be necessary for U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and other local Republicans to win in November.

"We need your help to get out there and talk to everybody in the community," Corbett said, "and not just Republicans."

Apparently, no allegation is too small in the increasingly heated battle to be Pennsylvania's attorney general.

The campaign for Republican Attorney General Tom Corbett on Tuesday criticized Democratic attorney general candidate John Morganelli for not paying $6 in quarters at a Harrisburg parking meter Monday. Morganelli, Northampton County's DA, was in the state's capitol to talk to the Pennsylvania Press Club at its monthly luncheon, an opportunity he used to criticize Corbett for how he has handled "Bonusgate."

But while Morganelli spoke, his car sat parked in downtown next to an expired parking meter. Brian Nutt, Corbett's campaign manager, said a passer-by noticed the car had an official parking pass from the Northampton County district attorney's office tucked inside the front windshield. He alerted Corbett's campaign, which took pictures of the car, the parking pass and the expired meter.

Nutt said Morganelli inappropriately used his parking pass to make sure he would not have to pay the meter or receive a parking ticket.

Democratic Attorney General candidate John Morganelli ripped Republican incumbent Tom Corbett on Monday, saying "a lot of wrongdoers" involved in "Bonusgate" will go unpunished because Corbett mishandled the investigation from the start, according to The Patriot-News.

Morganelli alleged the investigation has been one sided, focusing exclusively on the House Democratic Caucus. 

The Northampton County district attorney has not shied away from attacking Corbett on Bonusgate, which figures to be the Republican's signature issue as he campaigns for re-election.

Corbett Campaign Manager Brian Nutt responded by telling the Patriot that Morganelli "should really concentrate on talking about things that he does know about."

This article is by Dan Hirschhorn in Philadelphia and Alex Roarty in Harrisburg.

Even while they insist their energies are fully focused on electing their prospective party's nominees for president, members of the state's political establishment are quietly eyeing the next big elections in Pennsylvania: the race for governor and the race for senator in 2010.

With a bevy of political insiders set to convene over the next two weeks for their annual political conventions-Democrats in Denver next week and Republicans in St. Paul the following week-it's certain that prospective candidates for the two offices will be putting out feelers for support, though they'll be doing so quietly.

Prospective candidates for both offices will be present at both conventions, and though they assured PolitickerPa.com they were more focused on November's presidential election, most acknowledged it would be nice to have a who's who of state politicians in one room.

"I would say that next week in Denver I'll spend a lot of time talking to other ... Democrats from across the state about intentions and gauging their reaction and support," said Don Cunningham, the Lehigh County Executive who is considering a run for the Democratic nomination to succeed Gov. Ed Rendell.

"I'm not hosting any formal receptions or anything like that," Cunningham was quick to add. "I'm just going to be an active, regular part of the delegation. I know a lot of folks already, and I'm hoping to get to know more."

With the indictments of Democrats earlier this summer, you would expect the Republicans to have been jumping all over the situation.  But that has not been the case. Republicans have been quiet and many assume that is because they know they are next.

There have been numerous reports of Attorney General Tom Corbett’s investigation into the Republican caucuses’ role in Bonusgate.  Democrats suffered the first round of indictments earlier this summer and are still feeling the sting.  Republicans are concerned that their round may come closer to the election and have a greater effect on them when all is said and done.

Republicans are concerned on two fronts.  First the names involved.  Republicans Inside Edge talked to are concerned the prominent names that could take a hit on the Republican side could be even more devastating than what the Democrats faced.  They are also concerned that timing could be a lot more damaging.  As the election draws closer voters start paying more attention.  While a September or later round of indictments could greatly benefit Republican Corbett in his reelection bid, it could have a devastating effect on Republican legislators because the focus would shift to them right when voters are really starting to tune in.

While any possible indictments are not known for sure, Republicans who agreed to talk to us are very concerned about the rumors they are hearing and are bracing for the worst.

Republican Attorney General Tom Corbett said his opponent, Democrat John Morganelli, is a "great Monday morning quarterback.": Politicker Photo

HARRISBURG -- Check your math, governor.

That was Attorney General Tom Corbett's (R) response Monday when asked about Governor Ed Rendell's (D) complaint that "Bonusgate" has, thus far at least, yielded charges against only Democrats.

"I don't understand why after two years you only could make your decision on Democrats," Rendell said in early August. "If there was chicanery by all of the caucuses, (the voters) have the right to know that before the election."

But the attorney general's office started investigating allegations of illegal bonuses in February of 2007, Corbett said, noting that only 18 months had passed since then.

"His math was off," Corbett told PolitickerPA.com as took a quick break from a fundraiser at the Dauphin County Bar Association in downtown Harrisburg. Corbett was there to raise money for his campaign against Democrat John Morganelli, who he faces this fall in an election most have pegged as competitive.