Yesterday saw leadership elections occurring in the PA House of Representatives. Democrats selected Carbon County Representative Keith McCall to assume the role of Speaker of the House and Luzerne County’s Todd Eachus for the position of Majority Leader. For more information on the leadership elections, as well as news from around the nation, please see the articles below.

State House Dems select McCall for speaker’s post – Tom Barnes, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

DeWeese elected majority whip – Brad Bumsted, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Sam Smith retains state House leadership post – Tom Barnes, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Ex-Fumo girlfriend tells of ‘other people’s money’ – Craig McCoy, Philadelphia Inquirer

Ex-Clinton Official Eyed for Attorney General – Matt Apuzzo, AP

Obama to usher in major shift in trade policy – Jim Abrams, AP

Losing his Blackberry is change Obama might find hard to take - Allentown Morning Call

This week will mark the official end of the 2006-2008 PA Legislative Session. The House of Representatives is scheduled to be in Harrisburg on Monday and Tuesday holding leadership elections. The Senate, while not officially convening, will hold their leadership elections on Tuesday as well. For more state news, as well as news on the continuing transition preparations of President-elect Barack Obama, please see the articles below.

Grand jury probes GOP campaign methods - AP

The New Team: Edward G. Rendell – John Broder, The New York Times

New lt. gov. is Rendell opponent – Amy Worden, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Rendell unlikely to leave state for White House – The Patriot News

Hopeful’s line up for state’s top job – Brad Bumsted, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Obama names 3 new aides - Garance Franke-Ruta, Washington Post

Secretary Clinton bid gets boost – Allentown Morning Call

After election losses, GOP searching its soul - Mackenzie Carpenter, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Election marks rise of a new generation - Mary Anne Ostrom, San Jose Mercury News

This week seems quiet compared to just one week ago, as it has now been one week since Barack Obama was elected President of the United States. While his transition planning continues, not much news is coming from Chicago. In Harrisburg, leadership elections are approaching for all four caucuses and many names are being mentioned for top leadership posts. Please see below for more information on national news, as well as state news.

Rendell pushes more aid for medically uninsured - Brad Bumsted, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Carbon Dem seeks House Speaker post - John Micek, Allentown Morning Call

Perzel accused of seeking dirt on fellow Republicans - Tracie Mauriello, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The “Best and Bravest” - Liz Sidoti, AP

McCain says Palin didn’t hurt presidential bid - Michael Blood, AP

Bringing a “Renaissance” to the White House - Stacy St. Clair, Allentown Morning Call

‘Brutal’ campaign unable to deter Palin - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

These will continue to be busy days for Barack Obama as he begins his first full week as President-elect of the United States. Last week saw Obama begin to fill out his transition team with the selection of Illinois Representative Rahm Emanuel as his White House Chief-of-Staff. All indications are that Obama will continue this week in selecting members for his transition team. For more information on Obama’s transition, as well as some state news, please see the articles below.

Rendell vows to remain Pa. governor through 2010 – Peter Jackson, AP

More charges expected in Pa. ‘Bonusgate’ - Angela Couloumbis, Philadelphia Inquirer

Pollsters’ predictions on the mark – Mike Wereschagin, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Obama to get his first look at the Oval Office - AP

Obama to use executive orders for immediate impact – Pittsburgh Post Gazette

GOP State Stronghold was key to Obama win – John Micek, Allentown Morning Call

Lawmakers hope Obama will reach across aisle – Jan Murphy, The Patriot News

What next, GOP? – Jeff Flake, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Last night saw Barack Obama elected as the 44th President of the United States. Obama won convincingly with an Electoral College victory of 338-157. John McCain, for his part, conceded around 10:30 last night with words of thanks for his supporters and talked about his willingness to work with President-elect Obama. For much more information on this historic election, as well as other election results from around the state, please see the articles below.

Obama Elected President - AP

A historic victory for Obama – Thomas Fitzgerald, Philadelphia Inquirer

Historic wave sweeps Obama to victory – James O’Toole, Pittsburgh Post Gazette

McCain concedes, acknowledges historic achievement – AP

In triumph, Obama kept his cool – Eli Saslow, The Washington Post

A change that resonates beyond U.S. – Larry Eichel, Philadelphia Inquirer

McCain backers can’t hide the hard feelings - Pauline Arrillaga, AP

Obama’s strategy pays off in Pennsylvania – Daniel Victor, The Patriot News

DeWeese holds on to House seat - Janice Crompton, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Morganelli concedes race to Corbett – Allentown Morning Call

Murtha survives a challenge - Dennis B. Roddy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

With Election Day only 24 hours away, both Barack Obama and John McCain are spending Monday crisscrossing swing states in the hope that they can persuade any undecided voters. With polls opening early tomorrow morning, both campaigns are getting prepared to unleash their get-out-the-vote operations. For more information on this last full final day of the 2008 Presidential campaign, as well as some state news, please see the articles below.

Power Struggle: Battle for House to set stage for Rendell’s last 2 years - Charles Thompson, The Patriot News

Rendell: Forget the polls, it’s gonna be close in state - Dan Berrett, The Pocono Record

Both campaigns to spend their final day in Pa. - William Bender, Philadelphia Daily News

Candidates put 11th-hour focus on Pennsylvania - James O’Toole, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

As Obama’s edge narrows, McCain finishing with a flurry - Josh Drobnyk, Allentown Morning Call

An election season in Pa. like no other - Bob Warner, Philadelphia Daily News

Election may bring out record numbers in state - AP

Obama, McCain eye potential administration teams - Charles Babington, AP

Candidates, pollsters, volunteers, and commentators are gearing up for the last couple of days in this election season. With only 6 days remaining, both national and state-wide candidates are sparring in debates, commercials, and on the campaign trail. For more information on national and state campaigns, see the articles below.

Candidates for PA AG Spar in Debate - Peter Jackson, AP

Court Orders Pa. to Provide Paper Ballots – Mary Pat Flaherty, Washington Post

Rendell blames Murtha’s racist remark on campaign fatigue – The Patriot News

John McCain and Barack Obama visit close states – Pittsburgh Post Gazette

AP poll shows Obama maintaining lead in Pennsylvania – AP

McCain/Obama look outside state for Election Day volunteers– Scott Kraus, Allentown Morning Call

‘Hillary sent me’ — Bill Clinton touts Obama - By James O’Toole, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

For many voters around the state of Pennsylvania this week will bring a sense of relief that the presidential contest is almost over - no more TV ads, phone calls, etc. One full final week remains before voters head to the polls next Tuesday to select either Barack Obama or John McCain as the next President. With that said, both candidates are making their closing arguments and are traveling across the state of Pennsylvania to do so. For more information on the final full week of the campaign, as well as some state news, please see the articles below.

Pa. House speaker race could turn into real battle – Mark Scolforo, AP

State deficit may aid GOP – Brad Bumsted, Pittsburgh Tribune Review

Rendell puts freeze on state vehicles – Jan Murphy, The Patriot News

Campaigns meet on blue battlefield - James O’Toole, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

McCain targeting Pa., but too late? – Richard Fellinger, Lebanon Daily News

Final sprint begins in Ohio, Pa. – Scott Kraus, Allentown Morning Call

Hershey gearing up for McCain/Palin rally – Daniel Victor, The Patriot News

Obama, McCain push for Pa. votes – Thomas Fitzgerald, Philadelphia Inquirer

These next few days should be a little quieter on the campaign trail as Barack Obama has suspended his campaign to fly out to Hawaii to attend to his ailing grandmother. John McCain will stick to substance these next few days, but look for some of the personal attacks to get toned down. For more information on the presidential race please see the articles below.

Rendell ‘Nervous’ McCain Could Win Pennsylvania – ABC News

Obama shifts focus to foreign policy – Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Obama visits grandmother, perhaps for last time – Christopher Wills, AP

McCain, Palin will visit state again Tuesday – Daniel Victor, The Patriot News

Turnout May be both a blessing and a curse – Scott Kraus, Allentown Morning Call

Put aside faults and ponder the qualities – Jonathan Last, Philadelphia Inquirer

McCain Doesn’t Look Competitive in Pennsylvania – Matthew Kaminski, Wall Street Journal

Republican Presidential candidate John McCain is counting on Pennsylvania’s 21 electoral votes to put him over the top come election day. With that in mind, yesterday saw him make numerous stops throughout the state. With more on the presidential race, as well as some state news, please see the articles below.

Fumo jury seated; opening statements set - Emilie Lounsberry, Philadelphia Inquirer

Fumo in-law might testify today – Michael Hinkelman, Philadelphia Daily News

McCain hopes for an upset win in Pennsylvania – Charles Thompson, The Patriot News

McCain hits Obama again on experience, tax policies - James O’Toole, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Obama widens gap in Pa. poll – David Brown, Pittsburgh Tribune Review

Race matters, but no more in Pa. than elsewhere – John Micek, Allentown Morning Call