While we hate to beat a dead horse, we feel that this is something that merits mention. Again. We're becoming more and more impressed with the organizational skills of the Cumberland County Democrats. If you thought the national party was making strides, you should check out the county party. Today's winner: Gail McDermott. Either Vic Stabile is asleep at the wheel or all that support for Arlen Specter 3 years ago has made him question what party he'd rather belong to. Either way, Gail is swimming laps around the chairman. As we said before, she's got a full slate of candidates for almost every race in the county. And from what we hear, she's letting the Republicans self-destruct. While the Democrats are running as a cohesive team in almost every municipal election we've heard of, the Republicans are all over each other. From Hopewell Township (where?) to Carlisle Borough to Camp Hill, Cumberland County has turned into an Ultimate Fighting Championship. Unless there are some saavy Republicans in the mix (and frankly, at this level, we doubt there are), 2007 could be an even bigger year for Democrats. We'll keep you posted.

So we missed the Hampden Township candidates' night. Monday night is our bowling league night, so it was one or the other and well....never mind. The word is that we didn't miss much. Bruce Barclay was MIA once again, however Gary Eichelberger had a little spring in his step. Maybe being way out in Boiling Springs just made him nervous? Hampden Township has always been a safehouse for Republicans - Hampdeners are loyal but tough. You'd better know what you're talking about before you roll in there. And if you're into scoring extra points, we'll take your answers in limerick form, please.

For those of you who are sick of tracking down commissioner candidates' events, only to find an empty chair (or Scott Perry or Glen Grell), we do have good news. We overheard two people at the Denny's in Mechanicsburg last week and learned of a planned debate way down in Carlisle at that bastion of non-partisanship, Dickinson College. Good news, bad news however. Good news is that Commissioner Barclay will be in attendance - perhaps to ask tough questions from the audience. Bad news is that its only for the Republicans, so please have your ID cards ready at the door. We'll keep you posted.