GOP's efforts to get Green candidate on PA ballot likely to fail

I wrote recently about Pennsylvania Republicans trying to split the Democratic vote in the race between Rick Santorum and Bob Casey-- the challenger has consistenly led Santorum by ten points of more-- by funding the campaign of a Green party candidate. Unfortunately, it looks like attempts to get the necessary signatures have been less than successful.

After a review of candidacy petitions filed on behalf of Green Party US Senate candidate Carl Romanelli and gubernatorial candidate Marakay Rogers, Dems plan to file a lawsuit bouncing them off the ballot. State Democratic Chair T.J. Rooney said a detailed review of the petitions -- a signature drive admittedly financed almost entirely by GOP supporters of embattled US Senator Rick Santorum -- showed 69,622 of the 94,544 signatures are likely invalid. "Phony names, fake signatures and a tremendous amount of illegal and deceptive practices were uncovered during our thorough and aggressive analysis," said Rooney. The Dems mocked the submitted petitions for being so sloppy as to contain signatures purporting to be for Jesus Christ, John Kerry, Lee H. Oswald, Terri Schiavo and Mickey Mouse. Romanelli countered the move is a heavy-handed, undemocratic effort to block him from running.

Tip for Romanelli: don't claim you're the victim of a conspiracy when Mickey Mouse is one of your supporters.