Well, our merry band of of liberal ladies gathered for warm drinks at Bistro Romano last evening and we were discussing the growing buzz that GLBT lioness Renee Gellinger may run for Vincent Fumo's state senate seat. These rumors were confirmed over the weekend with an extesnive phone poll taking place that measured support and other items about Renee. It was obvious to those who received it that the poll was coming from Fumo's camp. Few of us at Bistro Romano know Gellinger beyond her reputation, which is quite substantive. She has been here for years, working quietly with various groups to imrove the lot of all of us. She would be a formidable challenger to Fumo. And she has substance behind her. I wonder if the prospect of a three-way race would scare her off though. Does anyone know her more personally?

I confess I am not young, but I do live in Philadelphia and ever since the casino issue, I have been getting involved in politicking.

After a long and loud meeting of local community activists last week in my neighborhood of Society Hill, a group of vocal activists and voters who would like to see an end to the era of indicted State Senator Vince Fumo has decided to begin a DRAFT SHEILA BALLEN internet campaign for the Democratic Primary for the 1st Senate District of Pennsylvania.

So far, over 250 people have signed up. Our goal is to have enough pledged support/volunteers to present this to Sheila at the end of December. It is our hope that once she sees the grassroots support, she will do what we all ask of her and run for the State Senate.

We believe she is the perfect person to take on and win against Fumo and we hope to convince her to run.