Because Fattah is considered unbeatable (and is blowing off the show this year), why did Foster seek a kamikaze mission?
"I'm a lifetime resident of Germantown/Mount Airy, I publish a newspaper people like and we have been aggressive in editorials," he said. "This is part and parcel of taking the information process a few steps higher."
The show is set for 8 p.m. Wednesday at Finnigan's Wake, 3rd and Spring Garden streets. Tickets for the show - a fundraiser for Variety, the Children's Charity - are $75 and can be ordered by calling Eric Perry at Variety at 215-735-0803, ext. 11.
Headlining this year will be returning Comedy Night veteran Bob Casey, the U.S. Senate Democratic incumbent. Making his comedy debut will be his GOP rival, Tom Smith. In the race for Pennsylvania attorney general, newbies Republican David Freed and Democrat Kathleen Kane will attend.
In area congressional races, Democratic incumbent Bob Brady will make his eighth show appearance, while his Republican challenger, John Featherman, will make his second. Suburban Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach is on board, along with his Democratic challenger, Manan Trivedi, a physician.
Delaware County Republican U.S. Rep. Pat Meehan returns to the stage, faced by Democratic first-time candidate George Badey, a lawyer and a Mummer (Fralinger String Band). In Bucks County, we have Republican incumbent Mike Fitzpatrick and Democrat Kathy Boockvar, making her first show appearance.
Veteran Democratic U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz is supporting the show, as always. Her opponent, Joe Rooney, has refused to participate, the only invited Republican to decline.
For the 17th year, master comic Joe Conklin will provide the guaranteed laughs. Daily News staff writer Jenice Armstrong will be my co-host.
On the national front, with Rep. Ryan's ascent to be Mitt Romney's running mate, I asked the candidates for their reactions. Here are those received before deadline:
Featherman: "Ryan's placement on the ticket makes the economy the central issue again, not Chick-fil-A, not anything else, but just the economy . . . ."
Brady: "The choice of Paul Ryan absolutely solidifies their position that they want to completely eliminate the working class and the middle class . . . ."
Smith: "Both Gov. Romney and Congressman Ryan have records of solving problems, compared to this administration's failed record."
Casey: "The typical highest-earning households making more than $1 million a year would receive a $286,000 tax cut under the Ryan budget, while the average family making between $50,000 and $100,000 would see their taxes go up by more than $1,300."
Mansfield: "It shakes up the race and brings the adults back into the room. It's time to close the Romper Room."
Fitzpatrick: "Paul Ryan is a serious person putting forward serious proposals to get our country back on the right track."
Meehan quoted Bill Clinton's former chief of staff Erskine Bowles from 2011: " 'Paul Ryan is honest, straightforward and he's sincere,' and I think that sincerity will heighten the debate. Beyond that I don't want to say anything funny about Ryan. The fact that I'm quoting Bill Clinton's guy is funny enough."
Email stubyko@phillynews.com or call 215-854-5977. See Stu on Facebook. For recent columns:
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