Tom Corbett

Surrounded by his family and Pennsylvania's Republican elite, Gov.-elect Tom Corbett looked into the election-night crowd in Pittsburgh and said, "Throughout the campaign, people asked me, 'What kind of role model do you have?' I reminded them: Just look across the Delaware River to New Jersey. Take a look at Gov. Christie. " If Corbett truly is looking to Trenton, Pennsylvania had better strap itself in and prepare for a thrill ride. Christie has stampeded through the Capitol, preaching the gospel of less government.

Six years ago, Tom Corbett hit the campaign trail with a crushing migraine, a garment bag with a busted strap, and a limp brought on by a surprise case of the gout. These days, Corbett has a driver, impeccably pressed dark suits, and an entourage to help him crisscross Pennsylvania in his quest for the state's top job. And with both money and the backing of the state Republican Party, the attorney general's campaign for governor is nothing if not a smoothly running machine.

IT WAS THE hottest ticket in town when the Pittsburgh Penguins dropped the puck for hockey's outdoor Winter Classic at Pittsburgh's Heinz Field on New Year's Day 2011. And Tom Corbett was among the spectators. But the incoming governor didn't pay a dime for his seat at the game, or for a Winter Classic brunch - together worth $472, according to state records. Instead, the tab was picked up by lobbyist Robert Kennedy, vice president for governmental affairs at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

The New Voices of Philly.com include a gay leader, a stoner, a sexologist, a libertarian-leaning Realtor - even the legendary Flyers goalie Bernie Parent, dispensing advice on relationships. Now add to that roster of columnists the governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett. "There is no political bias or intent, other than providing content that is interesting to our readers," said Robert J. Hall, chief executive officer of Interstate General Media, parent company of Philly.com, The Inquirer, and Philadelphia Daily News.

The Democrats DAN ONORATO What we said: "Running a state in these times will take smarts, guts and executive experience to manage the crises. " The Republicans TOM CORBETT What we said: "He is the only Republican in the race who seems to think state government has some value. "

I'VE BEEN following politics closely for the last few months. After watching the debate and eventual passage of the health-care bill, I felt defeated. Never have I seen so much bribery, threatening and deceit. These are the "honorable" men and women who are representing us? The leaders of our nation whom our children should look up to? I don't think so. When I read that our attorney general, Tom Corbett, was joining with nine other states to file a lawsuit against the federal government's unprecedented power grab, I thought to myself, this is someone I want my children to look up to. Congress continues to disgrace the Constitution and the 10th Amendment and Tom Corbett has stood up and said enough is enough.

Few are more steeped in Pennsylvania party politics than Democratic power broker David L. Cohen. The Comcast executive vice president has long been known as the go-to fund-raiser for Democratic candidates. He is credited as the chief strategist behind former Gov. Ed Rendell's successful political career, and President Obama in 2011 described him as a "great friend. " Now, just as the 2014 governor's race is beginning to heat up, Cohen says he will likely back Republican Gov. Corbett's reelection campaign.

LAST WEEK, addressing a meeting of state college trustees, Gov. Corbett suggested that colleges and universities could fix that hole he blasted into their budgets when he cut higher-education funding in half by turning some of their land over to gas drilling. Sure, and while we're at it, why not convert university student centers to slots parlors? Or let developers build shopping malls on all those college football fields that get used only a few times a year? And we don't need to stop at extracting revenue from our campuses; imagine the revenue possibilities from cheap labor provided by students.

A profile of Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett published Sunday erred in stating how his age would compare with those of previous state chief executives, should he be elected. Corbett would be the oldest since David L. Lawrence, who was 69 when elected in 1958. The Inquirer wants its news report to be fair and correct in every respect, and regrets when it is not. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, contact assistant managing editor David Sullivan (215-854-2357)

THE STATE attorney general may be the commonwealth's chief law enforcement officer, but you wouldn't know it after two decades of listless Republican control. A belief in limited government has its place, but not in an office that demands a tough go-getter. That's why this page has endorsed Jim Eisenhower over his opponent Tom Corbett. Eisenhower, a former aide to President Bill Clinton on national security issues and a former federal prosecutor, has both the smarts and vision to make the A.G.'s office a true advocate for Pennsylvanians.