Romanelli getting close

Carl Romanelli is claiming to have 60,000 signatures and expects more by the August 1st deadline to be on the ballot as the Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate. I understand that they have been paying people to gather signatures and he has a little help from an unlikely friend.

TL: He'll need at least 67,072 confirmed signatures. Dictated by state law, the figure is based on 2 percent of the highest vote-getter in the last state election.
To be eligible for the ballot, Democrats and Republicans need only 2,000 votes. Romanelli called the 67,072 benchmark "an arbitrary computation" because the number has varied in past years.
"It's simply a reflection that the old parties make the rules, and they are doing everything to keep us out,' he said. "This is an impossible standard for any party to meet. … What made the Greens different this year is I stepped up and used every ounce of my 25 years of experience."

What friend would that be?

Santorum team aiding a Casey rival

In trying to earn a spot on the ballot in Pennsylvania this November, Green Party candidate Carl Romanelli has no better friend than the man he wants to topple: U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum.
The Republican incumbent says that everyone in state politics should help Romanelli gather the large number of voter signatures - more than 67,000 - that he needs to qualify for the Senate race. Romanelli can use all the help he can get: Pennsylvania has among the toughest requirements in the country for independent or third-party candidates to get on the ballot.
Why should Santorum aid a potential foe?

Vince Galko, his campaign manager, says it is because of his interest in free debate. "Democrats, Republicans and independents all agree that the democratic process should be open and welcoming to people of differing positions," Galko said in a letter posted on Santorum's Web site.

Free debate my ass.

The state Republican Party, in the spring GOP primary, challenged the signatures of a potential Santorum rival and drove him from the race.
But now he's seeking a commitment from Casey not to challenge Romanelli signatures if he gets enough to qualify.