HERMITAGE

Local Dems look ahead to fall race

Dr. Marc Flitter, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House, said he was exhausted after a four-day campaign sprint that took him to California and back and to all corners of the 21st Congressional District.

"I don’t think I’ll have any problems sleeping tonight," said Flitter, who was working the gates during the shift change at Armco Inc.’s Sawhill Tubular Division in Sharon until after 11 p.m. Thursday.

Flitter’s planned schedule today: an 8 a.m. interview, two operations, and more campaigning.

Flitter, a neurosurgeon at Erie’s Hamot Center who is running against incumbent Republican Phil English, has been hustling for support this week. Before Flitter worked the labor gates Thursday, he joined about 60 Democrats outside the Masonic Lodge in Hermitage for a convention-night rally.

Most area Democrats, including Flitter, left the rally by the time Al Gore took the podium at 10 p.m. to accept his party’s nomination for president. Ironically, as Gore tried to shed his frigid image with a speech that focused on families, most area Democrats left the lodge’s outdoor pavilion due to unusually chilly weather.

But those who stayed were not disappointed. "This is the best speech I have ever seen Al Gore give," said Robert F. Lark, chairman of the Mercer County Democrat Committee.

Farrell resident Mark Longietti, a Pennsylvania delegate who was on the convention floor in Los Angeles when Gore delivered his acceptance speech, agreed. And, Longietti added, "I was interviewed by BBC radio on the convention floor during the speech and afterward I asked the interviewer what he really thought of Gore’s speech. He said it was the best one Al Gore had ever given."

Flitter -- who spoke to the Pennsylvania delegation during his two-day stay at the Convention, the first he had attended -- said he would watch a taped version of Gore’s speech when arrived home in Erie County early this morning. Then he would steal a few hours of much-needed sleep.

Flitter said he took a red-eye flight from Los Angeles to Cleveland and arrived in Erie County at about 1 p.m. Thursday. Flitter was campaigning in Butler County, the district’s southernmost county, by 5 p.m. and in Mercer County by 8 p.m.