Battleground State: Pennsylvania.

Reporters and political strategists discussed the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which is one of the battlegrounds in this year’s presidential election. Guests joined the discussion via telephone or video uplink and responded to audience telephone calls, faxes, and electronic mail.

Mr. O’Connell talked by telephone from Bucks County, Pa. about the issues that make Pennsylvania a battleground state, with an emphasis on the jobs and the economy. In Washington, D.C., Ms. Baker, the Bush-Cheney Campaign Mid-Atlantic Chair, talked about the campaign issues that are most important to Pennsylvania voters and what President Bush is doing to try to attract votes in this swing state. From Philadelphia, Governor Rendell talked about the presidential race in light of issues that are most important to Pennsylvania voters. Topics included jobs and the economy, health care, and concerns about terrorism. close