A new GOP blogger in Pennsylvania

The lefty bloggers who dominate the Internet aren't going to like this one bit, but there's a new Republican blogger in town. Actually it's not just in town, but all over Pennsylvania. And the new GOP blogger is none other than Pennsylvania Republican Party Chairman Robert A. Gleason Jr.

As part of a long overdue redisign of the Pennsylvania Republican Party's Web site, Chairman Gleason is joining the blogosphere.

Gleason's new blog is one of several interactive features at www.pagop.org

"Blogs have become an essential means of communication in modern day politics, and our party realizes the importance of having an online forum to promote our stance on the issues that effect Pennsylvanians every day," Gleason said in a press release. "I look forward to using our newly launched Chairman's blog to carry on a more personal dialogue concerning the issues of the day with Pennsylvania's Republican voters."

Judging on how poorly the Republican Party has done in Pennsylvania in recent years, Gleason better do more than carry on a "personal dialogue" with voters.

Gleason's first posting is about the loss of manufacturing jobs under Gov. Ed Rendell. Pennsylvania has lost 12,000 manufacturing jobs and 300 plants have closed down, according to a report by the Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association cited by Gleason..

In addition to the Chairman's Blog, the new-and-improved PAGOP.org Web site also features a news blog that will include daily posts on the important issues of the day from across the state.

"Our goal is to provide links to the latest legislative news from Washington and Harrisburg, while providing commentary on how the Party sees these specific measures affecting their everyday lives," said Michael Barley, Republican Party of Pennsylvania communications director. "The PAGOP.org blog allows the Party to better articulate our message to our Republican committee members and grassroots volunteers in a timely manner. This tool will prove to be an indispensable resource."

PAGOP.org also includes links to our GOP candidates' Web sites, political blogs, the Pennsylvania Department of State, and statewide newspapers, television and radio stations. An online store with various GOP merchandise is also set to come online in the coming weeks, Barley said.