There's no denying the connection between election politics and money. Campaigning costs a lot of cash, from gas to advertising to covering the costs of hosting fundraisers (room rentals, food and so on).

And one of the most compelling places to observe the flow of money is on campaign finance reports.

At the state level, any statewide candidate from governor to legislator must file campaign finance reports with the Department of State, which turns around and posts them on its Web site.

At any time of the day, you can peruse the donor lists of Gov. Ed Rendell or former state Sen. Noah Wenger, any of their opponents and all candidates for state office back to 1998. You also can see how they spent their money and who received it.

It's also possible to look at donor lists and spending habits of political action committees like Lancaster County Action PAC.

Should you be curious, you can do a search for an individual and find to whom he or she donated money.

The Web site is www.dos.state.pa.us/campaignfinance. Look on the left-hand side for the link to "Campaign Finance Information." Happy searching.

Locally, candidates must file with the county Board of Elections. Those papers can be perused at the board's 150 N. Queen St. office.

Gov. Santorum?

According to the American Spectator, former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum is considering a run for governor in 2010, citing unnamed sources who are "close advisors" to the controversial Republican.

Santorum nabbed only 40 percent of the vote last November when he lost a third six-year term to Bob Casey Jr. However, he remains a darling of conservative Republicans, many of whom live in Lancaster.

The report surmised that the purpose of Santorum's visit to Lancaster County earlier this month was to raise his profile for a potential gubernatorial run.

"Rick is a politician," an unnamed source told the American Spectator. "He loves the competition and the process of running. He's getting back in and he's young enough that a gubernatorial run would set him up for greater opportunities politically down the road."

Quotes of the Week

"When you just go on the politics of fearmongering, you aren't serving anybody's needs here."
Robert Nix, chairman of the Pennsylvania Hispanic Republicans, about speeches made by some House Republicans calling for immigration reform and describing illegal immigration as an "invasion."

"The president wants to continue the program, whereas some Democrats are irresponsibly trying to expand the program to cover people who are already covered by private insurance."
Alex Conant, White House spokesman, about the federally sponsored Children's Health Insurance Program.

"Now, we need to get more visible and get more in the face of our government."
Bill Adams, a volunteer with the Lancaster Coalition for Peace and Justice, about a protest planned this week for upcoming Bush's visit.

Upcoming Events

• President Bush visits Lancaster at 11:35 a.m. Wednesday to speak to the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry. He's expected to address an audience at one of the Jay Group Inc. buildings, but the exact location has not been released. Only members of the chamber are invited.



• Anti-Bush protests also are being organized. The Lancaster Coalition for Peace and Justice will rally at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Penn Square.



• The first debate in this fall's Lancaster County commissioners race is at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Bethel AME Church, 450 E. Strawberry St. The forum is sponsored by Democracy for Lancaster.



• Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Maryland's first female lieutenant governor and the daughter of the late Robert F. Kennedy, is the guest of honor for the Lancaster County Democratic Committee's annual fall banquet. The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Quality Inn and Suites, 2363 Oregon Pike. A VIP reception with Townsend starts at 6 p.m. Reservations are required. Tickets purchased before Oct. 15 are $55; after Oct. 15 they cost $60. If you are buying two or more before Oct. 15, the tickets cost $50. Tables of 10 can be reserved for $450. A VIP reception with Townsend costs $150.

E-mail: dpidgeon@lnpnews.com