Tom Fitzgerald at the Inquirer notes that Specter needs to rack up a huge win in Philly to keep his Senate seat next week, and if that happens, it will probably mean a lot of gubernatorial votes for Philadelphia's Anthony Williams too. (In today's Muhlenberg poll, Williams had jumped to second behind frontrunner Dan Onorato, but was still 24 points back.)

Fitzgerald writes:

In a Quinnipiac University poll released Tuesday that showed Specter's longtime lead narrowing statewide, the city was his strongest region. A geographical breakdown found Specter leading Sestak 59 percent to 42 percent in Philadelphia. Specter also led in northwestern Pennsylvania, but the two were neck and neck in the northeast region around Scranton; in southwestern Pennsylvania; in Allegheny County, which includes Pittsburgh; and in the suburban counties outside Philadelphia.

. . . Some analysts say they think Williams' candidacy could also help Specter, bringing out black voters excited to back an African American candidate for governor. Specter has a big reservoir of support among black Democrats, according to polls. Specter supporters are urging the White House to send Obama to campaign for him before the May 18 vote; the president is hugely popular in Southeastern Pennsylvania, though association with the administration could be a liability to Specter in many parts of the state in a general election.

Photo: NY Daily News