Ferrick and Suburban Dems; Colbert's Guests; Buried Treasurer

There are some surprising numbers in today's new "By Ferrick" column by Tom Ferrick on the Committee of Seventy site. The column takes stock of just how much Democratic registrations have surged in the four suburban counties surrounding Philadelphia, and examines how the trend might affect elections to come. Data shows the number of registered Dems growing by 51 percent in Montgomery County from 2000 to 2008, by 49 percent in Delaware County and 33 percent in Bucks. Click here for Tom's full chart.

In today's Daily News, Gar Joseph's "Clout" column reports that when Stephen Colbert does his first show in Philadelphia on Monday, his guests will be Mayor Nutter, John Legend (singing the "Star Spangled Banner") and Chris Matthews. Not bad, but Joseph makes some other modest proposals of local pols to sit in the guest chair, such as: "Marge Tartaglione. This raspy-voiced legend is the woman in charge of the city's elections. She's also a tough Democratic ward leader who, in her younger days, could climb over three rows of chairs in her basement to correct a misguided committeeman."

Seven out of 10 people have no idea whom they'll choose for State Treasurer in April 22 voting, according to a cover story in today's Inquirer by Mario Cattabiani and Joe DiStefano.