NEW YORK -- The spirits of a few dozen Republicans were nearly as high as their location -- the 34th floor reception room of the Arent Fox law firm, offering a spectacular panorama of midtown Manhattan.

The $1,000-per-head Friday night fundraiser for Republican James Gerlach, a congressman from Chester County who is running for governor, was filled with confident talk as Republicans had a spring in their step at Pennsylvania Society Weekend, the yearly gathering of the state's political class.

Though they remain out of power in the Pennsylvania governor's mansion and in the U.S. Congress, Republicans have seen a terrible economy take its toll on Democrats in Harrisburg and Washington.

"People are very concerned and worried about fiscal issues," Mr. Gerlach said as his supporters hovered over finger foods. "We've got to get out there and talk to voters. I think they're willing to listen."

Society weekend was mostly a time for politicos to talk among themselves as hundreds of lawmakers, candidates, lobbyists and staffers gathered in New York for an annual rite that dates back to 1899. The centerpiece was Saturday night's black-tie Pennsylvania Society Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria hotel, an event preceded and followed by a lengthy list of parties around town.

The major gubernatorial candidates all held receptions and circled around dozens of others shaking countless hands. U.S. Sens. Arlen Specter and Bob Casey Jr. both dashed up to make appearances Saturday night despite having to be in Washington for votes Saturday and yesterday.

The races for governor and Senate were the most popular discussion topics, and in both cases Republicans boast candidates with strong chances. Attorney General Tom Corbett is a formidable contender to replace Gov. Ed Rendell, while former Congressman Pat Toomey is polling ahead of Mr. Specter -- who switched from Republican to Democrat in April and faces a tough primary fight from Rep. Joe Sestak, D-Delaware County.

Part of that comes from a nationwide swing of the political pendulum against Democrats, who took the White House and expanded their congressional margins in 2008. Controversial initiatives like health care reform and climate change policy have run into resistance and are far from making it to President Barack Obama's desk, and national unemployment above 10 percent has many voters upset with the Democrats' economic policies.

Republicans pointed to that dissatisfaction as part of the reason the GOP prevailed in six of seven statewide judge races this year in Pennsylvania, as well as governor's races in Virginia and New Jersey.

"The winds are changing," said Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Blair. "There was a gale-force wind in the face of Republicans last year. Now there's a breeze on our backs."

Mr. Shuster called Mr. Obama's economic rescue efforts a path to "European-style capitalism" of increased taxes and federal intervention.

Activists have gone much further, calling Mr. Obama a communist -- among other things -- at rallies that are part of the loosely knit tea party movement.

Joe Hoeffel, a Montgomery County Democrat running for governor, sees the phenomenon as an enthusiasm gap.

"Democrats are a little demoralized right now," he said as he left the Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association event at the opulent Metropolitan Club to head to the opera. "We have to re-engage the progressive wing of the party."

Allegheny County Council President Rich Fitzgerald, a Democrat in town to mingle and talk up county Executive Dan Onorato's gubernatorial bid, agreed that his party perhaps doesn't have the same momentum as a year ago. But he argued that the economy could have been worse and has shown signs of a rebound, so Democrats will be able to campaign on pocketbook issues in 2010.

"There was a lot of fear in this room last year," Mr. Fitzgerald said as he stood a few paces from the impressive sushi spread at law firm Buchanan, Ingersoll and Rooney's reception at the Waldorf.

"A lot of people have forgotten how close we came to disaster. There's a different feeling now -- that we're on the right track."

Mr. Fitzgerald also offered an important number as a Democratic counterargument to talk of a red 2010: There are 1.5 million more registered Democrats statewide than Republicans.

"And that's a nice lead to start with," he said.

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