Amidst the rigged process and sequence of events revealed on this blog, including the extremely distasteful comment that PA Democratic Chairman TJ Rooney made about former two term Auditor General and State Treasurer Barbara Hafer, it might be best for Mr. Rooney to exit stage left sooner rather than later as he and the Executive Board have just led the cows towards the slaughter house in the 12th District for 2010 with a radioactive candidate.
Rooney's distasteful comment was highly inappropriate for a PA State Party Chairman, particularly when he interjected himself into the race such as he did. Hafer's procedural inquiry soon became a personal attack by Rooney, when the former State Treasurer, Hafer questioned the procedural transparency and integrity of the process for both the Recommendation Committee and the Executive Board vote.
Hafer Stated: "I'd like to see the votes, I'd like to see the ballots, I'd like to see how they recorded it," Hafer said. "I'd like to see who voted for whom."
Rooney's offensive outburst was... quite frankly an embarrassment to the PA Democratic Party, and as John mentioned, a public apology should be in order from Mr. Rooney to Ms. Hafer. We first broke light on the rigged Recommendation Committee last week, where county chairs were able to choose at-large choices to overwhelm the state committee delegates. County chairs essentially selected these "at large" delegates based on the pre-condition that they would support Critz.
Funny enough, the confession that the process was rigged came from Critz himself. Hafer had every right to ask for a review of the procedures that were followed and if they, in fact were. In fact, an independent panel should be set up to evaluate and investigate the conduct of the State Party Chairman, the County Chairs, and the procedural guidelines so that this type of disingenuous behavior never happens again.
Mr. Critz blurted out he already had 50 votes wrapped up before they were even selected. He stated this on a Saturday... when the Recommendation Committee delegates were not to be submitted until the following Thursday for all candidates to have "an equal opportunity to contact the delegates" according to PA Democratic Party spokesman Patrick McKenna. So much for fair and representative. Just a week later we caught Critz lying to voters and the Post Gazette.
Rooney felt it compelled to take a personal dig in response to a procedural inquiry. A responsible leader should have responded to the request with transparent proof and an explanantion to all candidates as to what the rules were and how they were or were not followed. That did not happen... Im beginning to think because TJ was incapable of producing those results. This fiasco has created a severe black eye for the Democratic Party in Western Pennsylvania and the entire state.
Taken aback by several recent scandals House Democrats in Washington rolled out a new ethics program today which prevents lawmakers from earmarking contracts for private, for profit companies. I expect we'll see a slew of new non profits emerging... (Should I be so cynical?) I call this the Murtha Rule. It would stop the sort of gravy train from which the late Congressman thrived. I'm not sure this would have gone through if he were still alive because it was the sort of practice at which he excelled.
The way Washington works is simple: money talks. The lobbyists on K Street run everything. People only think our Capitol is on the Hill, it isn't, it's on K Street. Money rules everything and now in the post Citizens United world it's even more powerful. The gravy train works like this: lawmakers insert earmarks for their favorite company, that company provides a certain advantage for that Member of Congress, money and/or jobs for their District. This is called "bringing home the bacon." My bacon is your pork so to speak. In return the Member of Congress suddenly gets significant campaign contributions from the corporate executives and the company or industry's PAC. It's a sweet deal and no one ran it better than Jack Murtha.
Of course Murtha is dead and so is the gravy train. Democrats killed it today (more like put it on the resuscitator until they can magically revive it when no one is looking) so they can turn around the ethics quagmire which has them trapped in a negative 24 hour news cycle nightmare. Though this won't have a major impact on the budget it does have a potential major impact for the system which corrupts the system. Of course corporations now are free to contribute directly to anyone they wish in whatever amounts they wish so things are actually becoming worse. The system of earmarking no bid contracts is through for now however. The question for Pennsylvania will be how Mark Critz can promise to continue the Murtha gravy train which kept electing the Congressman. Critz can't promise to do the same thing his predecessor did because it's now against the rules.
Bill George, the charismatic President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO announced he is retiring while appearing on The Rick Smith Show last weekend. He has led the union organization for some years and is a fantastic speaker and leader for workers across the Commonwealth and the country. This is a loss for Pennsylvania though Bill certainly has earned the opportunity to do the things he wishes in life as he contemplates the next phase of his life. The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO without Bill George is something that's difficult to imagine, Bill George has been the face and voice of workers here for so long and so strongly I can't imagine him not being there at rallies, events and on campaigns for working people.
Of course he isn't all of the organization but his strong leadership has been remarkable. Secretary-Treasurer Rick Bloomingdale and others have been a strong team. Good luck Bill and I hope retirement is as exciting as your career helping the people of Pennsylvania has been.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee released its first "Red to Blue" list today targeting what they think are Congressional seats ripe for the taking in 2010. They include PA-10 (Charlie Dent) and PA-07 (Joe Sestak's open seat) along with Delaware's lone seat being vacated by Mike Castle who is running for the Senate. John Callahan is mounting the first major Democratic threat to Charlie Dent in the Lehigh Valley. He is out raising Dent in money and has put together a good team.
Bryan Lentz was the original challenger to Crazy Curt Weldon four years ago then ran for the State House so Joe Sestak could take the Congressional District. Now that Sestak is running for the Senate Lentz is taking his great record working in Harrisburg with him to Washington. I met with Bryan Lentz in early December to interview him for the national Progressive Change Campaign Committee. I was quite impressed with him and his willingness to discuss progressive issues with me. (I also interviewed Manan Trivedi)
The Delaware seat is intriguing also. Our neighbor to the south was originally part of Penn's Woods and was referred to as the "lower three counties" in early colonial times. We share state colors and a circular border drawn from the courthouse in picturesque old New Castle. Voters in Delaware tend to go with the person rather than Party but the state has been trending ble in recent years. Once they like someone they tend to stay with them as they rise from Lt. Governor to Governor to Congress and then Senate. Joe Biden went directly from New Castle County government directly to the Senate but Castle rode the train through the ranks. He now wants Biden's Senate seat. He's been a moderate Republican as Delawareans tend to prefer but Carney is quite a challenge for his vacated seat.
The DCCC has their work cut out for them this year and nowhere is more important than Pennsylvania. Chris Carney has challengers in the 10th which is traditionally heavily Republican. Paul Kanjorski has several challengers as does Tim Holden. Two Democrats are trying to derail Jim Gerlach though I don't see either of them winning, Patrick Murphy will have a rematch with Mike Fitzpatrick in Bucks, the 12th is wide open and ripe for a Republican takeover, and the GOP is setting their target on retaking the 3rd CD. Lois Herr thinks Joe Pitts could be vulnerable after co-sponsoring the Stupak-Pitts Amendment and is waging a good campaign in the 16th. There are few safe seats in Pennsylvania this year.
Former Congressman Eric Massa has been caught up in scandal for the past week. I've attempted to keep up with this one as best I could despite being mired in all the Mark Critz scandal. Massa was in Philadelphia March 1st to endorse Joe Sestak then the next day began talking about resigning from his New York Congressional seat. Allegations are that he "groped" male staffers and used inappropriate language. He say the groping wasn't sexual and involved tickling and wrestling.
Let's recap here: Republican Larry "wide stance" Craig can get arrested for soliciting public sex from another man and remain in the Senate, David Vitter can be exposed as a diaper wearing deviant prostitution customer and remain in the Senate but Massa can't have a bit of fun with staffers? It's all really inappropriate but Massa's claims that the White House brought him down so they can pass health insurance reform brings a new angle to this scandal.
I don't care if Eric Massa is gay. If he chooses to be in the closet that's his business as long as he doesn't vote against the gay community on legislation. I know lots of closeted legislators and unless they betray the community they don't deserve to be outed. Stabbing someone in the back in order to pass some piece of legislation though is a sin in my book. Did Rahm Emmanuel come after Eric Massa because he was a no vote? I'm not sure how that can be either proven or disproven. Rahm is someone fully capable of such an action and his conduct as Obama's Chief of Staff is no different as his conduct in the House and with the DCCC.
To Eric Massa's credit he admitted his behavior, whether sexual or not, was inappropriate. Now it is Rahm's turn. I wish Eric Massa well, especially with the recurrence of his cancer. He has more important issues with which to wrestle than Rahm.
Former State House Speaker Bill DeWeese took the Fifth Amendment yesterday in a session in Judge Richard Lewis' chambers. Mike Veon's lawyers wanted to call him to the stand in the defense of the former Whip on trial for use of public resources for political purposes. The BonusGate trial is in its sixth week and the defense is going through witnesses quickly. I'm not sure what good it is parading character witnesses to the stand for politicians. Do these attorneys really think the jury is going to be impressed by that? These are politicians for crying out loud.
Still, the defense is trying to show campaign work wasn't done inside the Capitol though the prosecution made that fact abundantly clear. Whether Mike Veon is directly connected with all of it remains the question for the jury. The staffers are dead meat. The fact Veon was a hands on manager goes against him while testimony has shown DeWeese didn't involve himself in details other than to instruct his staff to find lobbyist to take him to dinner. These legislators were paid by the taxpayers for their meals while in Harrisburg. DeWeese's actions obtaining freebies wasn't criminal. Unethical but not criminal. Still, he is also under indictment and copping the Fifth was probably essential. DeWeese filed nominating petitions yesterday to run for re-election.
Barbara Hafer has withdrawn as a candidate for the 12th Congressional District. PA2010.com was the first to pick this up. According to my information Hafer was able only to secure a few signatures over the required amount and felt she would be challenged for her ballot position. The short time period for organizing people and getting a campaign together definitely hurt everyone in this race due to the timing of Congressman Murtha's death. His funeral just about coincided with the beginning of the nominating petition period and efforts by those in Murtha's camp to dissuade others from announcing before the funeral hurt them. Was this calculated? Who knows.
Through the course of our work on this race I never spoke with Hafer or her operatives. They were not our sources.
I heard last week that more information about Mark Critz would be coming out and it would be bad. Critz was the District Office Chief of Staff for Jack Murtha and the late Congressman was up to his neck in inappropriate deals. The way it worked was Murtha, Chair of a powerful Defense committee, used his influence with The Pentagon to secure contracts for favored contractors. Those companies, as much as possible, brought jobs to the 12th Congressional District and poured contributions into Murtha's re-election campaign coffers. It was so simple even a fifth grader could connect the dots and CREW annually named Murtha as one of the top ten most corrupt Members of Congress as a result.
Of course the people in the 12th CD loved the jobs. So much so they turned blind eyes to the corruption. Now that Murtha is gone the gravy train of jobs ends. Regardless of who succeeds him that seniority, influence and power are gone. What remains are questions concerning Critz's involvement in the gravy train. Now CQ Politics reports a connection between Mark Critz and the corruption:
Mark Critz - the aide to the late Rep. John P. Murtha of Pennsylvania who was picked as the Democratic candidate to replace his boss - attended a 2005 meeting of defense contractors and lobbyists and offered the congressman's support for an earmark project that resulted in criminal convictions for three men last year.
Shawn Piatek said this defending Critz:
"Some may say Mr. Murtha fought too aggressively to bring economic development and jobs to western Pennsylvania. Mark disagrees, he will continue to fight for jobs and economic development in Congress. Families are really struggling right now and he's going to work hard to get folks back to work because that's exactly what western Pennsylvania needs."
So it's all about jobs to Critz as it was with Murtha. The end justifies the means. I'm sorry but the end never justifies the means.
CQPolitics further says "But it is clear that Critz was a point person for Murtha on earmarks." Isn't that called a bag man? Pennsylvania Democrats will rue the day they appointed Mark Critz to be their standard bearer for this seat. It's already been a bad year for Democrats and Mark Critz is continuing the downhill slide. This was simply a stupid decision and the arrogant attitude about the corruption is repugnant.
A woman from Pennsburg in Montgomery County has been charged with trying to aid and abet terrorism while using the online moniker "JihadJane." Blonde and blue eyed, she conspired to travel to Sweden and kill a cartoonist. She said she was prepared to be a martyr. Pennsburg isn't far from me and I travel through there frequently on my way to Bucks County. It's a nice, small little burgh with a McDonald's, Dunkin Donuts and a little ice cream parlor on the main street where you walk up to a window and place your order. I imagine the news which broke today about Colleen LaRose is shaking the community to its roots. "JihadJane" shows us that terror can exist anywhere and anyone can be radicalized.
Terrorism has been on the front burner lately as anti-government domestic terrorists radicalized by radical right wing talk shows and channels fuel resentment, anger and frustration for ratings. Extremists of all kinds are stirring the pots for personal profit without regard for the consequences. People are being killed as these foreign and domestic terrorists wreak their havoc. I see no difference between a JihadJane and someone flying their plane into an IRS office or someone tries to shoot their way into the Pentagon. Terrorism is terrorism and those who fan the flames should be held accountable.
State Democratic Chair TJ Rooney said some unfortunate things yesterday when Barbara Hafer challenged the lack of transparency in the process of naming a candidate for the May 18th Special Election.
"I find it repugnant and patently offensive that Ms. Hafer would attack the ability of the members of the executive committee to read and write," he said. "It's time she get over it, because it's been decided, it's done, and it's time to move on. I would encourage all Democrats to get behind this candidate, because the Republican Party is going to make this special election a national election."
"Repugnant" was a poor choice for someone overseeing a process which, as we here at The Pennsylvania Progressive, revealed, was rigged from the beginning. Mark Critz, the Governor's choice, told Alex Roarty of PoliticsPA he had fifty of the hundred votes sewn up in a local straw poll which would influence the State Committee vote (and did according to many). The problem was the delegates slated to vote in that process had yet to be determined. The fix was in.
I cannot fault Mrs. Hafer for complaining about the process since it was rigged. The Democratic Party in Pennsylvania has a long record of such shenanigans under the leadership of Ed Rendell. I don't fault Rooney, he's a good man and a friend, but he's also Rendell's man as Mary Isenhour is Rendell's Executive Director and Don Morabito before her. As sitting Governor Rendell runs the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and he has done so with an iron fist for eight years. He forced Hafer out of the 2006 Senatorial race to clear the field for Bob Casey Jr. Others have been endorsed or pressured by the Party and the situation in the 12th CD is characteristic of goings on in the Party. I left the Democratic Party over similar shenanigans.
Calling Barbara Hafer, who served for 16 years as Auditor General and Treasurer "repugnant" for accurately questioning the lack of transparency was a very poor choice of words. I'm sure TJ Rooney, a classy guy, will apologize to her shortly.
Yesterday was the filing deadline for candidates. I parked myself outside Room 104 at the Department of State following my Planned Parenthood Board meeting and had a nice discussion with Scott Conklin about the Lt. Governor's race and spoke briefly with many others including Rep. Kenyatta Johnson, Mark Cohen and Steve Samuelson, staffers for both Arlen Specter and Joe Sestak and many others. Rep. Daryl Metcalf was one of nine Republicans who filed to run for Lt. Governor. Can you imagine the glee Democrats will have if he's on the ticket with Corbett? Talk about a wealth of material for which to attack... Metcalf is as extreme as it gets in politics.
Contrary to rumors put out by Specter supporters Joe Sestak did not circulate petitions for Congress.
Six Republicans filed for the 3rd Congressional District (Kathy Dahlkemper). Patrick Henry Sellers filed in the 6th against Jim Gerlach in the GOP primary. Bill Shuster is unopposed in the 9th, Tom Marino in the 10th left his copy of his candidate's filing on a chair in the hallway and Paul Kanjorski has four opponents in the 11th. Brian Kelly and Corey O'Brien filed as Dems and Lou Barletta and Chris Paige as Republicans. The open 12th District has a slew of candidates: Ryan Bucchianeri, Mark Critz, Ronald Mackell, Ed Cernik Jr, Barbara Hafer, Tim Burns and William Russell. The big names there are Critz, Hafer and Russell. Considering the short time period between Jack Murtha's death and the filing deadline a lot of people were able to organize and mount efforts.
Congressional Districts not usually in play are seeing action this year and that includes the 17th. Sheila Dow-Ford filed against incumbent Tim Holden and four Republicans did so including Dave Argall, Frank Ryan, Allen Griffith and Josh First. I doubt he'll finish there.
Lots of people are hedging their bets by filing for two seats including Conklin, Tony Williams, Steve Urban and Metcalfe.
Former Montco Comissioner Ruth Damsker is running for State Senate against Stewart Greenleaf, Jerry Policoff and Ryan Aument will square off in the 41st Legislative District for Katie True's open seat, Bill DeWeese filed to run again in spite of his name being mentioned during the BonusGate trial daily, Kate Harper wants to continue double dipping at taxpayer expense, Gene Stilp filed for the 104th, Phyllis Bennett in the 106th, Bryan Boughter (D) will run against Jeff Horrocks and Mark Gillen (R's) for Sam Rohrer's open seat, and four candidates, two Dem and two Repubs for Rich Grucela's open seat. They are Charles Dertinger (D), Frank Scagliotta (D), Joe Emrick (R) and Donald Albanese (R). Paul Clymer did rescind his retirement announcement and filed for the 145th in Bucks County.
Todd Stephens will again challenge Rick Taylor in the 151st. I hope Stephens stops fixing his parking tickets, that could come back to haunt him. Four Dems filed to run against indicted former Speaker John Perzel: Tim Kearney, Dan Collins, Karen Rotondo and Kevin Boyle. Perzel sees a challenge from within the GOP from Joe Gaynor. Perzel was indicted on 80 counts of corruption last year.
It's going to be another interesting year. There's no way I can cover everything but we'll see how it goes. There are more Congressional races in play this year than I can remember. The question looming over all of them is simple: will rank and file Democrats turn out in November and how will Democratic candidates motivate them to vote? Can they?
I'm trying a different method for processing video so let me know if these are OK.
Another reporter swept directly in front of me mid-speech so I missed part of the President's remarks. I also apologize for the people standing directly in front of the media section. For some strange and unbeknownst reason the White House allows people, even those with big hair, to stand in front of us and block our view of the President.
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is sitting/standing to the right of Gov. Rendell. In th elater videos Congressman Joe Sestak is directly in front and to the side of me. He began the event right behind the Governor then moved. I wonder why....
One statement made by the President yesterday jumped out at me and signaled yet another compromise on health insurance reform: pre-existing conditions. Obama said only children with pre-existing conditions would be guaranteed coverage. This is a major weakening of the bill. Adults with pre-exisitng conditions will continue to be discriminated against by insurance companies. Many times it is what isn't said which is important and the President's qualification that only children will be protested caught my attention.
How much weaker can this bill get? It's already gone from being a significant improvement to a political death trap for Democrats. They keep weakening the bill without receiving any concessions in return. What's the definition of insanity?
This bill began as health care reform then became health insurance reform. It began with a robust public option and coverage for women's reproductive health services. Those important provisions were stripped out and it became a giant corporate welfare program for insurance companies already controlling markets and defrauding clients. Originally it was going to be paid for by rolling back the Bush tax cuts for the rich and became one where working people's health plans would be taxed at 40%.
Now average people are facing a significant tax burden to pay for those less fortunate. The middle class is again being squeezed while the rich and poor gain the benefits. No one is going to pay a 40% tax on their benefits. This will have several disastrous consequences: the funds to pay for the subsidies won't materialize, those plans will be gutted to keep them under the tax threshold and those middle class people now getting less health coverage will go bankrupt an dlose their homes. This bill will do nothing to ameliorate the current crisis. Indeed it may make it worse.
Guess who will get the blame for this? You're correct, Democrats.
In the wake of another contemptible and reprehensible selection of a chosen person by a major political party for a congressional office in this Commonwealth that was so rigged and so staged that even professional wrestling comes off as being more "real", I have to take a moment to once again raise up the banner of why political parties need to become as extinct as the dinosaurs, because they have become the new dinosaurs.
I will take my opportunities, as they come, to continue to harp on the notion that political parties, especially the major ones, are far out of touch with what quality representation should be about and don't want any competition from anybody at all that they don't personally endorse and who doesn't have the inside track with their top selecting people.
This being said, people of Pennsylvania, and for that matter, America, wake the heck up and realize what idiotic kinds of horse manure you are being fed by the two major parties and for that matter even smaller political movements. You may think you are part of something wonderful and great and that you are "proud to be a (insert party affiliation here) and all that schtick, and you know what, so was I for a damn long time. Until I realized just what kind of hacked together, conspiring and contemptible framework that most every party out there, especially the Dems & G-NO-P, have in place to make sure that not only does no other party stand a chance in hell in any race beyond maybe tax collector, but that your part in their party process is just to be a voting cog and a voice of support for their chosen leaders. Why should you settle for this, why should anyone settle for this, time and again. What is more, it might not be so bad to swallow, having these chosen candidates, but when they keep getting uglier and more corrupt and more incredulous and more ridiculous of those who are selected. Then you should be really asking yourself why the hell you are member of that party, but even more why even have a political party. What are they good for, besides wasting a lot of money, a lot of time, and a lot of opportunities to make this country great. Politics should be about negotiation, but these days politics has become about NO-GO-tiation.
