October 31, 2006

Suing Your Way To An Election Win

State Rep. Matt Wright came up with a good way to get his opponent in next week's election to stop running attack ads.

He threatened to sue.

Yes, that's right. Wright, a Republican, saw an ad for opponent Chris King that featured footage of Wright on the floor of the state house, so he went and whined to John Perzel who got a Williamsport lawyer to threaten a lawsuit if the ad wasn't removed. (That's Wright in the photo from his official state senate page, which includes this complete personal history: "Married to Donna[.]")

Footage from the floor of the state house, you see, is copyrighted by, uh, the state house. And so using footage for political campaigns is against the rules. We wouldn't want our constituents learning what actually goes on there! (The state senate has similar rules, naturally.)

Perzel spokesman Al Bowman said the purpose of the restriction is to “protect the integrity of the proceeding[.]"

Ha! Let that one sink in. King, of course, will stop running the ads on Bucks County cable television. All hail the mighty lawsuit!

Attorney: King’s TV ad violates copyright law [Bucks County Courier Times]
Matt Wright [PA House]

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August 28, 2006

John Staggs Continues To Be Awesome

Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett has told election officials they can no longer force candidates to sign a McCarthy-era loyalty oath stating they are not "subversive."

Although the oath was ruled unconstitutional in the 1970s, it remained on the books in Pennsylvania until it was challenged in recent years -- by Pittsburgh mayoral candidate Jay Ressler last year and this year by State House candidate John Staggs, also a Socialist Workers Party member.

Staggs, you may remember, was the totally awesome third candidate in the 2003 Philadelphia mayoral election, whose platform included opposition to the war in Iraq and independence for Puerto Rico. He's also a butcher who was working on an experimental plane.

As you can tell, if there were any justice in the world, right now Philly would be run by our plane-flyin' meat packing plant-workin' socialist friend. Staggs challenged the rule forcing him to sign the loyalty oath when before submitting the signatures. He's running for the State House in District 198. If he wins -- which, uh, is not going to happen -- the state legislature would increase its awesomeness content by about a billion percent.

Pa. drops loyalty oath for candidates [AP/Yahoo!]
Butcher, candidate to vie for mayor spot [Daily Pennsylvanian]
State orders end to use of ‘loyalty oath’ [The Militant]

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May 10, 2006

Leftovers: Hamels Called Up; Phillies Fans Prep For Disappointment

• Lefty 22-year-old Cole Hamels is going to make his first start Friday against the Reds. They were going to take it slow with him, but after three starts in a row where he allowed one run total and struck out 36, well, it was time. Let's hope he's the real deal. [Phillies.com]

• New Jersey: First it's gay unions, now it's medical marijuana. Hmm. Be careful Jerz, people are going to start confusing you with California any day now. Wait, no they won't. [Philly Future]

• Beer makers are focusing on making beer look more upscale and marketing to more affluent consumers. This will change the time-tested tradition of beer ads where working class men get together and, say, build a barn. Ads featuring scantily-clad women are expected to stay. [AP/Yahoo!]

• Young Philly Politics asks: Is Larry Farnese secretly a communist?!?! Erhm, wait, wrong decade. I meant to say, "Is Larry Farnese secretly not a progressive?!?!" Currently, I'm pondering a similar question: Which district do I live in? [Young Philly Politics]

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April 27, 2006

Blogicized: Burkle-o's

• The real thing that possible new Daily News/Inquirer headman -- well, way up the chain of command -- Ron Burkle loves? His buddy P. Diddy. It really is all about the Benjamins. (Rimshot.) [Philebrity]

• Lower Merion -- original home of Kobe Bryant, Dan Gross, &c. -- is now subsidizing housing for families. Families who make up to $76,000 a year. Geeze, I can't believe they're finally letting in the upper middle-classers. [I've Made A Huge Tiny Mistake]

• Gavin Floyd -- who shares a birthday, day and year, with yours truly (but he makes a little more money than I do) -- has been flat-out sucking recently. What're the Phillies to do? [Phillyist]

• The most confusing political quote of the year so far: "I like to say that over 25 years I probably showed up one Saturday night and scrubbed your back when you were getting a bath." Uhh, Mike O'Brien? Stay out of my house. [Welcome to Phillyville]

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April 18, 2006

Surprise! Anti-Incumbent Group Acting All Political

Last week, Russ Diamond, the founder of PACleanSweep, the anti-pay raise, anti-incumbent activist group in Pennsylvania, said he was going to run for governor. (As an independent, presumably.)

And, since he was embarking on a political mission, he was going to sever ties to the group he created. Well... not so fast.

This is a little confusing, but try to follow: When he decided to run for governor last month, Diamond asked for the board members' resignations so he could reorganize the group. Four board members resigned, the other five stayed on. They say they're now in control of the group, and are planning to sue for control. In the meantime, they've voted out Diamond as chairman and added a new board member.

If you think this sounds kind of like, oh, I don't know, the machinations usually reserved for incumbent politicians, you're not the only one. But, then again, what fun would an anti-incumbent group that didn't act like politicians be?

Ousted group takes aim at PACleanSweep founder [Bucks County Courier Times]

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April 06, 2006

Curt Weldon, M.D.

You might remember Curt Weldon from his theory that if the government had listened to him, the terrorist attacks wouldn't have happened. (Essentially.) He's also said that Osama Bin Laden is dead. He gets all this through "secret sources."

Fair enough. He's a member of the U.S. House, though. Tell me one House member who hasn't done anything wild and wacky in their careers. The one who hit the cop or the one who just resigned in disgrace? Then again, neither of those House members have -- at least not recently -- criticized an upcoming election opponent for staying with his daughter while she was in the hospital.

Weldon's November opponent is Joe Sestak, a native of Springfield, Pa., and a three-star general in the Navy who retired Jan. 1 after 31 years. Of course, when he got back he was only renting a home in Pennsylvania while continuing to have a residence in Virginia.

That might be something to bash, except that Sestak was staying with his daughter. At Children's National Medical Center. Who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor last summer and was given three to nine months to live. He kept living there because her condition improved, and she might've beaten the cancer.

This is a time when you call your opponent up and tell him you're thrilled with the news. But, oh, not Curt Weldon:

Weldon attacked Sestak's decision to continue owning a home in Virginia while only renting in Pennsylvania and questioned why Sestak did not move back to Pennsylvania when he was working at the Pentagon. Weldon commutes from Pennsylvania each day.

Weldon also suggested Sestak should have sent his daughter to a hospital in Philadelphia or Delaware, rather than the Washington hospital. Sestak said that as soon as doctors give his daughter the all-clear, he'll buy in Pennsylvania.

He told his opponent he should have moved his daughter, who had a malignant brain tumor, to a closer hospital because... you know, it doesn't even matter why he said it. He told a newspaper -- so this wasn't like an offhand remark, either -- that a father should leave his daughter with a malignant brain tumor.

Joe Sendak has, of course, responded, and he does a nice job of it. Although, to be fair, he could have released a video of himself pissing on a photo of Curt Weldon and he'd still be the classier candidate.

Sestak’s battles — naval, familial and political [The Hill]
Joe Sestak's Daughter Had a Brain Tumor [Eschaton]
March 15: Mr. Perfect he ain't

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March 29, 2006

Quickies: 101 Dalmations

• Pennsylvania Clean Sweep now has 101 candidates running for election against Pennsylvania state legislators. Coming in November: 101 losing candidates for PA Clean Sweep. [Bucks County Courier Times]

• Guess what the contrarian broadsheet -- my former employer, &c. &c. -- in this town has run an op-ed piece on: Global warming isn't real! Really, really, I'm shocked that the conservative paper in town would run a column that says that. What's next? "Teach the controversy" on evolution? Bingo! [The Evening Bulletin]

• In the interest of fairness: The climate is crashing and global warming is to blame. Why the crisis hit so soon -- and what we can do about it. I don't think I'm all that nervous -- I've stocked up on sunscreen -- but it's a good read nonetheless. [Time Magazine via Attytood]

• And two senators lied before the Supreme Court? Again, recent events cannot shock me any more. [Slate]

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March 10, 2006

Let him run! Let him run!

If I were running for state house, I would probably try to have my shit in order. Even if I had no shot of winning -- and one look at anything in the archives of this site would immediately turn voters against me, I'm sure -- I would try to have all my papers filed on time, make sure I live in the legislative district, maybe have some buttons made up.

Just the simple things, you know? I wouldn't need to have t-shirts made up or anything at this point. I think it's sound advice. But for some, not really:

Milton Street submitted a nominating petition to run for the State House in the May primary. It was rejected because it was improperly filled out.

But a spokeswoman for state election officials says Milton Street can ask Commonwealth Court to amend the petition. [...]

The mayor also said he wouldn’t get involved in the issue of brother Milton’s residency. There are questions about whether Milton Street lives in the House district in which he reportedly intends to run, the 195th in Philadelphia.

Welcome back to politics, Milton! Let's hope he runs; it'll be fantastic.

Mayor Street Hasn't Talked to Brother Milton About Legislative Run [KYW 1060]

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March 09, 2006

Blogicized: Clearly, Tiki Bob's was unavailable

• If I'm ever in politics, I want to announce my candidacy in a dive bar -- Blarney Stone, for instance -- like Anne Dicker. [MyDD]

• Will Bunch waxes so poetic/esoteric about a small newspaper mistake you think I would have written it. [Attytood]

• The most fun comparison I've heard of Ryan Howard yet: Cecil Fielder. Let's hope Ryan stays below 300 pounds, though. [The Good Phight]

• Our new favorite specialized blog -- only about one team's run in one conference tournament -- continues as Temple routs No. 6 GW, putting the Owls in the semifinals. Another two wins and they're in the NCAAs. [Temple 2006 Atlantic 10 Performance]

• Thanks to one man, the important statistics of a social networking program are ruined! Actually, no, wait, this is great. [The Lunabomber Manifesto]

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March 08, 2006

Are new candidates handi-capable?

The Inquirer reports today that there are 587 candidates for state house and senate this year, about 200 more than last year. It's the most in at least a decade. Additionally, 22 current legislators are retiring.

The influx of candidates is mainly due to Operation Clean Sweep, which has a goal of voting out all the incumbents. OCS was formed in the wake of the legislative pay raises passed in the wee hours of the morning back last summer.

The pay raises were eventually rescinded, but candidates are running anyway. Most of them are political neophytes, driven with the idea of changing Harrisburg for the better. They'll fail (even if they get elected, natch), but it's a very nice gesture.

A retiring congresswoman, though, says it's not going to be all fun and games if these first-time candidates do end up getting voted in:

"New blood may not be an improvement. We may lose some very dedicated public servants and many of those running don't have a clue what this job is about. It's 24/7," said Rep. Jacqueline Crahalla (R., Montgomery) who is retiring after this term, her second.

"When I go to the grocery store, I get asked for a handicapped placard application. There is no life for yourself."

Oh, the tough life of a congresswoman. Nice salary, full benefits, pension, "unvouchered expenses," &c. But, you know, people might ask you for a handicapped placard application. Hear that, Albert?

New faces in Pa. legislative races [Inky]
Campaigning is Tough! [dragonballyee]
Nov. 1, 2005: Breaking: Possible big news event happens, blogger makes fun of headline typo
Jan. 31: Contrarian broadsheet, indeed!

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March 07, 2006

What's happening with Raj?

This has been written about before, but since he's now made his official announcement Monday, it's time to take a look at Raj Bhakta, candidate for Congress in the 13th District, which sort of runs along PA-13 from Northeast Philly to the 'Burbs.

If you didn't know, Bhakta was a contestant on the second season of The Apprentice. Since then, he's, uhh, well he hasn't been on any other reality shows, so that means he's one of the most successful reality-show losers of all time already.

The 29-year-old bow-tie clad Bhakta is a local(ish) boy, a graduate of the Hill School and has been working for a real estate firm in Fort Washington. His official website also notes that his Apprentice appearance made him "[k]nown for his witty discourse and entertaining personality" and that "he made a memorable impression on the American public." Whatever you say, buddy.

He fancies himself a "Theodore Roosevelt Republican," which apparently means he speaks softly, carries a big stick, drives the Boulevard -- named after Teddy, not FDR -- often and hunts wild big game in his spare time. Oh, and he'll box if elected to office.

Looking at his issues page, he mentions none of that, but he does say that in his first 100 days in congress, he'll introduce a bill getting rid of pensions for congressmen convicted of a crime. He's pro-environment -- I think this is what he means by Teddy Roosevelt Republican -- and he's also against a government-controlled health care system.

Also, he's for a strong economy, senior citizens, national security and veterans. And for puppies and babies and law and order and mandatory ordering of Season 2 of The Apprentice on DVD.

He'll be running against Allyson Schwartz in the November election, as it looks like no other Republicans will be running. Let's hope he flirts with her like he did Donald's secretary after he was fired from the show.

Oh, yeah, and here's a photo from Bakhta's website that will surely propel him to victory:

Raj for Congress
'Apprentice' Contestant Announces Bid for Congress [KYW 1060]
Theodore Roosevelt - Presidency 1901 - 1904 [Wikipedia]
Sept. 29: Northeast Philly's version of a celebrity candidate

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March 02, 2006

Blogicized: The New New Power Generation

• While some who went were less than thrilled with last night's "Prince" -- so named because he didn't sing -- concert, at least one person was totally down with spending 60 bucks to see Prince play guitar. [Pencopal's Project]

• Say what you want about homeless people, but they know that even if it's a broken bike, it's a bike nonetheless. And they also know a good deal when they see one. [Starting A Landslide in My Ego]

• The secret to running for Pennsylvania state house, at least in the 152nd district: Say you were the first person under the age of 21 to register to vote in Montgomery County when the law was changed. Next, he'll reveal how he's voted in every damn election since the founding of the union. [Above Average Jane]

• Psst... the NFL signing period begins at midnight. (Update: Okay, free agency is now delayed for three days.) Let's pray for fewer Terrell Owens 2005 and more, uh, Terrell Owens 2004. [The World According to TMC]

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February 06, 2006

Quickies: Major League

• Are we all so thin-skinned take seeing a cartoon of a guy who probably doesn't look like Muhammad did at all? The Inky ran the cartoon but couldn't get it from the AP because they don't move "offensive imagery" on the wire. Strangely, they have no problem with the Cleveland Indians logo. [Inky]

• In what will surely be a blow to the Bon Jovi-owned Soul, Heather Locklear has filed for divorce from Richie Sambora. But Sambora said he had no idea it was coming and the two have Valentine's Day plans. Hmm, I bet that will be a fun evening now! [ABC News]

• Opening the Grammys? Gorillaz featuring Madonna. Uh, count me out. [Inky]

• Casey Robert Roncaglione says those weird email addresses he has on his Temple account were "silly things I did a couple years ago," forcing Philadelphia Will Do to withdraw its support from the candidate. [Metro]

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January 31, 2006

A candidate we can all really get behind

Tulin over at PoliticsPhilly noticed in yesterday's Daily News her Temple classmate, 20-year-old Democrat Casey Robert Roncaglione, is running for state representative in the 164th district. His opponent is the incumbent, Republican Mario Civera.

After reading that one of her fellow classmates was running for state legislature, she decided to look him up. Facebook had nothing. But in the Temple directory, oh, was there a gem:

I smell a campaign slogan: "Vote for Ugly Ass and have poopy fun!" Seriously. This guy is awesome. I'm totally considering registering in the 164th just to vote for C-Unit.

A Rant: Casey Roncaglione & the 164th Legislative District [PoliticsPhilly]
Stu Bykofsky | Here comes fruit from Harrisburglar tree [DN]

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