POLS ON THE STREET: Pa. Make-Or-Break For GOP Prexy?

None of the contenders for President scored the 1,144 needed to secure the Republican nomination with the results in from Super Tuesday. It is mathematically impossible for anybody to secure the nomination before Pennsylvania’s primary on Apr. 24, so Santorum’s home state is likely to play a major role in the Republican presidential race.

Unlike some other states, Pennsylvania has a closed primary, so only registered Republicans can vote for Republican choices.

Pennsylvania has 72 delegates to be awarded at the Republican National Convention. Fifty-four of these delegates are elected by the voters – three from each of Pennsylvania’s 18 Congressional districts. In addition, there are three delegates who are members of the RNC (the Chairman, National Commit­tee­woman, and National Committeeman) and 10 “at-large” delegates who are appointed by the Pennsylvania GOP Chairman.

Pennsylvania also has five “bonus” delegates following the 2010 elections: one for having a Republican Governor, one for having a majority of the Congressional districts represented by Republicans, one each for having a majority in the State House and State Senate, plus one for having a Republican US Senator. Sixty-nine alternate delegates are also elected using the same formula (except for the three RNC members).

These delegates are all unbound – meaning they can vote any way they want. They may choose to reflect the preferences of Pennsylvania voters, but the actual vote for  President carries no real meaning when it comes to nominating a presidential candidate. Therefore, the race for Delegates shows a great deal of competition by Party-savvy types.

SAM SMITH’S TAKE ON SPECIAL ELECTIONS

The Supreme Court ordered State House Speaker Sam Smith to call special elections for Pennsylvania’s six vacant State House seats. Per the Court’s previous ruling, the current lines, drawn in 2001, will remain in use for these elections. These elections will be held concurrently with the primary, currently scheduled for Apr. 24.

The unhappy Speaker released the following statement:

“The opinion by the majority of the court seems intent on creating a constitutional collision between two of the three constitutionally created co-equal branches of government. Make no mistake, they are tipping the scales of power in their own favor.

“In establishing their position, the majority of the court has added new language to the constitution without the authority to do so. They have ignored US Supreme Court rulings, as they ignored their own precedent in the recent reapportionment ruling. They also issued an order that tramples state and federal law. Notably, they did all of this without briefs being issued and without listening to any oral arguments. It appears that their minds were made up before the complaint was verified.

“While the court rightly expresses concern for those citizens of the six districts that are currently vacant, it showed no concern for the thousands of voters deprived of equal representation, many of whom have special minority status under the Voting Rights Act, in its order on the reapportionment plan recently discarded by this same majority. That decision requires elections to be held in districts that, based on the 2010 census numbers, are wildly and undeniably unconstitutional.

“How the citizens’ rights to equal representation in these six districts outweighs the rights of Hispanic and Latino citizens and those citizens who currently live in legislative districts that are 20,000 to 30,000 people over the lowest populated districts is unexplained by this same majority of the court. The solution that was legally consistent, and made common sense, was clearly articulated in the dissenting opinion of Justice Saylor which, if endorsed by the majority of the court, would have avoided this crisis.

“Perhaps someday, the agenda of this activist majority will be unveiled. In the meantime, this order compromises the election process because candidates for these special elections will need to be selected and certified, counties will need to set up for the special elections in an abbreviated time frame and those who vote by absentee ballot, especially military personnel serving overseas, will have their opportunity to vote placed in jeopardy.

“This order is not a setback for Republicans, nor an advantage for Democrats for that matter, since it will not affect the overall makeup of the House. It is, however, a setback for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians because these elections should be called in districts that comply with the Constitution.

“Understanding that there are competing mandates in the Constitution, it is impossible to establish a perfect map. The more equal one makes the population of each district, the more one must split municipal and county lines, yet this court chose to invalidate a ‘better’ map while pretending it can achieve the perfect map. That decision is what triggered the legal quandary we are now facing.

“That being said, and in the face of an overreaching court, my refusal to call these six special elections will only insure a constitutional crisis not of my making. Therefore, in an attempt to avoid that crisis, I will issue the writs of election. However, let me be clear, the court’s majority has rewritten the Constitution, ignored the clear intention of the law to exercise its own will and advanced its own veiled agenda at the expense of thousands of citizens of the Commonwealth.”

The big question, with all the above said, is, “Why didn’t Smith say no?”

THE SPECIALS … WHAT’S AT STAKE?

For the remainder of this two-year term, the Republicans want to stay in control in the House, especially since it’s budget decision time and the six elected to the House to serve out the terms of the vacancies will have a vote in that process.

The Republicans need to hold at least two of the six seats. Republicans currently have a 110 to 87 majority, meaning the House GOP needs 99 votes to pass legislation. When all six vacancies are filled, they will need 102. And if four or more seats are filled by Democrats – as is likely – they will require slightly stricter discipline within their own caucus.

In special elections, candidates are chosen by party leaders. For five of the six seats, the rules are relatively simple because the entire district is within one county.

Both parties must now select their candidates for the special election. In every case, the likely special election candidate is already on the ballot in his or her district for the general election. And with the party’s resources invested in making sure they win the special election, odds are they win their primary contests further down the ballot.

The endorsements are in: For the 169th special election, David Kralle has the edge for the GOP and should survive to take on Democrat Ed Neilson. In the 186th, former Rep. Harold James picked up the endorsement. In the 197th, Leader of the 32nd Ward Gary Williams got the endorsement. However, he is ineligible to run in the district in the general and that endorsement won’t come this week.

US GREEN PREXY HOPEFUL TO CAMPAIGN HERE

The Green Party of Philadelphia will host Dr. Jill Stein, Green Party candidate for President of the US, in Philadelphia on Monday, Mar. 19.

Dr. Stein (www.jillstein.org) will attend a brunch in Roxborough at Crossroads Coffeehouse, 6156 Ridge Avenue, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is limited room. Tickets are $20 and can be ordered by calling Chris Robinson, (215) 843-4256. There will be another public event at the William Way Community Center from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m.

CHRISTIAN PICKS UP T.P. SUPPORT

With a list of challengers vying for the State GOP nomination for US Senate, the campaign of David Christian marked the past couple weeks with thumbs up events. The first was the fact he has pulled first place on the ballot. The second is the fact he has received an endorsement from national Tea Party leader Sharron Angle announced her support for David Christian and PoliticsPA even hand the David Christian Campaign an up arrow for receiving the coveted first ballot position for US Senate.

BUSY BEES IN THE 186^TH

Friends of Damon K. Roberts have moved into a campaign office the corner of Broad & Dickinson Streets. Roberts and the campaign team are excited to announce they will be hosting an Open House and Meet and Greet next Thursday, Mar. 15 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The campaign office, formerly occupied by Metro PCS, is in an ideal location in the heart of South Philadelphia. Because it is a Broad Street corner property, traffic studies show up to 19,000 residents and visitors pass by the campaign office per day.

Damon K. Roberts is a practicing real-estate and land-use attorney and block captain in the 186th Dist. He is the former President of the citywide Neighborhood Advisory Council’s Alliance Board and Chairperson of South Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks.

Roberts is endorsed by Councilman Wilson Goode, Jr., Councilman Curtis Jones, President of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia & Vicinity Rev. Terrence D. Griffith, Rev. Dr. Wayne E. Croft, Pastor of the Church of the Redeemer, Pastor Daniel T. Black of Gospel Temple, Pastor Waller of Mt. Hebron Baptist, and Pastor James A. Lovett of the Tasker Street Missionary Baptist Church. Community activist and well-known Pastor Paul “Earthquake” Moore is also in his camp.

PAT MURPHY GRABS ALLEGHENY LABOR

Citing his experience and record of fighting for working families, the Allegheny Co. Labor Council voted to recommend Iraq War veteran and former prosecutor Patrick Murphy for Pennsylvania Attorney General.

“Right now, working families need a champion more than ever. Workers in Pennsylvania are under attack and they want an Attorney General who will stand up for them. Patrick Murphy has the experience and vision to protect the middle class and defend the rights of workers,” said Jack Shea, ACLC president. “Patrick’s record is clear. He has fought for laws that help provide workers with better wages and safer working conditions. Our members know they can trust Patrick Murphy to fight for them and protect their families. We are proud to recommend him and will make sure our members are mobilized to support him.”

ACLC represents nearly 200 affiliated local unions, making it the largest labor council in Western Pennsylvania and the second largest in Pennsylvania. The ACLC helps local unions within its jurisdiction with various organizing campaigns, community services, civil rights issues, and work with charity organizations.

TRAFFIC CT. SEAT OPENS NEXT PRIMARY

A seat in the Philadelphia Traffic Court is up for grabs the next primary. The seat became vacant when Judge Willie F. Singletary resigned last week.

Proceedings to dismiss him were announced by the Judicial Conduct Board. It decided to bring him to trial in the Court of Judicial Discipline, though he had resigned.

According to Joseph A. Massa, Jr., Chief Counsel, “Singletary will have an opportunity to respond to the charges, obtain and inspect evidence which forms the basis of the allegations and the right to a public trial before the Court of Judicial Discipline.”

KLEINMAN QUITS 13^TH DIST. RACE

Nate Kleinman must have a fan at the Inquirer. Otherwise, how could they have spared so much ink to publicize this guy who billed himself as the Occupier candidate, though he had no support from that group?

But now he’s quit his primary challenge to Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, reportedly deciding he didn’t want to fight over his nominating signatures. Instead, the Inkie reports he plans to run as a write in. He must believe his Inkie clips. He has yet to wake up to the fact he was a minor-league tryout trying to compete in the major leagues.

DeLISSIO PRESSES REELECT EFFORT

State Rep. Pamela A. DeLissio (D-Northwest)  is campaigning to keep her to retain her seat in the Pennsylvania State House.

Former State Rep. Kathy Manderino, whose chief of staff DeLissio was, commented, “Pam DeLissio has really made her mark as a bright star among the new legislators. Whenever I see my former colleagues or others at the state capitol, they tell me Pam is a smart, hard-working, outspoken advocate for the people of the 194th Dist. and for all Pennsylvanians. And when I am in the grocery store or out and about in the community, people stop me to let me know they think Pam is doing a good job or to tell me how she has helped them with an issue that was important to them. We can be proud we have such a responsive, well-respected person serving us in Harrisburg.”

CASEY HOLDS HIS ANNUAL TOAST TO ST. PAT

Pennsylvania’s Senior US Sen. Bob Casey holds his 4th annual St. Patrick’s Day Toast tomorrow 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Finnigan’s Wake, 3rd & Spring Garden.

Suggested Contributions: $35 Committee person/Young Professional, $100 Friend, $250 Sponsor.

For info contact Aliyah (484) 557-3758 or afurman@bobcasey.com.

REP. VEON GUILTY ON 10 COUNTSA Dauphin Co. jury found former Democratic State Rep. Mike Veon and his ex-aide guilty of charges related to the misuse of taxpayer grants directed to the lawmaker’s Beaver Co. nonprofit. The jurors’ decision came in the trial’s 11th day, after nine days of testimony and several days of deliberations. Dauphin Co. Judge Bruce Bratton will sentence the 55-year-old Veon, 55, Apr. 18.

SHOWING their support for brother State Reps. Brendan and Kevin Boyle at joint fundraiser in NE Philly are Dan McCaffery, State House candidate William Dunbar, Kevin, and long-time family friend Republican Ward Leader Bill Ivers.

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