CITY HALL SAM: 56th Ward Picnic Was The Place To Be Seen

A gang of mavericks assembled for the annual 56th Ward Picnic at Burholme Park. WARD LEADER JOHN SABATINA has been hosting the event for decades and always draws a great crowd of politicos. This year was no exception as mayoral wannabes COUNCILMAN BILL GREEN and STATE SEN. ANTHONY WILLIAMS competed for having most handshakes with committee people and friends of the ward.

Sabatina has also been much more gregarious in recent years. He invited several other wards to join the picnic, including DAN SAVAGE’S 23rd Ward, BILL DOLBOW’S 35th Ward, PAT PARKINSON’S 57th Ward, BERNICE HILL’S 63rd Ward, JANICE SULMAN’S 53rd Ward, BOB DELLAVELLA’S 55th Ward and EMILIO VAZQUEZ’S 43rd Ward. Vazquez regularly consorts with Sabatina. Vazquez represents a number of Latino Democrats. The relationship between Sabatina and him shows a diverse block of voters can be delivered to the right candidate.

Teamsters Local 830 leader DAN GRACE also attended. The weekend previous, the Teamsters celebrated 70 years and Grace hosted a well-attended picnic on the grounds of Local 830’s headquarters on Southampton Road in the Far Northeast. Sabatina’s picnic used to include a very competitive softball game between his committee people and committee people of the 63rd Ward. But after at least a half a dozen serious knee and shoulder injuries, the game had to be retired.

Also seen having a good time at the picnic was STATE REPS. JOHN SABATINA, JR. and MARK COHEN, and COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN TASCO.

For the first time in recent memory, all three statewide row offices seem to be within the grasp of the Democratic candidate. Attorney General candidate KATHLEEN KANE really has to stumble to lose the race. She would be the first Democrat and woman to win the office. TREASURER ROB McCORD is running well ahead of his opponent, whose name escapes City Hall Sam. STATE REP. GENE DePASQUALE is in very good shape to win the Auditor General’s seat. It should be noted that Democrats are world-famous for snatching defeat from the mouth of victory. In three previous races, the Democratic candidate for Attorney General went to bed victorious on election night and then woke up defeated the next morning.

Former Attorney General candidate and Assistance District Attorney DAN McCAFFERY has shown a great deal of political savvy coordinating the campaigns for all three candidates throughout the state. Only the smartest politicians understand defeat is simply another opportunity for victory.

McCaffery’s brother JUSTICE SEAMUS McCAFFERY is in good position to become Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. If he is successful, Philadelphia will have statewide clout.

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