ELEPHANT CORNER: Big GOP Women Tour Pa. For Romney

US SEN. KELLY AYOTTE of New Hampshire was in King of Prussia on Tuesday to stump for MITT ROMNEY. “Women for Mitt” sponsored the event. Some of the herd from Philadelphia attended, including Tea Party leaders TERRI & DON ADAMS and Republican activist DENISE FUREY.

Women for Mitt’s Pennsylvania chairwoman BERNIE COMFORT introduced Ayotte and two women from Gov. Romney’s administration in Massachusetts. BETH LINDSTROM was a member of his cabinet and was SEN. SCOTT BROWN’S campaign manager in 2009. Lindstrom reminded us that half of Romney’s cabinet was female and that his management style empowered both men and women alike who worked for him.

Ayotte is a rising star in the party. She was the first female Attorney General in New Hampshire. She was appointed to that position by a Republican governor and was reappointed twice by his Democratic successor. Ayotte understands the importance of working with Democrats and believes Romney has demonstrated his ability to get things done through partnership with the opposition while not sacrificing his principals.

Romney entered office in Massachusetts with a multi-billion-dollar deficit and left a roughly $2 billion rainy-day fund. He managed this feat with Democratic majorities in both houses.

Election-law attorney MATT WOLFE, on behalf of RICK HELLBERG and MIKE CIBIK, the chairman and vice chairman respectively of Republican City Committee, filed a complaint with the Philadelphia Ethics Board regarding reports MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER took two aides to the Democratic National Convention. The City Charter bars these aides from participating in political events. What can be more political than the national convention? Did they sit in their rooms for three days?

Additionally, the complaint quoted media reports that the City paid over $7,000 of the aides’ expenses. We have heard claims the Mayor needed to attend to business while he was gone, so the two senior aides “had” to come. In this day-and-age of computers, smartphones, etc… he needed them physically there? On top of them, the Mayor brought three bodyguards. I understand he might want security, but why three in what had to be one of the most-secure venues in America?

CITY COUNCILMAN DAVID OH attended the Republican convention not using city funds and managed to get his council-related work done without an aide in Tampa. Monday evening Mike Cibik, the leader of the 5th Ward, held a fundraiser for JOHN FEATHERMAN, candidate for US Congress (Pa. 1st Dist.). ROB GLEASON, chairman of the Pennsylvania Republican Party, was the guest speaker. Gleason spoke of the importance of winning Pennsylvania for Romney. He noted Romney is currently behind in the state by 3-5 points, depending upon the poll. He feels that with hard work we can win the state.

The event was well-attended, including Veteran Boxing Association PRESIDENT FRED DRUDING, Senate candidate TOM SMITH’S staffer TOM STONER and State Rep candidate AL TAUBENBERGER. Republican activists PAM WARREN, GREG DANIELL and MICHAEL UNTERMEYER, as well as WARD LEADERS ANNIE HAVEY, LINDSAY DOERING and Matt Wolfe were there. Featherman unfortunately could not attend his own fundraiser, as he was at his mother-in-law’s funeral in Japan. Our condolences to John and his wife MASAKO.

Last Thursday, MIKE TOMLINSON, candidate for State Senate (5th Dist.), held a fundraiser at SmokeEaters in Mayfair. STATE REP. JOHN TAYLOR was there to show his support. One person missing was SmokeEater’s owner, firefighter BRIAN HAUGHTON, who was attending class at the Fels School of the University of Pennsylvania. Tomlinson is a serious candidate but has an uphill battle against incumbent Democrat STATE SEN. MIKE STACK.

Tomlinson issued a press release last week pointing out the inconsistencies in Stack’s policies. In particular, he mentioned Stack’s criticism of the Corbett administration’s tax breaks for a Shell Oil cracking facility that would directly employee over 1,000. While Shell will get some initial tax breaks, over time the facility will pay significant taxes. Conversely, Stack is taking credit for a $3 million state tax-funded project at a local hospital.

The 8th Ward Republican Committee held a fundraiser at the Romanian Consulate at 1907 Spruce Street last night

A committee of Bishop McDevitt HS alumnus will be holding a fundraiser for fellow graduate and candidate for US Congress (13th Dist.) JOE ROONEY. For more information for this event, please contact Chelsea Allen at chelsea@joerooneyforcongress.com.

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