POLS ON THE STREET: Tom Wolf Should Be Wary Of Hunkering Down

by Joe Shaheeli

A defensive mode in any scenario is a worrisome one, be it when the Eagles try to kill time which sometimes backfires on the field – or in politics, when a poll leader like Tom Wolf decides to hunker down.

This last week has seen Wolf’s defensive mode cause a dip in his poll lead, which indicates a closer race than one would have thought possible a month ago.

Since the only poll that counts is the one taken by voters on election day, still the fact Wolf has dipped below the 50% mark would have any candidate biting nails.

Our readers know polls get closer the closer election-day becomes, and this is the course for polling results right now. Philadelphia continues to be the linchpin in Wolf’s efforts. He may feel he got through the primary without Philadelphia support, but he know this city is key.

Democratic Chairman Congressman Bob Brady will deliver a good turnout despite voter apathy. Our advice to Katie McGinty and the rest of the Wolf team is to team up closely in the last few days with DCC and give it the funding it needs to make it happen. If they go their own way and concentrate on television, we can only say, “We told you …”

Gillen Launches Campaign Office

Development expert Terry Gillen opened her mayoral campaign office in Center City last week, hoping to follow in the footsteps of her former boss Mayor Michael Nutter.

“I was Nutter’s political director in his 2007 campaign,” she noted. A strategy that worked well to propel him to the top in a five-way Democratic primary then is one she will deploy for the 2015 race as well. Gillen has quit her day job and is begun to work full-time on the crucial back-office task of fundraising – stuffing envelopes and dialing for dollars.

Gillen has been intimately involved in major economic decisions for decades. She served in Ed Rendell’s administration as Senior Vice President of the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp. and as Deputy Commerce Director. Nutter tapped her to run the Redevelopment Authority from 2008 to 2011. So her Rolodex should be rich with useful contacts.

Gillen is no stranger to grassroots electoral politics either, having served as Democratic 30^th Ward Leader.

City GOP Urges ‘No’ On Questions

The Philadelphia Republican City Committee voted to recommend a “No” vote on the three proposed ballot questions for the 2014 General Election on Nov. 4.

“The proposed ballot questions represent the usual poorly thought-out expansion of City Hall’s bureaucracy,” stated RCC Exec. Dir. Joe DeFelice. “More bureaucrats and less transparency seem to be the recurring theme of these ballot questions.

“The first ballot question is about making permanent the Office of Sustainability while also making permanent another high-level director. The Republican Party supports government looking to be more sustainable, efficient to use less resources and energy, but that should be a goal that every department should be working towards, not another paper-shuffling department,” he insisted.

Crusader Jim Foster Suit Filed Vs. City

Newspaper publisher Jim Foster’s suit charging the City put him out of his vintage-automotive business by supporting his landlord with two police raids and confiscation of rare cars has been scheduled for Oct. 27 before federal Judge Patrice Tucker. To be heard are a motion to dismiss and federal Judge Joel Harvey Slomsky’s decision on motion for summary judgement. This case should make the headlines if Slomsky’s decision is upheld.

Foster, a lifetime registered independent, has been publishing the Germantown Chronicle and the Northwest Independent since 2009. Both have been strongly critical of pols and nonprofits in his areas of coverage. He is credited with uncovering the Germantown Settlement scandal.

President Comes For Tom Wolf

If you are running for Governor in this state and most polls show you ahead  by a healthy margin which forecasts a landslide and you get a call from President Barack Obama he’s coming to give your campaign a boost, do you dare say, “No”?

The President truly feels he can help … even though polls show he’s down in the polls in several categories.

But it is reported the visit to Philadelphia is part of the President’s strategy to involve himself in Governor’s races throughout the country. Contrary to the national poll, Obama is popular in Philadelphia and that’s why Wolf said, “Yes.” Philadelphia turnout is projected at 18%. Maybe the President will be able to energize our top vote-getting leaders to do a bit more. Wolf needs a minimum of his Democratic voter base in this city to ensure he takes the State by a wide margin. Otherwise the race will be a close one.

More popular than the President are First Lady Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton, who logged in to help jazz up the city vote.

One Step At A Time, Sen. Stack’s Motto

ENJOYING 30th Ward Fundraiser at Ten Stone were, from left, Julia Shaw, left, Bob Shaw and Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown.

Favored to be our next Lieutenant Governor is Democratic candidate State Sen. Michael Stack (D-Northeast). His announcement in this column recently he intends to hold both titles after he is elected to the new post, helped dampen the parade of individuals pestering for his endorsement as they eye his seat.

First things first, is what he’s had to say. “Let’s get this election over with so we can have an opportunity to determine if I should hold onto the State Senate seat as well,” he concluded.

There is precedent, in two such occasions. But lawyer types point out when such was the case, the holders of both titles simultaneously moved in as a result of vacancies created in the Lieutenant Governor’s office and they simply moved up.

Stack getting elected might preclude his ability to hold both seats simultaneously. If he decides to do so, someone out there will challenge that decision in the courts.

Photo Shop Inclusion Big Thorn For Corbett

Gov. Tom Corbett’s reelection website is using a photoshopped image of a Black woman inserted into a group photo, according to  Andrew Kaczynski of Buzzfeed in its campaign web site. That’s a no-no, leaving a lot to explain.

Corbett-Cawley Communications Dir. Chris Pack provided the following response to PoliticsPA: “Gov. Corbett has a strong record of inclusion, while our opponent, Tom Wolf, was even criticized by members of his own party for his ties serving as the campaign chairman to an admitted racist arrested for murder and for handing out ammunition at a race riot.”

Crowded GOP Race For Council Seen

The rejuvenated Republican City Committee has been stirring up enthusiasm as well among potential candidates who are now knocking at the door of its Exec. Dir. Joe DeFelice.

In addition to Councilmen at Large David Oh and Denny O’Brien, reported showing interest are Al Taubenberger, Lou Lanni, Randy Robinson and Matt Wolfe.

South Philly Leaders Welcome Rep. James

Former State Rep. Harold James was welcomed to the Southeast Philadelphia Democratic Ward Leaders at their meeting at the Saloon hosted by 1st Ward Leader John Dougherty. James is now the leader of the 36th Ward, replacing former Council President Anna Verna. Kevin Hannah is 36th Ward Chair.

Democratic Party Chairman and Congressman Bob Brady put in a brief appearance accompanied by Jonathan Saidel. Brady said he hopes to garner support for a thank-you gala honoring Verna for her lifelong commitment to the party and the City.

COUNCIL President Darrell Clarke and Jannie Blackwell assure Tom Wolf and Mayor Michael Nutter of major turnout from their districts.

If Money Talks, It Says Vote Boyle

State Rep. and 13^th Congressional Dist. candidate Brendan Boyle’s (D-Northeast) campaign raised $304,422 in the third fundraising quarter ending Sep. 30.

Boyle’s cash on hand as of Sep. 30 was $308,709.76. His opponent, Republican Carson “Dee” Adcock, raised $44,232.18.

“Our successful fundraising quarter is a reflection of the momentum building around our campaign,” said Boyle. “Over the last several months our staff and volunteers have been working tirelessly on all fronts to elicit support, both financial and otherwise.”

The announcement of the third quarter fundraising result follows a series of endorsements for Boyle in recent weeks from the United Food & Commercial Workers Union Local 1776, the National Education Association, Everytown for Gun Safety, Service Employees International Union and AFSCME District Council 88.

Singer Boxed In By Ethics Code?

The Committee of Seventy states Democratic City Commissioner Stephanie Singer, a former Chair of the Commissioners, whose office has been plagued by ethical issues, including having her Deputy Tracey Gordon’s computer confiscated at the request of the City’s Ethics Board, stated, “Singer has already declared her intention to seek reelection in 2015.”

This could pose a problem for her because the Pennsylvania Code states that she cannot perform official duties and must be replaced by a Judge, which would mean that she cannot preside over the Sunshine meetings or participate in the official vote canvass following the election.

Section 301(c) of the Code states: “(c) Whenever a member of the board of county commissioners is a candidate for nomination or election to any public office, the President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas shall appoint a judge or an elector of the county to serve in his stead.”

The Committee believes the City’s Board of Ethics further states a candidate is defined as “An individual who i) files nomination petitions or papers for public elective office, or ii) publicly announces his or her candidacy for public elective office.” It believes Commissioner Singer should recuse herself from any official conduct as the City Commissioner including overseeing the vote canvass and presiding over the weekly Sunshine meetings.

Now you know why we look at Board of Ethics as a tangled web created by pols who don’t understand how this growing indictment of commonsense politics remains unchecked.

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