POLS ON THE STREET: D.N.C. Disregards a Key Campaign Rule

by Joe Shaheeli
We all had to be impressed by what we have seen of the Democratic National Convention this week, with the best to come tonight. But we need to remind those of us in the trenches – knocking at doors, making telephone calls and leafleting everywhere – not to make the mistakes made by the agenda-setters at the DNC.

That mistake? To explain, we must go back to the days of yesteryear when the only Congressman ever was reelected after he died and was buried.

There were many reasons for that … and the fact the powers in the Democratic Party in Philadelphia needed more time to come up with a successor for a special election.

That Congressman was Bill Barrett, a Philly legend. Though not the party chairman, he ruled the roost. His sagest advice was, “Don’t mention your enemy in print or by word or in any campaign literature. Otherwise you are reinforcing his name as an alternative choice and keeping it alive in the mind of the voters.”

This DNC convention notably succeeded in making Trump the devil, the enemy of humble working people, and anything else you could imagine that was not good. Only problem: counting the words Hillary and Trump, and the signs on the floor, Trump, Trump, etc., you could not forget the Trump name.

But one thing the DNC was sure of is its Philly support. The convention team made sure to get appearances from Mayor Jim Kenney and Congressmen Bob Brady and Brendan Boyle (both D-Phila.). They also made sure Gov. Tom Wolf and US Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) made an appearance.

Which leads us to once again remind all our readers that the way Philly goes, so goes Pennsylvania. Pollsters have lately moved the state from a Democratic win to a tossup The Philly vote is crucial and will need to replicate its past performances for recent presidential elections.

Congressman Brady knows this. His “welcome to Philly” party Sunday night saw at least 1,500 people gather at his invitation to welcome Nancy Pelosi and other Congress Members from around the nation. This reception put the city’s best foot forward.

Bob has been carrying the load and has ignited a great deal of enthusiasm among the ward leaders, committee people and the city’s top unions and their rank and file. They know the mission: Get out the vote.

Cops Unhappy with DNC and Hillary

Philadelphia Lodge 5 Fraternal Order of Police President John McNesby, with a sizable vote of loyal retirees and active-duty policemen and women, mostly living in the Northeast, believes police were insulted by the exclusion of police widows and family members in the DNC and Hillary Clinton’s choice of speakers.

He said, “the Fraternal Order of Police is insulted, and will not soon forget, that the Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton are excluding the widows, and other family members of police officers killed in the line of duty who were victims of explicit, and not implied racism, and ‘being on duty in blue.’

“It is sad that to win an election, Mrs. Clinton must pander to the interests of people who do not know all the facts, while the men and women they seek to destroy are outside protecting the political institutions of this country.”

The DNC included on its speaking schedule the “Mothers of the Movement,” the mothers of Sandra Bland, Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin and other African Americans who were slain in nationally covered incidents, some at the hands of police.

DNC organizers did not respond directly to the FOP’s complaint. But an obvious rejoinder came at the Wednesday-night session, when popular former Philadelphia Police Chief Charles Ramsey was brought in from Chicago to testify to Hillary Clinton’s devotion and concern to the lives of the men and women in blue.

75 or 70 for Judges to Go? It’s Still Unclear

Two former Pennsylvania Supreme Court chief justices are suing over the judicial retirement-age ballot-question wording. So whether or not voters get a chance to vote on raising the judicial retirement age from 70 to 75 will not be known for a while yet.

Filing a lawsuit challenging the wording of the ballot question last week were Justices Ron Castille and Stephen Zappala, Sr. Arguing for them is attorney Dick Sprague, who, in his Commonwealth Court action, argues the ballot question does not clearly indicate Pennsylvania currently requires judges to retire at age 70. They claim the question appears to suggest the State currently has no mandatory retirement age, thereby potentially misleading voters to approve the ballot question with the thought of imposing the State’s first mandatory retirement age for judges.

State Senate Republicans have expressed concern the wordiness of the question might be an attempt to get people to approve it.

Sorry to Hear of These Charges

Former Pennsylvania Treasurer Barbara Hafer finds she now faces federal corruption charges, with two counts of making false statements to federal agents and concealing payments of $500,000 from an unidentified businessman’s firm.

The long-running, federal pay-to-play investigation also snagged another individual, reports AP: suburban Philadelphia businessman Richard W. Ireland, who was charged with 79 counts related to what prosecutors described as an effort to bribe former Treasurer Rob McCord with over $500,000 in secret campaign contributions between 2009 and 2014.

The info on Hafer was reportedly gleaned through the wire former Treasurer Rob McCord was wearing as part of his plea deal after he was found guilty of extortion.

City Republican Delegates Treated Well by RNC

City Republican Chairman Joseph DeFelice reported the delegates from Philly were well pleased at their reception at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. A total of 71 delegates represented Pennsylvania.

Tops were the great seats reserved for the delegation, just right off the stage. Speaker Paul Ryan spoke to them on Monday, even twirling a terrible towel, a campaign piece. Donald Trump, Jr., Joni Ernst and Jeff Sessions were guests of honor on Wednesday; on Thursday, VP nominee Mike Pence surprised them during their Thursday breakfast.

State Sen. Scott Wagner, a Republican delegate, said he’s personally buying “20,000 Trump lawn signs” to distribute in his York County district.

DeFelice says, “It was an awesome experience. The city was clean, the people were nice and law enforcement kept us safe. We were greeted by a host of speakers capped off by our nominee Donald J. Trump, who spoke about bringing jobs back, honoring our police officers and giving children access to the school of their choice, which we, as Philadelphians, can get behind.”

Is Fitzpatrick a Name to Give Brian an Edge?
The first-time candidate and younger brother to retiring incumbent Mike Fitzpatrick wrapped up his second successful fundraiser, topping his opponent. Brian Fitzpatrick believes this portends a November victory for him over Democratic nominee Steve Santarsiero.

Steve was in town Tuesday at the Carpenters’ Union reception for Democratic delegates.

Presidential Dems Open N. Philly Office

Charles Onwuche, Jr., the deputy organizing director for the Pennsylvania Coordinated Campaign, announced the opening of a North Philadelphia Democratic Party Office. It is located at l514 Cecil B. Moore Avenue.

Here we go again! The nationals never seem to learn the Democratic City Committee needs no help from other groups coming to town. They should learn they can only get in the way.

The money they will expend would be better spent given straight to Chairman/Congressman Bob Brady, who will bring out the necessary majority in November.

Gym Goes to Minneapolis to Speak Before AFT

Councilwoman Helen Gym, the education advocate, reports she was “so proud to stand with America’s teachers. Last week, I was honored to address thousands of our country’s most-enthusiastic teachers at the American Federation of Teachers Convention in Minneapolis. I was proud to talk about the power of local organizing and our success in changing the narrative for our schools and our city.”

State GOP Unveils Election Billboards

The Republican Party of Pennsylvania is posting billboards stating Hillary Clinton is unethical, untrustworthy, and unqualified to be President.

The ads are displayed on billboards by the Essington Exit of I-95 North and the Plymouth Meeting exit of the Pennsylvania Turnpike heading eastbound. The billboards will be down by week’s end.