POLS ON THE STREET: Is McGinty’s Ad Doing Her In?

by Joe Shaheeli

KATIE McGinty, Democratic candidate for US Senate, center, attended District Council 47’s Fish Fry at Lou & Choo’s Pub, and found an overflow of enthusiasm! She is flanked by members of seven locals, as well as Candido Silva, organizer & people outreach director; Councilwoman Cindy Bass; and 47 VP Vanessa Fields. Photo by Joe Stivala

An axiom in Politics is not to, never to, ever consider mentioning your opponent on radio commercials, in newspaper ads and, worst of all, in television commercials. Breaking the rule on a regular basis is Democratic “break the glass ceiling for women” US Senate candidate Katie McGinty.

Watch her ad blasting US Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) for his NRA stance. Then check into how long an ad has your attention. If you are a member of NRA and have missed out on its pro-Toomey ads, her ad convinces you of your need to support Toomey.

Now, why in the world would she devote half of her 60-second television commercial to promoting Toomey to NRA members and owners of legitimate registered guns?

One beleaguered Councilman in years past tells this tale. He got so tired of television news banging away at him, he decided to go canvassing. First door at which he knocked, the resident shouted with glee, “We just saw you on television!” When he asked, unhappily, “What did they say?” The answer came back “We don’t know. But you looked good!”

We suggest Katie fire her television-commercial creators if she wants to keep her lead.

REPUBLICAN City Chairman Joe DeFelice introduces headliner Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey to packed Clam Bake audience. Photo by Wendell Douglas

Turning Us off with State Junk

We pity poor Attorney General for a moment Bruce Castor, who was damned if he did and damned if he didn’t. Gov. Tom Wolf has aborted his short, unanticipated stay in that seat.
Announcing he will not release porn correspondence that had proliferated in state government emails might make him some friends, however.
Castor said, “In keeping with past office practice, and in my own judgment, OAG should not require responses from people until those same people have had an opportunity to see what they are responding to: a simple matter of fairness.” He’s proceeding with “extreme caution” his last few days.
The State Senate confirmation for Gov. Wolf’s replacement for Castor, former top deputy Bruce Beemer, took place this week.

Gleason Blows Strategy on Clinton Foundation

Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason blasted Hillary Clinton’s continued refusal to shut down the Clinton Foundation despite numerous reports of conflicts of interests and controversial donations.

“Hillary Clinton’s decision to keep the Clinton Foundation open while serving as America’s top diplomat is further evidence that she will always put her own self-interests ahead of the country. It is time for Hillary Clinton to put an end to this ridiculous saga and close the Clinton Foundation immediately.”

But Gleason is hoping Clinton won’t follow his advice. If she did – what would happen then to Donald Trump’s campaign litany of attacks on the Foundation for all the reasons it offers to woo voters away from Hillary?

Shapiro Picks Up More Police Support

ENJOYING the Crabfest hosted by 39B Ward Leader Matt Myers were Ward Leaders Bob Dellavella and Janice Sulman, Committeeman Kevin Carroll, host Myers and Ward Leader Pete Wilson.

President of IPA 13 Oscar P. Vance, Jr., said the Pennsylvania Chapter of the International Police Association Region 13 endorsed Josh Shapiro for Attorney General because of his early efforts to fight the heroin epidemic in Montgomery County, commitment to preventing suspected terrorists from buying guns through state loopholes, and bipartisan record make him the best candidate to be the State’s top lawyer.

The International Police Association has nearly 400,000 members across 61 countries. It was founded in 1950 to create a channel for international cooperation among police officers to develop social, cultural and professional links among its members, in an environment free from discrimination of rank, sex, race, color, language or religion. The Pennsylvania chapter was chartered in 1975 with Vance as a charter member.

This endorsement follows FOP Lodge 5, which announced its strong support for Shapiro. These back-to-back law-enforcement endorsements followed Republican District Attorney Jim Martin’s announcement that he would cross party lines to back Shapiro earlier this summer.

STATE REP. Lynwood Savage was pleased to add this photo with Hillary Clinton to his VIP photo collection.

Dems Pick Challenger for 31st Senate Seat

The Pennsylvania Democratic Party has named Dr. John Bosha as its candidate for the 31st Senate seat, representing portions of York and Cumberland Counties. He sits on the Board of School Directors for the East Pennsboro Area School District and is a pharmacy manager in Camp Hill. Jon Ritchie, who won the Democratic nomination with enough write-in votes, withdrew his name from the general-election ballot earlier this month.

It’s an open seat due to the upcoming retirement of State Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland), who has represented the district since 2005. The GOP usually has a lock on it.

SEIU Pa. State Council Endorses Candidates

The SEIU Pennsylvania State Council released its list of endorsed candidates for the 2016 General Election announcing its efforts will be to promote economic justice, racial justice, affordable child care and long-term care for seniors, and immigration reform.

“SEIU is fighting for a Fair Pennsylvania. For too long, we have battled a growing movement to take rights away from working people instead of tackling issues that will make the lives of Pennsylvanians better,” said Gabe Morgan, president of the SEIU Pennsylvania State Council and VP/Pennsylvania state director of SEIU Local 32BJ. “Our plan is simple – it’s time to change course. That’s why we will work to elect champions up and down the ballot who seek proactive change for working Pennsylvanians.”

It listed every race where a Democrat was involved, so we figure we didn’t need to list them here.

Clinton’s Margin over Trump Shrinks

An Emerson College poll now has Clinton’s lead over Donald Trump a slim 3 points.

Pennsylvania, as we have said all along, is by its nature a Trump state – if he can avoid the gaffes that have dogged his performances to date. The length of his coattails, however, is in question.

Another Clinton Field Office

The National Council of La Raza Action Fund has spun off another Philadelphia office for Pennsylvania’s Future in north Philadelphia. Rebecca McNichol, Future state director, said, “We’re investing in North Philadelphia because this community matters. We’re here to help build a strong, progressive community with an effective voice.”

Smarter move would be for the Fund to send the money it will spend to Philadelphia Democratic Committee, where it would do the most good for Hillary.

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