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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Sam Bennett in Congress?


You really think Sam Bennett is going to represent you? Think again.

37 comments:

Blah Society said...

The list of reasons why we shouldn't vote for her continues to grow.

The list of reasons to vote for her... well... there is none.

Anonymous said...

This interest group of one hasn't been contacted by, and won't support Sam Bennett.

Anonymous said...

If that "interest group" is going to help end the Iraq fiasco, more power to her.

We can be sure Charlie Dent has little interest in ending the war. Dent received 45% of his 2006 funds from PAC's.

The list of reasons to vote for her... well... there is none.

Sure there is. She's not Dent who followed George W. Bush for 4 years of failed policy all over the world. IF you agree with the policies of GWB then the career politician Charlie Dent is your man.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Hayshaker,

What amazes me about Dent's finances is the amount of money he gets locally. he differs from other members of Congress in that respect. A lot of his money, even the PAC money, comes from inside his district. That's a testament to the amount of respect people have for him locally. Bennett, on the other hand, has to rely on outside sources. That's an indication that people locally have no confidence in her.

As far as Bush is concerned, Dent is actually cochair of a group of moderates who has taken the president to taks over his handling of Iraq. I realize he will be painted as a Bush rubber stamp, but the reality is something different.

Between Bennett and Dent, I actually believe Dent will do more to end our involvement in Iraq. Dent actually supported the findings of the bipartisan ISG.

I don't agree with every one of his votes. For example, I certainly disagree with most of his union votes. But I like the way he approaches issues. He is the closest thing to what we in law school call the "reasonable man."

Unlike Toomey, he has brought a lot of money back to the LV, money this area badly needs. With all the crime going on in the cities, Dent found funds for cameras, computers for police officers and other public safety equipment. He brought flood warning systems to an area iundated by 3 major floods over 2 years.

I am a Democrat who will be voting for Dent. He has earned my support, over and over.

Anonymous said...

No amount of pork will mask his continued support for aggression in Iraq. Dent took no one to task. He had a well-staged meeting with Bush because he knows he is in trouble on this issue and needs to appear moderate on the issue. His votes tell a different story.

Blah Society said...

I like how you try to link me disliking Bennett to me liking GWB, when that's as far from the truth as you can get.

And Bennett, if elected, won't be dealing much with GWB - just his aftermath.

Anonymous said...

I'm not linking you to anything.

IF you feel justified in voting for Dent and feel he voted appropriately over the past 4 years, go for it.

If you disagree with Bush then vote for 3rd party or don't vote for anyone. A vote for Dent is a vote for the failed policies of the past.

Blah Society said...

When someone better than Dent comes along, I will vote for him or her.

Sam Bennett is not better and it will take a tough argument to prove that she is.

Anonymous said...

So if Dent is good enough for you, are his 30-odd votes supporting the Bush-Cheney position on Iraq good enough for you too?

It's an honest question. I understand there are still people who support the Iraq invasion. I perosnally hold it as the #1 most important issue facing this nation.

I'm not thrilled with Bennett either. But until Dent has a plan with an item like "End the military action in Iraq and transition control of and responsibility for Iraq to the Iraqis" I find no other choice.

Bennett actually has a 36-page plan on Iraq on he website. Charlie Dent's website doesn't even mention the word Iraq - even on his ISSUES page.

A disgrace that he doesn't even consider it an issue while our servicemen are dying over there.

Blah Society said...

I look at Bennett locally and know that I don't want her on a bigger stage. I don't look at just Iraq when thinking about who to vote for, I look at the picture as a whole. As a whole, I think Dent can do a better job, especially for the Valley.

Anonymous said...

Give me a break, Charlie Dent is the poster child for interest groups.

Bernie,
Why dont you report on where Charlie gets his money from. When he first ran, he was the boy with a pretty face. Now he is a pretty puppet for special interest.

Sam will represent Valley interest. Charlie will represet those that pad his campaign coffers.

Anonymous said...

I look at Bennett locally and know that I don't want her on a bigger stage. I don't look at just Iraq when thinking about who to vote for, I look at the picture as a whole. As a whole, I think Dent can do a better job, especially for the Valley.

Similarly, I don't get wrapped up in local pork projects. I care about the country first which is why we send our representatives to Washington. We elect local leaders for local policy.

Anonymous said...

"End the military action in Iraq and transition control of and responsibility for Iraq to the Iraqis"

We handed the majority of both sides of congress to Dem's under these promises. And what did it get us? So are you saying Sam is promising the same?

Anonymous said...


We handed the majority of both sides of congress to Dem's under these promises. And what did it get us? So are you saying Sam is promising the same?


Obviously, the promises are empty without either a 1) Democrat President or 2.) a veto-proof majority. In the defense of the Congress (and trust me, I don't defend them strongly) they were still powerless. I'm hoping to ensure that both happen in 08.

Anonymous said...

as a life long dem, and an elected official also, how could anyone support sam bennett? i will vote for dent and we need to settle the war with nothing less then a victory. dent gets his $ locally because you can talk to him even if he dosen't always hear you on certain matters.

Anonymous said...

"nothing less than a victory" - Give me a break. We were victorious the moment Hussein was deposed. All of this is senseless nation-building that is killing Americans, Iraqis and is destroying the US economy and military. Can't you see that through your red, white and blue glasses?

Anonymous said...

Something tells me Sam Bennett is one who couldn't locate Iraq or Afghanistan on a map.

Anonymous said...

I thought Congress controlled the purse-strings. So why do they need more than a majority to submit a budget WITHOUT funding the war? So the president veto's it. It wouldn't be the first time the government was shut down. Also, congresses near single digit approval ratings might increase for standing on their principle.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Dent is in trouble because of his support for GWB. Another problem he has that he may not be able to control no matter how much money he raises from PACs doing war business ..... the mood of the electorate is "mad as hell". When the voters are "mad as hell" they vote change. Ms. Bennett is an atractive, articulate candidate, not to those who have run down this leader for a long time, but she is atractive none the less. When you meet her, you like her. She represents change. "Mad as hell" = change.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Bill,

I want to thank LC Commissioner Leiner for mixing it up and sharing his views with us. I think interaction between leaders and the people they serve is great for democracy, and compliment you for telling us how you feel instead of playing it safe.

Now let me tell you what is going to happen. Dent is going to crush Bennett. I know that, you know it, we all know it. She is a weak candidate. If the 15th CD were 100% Democratic, Charlie Dent would still win against Bennett.

Once a Congressman has been reelected once, it is virtually impossible to unseat him. That usually happens only if the Congress member is caught in a scandal or fails to mount any campaign. Charlie won't be caught in any scandals. Bennett has already had a few in the four times that she's announced she's running. And Charlie knows how to campaign.

Can I sign you up with Democrats for Dent?

Anonymous said...

C'mon BOH. You keep ignoring the 2006 results even with the David and Goliath fundraising difference. This race will be closer financially and the Democrats have a laundry list of votes to attack him on.

Anonymous said...

Bill L., a good man and a good Democrat. I am glad you are on LC Board. On this issue I agree with ohare, Bernie I don't always agree with you and I read with interest your blogging guidelines. I for one, feel you don't always practice what you preach. But on this matter, I fear my enthusiastic Democratic brethern will be disappointed.
If Don C. or Callahan or even snakey Morganelli or Schweder had run, who knows?
Sam Bennet is a weak candidate at best. She will have higher negatives than Hillary by the end of theis campaign. The 15th is a notorius ticket spilting distric. I think there will be a Democrtatic surge this fall. I know the Hope is Hillary heads the ticket and Bennet rides the coattails. I know the 'great' strategy of linking Bush and Dent is the plan. I know it will all fail.
Just as we are trying to snatch Defeat from Victory with our Presidential chaos, we will surely blow a golden opportunity locally.
The LV will not associate Bush with Dent. Dent is personable and likable. Dent is accessible, always has been. Ask some Demo elected officials and they will tell you he has always been more accessible than some Dem. officeholders. His campaign knows what you are going to try to do and they have every poiece of dirt on Bennet over most of her life.
At the end of this mudfest, he will be on top and she will maybe run for something she can win, if such a position exists.

Anonymous said...

Charles Dent has voted with a majority of his Republican colleagues 85.3% of the time during the current Congress. This percentage does not include votes in which Dent did not vote. Charles Dent does get a lot of financial support from outside the district. check this link http://www.politicalbase.com/people/charles-w-dent/6164/money/. What kool aid are you drinking now Bernie?
Bernie O'Hare said...
Hayshaker,

What amazes me about Dent's finances is the amount of money he gets locally. he differs from other members of Congress in that respect. A lot of his money, even the PAC money, comes from inside his district. That's a testament to the amount of respect people have for him locally. Bennett, on the other hand, has to rely on outside sources. That's an indication that people locally have no confidence in her.

Anonymous said...

Contributions to Charles Dent:
Contributions by State
State Total Contributed
Pennsylvania $1,403,716
Virginia $26,982
District of Columbia $24,200
New York $20,900
Florida $15,350
New Jersey $14,900
Maryland $7,000
California $5,500
Washington $5,000
Ohio $4,750
Illinois $4,000
Utah $3,000
Wyoming $2,000
Louisiana $2,000
Tennessee $1,250
Arizona $1,000
Connecticut $1,000
Mississippi $1,000
Michigan $1,000
North Carolina $750
Minnesota $250
Massachusetts $250
Alabama $250
Contributions by Metro Area
Metro Area Total Contributed
Philadelphia $93,366
DC Metro $58,182
New York $27,150
Pittsburgh $12,250
Harrisburg $8,750
Orlando $6,250
Cleveland $4,250
SF Bay Area $4,000
Ithaca $4,000
Chicago $4,000
Salt Lake City $3,000
Seattle $3,000
New Orleans $2,000
Detroit $1,000
Sacramento $1,000
Chattanooga $1,000
Charlotte $750
York $750
Los Angeles $500
Columbus $500
Montgomery $250
Minneapolis $250
Boston Metro $250
Nashville $250
Rochester $250
I guess this is all part of the 15th Congressional District Bernie!

Bernie O'Hare said...

Dude, You make my point. Of the $1.5 MM raised by Dent for his 2006 race, $1.4 MM comes just from Pennsylvania. Don't you realize how unusual that is? 90% of his funding for this year's race comes from Pennsylvania.

In sharp contrast to Dent, a whopping 78% of Bennett's contributions come from outside the district and 30% come from outside the state. Nobody's buying Sam Bennett's pitch here. I'll have more on this tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

BriberyYour search for DENT, CHARLES in Bribery returned 1 articles

ARTICLES ABOUT BRIBERY
Newest First | Oldest First | Closest Match
Page: 1
Bidding Goodbye to Tainted Money
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (AP) - Seeking to distance themselves from former Representative Randy Cunningham, some Congressional Republicans are donating to charity political money that he gave them over the years.

December 2, 2005
MORE ON BRIBERY AND: PHILANTHROPY, ETHICS, CONGRESS (US), UNITED STATES, POMBO, RICHARD W, NUSSLE, JIM, CUNNINGHAM, RANDY, WILSON, HEATHER A, DENT, CHARLES, THUNE, JOHN
Is this in the district Bernie?

Bernie O'Hare said...

Wow! A search for the terms "bribery" and "Charles Dent" turned up one news article about someone else. Charlie better withraw immediately and wear wool sacks.

Anonymous said...

From within the district, Bernie?

PAC Contributions to Dent, Charles Wieder (R-PA)

2007-2008 PAC Contributions: $322,555

Based on data released by the FEC on Monday, March 03, 2008.

Agribusiness
$2,000

Tobacco
$1,000

Altria Group
$1,000

Food Processing & Sales
$1,000

American Meat Institute
$1,000

Communic/Electronics
$19,000

TV/Movies/Music
$9,500

Comcast Corp
$4,500

National Cable & Telecommunications Assn
$5,000

Telephone Utilities
$6,500

AT&T Inc
$3,500

Verizon Communications
$3,000

Electronics Mfg & Services
$1,000

Siemens Corp
$1,000

Computers/Internet
$2,000

SAP America
$2,000

Construction
$31,500

General Contractors
$11,000

American Road & Transport Builders Assn
$1,000

Associated Builders & Contractors
$5,000

Associated General Contractors
$5,000

Special Trade Contractors
$4,000

National Electrical Contractors Assn
$2,000

National Roofing Contractors Assn
$2,000

Construction Services
$9,500

American Council of Engineering Cos
$2,000

Day & Zimmerman
$2,000

DMJM+HARRIS
$1,500

National Soc of Professional Surveyors
$4,000

Building Materials & Equipment
$7,000

American Portland Cement Alliance
$2,000

LaFarge North America
$1,000

National Ready Mixed Concrete Assn
$1,000

National Stone, Sand & Gravel Assn
$2,000

RC Cement
$1,000

Defense
$1,000

Defense Electronics
$1,000

DRS Technologies
$1,000

Energy/Nat Resource
$23,500

Oil & Gas
$5,000

Exxon Mobil
$1,000

Sunoco Inc
$3,000

UGI Corp
$1,000

Mining
$3,500

National Mining Assn
$1,000

Peabody Energy
$2,500

Misc Energy
$1,000

Philadelphia Suburban Corp
$1,000

Electric Utilities
$14,000

Finance/Insur/RealEst
$11,600

Commercial Banks
$6,500

American Bankers Assn
$6,000

Citizens Financial Group
$500

Insurance
$3,100

AFLAC Inc
$2,000

Blue Cross & Blue Shield Assn
$500

Fireman's Fund Insurance
$600

Real Estate
$1,000

National Assn of Realtors
$1,000

Accountants
$1,000

KPMG LLP
$1,000

Health
$54,250

Health Professionals
$29,500

American Academy of Otolaryngology
$1,500

American Assn of Nurse Anesthetists
$1,000

American College of Cardiology
$1,000

American College of Emergency Physicians
$5,000

American College of Radiology
$7,000

American College of Surgeons Prof Assn
$1,000

American Dental Assn
$1,000

American Nurses Assn
$1,000

American Physical Therapy Assn
$3,000

American Podiatric Medical Assn
$1,000

American Psychiatric Assn
$1,000

American Society of Anesthesiologists
$3,000

Society of Thoracic Surgeons
$1,000

US Oncology
$2,000

Hospitals/Nursing Homes
$6,000

American Hospital Assn
$3,000

American Surgical Hospital Assn
$1,000

Genesis HealthCare
$2,000

Pharmaceuticals/Health Products
$18,750

Abbott Laboratories
$1,000

AmerisourceBergen Corp
$2,500

AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals
$1,000

Biotechnology Industry Organization
$1,000

Boehringer Ingelheim Corp
$250

Bristol-Myers Squibb
$1,000

Eli Lilly & Co
$1,000

GlaxoSmithKline
$5,000

Johnson & Johnson
$1,000

Merck & Co
$2,500

Pfizer Inc
$500

Schering-Plough Corp
$1,000

Wyeth
$1,000

Lawyers & Lobbyists
$9,212

Lawyers/Law Firms
$8,000

Blank Rome LLP
$1,000

Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney
$1,000

Cozen & O'Connor
$1,000

DLA Piper
$1,000

Duane Morris LLP
$3,000

Wolf, Block et al
$1,000

Lobbyists
$1,212

Van Scoyoc Assoc
$1,212

Transportation
$33,493

Air Transport
$12,493

Aircraft Owners & Pilots Assn
$2,000

Federal Express Corp
$1,000

General Electric
$3,000

Lockheed Martin
$1,000

United Parcel Service
$5,493

Automotive
$8,000

Automotive Free International Trade PAC
$2,000

Enterprise Rent-A-Car
$1,000

National Auto Dealers Assn
$5,000

Trucking
$4,000

General Motors
$1,000

Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Assn
$1,000

Penske Truck Leasing
$2,000

Railroads
$4,000

CSX Corp
$1,000

Norfolk Southern
$1,000

Union Pacific Corp
$2,000

Sea Transport
$5,000

Society for Relief of Distressed Pilots
$5,000

Misc Business
$30,000

Business Associations
$4,000

International Franchise Assn
$1,000

National Fedn of Independent Business
$2,000

US Chamber of Commerce
$1,000

Food & Beverage
$4,000

Hershey Co
$1,000

National Restaurant Assn
$2,000

Nestle Waters North America
$1,000

Beer, Wine & Liquor
$5,000

National Beer Wholesalers Assn
$5,000

Retail Sales
$2,000

Sears Holdings Corp
$1,000

Wal-Mart Stores
$1,000

Business Services
$2,000

Accenture
$1,000

Lamar Corp
$1,000

Chemical & Related Manufacturing
$11,000

Air Products & Chemicals Inc
$10,000

DuPont Co
$1,000

Misc Manufacturing & Distributing
$2,000

Labor
$15,500

Transportation Unions
$13,500

AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Dept
$1,000

Air Line Pilots Assn
$2,500

Masters, Mates & Pilots Union
$1,000

National Air Traffic Controllers Assn
$8,000

Professional Airways Systems Specialists
$1,000

Public Sector Unions
$2,000

International Assn of Fire Fighters
$2,000

Ideology/Single-Issue
$86,500

Republican/Conservative
$5,000

Republican Main Street Partnership
$5,000

Leadership PACs
$66,500

21st Century PAC
$1,000

American Success PAC
$1,000

Buckeye Liberty PAC
$1,000

CARTER PAC
$1,000

Cmte for the Preservation of Capitalism
$5,000

COLE PAC
$1,000

Continuing a Majority Party Action Cmte
$1,000

Every Republican is Crucial PAC
$7,500

Freedom Project
$10,000

Freedom Security Prosperity PAC
$1,000

Good Fund
$1,000

Help America's Leaders
$1,000

IRL PAC
$1,000

John S Fund
$1,000

Longhorn PAC
$2,000

Majority In Congress PAC
$1,000

Mike PAC
$1,000

New PAC
$2,000

People for Enterprise/Trade/Econ Growth
$5,000

Promoting Republicans You Can Elect
$1,000

Prosperity PAC
$1,000

RED PAC
$5,000

Rely on Your Beliefs
$10,000

Sharp Pencil PAC
$1,000

Texas Freedom Fund
$2,000

TRUST PAC
$1,000

Voice for Freedom
$1,000

Human Rights
$1,000

Turkish Coaliton USA PAC
$1,000

Gun Rights
$1,000

National Rifle Assn
$1,000

Candidate Committees
$13,000

Friends of Jeb Hensarling
$1,000

Friends of Roger Wicker 2002
$1,000

Friends of Sam Johnson
$2,000

Gingrey for Congress
$1,000

Lincoln Diaz-Balart for Congress Cmte
$1,000

Mario Diaz-Balart Congress
$1,000

Mike Conaway for Congress
$1,000

Neugebauer Congressional Cmte
$500

Roskam For Congress
$1,000

Shelley Moore Capito for Congress
$500

Turner for Congress
$1,000

Walden for Congress
$1,000

Wally Herger for Congress Cmte
$1,000

Unknown
$5,000

Unknown
$5,000

Tuesday Group PAC
$5,000

6/26/2007
$2,000

10/29/2007
$3,000

Bernie O'Hare said...

Many of those PACS have contributors from within the district. That's just the way it is. Charlie gets most of his money locally and Bennett does not. Spam away! But that does not change the truth. I'll have something on this tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Dudes,
My obscessed young Demo brethern, I know the blond hair and red dresses gets your acne ablaze but what is with the spam type postings.
The average voter. Not demeaning, but 'average' non-political junkie, voter will lose interest within a few seconds of your thesis.
My young dudes, this is a good practice for you but you better have a drunk Dent speech, or a payola scandal with golden backhoes, now that is what voters will pick up on.

Anonymous said...

Anon 9:38 & 10:18,

Would you please consider providing links to the sources of your information? Thanks.

Look Out Lehigh Valley said...

wow all those asterisks are really doing the trick.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Anon 4:38, Let's knock off the sexual slams or I'll have to delete your comments.

Anonymous said...

I'm no fan of Bennett. But Bernie, who care if 90% of Dent's funding comes from PA. It should come from the 15th. Are you saying the money from Philly and other parts of the state are ok? That 90% should come from the 15th CD, no if's, and's or but's.

Anonymous said...

heres another angle. tom burke the absolute best councilman we have had here came up short in the last election. the dems are really cooking and after many years of unorganized attempts,are finally engaged to vote.

Anonymous said...

Bernie O'Hare said...
Anon 4:38, Let's knock off the sexual slams or I'll have to delete your comments." It should have been deleted.

Anonymous said...

Joe long has ensured Dent another term by chasing all the viable sane candidates out of the race.