Sleazeball politics has reared its ugly head, as usual, in the race for Northampton County Council.BethlehemDem reports that, even though he and his wife have lived in Lehigh County for the past two years, they still got an anonymous robo call over the dinner hour telling them NOT to vote for Peg Ferraro. In fact, Peg got a call herself, and was surprised to learn she voted to increase taxes a gazillion per cent. One of Peg's close friends, who has never even voted, has already called Peg to yell at her.
In Ron Angle country, things are even worse. So far, he's been nailed with at least eight robo calls, all coming from the same number, 484-548-6400, being used against Peg. He's been accused of everything, from being a serial shoplifter to human sacrifices. In addition to the robocalls, he's being slammed with slime mailers. Some are being paid for by his opponent, while others come from Joe Long's Democratic machine. Angle tells me the negative campaign against him is the "worst piece of garbage and filth I've seen yet." He estimates at least $60,000 has been spent to unseat him.
Ferraro and Angle's opponents are both using the same political consultant - Tom Severson, the Darth Vader of Politics. Severson is noted for this type of stupid anonymous smear. He just used that tactic last May to smear magisterial candidate Brian Monahan. That one blew up in Vader's face. “The Force is strong with this one.”
Dirty politics usually backfires. I saw that first-hand last week, during the Debate at the State. Bertsch was holding his own until he started to smear Panto. You could hear the audience groan in disgust the moment Bertsch went to the dark side.
Smear tactics also hurt people. Peg, a class act, recently suffered the sudden loss of her husband. She doesn't need to be kicked right now. And although Ron won't admit it, he hates to see how this bothers his wife and sons. But we're the real losers. This type of campaigning is precisely why many good people won't run. And it's why many other good people don't even bother to vote. It's bad for democracy.
Next week, I'm doing have to fill you in on those county council races. Does anyone know where Tony Branco is? He was MIA during yesterday's budget hearing, a hell of a way to serve the county. How's that Democratic machine working out for John ("I come from the corporate culture") Maher? Stay tuned.
I (don't think) I've received this call yet, but I always hang up immediately when I receive these lame recorded messages.
ReplyDeleteThis type of campaigning should be against the law!
In the poconos Lou Barletta is push polling vs Kanjorski. Lots of immigrant questions.
ReplyDeleteObi Wan would tell severson "These arent the voters your looking for."
query-were any of the smear attacks inaccurate? peg did vote to raise taxes several times. Ron was arrested for shoplifting. I also happen to know that ron feasts on the flesh of his fallen enemies, but has never participated in ritual sacrifice...at least to my knowledge.
ReplyDeleteAnon 6:59,
ReplyDeleteThe anonymous robo calls are full of lies and half-truths. So yes, the smears were inaccurate.
You point out Angle was arrested for shoplifting, but don't point out those summary charges were dismissed, do you?
Like the last anonymous smear, these will fail, too. Both Angle and ferraro will easily win, but I'll never support Branco or Maher for anything unless they publicly disavow this dirty campaigning and do all in their power to stop it.
WIRETAP CHARGE
ReplyDeleteIn 1990 Angle demanded that a Morning Call reporter resign, saying he had a tape of a telephone interview she did with another member of the Board of Supervisors. AngIe was arrested a week later and charged with violating the state wiretapping law. Angle claimed he had a tape of the phone conversation, no such tape was ever produced.
I guess this is another half truth and/or lie about Angle also. Your blog is full of half truths and innuendos.
Excuse me, Obi wan O'Hare, but didn't Vader kill Obi Wan in #4?
ReplyDeleteAnd who exactly is this anonymous trooper who speaks against the actions of Angle?
ReplyDeleteLooks live the Severson smear machine is hard at work, Bernie. What that slimy anonymous guy doesn't say is the wiretapping charge against angle was bounced. Your right. Spewing half truths and outright lies is disgusting, and i'm glad your pointing it out.
ReplyDeleteAnon 11:12,
ReplyDeleteBut this is only #3. You'll have to wait a little longer. In the meantime, better cover your tracks a little better. I know some folks who are very interested in your smear campaigns.
Bernie! You better hire AJ to provide security for you! Now I have that stupid Vader theme stuck in my head! AAAAGH!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteLooks live the Severson smear machine is hard at work, Bernie. What that slimy anonymous guy doesn't say is the wiretapping charge against angle was bounced. Your right. Spewing half truths and outright lies is disgusting, and i'm glad you're doing it too.
11:28 AM
Wow, glad no one has touched on the fact that 100% of the candidates weren't potty trained at one time. ;)
ReplyDeleteat one point in his life, tom severson wore diapers. is that relevant?
ReplyDeleteTom Severson never wore diapers, he's been firing crap at everyone all his life, why do you think he has had such a succesful career at it?
ReplyDelete"Anyone" uses sleazeball severson, always vote for the other person, is my opinion. larry@kisslinger.com
ReplyDeleteLooks like Tony Branco is using Bob Nyce's recycled mail pieces. He must really be desperate.
ReplyDeleteThis is beginning to sound like a Republican whine and cheez party. Former Republican Chairman Kisslinger, former Republican Bernie o"hare, A. J. Cordi (What party do I belong to today?), and turncoat Chris (I think I'm a Democrat) Casey. You'll still be whining well after Nov. 6th.
ReplyDeleteIf statements about Ron Angle are "half-truths", they should be given the weight of half (50%) consideration.
ReplyDeleteGiven this, I'm appalled if just 10% of the stink on Angle is legitimate.
He's quirky and entertaining, but those who are not distracted by his antics see him as an insincere buffoon who feigns support for open government, while doing quite well for himself as a political insider.
I say re-elect him. He's part of the regime that's given us our current mess; he's perfect for Northampton County.
Anon 6:08,
ReplyDeleteThe smear campaigning isn't just bad for democracy, it also happense to be illegal. It's also pissing a lot of people off. Whoever is doing it is not very technologically sophisticated. Before the voter ever gets the call, there are often a few hang ups. By the time you get him on the line, you already have an angry voter.
No matter what party this tactic comes from it's sleazy, illegal and drives good people away. Asa a result, nothing is left but party hacks like you and lousy candidates like Sam Bennett.
I have just deleted two anonymous personal attacks. This is not an "open" blog. Attack issues or what people do or say or don't do or don't ssay. Personal attacks will be deleted.
ReplyDeletePlease excuse Tony from the budget hearing, he was out playing in the mud with Tommy.
ReplyDeleteRobo calls are a annoying. A friend received one on behalf of Ed Koren (R) for Whitehall Executive trying attempting to woo Dems. Had a self proclaimed life long dem whom quoted JFK. To bad Lloyd only voted once in the last 5 years. Hardly credible IMO.
ReplyDeletethis is anon 659 again. i am not supporting th smear tactics,no do i endeavor to smear angle. I am meerely asking questions. a negeative attack that is accurate is not a "smear" in my opinion. it is merely a negative ad.. in this instance, having received none of the calls, i don't know whether they're inaccurate, or not.
ReplyDeleteSo anon 6:08 PM, is there anybody else you want to trash? Bloggers aren't your favorite people? Cowardly Anons are some of mine.
ReplyDeleteI understand criticizing O'hare, but Cordi and Casey? another off topic attack, huh?
Bernie O'Hare said... "Angle tells me the negative campaign against him is the "worst piece of garbage and filth I've seen yet." He estimates at least $60,000 has been spent to unseat him." Angle was arrested for shoplifting, for violating the state wiretapping law and Ron Angle was kicked off the airwaves of 770AM for his racist views.
ReplyDeleteAngle must really be bad if they want to spend all that money against him.
"A. J. Cordi (What party do I belong to today?)"
ReplyDeleteAre there any Whigs around?
Maddy, Poor Chris! He gets nailed by Rs in a post you write and then gets nailed by a crazy Dem in a post that I write for not goose-stepping with local Dems.
ReplyDeleteAnon 3:17
ReplyDeleteAngle was kicked off 790 AM not 770 AM big difference.
WAEB,Allentown vs WABC,New York City.
Thats all.