In yesterday's post about Sam Bennett's appeal to special interests, someone actually tried to claim anonymously that Congressman Charlie Dent gets "a lot of financial support from outside the district." This is pure baloney. According to the link supplied by this Bennett booster, Pennsylvanians contributed $1.4 million of the $1.5 million raised in the 2006 race.In this year's race, ninety per cent of Dent's money comes from inside the state. The top ten zip codes of his contributors are all located inside Dent's home district. This is a good indication that people here support him. If they're contributing to his campaign, it's a pretty safe bet they'll be voting for him, too.
How's that Bennett grass roots campaign going? According to a study performed by the Dent camp, not too well. Evil genius Shawn Millan reports that 78% of her $177,823 in itemized contributions comes from outside the Lehigh Valley. Uh oh! Nearly 30% comes from people who do not even live in Pennsylvania.
These figures do not even include PAC contributions.
“To paraphrase Winston Churchill, never before have so few people from a community, given so little support to a candidate with so many ethical questions surrounding her,” said Shawn Millan, campaign manager for Congressman Charlie Dent.
Allentown Democratic voters have twice voted to defeat Bennett in her mayoral campaigns. Many still remember the public spectacle she made of herself after the first loss. They know that, contrary to her campaign claims, she left the Mayfair Festival saddled with debt. They know her first financial disclosure was a disaster. "Take three zeros off all of it, and you've got the right answer," her campaign spokesman joked. Most tellingly, voters know that she used a local non-profit organization, Properties of Merit, to enrich herself by improperly paying herself a hugely inflated salary of $110,000 a year at taxpayer expense.
Amazingly, Bennett views this lack of local support as a “great sign.” “Folks out of District see the viability here,” said Bennett. In fact, according to the Democratic party's own blog, she's concentrating on funding sources outside her own district.
Good luck with that!
People outside her district are unable to vote for her. And Democrats inside her District won’t vote for her. On Primary Election Day, nearly 40,000 Democrats in Lehigh and Northampton counties, who voted in the Presidential race, didn’t bother to vote for Bennett. Overall, 36% of Democrat voters overlooked or ignored her candidacy. In Northampton County, 48% of the Democratic voters refused to vote for her.
“These numbers show that Siobhan Bennett is utterly disconnected from the people of our community. Is it any wonder that those who know her best are least likely to support her candidacy?” asked Millan.
35 comments:
All from the district Bernie? Where do you live?
Pharmaceuticals/Health Products
$18,750
Abbott Laboratories
$1,000
3/22/2007
$1,000
AmerisourceBergen Corp
$2,500
1/24/2007
$2,500
4/30/2007
($1,000)
7/31/2007
$1,000
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals
$1,000
3/20/2007
$1,000
Biotechnology Industry Organization
$1,000
6/1/2007
$1,000
Boehringer Ingelheim Corp
$250
3/7/2007
$250
Bristol-Myers Squibb
$1,000
3/13/2007
$1,000
Eli Lilly & Co
$1,000
3/14/2007
$1,000
GlaxoSmithKline
$5,000
3/7/2007
$2,500
9/4/2007
$2,500
Johnson & Johnson
$1,000
3/9/2007
$1,000
Merck & Co
$2,500
3/20/2007
$2,500
Pfizer Inc
$500
3/28/2007
$1,000
4/26/2007
($2,000)
5/24/2007
$1,500
Schering-Plough Corp
$1,000
12/6/2007
$1,000
Wyeth
$1,000
5/2/2007
$1,000
Dude, give it a rest.
What's wrong Bernie, the war machine " A Nation Onto Itself" is concern it may have to pay two gate keeper to stay in business.
I would like see more, the more the weaker this son of bitch will be.
Then maybe we can go back to peace, food, water, and happiness for everybody.
sam is a good candidate and will win. you ask why? dent is wrong on the economy, the war, social issues. he is bottom line a nice guy but still a right wing nuy job.
"Dude give it a rest"
The same could be said of for the repetition of lies about Sam Bennett
Bernie
Excellent analysis on the race for the 15th Congressional. Sam Bennett left a bad taste in the mouths of a lot of people including her fellow Democrats. As for Dent, people do like him and he has a polite and knowledgeable staff here and in DC. He is not my first choice for congressman because he is more of a Progressive on a lot of items and the bringing home the bacon drives me crazy. I fail to find the legality of that in the Constitution. It is an onerous practice because of the route and filtration our tax dollars take once they leave the district. We have been inundated by government programs and are moving farther and farther away from what our Founding Fathers intended.
That's a lot of money from the pharmaceutical industry. That's tough to defend.
Mr. Cordi, what the hell does that mean, "give it a rest." What, you see something you don't like about one of your pals? Dent is obvioulsy in bed with the pharmaceutical industry.
"The same could be said of for the repetition of lies about Sam Bennett"
Enlighten us...
I would only say this to you and Chris Miller. It is pretty sad if the only argument for returning Charlie Dent to Congress is that Sam gets more of her money out of the district. Again, all of her negatives are paraded out with no mention of issues. Since charlie has time and time again voted with our moronic president he most likely isn't in step with the district on issues. That, I would say, is the most important issue.
Charlie is one of the most pleasant guys you'll find in politics but his right wing votes
put him at odds with those he should be serving.
"What, you see something you don't like about one of your pals? "
What I see is a bunch of numbers being posted without any sources by a person who can't provide a credible argument for why we should vote for Bennett. That's what "give it a rest" means.
That's what the hell it means.
Would you stop it. Look at the reports!!! Have you even done that???
I get so tired of the crap on here from those who just pick and choose.
"I get so tired of the crap on here from those who just pick and choose."
Then stop picking a choosing and leave already!
Tom Foolery
What, exactly, are Ms Bennett's policies? Is she one of the new updated Progressives? Where does she stand on reducing taxes? How about the biggy "earmarks" or "Pork" for the district? What is her stand on abortion on the Second Amendment? I have yet to see any of this. As for Charlie being a right wing Republican, you gotta be kidding me? This guy is a compassionate conservative otherwise known as a liberal.Keep in mind that his presidential candidate was Rudy and I doubt if he is too upset with John McCain who is doing his best to get even with his base, the conservatives, who sided with Bush in 2000 to defeat him. McCain is not looking to win an election, he is looking for his coronation. If he continues in his current fashion one of two things will happen--conservatives will not go to the polls even to hold their noses to vote for him or they will go to vote for Hillary. When she said that thing about obliterating Iran the other day she got my attention.
Issues? Why don't you check their websites? Dent evidently thinks there are only four issues. How can anyone here vote for anyone who doesn't even bother to the have the word Iraq on their website?
I didn't say he was right wing (check it) I said his right wing votes are at odds with the district. IN other words he has been voting to the right on most issues. Sam's issues are pretty much straight forward. She is pro worker, pro choice and supports a timetable to get the hell out of iraq. Charlie is pro corporate, pro business, no timetable on iraq . Obviously he is not a fiscal conservative because if he was he would vote to get the hell out of iraq and save us hundreds of billions of dollars!
In addition to being the tool of the oil industry, it appears Charlie is also the tool of the drug industry. Anyone else notice the dramatic increase in their prescriptions ?
How many donors did Charlie have? Lets assume 1000. That would be $1,500 a pop. WOW! Money like that can sure can get a candidates attention.
I would be less concerned if these sums came from DEM or GOP activist who would give money to see thier candidate win. It is when the money comes from businesspeople who benefit directly or indirectly by policy when it becomes problematic. Thats just my ole opinion.
Anon 11:55, In a small race, a $1,500 contribution is sginficant. In a congressional race, where candidates raise $2 MM, that's peanuts. Also, there are limits on the amounts that can be contributed, so the money from one person means very little. Another limit that Congress should consider is a limitation on donations outside the home turf. I don't think a group of people in Mass. have a clue about the 15th CD. The difference between Bennett and Dent is that Dent's money comes locally from people who know and trust him. Bennett's money comes from outside the area, and is supplied by people with an agenda.
15th Congressional District
Democratic Primary
BENNETT, SAM (DEM) 62,600 100.0%
Republican Primary
DENT, CHARLES W. (REP) 23,485 100.0%
Results are here. While neither candidate was opposed, and more Democratic voters could be expected to show up than Republican thanks to the fact that the Republicans had already decided their Presidential primary, this still strikes me as a hopeful sign. Out of a total of 86,000 votes, Democratic challenger (and Slobber and Spittle Blue candidate) Sam Bennett won almost 73 percent of the vote. Eighty-six thousand votes is quite a few votes for a congressional district even in a general election.
If I were in Charles Dent's campaign, I'd be concerned right now. This doesn't prove he's in trouble. I'd bet only half the folks who would have voted for him showed up for this election. This does show that it's not going to be easy for him, though.
You can help replace Dent by contributing to Sam Bennett through Slobber and Spittle Blue.
Posted by Cujo359 at 4/23/2008 10:51:00 AM
Labels: 2008 Election, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Sam Bennett
If Dent learned anything in his last campaign, it is not to take the LV for granted. In fact, he said as much the night he was re-elected.
It is clear that Dent is heavily outnumbered. It is just as clear, however, that dems don't like Bennett. In the most liberal county in CD15 - Northampton - nearly 1 of every 2 Dems refused to vote for her.
Undervoting is inevitable in every race. But Bennett's undervote is unusually large, and that's a very bad sign for her.
If O'Hare ever decides to run for the newly created position of boggest Asshole in Lehigh Valley, he would get 100 % of the vote and run unopposed.
"If O'Hare ever decides to run for the newly created position of boggest Asshole in Lehigh Valley, he would get 100 % of the vote and run unopposed."
And that has to do with what...
All these pointless attacks are getting lame.
Don't just reprint a Dent press release, Bernie. I like how Dent is lauded for attracting money from within the state, but there's no statistical mention of how much money comes from within the district of that.
And a whole thirty percent of Bennett's money comes from outside the state, which means that 70% comes from within the state.
Yes, Bennett is a shitty candidate. We Allentown Democrats discovered this long before you did. Stop beating that dead horse.
Anon 11:18, I did not republish a Dent news release. I took some information from it, did my own research and wrote a post. I also find it significant that the top ten zip codes contributing to Dent are wholly within the district.
As far as Bennett being a dead horse is concerned, she is the congressional nominee of a major party - and that major party has the most votes. Unless voters are fully informed about her weaknesses and Charlie's strengths, she will be elected. She's no dead horse at all.
Tomfoolery
I did take a look at Sam's web page and would have to say it is pretty much the Progressive pap that I thought it would be. As to your attempt to parse your words on Dent, you still call him a right wing Republican. I don't believe Charlie is a right wing conservative because he is more of a moderate to liberal Republican. I would suggest to you that he voted on the war issues, mainly the funding, because of the folks back in the district who e-mailed and wrote to him. We have troops in the region and we need to protect and fund them. Personally there are things about Dent I do not like. His willingness to jump on the pork barrel train is of great concern, Why should I pay for a parking garage in Easton or to repair sewers in Slatington. For that matter why should the good citizens in Easton or Slatington pay for the roads in Buskill Township where I live. You and I know that all of this is about keeping the bureauracy/filtration system going on in government with lots of departments and lots of employees at all levels in government. Buskill Township got federal money to help with the roads meanwhile our police force is larger then Colonial's force and they cover a lot more territory. All of this is about government taking over and telling us what we can or cannot do. At the founding of this nation people had believed that the government gave them their rights. We decided that we had rights that were inalienable and given to us by God. We the people could create and dissolve governments and we did that. Now we look to the government to tell us about our gun rights, our eating rights. our carbon rights, our religious rights. This attack has been going on since the beginning of the 20th century. Government is not only in the door it's at our kitchen table and neither Sam or Charlie will do a whole lot about it as is the case with the absolutely awful candidates running for president.
Mr. Dent is a "career politician". He's been a politician full time for most of his adult life. And, he is a good one. Mr. Dent has artfully kept a foot in both sides whenever possible. He is an attractive candidiate. Ms. Bennett is also an attractive candidate. She works like a pack mule who no doubt will work hard for our district. Mr. Dent's problems are that he associated himself too closely to the most failed president in 150 years or more. The voters are "mad as hell". When the voters are "mad as hell" they generally vote - change. Speaking for myself, and I have crossed party lines in elections past to vote for who I thought was the best candidate, I will support who I think are the best candidates this November. Understand, having said this, I am "mad as hell". Mr. Dent might be looking for a "real" job after the November election for the first time in years. That is, if the voters are "mad as hell."
Chris, the thing I hate most is when the government pays millions to help build a sports stadium A loan?, OK, but a grant and cardboard check?? forget about it... I am against it.
Chris, the thing I hate most is when the government pays millions to help build a sports stadium A loan?, OK, but a grant and cardboard check?? forget about it... I am against it.
I don't see how Bennett will work hard for the district when her priorities are else ware.
Mr. Leiner
Sam may be a hard worker but she supports issues that I do not support. I also agree with you that Charlie Dent is a career politician. His stint in state government shows him to be in favor of high taxes which in turn perpetuates massive government spending. I agree with Ronald Reagan who noted that we need to get the money out of the hands of the politicians. I would add that we cut the time they spend in DC to about 3 months, June, July, and August.
If the voters are really mad they will insist on term limits. We will insist that our candidates be upstanding individuals in our community and we will insist that the local parties get rid of the absurd idea that primary races be uncontested when it involves an incumbent. If the citizens are really mad they will support with money to and volunteering for candidates who oppose the status quo. They will demand as anonymous states that our tax dollars do not go for huge things like stadiums for Pittsburg or on the local level, astroturf for high schools. And lest we forget, the reason we have the political mess we have is looking at you every time you peek in a mirror
Bernie,
As an Allentown resident I can attest to the fact that many Allentown Democrat voters don’t need to like Democrat candidates to vote for them, they don’t even need to know who they are. The mere fact that they are Democrat is good enough. Sad isn’t it?
Scott Armstrong
Scott,
I know a lot of people like that. From my own observations, it's the elderly that cling most to voting just for Democrats without actually knowing anything about the candidates.
Dent gets a pass from lots of Ds because he supports what Ted Kennedy once slipped (hic) and called, "a sacred right," to abortion. I think this is why he's gotten away with his conservative votes.
Conservatives can't stand him because of this. He's not the only RINO (Republican In Name Only) in Washington these days.
His votes on the war mirror Hillary's and lots of other Ds. He was a major pain in the Bush admin's ass for the early part of the war and was one of a few who had the surge strategy right from the beginning.
He's a mish-mash middle-of-the-roader who enjoys no support from either extreme, but lots in the soft middle. It'll take a middle-of-the-roader with lots of cash to beat him; not a hard lefty with far less money.
Some silly non-factual right wing trash talking going on here.
The fact is Both Lehigh and Northampton Counties have both had a Democratic majority of voters for years. Somehow Republicans have gotten elected for a vartiety of things. How is that possible? Becaude Democrats split their tickets, they always have.
Republicans consistently vote for Republicans or they donot vote at all.
When will this silly Fox News fake statistic thing end.
You guys crack me up.
Rock Rib Republican
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