Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
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Thursday, April 24, 2008
37 comments:
You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.
The list of reasons why we shouldn't vote for her continues to grow.
ReplyDeleteThe list of reasons to vote for her... well... there is none.
This interest group of one hasn't been contacted by, and won't support Sam Bennett.
ReplyDeleteIf that "interest group" is going to help end the Iraq fiasco, more power to her.
ReplyDeleteWe 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.
Hayshaker,
ReplyDeleteWhat 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.
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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteAnd Bennett, if elected, won't be dealing much with GWB - just his aftermath.
I'm not linking you to anything.
ReplyDeleteIF 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.
When someone better than Dent comes along, I will vote for him or her.
ReplyDeleteSam Bennett is not better and it will take a tough argument to prove that she is.
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?
ReplyDeleteIt'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.
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.
ReplyDeleteGive me a break, Charlie Dent is the poster child for interest groups.
ReplyDeleteBernie,
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.
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.
ReplyDeleteSimilarly, 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.
"End the military action in Iraq and transition control of and responsibility for Iraq to the Iraqis"
ReplyDeleteWe 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?
ReplyDeleteWe 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.
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.
ReplyDelete"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?
ReplyDeleteSomething tells me Sam Bennett is one who couldn't locate Iraq or Afghanistan on a map.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteMr. 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.
ReplyDeleteBill,
ReplyDeleteI 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?
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.
ReplyDeleteBill 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.
ReplyDeleteIf 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.
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?
ReplyDeleteBernie 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.
Contributions to Charles Dent:
ReplyDeleteContributions 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!
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.
ReplyDeleteIn 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.
BriberyYour search for DENT, CHARLES in Bribery returned 1 articles
ReplyDeleteARTICLES 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?
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.
ReplyDeleteFrom within the district, Bernie?
ReplyDeletePAC 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
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.
ReplyDeleteDudes,
ReplyDeleteMy 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.
Anon 9:38 & 10:18,
ReplyDeleteWould you please consider providing links to the sources of your information? Thanks.
wow all those asterisks are really doing the trick.
ReplyDeleteAnon 4:38, Let's knock off the sexual slams or I'll have to delete your comments.
ReplyDeleteI'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.
ReplyDeleteheres 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.
ReplyDeleteBernie O'Hare said...
ReplyDeleteAnon 4:38, Let's knock off the sexual slams or I'll have to delete your comments." It should have been deleted.
Joe long has ensured Dent another term by chasing all the viable sane candidates out of the race.
ReplyDelete