Sam Bennett is facing popular and incumbent Charlie Dent in the Lehigh Valley race for Congress. It's no secret that I support Charlie. But I lost a bet to Tom Foolery, a frequent and annoying commenter here. I was certain Hillary Clinton would be the Democratic nominee, so I bet Tom that I would say three nice things about Sam Bennett if proved wrong.Looks like it's time to start writing. Actually, it's very easy to say three nice things about Sam.
First, Bennett has guts. She knew that letting me interview her was like sticking her hand in a beehive ... for three hours. Yet that's just what she did a few short months ago. She answered every question and hasn't tried to hedge what she said, either. Blogger Michael Molovinsky chided me, "The woman volunteered to be interviewed, not dissected." But she endured.
Second, I was surprised by her knowledge about and love of Allentown. Unlike many of her peers, she has remained in the city. Her fingers are on the pulse of what's wrong and how to fix it. If she sought office in Allentown, I'd support her in a heartbeat.
Third, I believe she really is a kind person. When my pen ran out of ink, she had one of her own for me, which I've incidentally kept. She let her breakfast grow cold while answering questions, which actually embarrassed me. She was particularly nice to our waitresses, knowing many of them by name.
I wish her luck in her race.
33 comments:
This must have killed you...
Bennett has my support over Dent.
If this is true; now I know were in very big trouble.
Second, Her fingers are on the pulse of what's wrong and how to fix it. If she sought office in Allentown, I'd support her in a heartbeat.
Anon 4:51,
Better get some more caffiene in you. I said I's support Bennett if she sought office in A-town, but I support Dent over her.
I lost a bet to Tom Foolery and this is the price I must pay, but it's easy to find three nice things about Bennett.
I think you meant to say annoyingly brilliant.. Thank You for the paragraphs.. Hope it didn't hurt..
Tom,
Annoyingly brilliant. That's it.
I would have preferred to have paid you off in pop tarts.
She may be nice but she doesn't have a clue about what being a Congressperson is about and she is only in the race for ego gratification.
And what is a congressperson being about? Voting with Bush the vast majority of the time like Dent does? I think not! As far as ego gratification goes that is a rather pathetic personal attack with absolutely nothing to back it up.
Or maybe what is being a Congressperson about? lol..Too much coffee this morning..lol
Like I said, I'll be writing in Bernie O'Hare. At least he has a connection to one of my favorite authors.
Seriously, that interview she gave BOH really killed her for me. It'd be better if she never even did it. And I'm someone who is not a fan of Chuck Dent.
Agreed Hayshaker, Sam didn't come out of the interview well - but BOH is right, she's got guts for doing it.
A politician with guts...novel concept!
The Banker
Guts is one thing. Coming prepared is equally important. The kicker is that BOH got his questions from posters and Bennett had a week to prepare. Sje either lacks the ability to prepare or she simply didn't care about this blog's readership.
Dent is an excellent politician and a great person! Sam Bennett unfortunately has stupid overly liberal people working for her and I certainly cannot vote for a stupid liberal.
Retired ASD teacher here.
Bottom line, it's now starting to look like Sam (warts and all) would have been a more pro-active Allentown mayor than the current stiff.
Congressperson? That's a high office that deserves someone better prepared, and proven, than Sam. Right now, she's the best the Dems have to offer.
With the anticipated "sweep 'em all out" that I expect, Sam's candidacy needs to be taken seriously. The landscape is playing in her favor.
She CAN win.
Bernie -
I don't know Sam so I can't comment with certainty as to how she is personally. On the surface she seems nice but she also seems a bit "out there".
I agree with you that Charlie Dent is the better candidate (by far) for Congress this election. However, please don't encourage Sam to run again (for anything) in Allentown just because of your support for Charlie.
More than ever, Allentown needs people with outstanding qualifications, common sense, and the ability to go beyond party loyalty in order to solve the very real problems that the city faces. I don't think Sam has those qualities.
Although I don't doubt Sam's love for the city, Allentown taxpayers cannot afford the election of more of the same in the next election.
I do think that there are qualified people out there in both parties who are willing to do what is best for the taxpayers. My hope is that enough of them will run to make a difference in the city.
Bennett is an excellent politician and a great person! Charlie Dent unfortunately has stupid overly conservative people working for her and I certainly cannot vote for a stupid conservative.
(See! It works BOTH ways, Mr. Millan. )
Bernie,
I will give you this. You met with her and gave an honest assessment of the person she is. You found out, as I realize, that the girl has many positive traits. She certainly would have been a better mayor than Afflerbach and most likely Pawlowski..She's a bundle of energy who is very passionate about Allentown. Seriously anyone who can be passionate and positive about Allentown has to be extremely civic minded. If you are intelligent, energetic and passionate about what you do you can accomplish alot. Those who say she couldn't handle Congress don't know her well. Hell, we had Don Ritter for gods sake. If he could handle the job Sam certainly can.
Anonymous said...
Bennett has my support over Dent.
4:51 AM
Yes, Dent is an idiot. Electing Dent was a huge mistake for the people of the valley; that will be corrected in November.
Either way we are in big trouble.
Charlie a Dubya lap dog..but a dog w/o fleas! Sam a really poor choice by the Dem's! I'm torn and will wait til the last second to decide which one to pick.
Didn't Sam propose arming Iraqis with leaf rakes?
Didn't Chuck propose "staying the course?"
No. Congressman Dent supported the fightings of the bipartisan ISG. He did support the surge, which has exceeded everyone's expectations.
Hey didn't she have a sitcom on TV through letterman's World Wide pants. Looks it.
lol
No. Congressman Dent supported the fightings of the bipartisan ISG. He did support the surge, which has exceeded everyone's expectations.
I see. Because he favored escalation, he therefore didn't support staying the course.
211 dead, 1,476 wounded in 2008 doesn't exceed my expectations. How much closer are the Iraqis to managing their own security?
I strongly suggest rethinking supporting her for anything. She shouldn't run for Allentown office let alone Congress. Sam is alot of fluff and no substance. She is very poor at follow through and is more concerned with "politics" than doing what is good and right for the people. Once upon a time, when I didn't know her that well, I thought she cared about the city, but it has become increasingly obvious she cares more about herself and her own political agendas, benefits and her relationship with Rendell. She strongly deserves to lose as she did her mayoral campaigns.
Hayshaker,
Dent's views on Iraq are not the same as Bush. He did not endorse a "stay the course" philosophy. He instead became a co-chair of the Tuesday Group that told in no uncertain terms that his military policy was flawed. The escalation in Iraq has resulted in fewer deaths overall. It's working.
I'd agree that one death is too many, but this latest strategy has minimized our casualties.
Withdrawal would minimize deaths. Supporting escalation does nothing but prolong the inevitable.
How Do You Ask a Man to be the Last Man to Die for a Mistake?
By the way, Dent simply waggling his finger in front of the media with the Tuesday group and then supporting escalation is not opposing Stay the Course. In fact, the escalation WAS Bush's course.
We need to get with the rest of America and throw these bums out of Congress. (Look, you are turning me back to Bennett!)
This is why the valley is lost in space.
The surge is a huge failure.
First, it didn't do anything.
Second, The Country is bankrupt.
Third, The American Dream will not be pasted on!
Bernie O'Hare said...8:58 AM
No. Congressman Dent supported the fightings of the bipartisan ISG. He did support the surge, which has exceeded everyone's expectations.
Dent's reelection campaign is labeled
dead man walking. See you November.
Arguing with someone over whether the Surge worked is pointless. I happen to believe it did, but you will never be able to change the viewpoint of someone opposed to it.
So to the Hay Shakers of the world, what say you to Doctor Obama's recipie of take two changes of position and maybe call the troops out in 16 months.
Where's all you "last man to die for a mistake" rhetoric over that prescription.
Charlie Dent didn't flip flop on this issue. He's had a level-headed approach to it. Obama's the one flipping like Two-Face's coin.
I wonder which side will come up tomorrow.
Sam Bennett is a total fraud. Labeling her involvement in setting her own salary at H.O.M. as inappropriate is gross understatement. A liar, cheat and out and out fraud should not be allowed to represent the people of the Lehigh Valley. Sam knows that there is no politicing or campaigning at Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerace events. The Chamber has vigorously stipulated that it is an non-political organization. Political candidates are requested to refarain from politicing or campaigning at Chamber sponsored events. But, there she was a two weeks ago openly campaigning at a Chamber event at Coca-Cola Park. She has no respect for anything or anyone except herself. This woman is nothing but a politcal hack and needs to be pushed back to New York. Her brand of politics and campaigning fits better there. Carefull Sam, we see you and we see what you are.
Anon 6:55, Don't leave me hanging. Give me the details and I'll make sure the story gets out.
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