For reasons I never was able to determine, Northampton County Executive John Stoffa spent much of the evening holding a plunger instead of a scepter. Here's part of what he said during last night's great victory party at Colonial Pizza in Easton. Standing at Stoffa's right is the mastermind of his campaign, Russ Shade.
"This is not a victory for me. This is a victory, I hope, for good government."
"A lot of people don't like Ron Angle."
Angle: "Now don't start that shit up. You were doing pretty good here tonight. Right away you start ... ."
"Now you know why."
"One thing about him is we are both interested in good government. That's really what motivates me. It's not about being a Republican or a Democrat."
Stoffa then introduces some of his staff, who were on hand last night.
"When I interviewed these people, I never asked them what party they belonged to. I found out when County Council asked them what party they belonged to. They're a good group of people. They work hard."
Stoffa continued acknowledging some county people until Angle had this wisecrack: "Charlie Dertinger just parked out front."
"He just flattened four of your tires."
Video Credit: Jeff Stoffa
MCall or ET quoted Ann as saying, "I would concede but I don't know how to get in touch with John." Doesn't she have a cell phone or a pay phone at Starters?
ReplyDeleteI like John but he is out of his mind if he thinks that Angle is about good government. Angle is about Angle. Here's a guy who was fighting the casino tooth and nail and in the end he was crying that he didn't get an invitation to Wednesday's opening. I hear Joe Uliana finally got him one. He is such a hypocrite..This is just one example. I could write a book about his hypocracies..They (John and Ron) better get alot done till the end of this year while they have their new Republicrat councilman who took Grube's place. Because next year the Dems will be strong again and Angle and Stoffa will get nothing done without bowing down to them. Angle will continue to rant and rave and , as usual, accomplish nothing..
ReplyDeleteStoffa's reelection is a rebuke to the oe Long Dems from the Democratic rank and file. Time to focus on that instead of this nonsensical bullshit w/ Angle.
ReplyDeleteWhat rebuke?? McHale ran a terrible
ReplyDeletecampaign. Angle ran a smear ad at the end? Also,looks like the same voters will be handily returning Dertinger. Does that mean they rebuked you??
This is an incredibly weak showing. Strong incumbents usually bat Primary challengers away in the 65 to 80% range. More ineffectual Administration.
ReplyDeleteSorry Bernie, Non-sensical bs re: Angle, wake up and smell the roses, he certainly has you in his web, stir the pot, stir the pot, but don't settle the problem or work toward that end, just keep counting your bucks
ReplyDeleteAnon 7:36, In a 6 way race, Dertinger got about 5,000 votes. He was very nearly beaten by newcomer Hunter. I can guarantee you that this November, he will be in the fight of his political life. With Stoffa's reelection secure, new Dems and Rs can concentrate on removing party hacks like him from government.
ReplyDeleteAnon 8:11,
ReplyDeleteStoffa just won a 14 oint victory against a county council prez endorsed by the Joe Long Dems. That verge on landslide andis definitely a rebuke to both McHale and the party machine.
Anon 8:44,
ReplyDeleteWhat you don't get is that Angle has more appeal to blue collar Dems than he does to blue blood Rs. You get so obsessed w/ Angle that you forget everything else, like what is good for the county. He does not.
Anon 6:29 says next year the "Dems will be strong again".
ReplyDeleteNot in Norco dude. As long as Joe the Bloviator is in charge the Norco Dems will be dis-unified.
BTW, Bernie, there's a message here for Don Cunningham who, by his own actions, does not believe in party unity either. He gave McHale money - a sitting County Executive gave money to a challenger against an incumbent adjacent County Executive in a primary! As much as Don whined about Joe the Bloviator's event for Onorato, it's just a little hypocritical on Don's part. You can bet it'll be "just politics" by the time Don's run for Governor starts up. And when it fails Don should remember that.
Cunningham, Callahan and Joe brennan attended McHale's hundraiser, which cost $150 per ticket. Don C actually sent two people so he ceated her. Callahan is Bethlehem's mayor and McHale is bethlehem's council person. Joe Brennan received lots of financial help from McHale over the years. Their contributions were not endorsements. They were helping a fellow Dem and would likely have given Stoffa twice as much money had he asked. So I don't fault them at all and know Stoffa is not bothered by it, either.
ReplyDeleteNo reason for running. No rationale for change. And stoffa/angle create good govt for themselves. Mchale gave voters no reason to throw Stoffa out. Worse campaign since Reibman lost to Stoffa's non campaign in 2005
ReplyDeleteDoes Ann have to turn in her tiara?
ReplyDeleteI smell the pizza already..Could you have extra cheese??
ReplyDeleteI meant to say could you add extra cheese please..There is no way Dertinger is finishing less than third in the general..Stoffa will have at least five Dems to contend with..
ReplyDeleteBernie,
ReplyDeleteYour 9:02 comment is one of the
most illogical posts you have ever made. They gave her money because they supported her. Donations are an endorsement. Most civil servants can't legally endorse so they express their endorsements through their donations which are legal. I've never given donations to candidates I don't support..Call me crazy I guess.
Tom Foolery,
ReplyDeleteOK. You're crazy.
Tom Foolery,
ReplyDeleteHad Stoffa asked Brennan, Callahan or Cunningham for $, he would have received it. I am sure they would be willing to help him AND Ann. They paid to attend a party at which they could network w/ other pols.
Are you telling me you've never seen finance reports in which the same person contributes to two people seeking the same office? I see it all the time. In some cases, the person is playing both sides. In others, the person wants to help both sides.
In fact, that's my point w/ the party as a whole. It should be supporting ALL Dems seeking office, not just a select few chosen in advance.
Bernie,
ReplyDeleteCharles will win in the fall. He got first last night with over 6,400 votes, a full point up, and considerably ahead of any Republican's vote haul. Him and Hunter will win. This is a battle for one spot really.
You're spot on about the other electeds giving money though. You can find the Governor on multiple reports in plenty of races.
Bernie,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that the Dems should be supporting all Dems seeking office. However,I doubt very much that they would have supported John financially also if he asked.
In the name of peace between cities and counties I won't explain why. Now that John won, fences need to be mended if possible. For the good of all involved. Either way I'd like extra cheese on my pizza in November. Thank you and Good night..
And I'd actually like tomato pie.
ReplyDeleteIt was clear that Lehigh County and Bethlehem wish a real County Executive were in office. Even the famous O'Hare logic can't hide the fact that They supported McHale because they wanted Stoffa out.
ReplyDeleteO'Hare you love these guys but bullshit is bullshit.
You are the guy slaming eople wjho give one or two hundred dollare to others but this was really no big deal, amazing.
Bernie,
ReplyDeleteIf you want tomato pie, I suggest Easton Bakery.
I hope they have a great laugh at Charles expense. He will be President of County Council next year and I don't think Stoffa will be laughing then.
ReplyDelete