Will Anyone Challenge LV Congressman Charlie Dent?

In three successful LV Congressional bids, Charlie Dent first faced Philadelphia area carpetbagger Joe Driscoll, who considered the Lehigh Valley a "speed bump on his way to Congress." Then it was newly-elected Northampton County Council member Charles Dertinger, who complained during a debate that he had been "dragged into this race," kicking and screaming. Dertinger's words were played over and over on radio ads. Most recently, Dent faced Siobhan "Sam" Bennett, whose campaign was so laughable that even she had to ask TV producers to censor some of her comments.

The common denominator to these three lousy candidates? Dem party boss Joe Long. So it should come as no surprise that the DCCC has avoided the Bossman's "advice" about Dent opponents in 2010. The've been sniffing around, and are considering at least these three choices.

1) Lehigh County Dem Party Boss Rick Daugherty. - The antithesis of Joe Long, Rick is affable and inclusive. Here's what he tells me.

"My hope is that a top tier Democratic candidate will run for Congress in the 15th Congressional District. I will work with anyone who has an interest in running. I believe democracy works best when competing ideas are discussed, debated and put before the public. I believe I would be a viable candidate for Congress but right now I have not made any decision about running. I really enjoy the job I have now. And as a former District Administrator for Congressman Paul McHale, fully understand the demands and limitations on running for Congress and being a Member of Congress. My goal has always been to try to contribute to the community, have a job I enjoy, and be able to support my family. I have been very fortunate throughout my career in the Lehigh Valley, and the job I have now allows me to do that."

I think what Rick is saying is that he'll run if no one else comes forward. But this would be at tremendous personal sacrifice. He would almost certainly have to resign his position as Executive Director at The Lehigh County Senior Citizen Center.

2) Former Fighter Pilot Dave Haines. - He's a former fighter pilot, an Annapolis grad, a Boeing-777 International Captain, a Northampton Food Bank volunteer, an assistant soccer coach at Northampton High School and a Deacon at St. John's UCC in Howertown. He was also one of the applicants for a Northampton County Council vacancy created last year by Wayne Grube's death.

But this is one fighter pilot who ejected. After seeing the Joe Long Dems in action, Haines quickly bailed.

"This letter is written to extend a courtesy not previously afforded by the Northampton County Council.

"After personally experiencing the arbitrary manner in which the council conducts business at the December 4, 2008 meeting, and closely watching press reports of council business over the past six weeks, it has become obvious that council would appear to be a body, currently more interested in political theatre than in effectively serving the citizens of Northampton County.

"It has also become clear that no 'new member' will be able to materially change the tenor of council in the short time leading to the 2009 election. Fulfilling a tragic or comedic role was never what I envisioned when making initial application to county council, therefore, please remove my name from further consideration at this time.

"Best of luck in the selection process and the coming year."

If nothing else, Haines speaks truth to power. Gotta' love that.

3) Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan. - Callahan is a first-tier candidate and represents a real threat to Charlie Dent. He replaced a brownfield with Emeril Lagasse. Bam! He did it without the KOZs so popular (and misdirected) in Allentown. How's that for kicking things up a notch?

On top of all that, he's really a nice guy. I saw him one cold December at Bethlehem's dog park. He doesn't know me from Adam, but knows Suki, my grandson's Jackapoo, quite well. What's a Jackapoo? That's a fancy word for mutt, but Callahan likes her anyway.

Little things like that go a long way with voters. One Democratic voter told a Bennett canvasser in the last election cycle that he was voting Dent. Years ago, when Charlie was goinjg door to door, the guy's dog ran off. Charlie ran down the street, got hiswdog, and brought him back.

People like that human touch. Both Dent and Callahan have it.

But does Callahan really want to gamble as much as he hopes everyone else is doing at the Bethlehem Sands? He'd be bucking the odds against a popular, centrist Republican who has even been courted by Obama. Unless Callahan announces Congressional intentions soon, it's a safe bet that he's holding.