Rendell: Callahan is NOT a Wuss

Before an enthusiastic crowd of about 220 supporters at the Bleu Event Center, former Governor Ed Rendell endorsed Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan for Northampton County Executive last night. He did so in his own inimitable style, after being introduced by former state Rep. Rich Grucela.

"Let me ask you a question," Rendell started. "If you were trying to decide who would be a county executive, and you had a Mayor who presided for almost a decade over a City, and that City was named by Money Magazine as one of the best hundred places to live in America, and that City was named by Forbes Magazine as one of the hundred best places to do business in America, wouldn't you elect that Mayor?"

The crowd on hand was a Who's Who of local politicos. Easton Mayor Sal Panto, State Rep. Steve Samuelson, State Senator Lisa Boscola, Bethlehem Mayor candidate J. Willie Reynolds, Palmer Supervisor Ann Marie Panella, Bethlehem City Council members Karen Dolan and Mike Rechiutti and numerous political hopefuls were in the house, dodging vegetarian egg rolls and chicken fingers to work the crowd.

Even Jennifer Sletvold, a Republican judicial candidate, was introducing herself, accompanied by Lehigh County Commissioner hopeful Susan Wild. Two of Jennifer's opponents, Chris Spadoni and Abe Kassis, were also making the rounds.

Evil Jim Hickey was there, insulting everyone. Dressed in jeans like me, he slammed Sheriff Randy Miller's dress shirt and laughed as he made people cry.

But I wanted to hear from the people who came out to see Callahan. Here's a sampling of what they said.

Carol Ritter: "I think he did a nice job in Bethlehem. If you look at the economic development projects that have gone on since he's been there, it's impressive. I love Bethlehem."

Laurel Mikovits: "He's a positive guy. He's got a real handle on what makes cities move forward. He's a good leader."

Faye North: "He's a real, positive people person. He is by far the best candidate we have in the Lehigh Valley for any office. He will be a great County Executive."

Rolf Treisner: "He moves the City forward. I don't agree with everything he's done. I like 'em all. But I know John better. I've seen what he's done."

Sam Royer: "I see him take stands for things that need to be done instead of 'I'm just going to try to be popular.'"

These are what people were saying before Rendell spoke. After the Governor was finished, Callahan picked up a few more votes. Rendell provided a voter's guide that can be used in any race of three things to look for in a candidate.