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Tuesday, January 09, 2018

Updated: Pa.15th: Morganelli Stands Out In Crowded Field

John Morganelli
As long as Charlie Dent was in office, Pa.'s 15th Congressional District was safely in Republican hands. I am one of the many Democrats who consistently voted for him, and for good reason. He's a grown-up in a federal government full of children talking about who has the bigger button. Also, his views were usually consistent with the thinking of those he represented. Dent's departure from government is actually a great loss to democracy. To the extend that his decision was spurred along by political opportunists like Justin Simmons or NorCo GOP boss and Trump worshiper  "General" Lee Snover, they ought to be ashamed. But we Democrats should thank them. Unwittingly, they have managed to turn a safe seat  into one that is suddenly vulnerable in a race by the right kind of Democrat.

That Democrat is John Morganelli.

According to Ballotpedia, Morganelli is the seventh Democrat to enter the fray. He is well known in the Lehigh Valley and parts of Berks County through a distinguished and lengthy career as a hands-on prosecutor. The other Democrats (Chip Collica, Greg Edwards, Bill Leiner, Laura Quick, David Weidman and Susan Wild) are largely unknown. It's also unclear whether they are serious. Statements of organization have been filed by Collica, Edwards, Wild, Leiner, Quick, Morganelli, and Weidman. Thus far, only Edwards and Leiner report having raised any money.

Five Republicans (Dean Browning, Ryan MacKenzie, Marty Nothstein, Mike Pries and Scott Uehlinger) in the hunt, too. None is particularly well known, with the possible exception of Nothstein. I am unable tolocate any information for Mike Pries. Only MacKenzie and Justin Simmons, who withdrew as a candidate once his numerous absences as a state rep were exposed, report raising any money. .

Some Democrats say Morganelli is too conservative. They want someone more pure. This is the same stupid argument that was used against Charlie Dent, proving that Dems have their share of imbeciles, too.

In their minds, perfection is the enemy of the good.

I'll take the good.

Updated 10:30 am. In my original story, i was unable to locate links to most of the FEC filings.

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh no, with new governments in Northampton County and Lehigh. As well as a Pawlowski re-election is this the future? Are we to endure nothing but Morganelli fluff pieces for the next six months at least?

Bernie O'Hare said...

You don’t have to endure anything. You could just skip this blog. Wish you would.

Anonymous said...

Forget it 12:22, Morganelli is an O'Hare mancrush. He will ride him like a pet pony right up until the election.

Anonymous said...

Like s pet pony from West Easton?? Wilburrrrr

Anonymous said...

12:22AM -- you hit the nail on the head. My guess is we will be reading some propaganda about John "Pelosi" Morganelli ongoing in some way shape or form on this blog.

Anonymous said...

But will Bernie even think about talking about the questionable use of confiscated Drug money by the Da. Has he resigned as the Da. or is he going to continue to use his position to advance his career?

Anonymous said...

he's out in the field alright - left field

Anonymous said...

JM is a standout in this field. That is, if his opponents are seated...

Anonymous said...

Someone should keep a count of all the pro Morganelli posts in this blog until the primary election.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Many of the comments trashing John come from people who are angry that he refused to charge their political enemies. They have no real substance.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"But will Bernie even think about talking about the questionable use of confiscated Drug money by the Da. Has he resigned as the Da. or is he going to continue to use his position to advance his career?"

What questionable use? You mean his annual newsletter? He does that every year and it is completely proper.

Are there resign-to-run laws? Did you raise this issue when john Brown spent a year running for state auditor general? Or how about elected officials seeking re-election? What you are proposing is a world in which only those who are already independently wealthy could afford to be in politics.

Anonymous said...

Morganelli is a smart play by Democrats if - and it's a big *IF* - he can survive the primary.

The 15th is set up as a Republican district, but next November, general election history and rocky polling #s for Trump and all congressional incumbents (if you're inclined to believe them) point towards a favorable environment for Democrats.

If Dems, who seemingly smell blood in the water, can resist the urge to push a hard core liberal/progressive type in favor of a safer middle of the road option, they'll probably be able to pull in the bulk of the independents as well as a chunk of moderate Republicans who actually liked Dent. Couple that with what will probably be a motivated base with a likely heavy turn out and they'll be able to overcome the built in Republican advantage in the district, especially down the Western I-78 portion of the district.

The Republican strategy is going to be heavy on the "Not our Values" theme no matter what, but Morganelli will be able to counter/brush off that tactic much more easily than a more traditional cookie cutter Democrat.

Anonymous said...

I for one appreciate you and your blog Bernie. It's more humorous than the Sunday funnies

Anonymous said...

Strangely, it’ll be difficult for John to pass the Democratic purity test, especially regarding sanctuary cities and immigration enforcement. John’s views on these issues is one of the things that makes him more palatable to Rs. If he can survive his primary, those views will serve him well in the general in this district. I expect Bernie and the purity testers will call John a racist for advocating proper immigration enforcement. His views are Trumpian and will guarantee he wins the seat - if he survives his inquisition. The leaked memo from yesterday betrays a long held belief that Ds want lax immigration enforcement in order to improve future electoral support. They’re not doing out of the kindness of their hearts. They’re doing it because they’re trying to win a numbers game by whatever means possible. They’ve lost the philosophical argument and must change the electorate. John’s views on this should prove interesting. He's maintained a firm position, but may be forced capitulate to get past more strident primary voters.

Anonymous said...

Since you mentioned him in this piece though he is no longer relevant, how come you gave Simmons a free ride on his latest charade?

Anonymous said...

Dent did not vote for Trump and was pro choice!
Morganelli voted for Trump and is anti choice (in the year of the woman!)
Folks, we can not go backwards! We can not let Morganelli be the standard bearer for Democrats in the 15th. We have all the energy and grass roots activity. NO democrats are is going to get excited about a Morganelli candidacy and we will lose in November. He can not be our nominee. He is more Republican than Dent!

Anonymous said...

Why not draft Dent to run as a Democrat?

The3 only Dem's to hate on Morganelli are the alt-left. Just like the alt-right, they will push a candidate that the vast middle will not accept.

Anonymous said...

Why would Morganelli want to move for a big fish in a small pond to a small fish in a big pond. It doesn't make any sense

Anonymous said...

@12:54pm It is not so much a purity test as it is Morganelli issues just does not match up with most democratic voters views. It is that simple and why he will and should struggle in the primary. Pro life/ Pro trump/ anti immigrant, we are not talking purity, actually far from it. One has to ask John why he is even a Democrat. By my count Dent was more of a Dem. Right after the election Morganelli was going around bragging that he voted for Trump. He had been mancrushing Atty Gen Sessions for months. At least Dent had the decency not to vote for Trump ( he wrote in Kasich). In my opinion as a voter, given what a disaster trump has been if you voted for him that is a disqualifier and something tells me many primary voting D's in the 15th will see it the same way.

Anonymous said...

I see a possible Dem opponent for Congress, D. Browning has come up with some bullshit test for all Dems. He wants all the Dem candidates to disavow some congressman coming to Allentown.

I say great, right after he disavows Trump, Sessions and Paul Ryan.

Anonymous said...

Morganelli has abused his position as DA and has sold ARD and other favors for contributions from members of the Northampton County Bar. Once politicians look under the sheets he is toast!

Bernie O'Hare said...

4:52, it absolutely is a purity test. You are no different than the extremists on the right, but apply different standards to yourself. And in truth, the party that at one time stood up for the little guy has completely lost touch with its base. You have no clue what LvDems think. The base will vote for a centrist like Charlie Dent and s centrist like John Morganelli. You are going to find that out the hard way.

Bernie O'Hare said...

2:21, Morganelli is personally opposed to abortion but supports a woman’s right to choose. Your statement is false. His views align with those of most of us, i.e., they are reasonable. You are out of touch and resorting to misinformation.

Anonymous said...

4:08 - who is riding who?

Anonymous said...

How does he get past this?
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/northampton-county/index.ssf/2016/12/tweet_to_the_top_morganelli_fo.html

bernie, ihow can you call support for Trump a purity test?

Anonymous said...

John Morganelli is not a centrist he is so far the right I'm not even sure why he is still a Democrat.

Anonymous said...

That newsletter was a joke. Referencing arrest from over a decade ago. His office pled out the slam dunk cases the police hamded him. In the illegal immigrant piece the only foreigner he mentioned was some 9-11 Lebanese dude.

Anonymous said...

Why did you give Simmons a pass Bernie since you avoided the question frome earlier....please say you aren't back on the Simmons payroll ...would it be unbecoming of you to continue your barrage now that he is self-diagnosed with a mental illness?

Anonymous said...

How can you possibly call supporting Trump a purity test? He's an open supporter of the enemy of the democratic party, Donald Trump.

That makes him a Republican. This isn't a disagreement over policy, it's a rank political betrayal of the people that support him.

Maybe you like Morganelli personally, that's fine. But his support of Trump, if known by democrats, will kill his candidacy. Full Stop.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Your dishonest question assumes a fact not on evidence,i.e. that Morganelli supports Trump. Hhe does not.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Since you mentioned him in this piece though he is no longer relevant, how come you gave Simmons a free ride on his latest charade?"

He is getting no free ride, but this is a story about Morganelli and who is running against him, not who is not running against him.

There's lots of time to write about Justin Simmons, who appears to have concocted yet another gigantic bullshit burger. He does not belong in any office. But I do not wish to be sidetracked. All in good time, anonymous coward.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"That newsletter was a joke. Referencing arrest from over a decade ago. His office pled out the slam dunk cases the police hamded him. In the illegal immigrant piece the only foreigner he mentioned was some 9-11 Lebanese dude."

In other words, he explained what his office has been doing the past year to combat drugs. It's a report to the public. Thanks for some of those details. But you're right. Thousands of people hate Morganelli. They're behind bars.

Anonymous said...

Is he running against him or not against him...you seem really confused? Are you pro-Simmons (2016) or anti-Simmons (2017-18)? Maybe you should publish the financial records of this two-bit blog...I'm certain that would answer all questions.

Anonymous said...

Good choice to respond to the original question and not the one that tattooed you as the bullshitER you are for completely ducking the original question. Simmons, who you mention , concocts the craziest story ever and you ignore it. Head scratcher. Your relationship with Simmons won't go away, trust me.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Anonymous coward, I ignored nothing. It will be discussed at a more appropriate time, closer to his own election, when I am writing about him. I will delete you if you continue going off topic, and as to your insinuation that i am being paid, that is the kind of conduct I expect from people like you who don't sign their names. Because you are dishonest, you think (or wish) everyone else is.

Anonymous said...

#TEAMDEAN

Anonymous said...

Keep telling yourself Morganelli didn't support Trump.I'm sure his opponents have tons of screen shots from his twitter account before he deleted them, that will disabuse people of, That which will be going out in mailers during the primary and in ads

Anonymous said...

Hearty Marty will ride right past everyone.

Anonymous said...

"Thousands of people hate Morganelli. They're behind bars."

And those are just the democrats. I'm sure some republicans hate him too.

Anonymous said...

Pulling for John on this one ... Good and fair ideas, More like common sense Republican than a liberal democrat ... right where he needs to be on the hot topics and issues ... Go John, and Best of luck !!!!