Bob Brooks has mailers and even TV ads bragging that he is Governor Josh Shapiro's pick in the four-way race for the Democratic nomination in the Pa. 07 Congressional District. But Shapiro is no doubt scratching his head about that ill-considered endorsement. As the campaign has progressed, news that Brooks has refused to pay a $130,000 judgment against him for the land and home in which he lives, has surfaced. He's been accused, in court of fraudulently conveying that property so he could duck his legal obligation. He even refused to list this matter in his congressional disclosure, which has sparked an ethics complaint. In top of this, some of his since-scrubbed Facebook posts claim that former President Obama "sucks" and embrace far-right positions associated with the three-percenter movement. I've told you he's shady, but he also appears to be a bit dumb. In a recent meeting with Lehigh University students, he actually torpedoed Shapiro, his biggest supporter.
According to an Axios report, Brooks recently told Lehigh students that Shapiro, who would like to be President, secretly helped GOP State Treasurer Stacy Garrity's 2024 re-election race in a vindictive act against Democratic candidate Erin McClelland, who had criticized Shapiro's office over sexual harassment.
At that time, Brooks was president of the state firefighter unions. He was asked why that union endorsed Garrity over McClelland. Brooks told students, and his exact words are recorded here, "That was a request, ironically, from Governor Josh Shapiro. ... And he said, 'I would like you guys to endorse Stacy Garrity.'"
Obviously, news like this hardly helps Shapiro's Presidential ambitions. And since Garrity is now running against him, it even hurts his bid for re-election as Governor.
In a January interview, Katie Couric questioned Shapiro over his loyalty to political allies. "I guess some of your fellow Democrats in the state have not been that flattering when they talk about you. One state official said, 'you don't want to turn your back on him. Loyalty is not his strong suit.' Now I need to add to that, this individual still insisted that you'd be a great president. But I wanted to give you a chance to respond. Why do you think some of your fellow Democrats apparently have some ambivalence about you? Do you think at times your ambition gets the better of you? Because that has been suggested."
Shapiro had no real answer because he does have a tendency to stab political allies in the back.
But then again, so does Brooks, who supported McClure and even appeared at his announcement before deciding to run against him.
Brooks later told Axios that he misspoke, but his exact words are what they are.
In an earlier Axios story, an unnamed Democratic lawmaker is quoted as saying, "Josh would knife his own lifelong best friend in the back if it got him one extra polling point. That is a widely held view in political circles in Pennsylvania."
It seems to me that Shapiro and Brooks were made for each other.
Brooks, crooked as the snake river. Lying, forked tongued, two faced grifter.
ReplyDeleteAs to Shipiro, I really can’t understand why so many pundits seem to believe he has any real chance to be elected as President. The guy has always been a bit of a snake in the grass, a smooth talking slippery creature who has his own controversial performances for personal gain held tightly under wraps.
ReplyDeleteThere’s also a matter of low name recognition outside of Pennsylvania that will hurt Shapiro. Perhaps Shapiro is really just looking for some other high federal government appointment.
Brooks is clearly not ready for an elected position in Pennsylvania. Then again, we have in this state many potential, but ignorant, voters who will never look past the (D) following the name.
And we have many Rs who will crawl over broken glass to vote Republican. Partisanship exists on both sides, as I'm sure you know.
DeleteJudging by the attacks, Brooks must be leading this race. Is Lamont still bluffing with that 200K?
ReplyDeleteIs this candidate going to be able to muster the enthusiasm for a get-out-the-vote effort? The social media posts and other issues won’t help.
ReplyDeleteThen another candidate has a good resume but changed parties and moved to run, and a third is hardly campaigning.
Jeff Ward has asked me to note that this comment is from him.
DeleteHis dishonesty and lack of loyalty is stunning. He's the Arlen Specter of John Fettermans. He's still going to win and you will move past your tantrum and endorse him in the general, because Democrats are gonna Democrat. See you in November with a nice LVR puff piece for Bobby: "Isn't that rotten (fill in the blank with the name of the Republican candidate) awful!"
ReplyDeleteAs I have mentioned many times, I vote for as many Rs as I do Democrat. I tend to vote the person, not the party. I will often vote for someone with whom I disagree on nearly everything if he is accountable and transparent. In fact, I actually voted for Garrity in '24, but not bc she was endorsed by firefighters. I did not vote for Shapiro in this year's primary, even though he is running unopposed. You have me wrong and know you have me wrong but just want to slur me anonymously bc you yourself are a partisan hack.
DeleteOf the four Congressional candidates seeking the Dem nomination, I would support McClure or Crosswell in the general, but not Obando-Derstine or Brooks. I would support Croswell even though he is not from here and is the handpicked choice of the DCCC bc I consider him intelligent, well-spoken and moderate. I would not support Obando-Derstine bc she is all about identity politics. She thinks that being a woman and daughter of immigrants qualifies her. It does with some people, but I need more than that to vote for someone. I would never vote for rooks, who is shady and has a penchant for stabbing friends in the back.
It is very obvious Shapiro only gave Crooksy his endorsement for the PA Firemen's Association's endorsement. McClure is the strongest candidate.
ReplyDeleteMcClure cannot sell the no tax increase over 8 years as a benefit to anyone. He intermingled federal funding and general funds without following protocol to bury coming up short for Gracedsle. He is not the most trustworthy person in the race.
DeleteYour party is in trouble if you really think he is the best
DeleteBaby Hughie Brooks is an embarrassment, and Shapiro is a phony, so this doesn't surprise me!
ReplyDeleteI have declined to publish an anonymous attack aimed at a local elected official who has zero connection to this story.
ReplyDeleteThanks Captain Hitler
DeleteTruly an interesting race that is made more interesting that their “public supporters” have absolutely no idea about any of them. Their response to questions? “Why are Republicans so much to the right?” True story.
ReplyDeleteLamont put northampton County in such turmoil financially that this county can't do anything. And you sit there endorsing this guy. He was horrible for employees and horrible for the county tax payers. They might not think it now because of the games he played, but just wait. When it finally comes out that taxes need to be raised to keep this county moving fowwar it's not going to be a little bump. It's going to be a major hit to the tax payers. And it is all because lamont wanted to play games and try to make himself look good. It is still ashame you still support this person. I won't call him a man because a man would have done the right thing for the county tax payers and the people who keep the county going forward the employees of the county. Sorry Tara you are going to be the escape goat. And you keep the person on the county payroll. This just shows the voter and especially the employees what kind of executive you want to be.
ReplyDeleteThere are four Democrats in the race and the general election will be ugly. Both sides will be going all out to smear the other.
ReplyDeleteOnly one of the Democrats has run for and won elected office: Lamont McClure. He has the support of many local officials.
Brooks’ social media comments aren’t going to help with voter enthusiasm. The endorsement from Bernie Sanders won’t carry a lot of weight either.
Crosswell, great resume but he switched parties and moved.
Obando-Derstine is the only woman in the race and is an immigrant. That will help her with some, lead to knocks on “identity politics” from others.
Plus she started her campaign with this unfortunate rallying cry:
“I’m pissed.” Not a good choice.
Mackenzie and outside groups supporting him meanwhile can prepare and hope for a weakened general election candidate.
Jeff Ward
Bethlehem
As a Democrat I voted for Charlie Dent if Mackenzie would have his
DeleteCourage and not be a Trump sycophant he would have my vote his loyalty to Trump will cost him this election regardless of the Democratic nominee
Is it a smear if it's the truth?
ReplyDeleteI usually don't say nice things about Brooks or Shapiro, .....and today will be no exception.
ReplyDeleteTruly wild that Shapiro's guy also sinks his Presidential hopes. Consequences of not vetting who you endorse. Brooks could win, but he truly has sunk Shaprio's future political hopes.
ReplyDelete