Tom Corbett Visits Great Allentown Fair

I was able to catch up with Att'y General and Governor hopeful Tom Corbett on a beautiful, but windy, Saturday afternoon. His cheerleaders include Dean Browning (Chairman, LC Comm'rs), Dr. Percy Dougherty (LC Comm'r), Dr. Bob Romancheck (A-town GOP Chair) and state senate candidate Matt Connolly.

Dan Onorato's Land of Make Believe

Despite Allegheny County Exec Dan Onorato's huge advantage in campaign cash, he failed to garner a State Committee endorsement from fellow Democrats last month in his gubernatorial bid. Auditor General Jack Wagner, who's running as a reformer, snagged a majority (153 of 304) of the votes cast in that beauty contest. Wagner also polls better against presumed Republican nominee Tom Corbett.

In the Lehigh Valley, Onorato has picked up some endorsements, but not from Lehigh County Exec Don Cunningham or Northampton County Exec John Stoffa. Northampton County DA John Morganelli claims Onorato stiffed him when he ran for AG against Corbett last year, promising checks that must still be in the mail.

Now there's an anonymous anti-Onorato blog, Dan's Land of Make Believe. "The purpose of this blog is to expose Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato’s flip-flops, distortions and overall sketchy record. The track record he is touting across the state as a candidate for governor is truly make-believe. It would truly be a huge mistake to elect Dan Onorato the next Governor of Pennsylvania. For the record, I do not have a horse in this race at all. I am just doing my duty to provide my fellow citizens and voters with the truth. Over the next couple of months, I will be dropping in periodically to shed much needed light on Dan’s Land of Make-Believe, let’s hope someone is out there paying attention. If you have your own tale from Dan's Land Of Make Believe please feel free to share by posting a comment."

Update: According to a Quinnipiac University poll reported on this morning at Capitol Ideas, the Democratic candidates are "almost invisible men," although Onorato has a slight edge.
Update #2: According to Just Read It, Northampton County DA John Morganelli is sending emails to Lehigh Valley Dems that go something like this: "Please know that this man lied to me when I was running for AG in 2008. He then supported my opponent AG Tom Corbett after promising to help me. He also did not support Judge Jack Panella who recently lost a close race for Supreme Court. He turned his back on candidates from the Lehigh Valley and now wants our support."

Onorato Has More $, But Wagner Draws Most Votes at State Committee

Allegheny County Exec Dan Onorato was hoping to have this wrapped up today. He expected to pick up the Democratic State Committee's endorsement for Governor. After all, he's the money man.

But when the snow dust settled in Lancaster today, Auditor General Jack Wagner was the one on top. He led both in ballots cast; and on the second ballot, he earned 153 out of 304 votes. That's 50% of the vote, and twice the total of his nearest opponent. He also earned the majority of votes in 43 different county caucuses.

How the hell did that happen?

"Our party must stand for reform and that is why so many members of our party - the party of small business and working people - gave me their support today," said Wagner. "People want change. People want reform. The status quo is not acceptable. The back room deal is not acceptable. People matter to me and to this Democratic Party and that is the message delivered today."

Looks like money can't buy everything, not even the Democratic State Committee. Go figure.

Maybe next time he makes promises to the Democratic candidates for Attorney General or Supreme Court, he'll consider keeping his word.

Blogger's Note: Disqus coments enabled.

Onorato Stiffed Judge Panella, Too

Last week, I told you that Allegheny County Exec Dan Onorato, who'd like to be your next Governor, promised DA John Morganelli all kinds of help in last year's race against Tom Corbett for AG. Since both Morganelli and Onorato are fellow Democrats, and it was well known that Corbett intended to do a swan dive from the AG's seat right into the Governor's mansion, it would only make sense that well-heeled Onorato would help. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, right?

Wrong. Onorato stiffed Morganelli. Three times, he lured the Democratic nominee for Attorney General for a six hour trip to Pittsburgh, where Morganelli would be greeted by empty hotels or promises that the checks are in the mail.

Now, Onorato is telling Capitolwire he made no promises to help Morganelli, who's just disappointed that he lost his AG race. In other words, the Northampton County District Attorney is being politely called a liar.

That's interesting because last year, there was another Lehigh Valley running for statewide office. Superior Court Judge Jack Panella was seeking a seat with the state supremes, and was opposed by Joan Orie Melvin, a judge who comes from Onorato's home turf in Allegheny County. According to campaign finance records, Onorato couldn't spare a nickel for his fellow Democrat.

I would never ask Judge Panella about this, but sources in his campaign tell me that Onorato made promises he failed to keep. Amazingly, Judge Panella could never get him on the phone. Imagine that!

Are you beginning to see a pattern?

As a candidate, Onorato is ignoring the Lehigh Valley. Although he has money to burn, he's ignored two excellent Democratic candidates for statewide office when their Republican opponents came from Allegheny County.

If that is how he acts as a candidate, what will happen to the Lehigh Valley if he becomes Governor?

Blogger's Note: Blogger comments enabled.

Pittsburgh Tribune: Is Onorato Two-Faced?

"Onorato campaign spokesman Brian Herman said, 'While we understand Mr. Morganelli's frustration at being defeated, it is simply inaccurate to link that loss to Dan's support of his campaign. The suggestion that Dan Onorato supported Tom Corbett is both incorrect and illogical.'

"Notice that Herman didn't deny that Morganelli made the trips or that Onorato promised to help Morganelli raise money."

Dan Onorato, Secret Corbett Supporter?

Capitolwire claims it is "the premier on-line news and information service" for key state issues. It's also the most expensive. When I once talked a sales rep. into offering me a student discount, it was atill a lot more than I ever remembered paying for tuition. Students must be much richer these days. I have to content myself with the occasional free, two-week, subscriptions.

I wish I had a subscription now. Harrisburg Bureau Chief Peter DeCoursey has developed my blog entry yesterday about Allegheny County Exec Dan Onorato. So has Alex Roarty at PoliticsPA.

Both of these reporters confirm what I told you yesterday, thank God. DA John Morganelli did drive to Pittsburgh several times last year under the impression that Onorato, a gubernatorial hopeful and fellow Democrat, would help John raise money for his Attorney General race against Tom Corbett.

That would only make sense. It was well known, even in 2008, that Corbett would springboard from the AG's office and Bonusgate right into the Governor's mansion.

But according to what Morganelli told these reporters, things made no sense at all. He met Onorato in March of 2008, when he was the sole candidate for AG from the Democratic party, and Onorato arranged a fundraiser in July at Pittsburgh's swanky Downtown Club.

In Morganelli's own words,

"We were in constant touch with his staff up to 2 days before event. I drove 6 hrs to Pittsburgh arrived at event and no one showed up!!

“Onorato arrived about 6:15 pm - 45 minutes late - and said there had been a mistake and that I should stay overnite and meet the next day with Ed Gratton his campaign money guy. So I did. Then they told me that I should come back in August and that they would raise all the money by then.

“I came back August 10-- another 6 [hour] trip. They said they had checks for me and that they would be delivered to my hotel - none ever showed up.

“I again left Pittsburgh with NOTHING. Then I was told that money was going to be mailed to me-- none arrived. I asked Dan if he could just make a personal campaign contribution to me since he had 6 million dollars - he gave [ultimately successful Democratic treasurer candidate Rob] McCord like $10,000. But Onorato would not release money to me. … I was disappointed but not angry. He must have had his reasons but never told me. I have donated $8000 to Jack Wagner. I think Jack is a man of his word and a man of integrity. But I really am over it and have no ill will towards Dan.”

The check is in the mail. Ever hear that one?

Of course, Onorato and Corbett supporters alike claim Morganelli is "ridiculous" or "incorrect" or "illogical."

But Morganelli, who did not become and remain a District Attorney by being any of those things, is adamant. “I was told he was for Corbett by a Pittsburgh guy not associated with the campaign on my third trip when I could not understand why Onorato would not even say hello to me." He insists that Onorato, the presuptive Democratic nominee for Governor, supported Corbett, the Republicans' most likely candidate.

Illogical? Not necessarily. If Onorato is capable of misleading Morganelli, he's certainly capable of making deals in a race he will likely lose. Maybe he just finished reading Machiavelli or Sun Tzu.

I find it interesting that spokespersons for this and that campaign bluster away, but Onorato himself seems to be mum.

Maybe he's sending that check now.

If Onorato is incapable of being forthright with the District Attorney of Northampton County, is there any reason to believe he'll be straight with you? That's a question the Democratic State Committee might want to consider before making its usual mistake of endorsing a candidate in a contested race.

Update: Capitolwire Report Republished Here! Capitolwire has kindly agreed to allow me to republish its story here.

Capitolwire: Morganelli says Onorato sandbagged him twice in 2008 race.

By Peter L. DeCoursey
Bureau Chief
Capitolwire

HARRISBURG (Jan. 28) – The 2008 Democratic nominee for attorney general now says Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato twice sandbagged his campaign.
Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli, who was his party’s pick for the state’s top law enforcement job, said fellow Democrat Onorato tricked him twice into him into driving to Allegheny County for fund-raisers in empty rooms that produced no cash.

Morganelli was running then against Attorney General Tom Corbett, who is now the heavy favorite for the Republican State Committee endorsement for governor. Onorato is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, and has raised far more cash than any of his rivals.

Northampton, in the Lehigh Valley, is one of the counties farthest from Allegheny. Morganelli wrote in an e-mail, referring to Onorato: “I was told he was for Corbett by a Pittsburgh guy not associated with the campaign on my third trip when I could not understand why Onorato would not even say hello to me.

“… I was not angry, just disappointed [because] I think Dan's support in Allegheny County - rather than his support of Corbett - and some serious money could have made a difference” in Morganelli’s race with Corbett.
Onorato campaign spokesman Brian Herman responded that Morganelli was wrong about both of his allegations.

Herman wrote in an e-mail: “Dan Onorato has been and will remain a strong supporter of Democrats across the commonwealth. While we understand Mr. Morganelli's frustration at being defeated, it is simply inaccurate to link that loss to Dan's support of his campaign."

Morganelli responded by e-mail: “I am NOT linking Dan's 'NON SUPPORT' to my loss - I think his support could have helped but was not determinative. The fact is that he did NOT support me - that is a fact and they cannot deny that I was led out there twice by Onorato to obtain no support.”

Herman responded that "the suggestion that Dan Onorato supported Tom Corbett is both incorrect and illogical.”

Party insiders said Morganelli's claim of Onorato supporting Corbett in the 2008 race or before is wrong.

Mary Isenhour, executive director of Democratic State Committee, said of the alleged Onorato endorsement of Corbett: "Not to my knowledge. Dan Onorato has always been very helpful to the party and to our candidates."
Ray Zaborney is a GOP consultant with long-standing ties to Corbett and who has known Onorato since he was Allegheny County Controller and Zaborney was chief of staff to Northumberland County controller.

Of the Corbett endorsement, Zaborney said: "I think that is ridiculous. I'm not aware of Dan Onorato doing anything to help Tom Corbett either time he ran."
As to producing proof of Onorato’s support for Corbett, which Herman denied, Morganelli responded: “If Onorato was supporting me, why did he not give me at least a small contribution? He gave [Treasurer candidate Rob] McCord $10,000 who really did not need the money. Doesn’t that alone speak volumes - especially when I was lured 2 times to Pittsburgh with promises of money from Onorato and ended up with zero. It is hard to believe that that they can say they supported me with a straight face when he did absolutely nothing for me despite repeated requests until I was told to back off - but maybe he had a reason as I have said.”

Herman responded: "...Dan Onorato has helped countless Pennsylvania Democrats, including Mr. Morganelli, for whom he sponsored fundraising events and expressed public support. The idea that Dan would do anything to assist Tom Corbett's reelection campaign, much less imply his endorsement, defies common sense."
Morganelli’s account of Onorato’s actions in that race came to light after the blog Lehigh Valley Ramblings published an item Thursday stating: “ONORATO SUPPORTED CORBETT FOR AG IN 2008.”

That blog wrote that too many Democrats were endorsing Onorato in a herd mentality. Author Bernie O'Hare added: “One Democrat who refuses to bleat like the other sheep is Northampton County DA John Morganelli. You see, Onorato actually supported presumptive Republican nominee Tom Corbett last year when Morganelli was running against him for Attorney General. That's OK with John, but what irks him is that Onorato misled him.”

Morganelli circulated that blog to Capitol reporters, writing in an e-mail that he had received phone calls about it.

Asked to give more detail on the alleged disappearing fund-raisers he says Onorato promised to arrange, then left undone, Morganelli wrote in an e-mail: “Onorato promised in a face to face meeting with me that he would do a fundraiser in Pittsburgh. We met in March 2008 - I was endorsed candidate of {Democratic] state committee and no one else was running.

“He said his staff would set it up for a date and he would raise at least $25,000 and maybe more. In July,” after Morganelli was the party’s nominee, “I was told it would be July 10 at [the] Downtown club in Pittsburgh. We were in constant touch with his staff up to 2 days before event. I drove 6 hrs to Pittsburgh arrived at event and no one showed up!!

"Onorato arrived about 6:15 pm - 45 minutes late - and said there had been a mistake and that I should stay overnite and meet the next day with Ed Gratton his campaign money guy. So I did. Then they told me that I should come back in August and that they would raise all the money by then.

“I came back August 10-- another 6 [hour] trip. They said they had checks for me and that they would be delivered to my hotel - none ever showed up.

“I again left Pittsburgh with NOTHING. Then I was told that money was going to be mailed to me-- none arrived. I asked Dan if he could just make a personal campaign contribution to me since he had 6 million dollars - he gave [ultimately successful Democratic treasurer candidate Rob] McCord like $10,000. But Onorato would not release money to me. … I was disappointed but not angry. He must have had his reasons but never told me. I have donated $8000 to Jack Wagner. I think Jack is a man of his word and a man of integrity. But I really am over it and have no ill will towards Dan.”

Herman declined to respond to those comments, other than to reassert his prior comments, printed above.

Onorato Supports Corbett?

For at least the past three years, Allegheny County Exec Dan Onorato has been running for Governor. In that time, he's raised $8 million, which is twice the sum that Republican blueblood Tom Corbett has received for his campaign warchest.

What distinguishes Onorato is not impassioned pleas to put Pennsylvanians back to work, or promises to straighten things out in the land of midnight payraises. What makes him the Democratic frontrunner is his ability to raise oodles of money from virtually every special interest in the universe. He's a walking ATM machine. So, without knowing where he stands on anything, Democrats are already rallying around his banner. Governor Rendell, no slouch at raising money himself, already refers to Dan as Pennsylvaia's next Governor.

The candidate who actually does have views, Jack Wagner, is pretty much ignored. After all, he's got this crazy notion that state contracts should be bid competitively. Imagine that! What would that do to campaign contributions? Without all that campaign dough, how would Onorato pay for his trips to Europe?

Earlier this week, Onorato stopped in Easton, where Mayor Sal Panto, Councilwoman Elinore Warner, Councilman Ken Brown, Treasurer David Fleck and Controller Tony Bassil fawned all over him. They all said "Baaaa. Baaaa." From there, he hopped over to Allentown, and picked up some tips from Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski on how to squeeze every last dime out of a potential campaign contributor. Pawlowski's campaign manager, Michael Fleck, is working for Onorato. Now he can send convicted criminals to homes throughout the Lehigh Valley!

Council member Julio Guridy is a fan, too. He said "baaa" in two languages.

These local Dems lavish praise on a man who, as County Exec, was actually booed during a 2008 speech on his home turf. And for good reason. According to The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "Mr. Onorato cut 200 jobs from the county payroll to help balance a $727.6 million budget. He also persuaded council members to approve drink and car rental taxes ... ."

A drink tax? Wasn't there a little revolution over something like that just a few years ago?

In Allentown, when he finally discussed an issue, Onoroto actually endorsed the notion of extending KOZ benefits to big business beyond what they already get. That should make potential campaign contributors like Nic Zawarski very grateful. But experience shows it puts no one back to work.

One Democrat who refuses to bleat like the other sheep is Northampton County DA John Morganelli. You see, Onorato actually supported presumptive Republican nominee Tom Corbett last year when Morganelli was running against him for Attorney General. That's OK with John, but what irks him is that Onorato misled him.

Onorato supported Corbett? Kinda' makes you wonder why he's running against someone he supported just a few short months ago.

Sources close to Morganelli tell me he made three trips to Pittsburgh last year, having been lured there, by Onorato, for fundraisers that would raise all kinds of serious money. On his first five and a half hour drive, to attend a fundraiser at some Pittsburgh hotel, Morganelli walked into an empty room. This happened twice more before he finally got the message. Onorato was stiffing him, and wasting valuable campaign time. Rather than just honestly admit to Morganelli that he was supporting Corbett, Onorato strung him along repeatedly.

If he could not be honest with Morganelli, do you really think he'll be straight with you?

Cunningham Camp Pa. Report Pulls a Fast One

Blogger's Note: Below is a report that published at 3 AM. By 9:00 AM, I was aware that it is largely incorrect. I do not delete posts, but wish I could delete this one. Be sure to read the Update that follows this post if you want the whole story.

As many of you know, I'm a fan of Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham. He makes a difficult job look easy, and is cruising easily to a second term. He's also considering a bold move that bucks the odds - running for Governor when Rendell steps down. Whether you're Democrat or Republican, it's hard to deny that electing a Bethlehemite would be a boon for the often ignored Lehigh Valley.

When Don's camp sent me a news analysis concluding he "will be a very serious challenger for the Democratic nomination," I was only too happy to post a blog about it. The source cited is a subscription only political newsletter called The Pennsylvania Report. In the email from Team Cunningham, I was told I was getting the "entire piece." They even included Pa. Report's banner, which made me feel very special.

I was a little puzzled that an "insider" newsletter would only compare Cunningham to Jack Wagner. I'm an Auslander, but I know that Allegheny County Exec Dan Onorato is a leading contender. He's even visited the Lehigh Valley to listen to crickets at a Joe Long Meet 'n Greet. Philly gazillionaire Tom Knox is never mentioned either.

Morning Call poliblogger John Micek, who really is an insider, teed off on Pa. Report. "[I]t's massively weird that the Report would go through all the trouble of handicapping the Democratic field and not make any mention of Onorato or Knox. That's kind of like writing a history of World War II and starting with VE-Day."

Micek and I were both scammed.

What the Cunningham camp calls the "entire piece" is actually a modified version of the story. All references to Onorato and Republican Pat Meehan are eliminated. Because Pa. Report is subscriber only, there was no way for me to check if the story sent to me is what appears in the newsletter. Turns out it's not.

While I was blissfully ignorant at a Northwestern Little League baseball game against some fierce sluggers from Lower Nazareth, Micek was astute enough to exchange emails with Pennsylvania Report's Jeremy Adlon, and learned that Cunningham's advisers had pulled the old switcheroo with the text of a news analysis. He has posted the real account, which you can read here.

As I mentioned at the onset, I am a Cunningham supporter. But there is no way I can defend a probable attempt to deceive voters. There's little difference between deleting references to Onorato's name and blocking Stoffa campaign signs. Micek claims he will "aggressively pursue an answer about these apparent differences from Cunningham's camp on Friday." I hope it's a good one.

As for me, did I screw up, too? Yep.

Update: It is Pa. Report That's Playin' Us!

One difference between printed newspaper and blog is you can always change or delete a blog. This is good and bad. You can make changes to correct misinformation. But you can also make changes to cover your tracks. I am highly critical of bloggers who delete or alter posts unless they explain exactly what they are doing to readers.

I've spoken this morning with Frank Kane, who works for Don Cunningham. Then I spoke to Don himself, who actually called me. He tells me that the online newsletter forwarded is exactly what was published on April 17. He has even supplied the hard copy. "My integrity and honesty is very important to me."

Get this. The folks at The Pennsylvania Report actually changed their online newsletter to add Onorato at some later point, and have admitted it to Morning Call reporter John Micek.

I pretty much feel like a jack ass right now. At 3 AM, I published a post that condemned a person I happen to admire and respect. At 9 AM, I learned I was wrong. I apologize to all involved, especially Don Cunningham, and am now headed to my bunker. For those of you who want to slam me about this mistake, I deserve it.

Governor Cunningham Increasingly Likely

The Pennsylvania Report, a subscription only political news report, has cast its glare in the direction of the gubernatorial ambitions of Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham. After reviewing his strengths and weaknesses, the Don is classified "a very serious challenger for the Democratic nomination."

Strengths:

1) POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Bethlehem City Council, Bethlehem Mayor, Secretary of Department of General Services, Lehigh County Executive. "[H]e will be the candidate that can rightfully claim to hold the most executive experience (as Mayor and County Executive)."

2) NEW FACE: "[T]he 'fresh' face argument could be Cunningham's #1 campaign line."

3) POLICY KNOWLEDGE: "[I]mplementing a budget and saving taxpayer dollars could provide him a platform that other possible candidates, both Republicans and Democratic, do not have."

Weaknesses

1) LACK OF STATEWIDE NAME RECOGNITION: According to this analysis, potential candidate Jack Wagner is much better known. Jack who?

2) FUNDRAISING ABILITY: "Cunningham most likely will have a difficult time raising the kind of money needed to keep up day-to-day with a state-wide office holder running for Governor."

3) HISTORY: "Pennsylvania has a history of switching parties in the Governor’s mansion following one party’s 4 or 8 year hold....Thornburgh (R) - Casey (D) - Ridge (R) - Rendell (D), etc."

I have my own problem with this supposed insider's report. It only compares Cunningham with potential candidate Jack Wagner. It never even mentions Allegheny County Exec Dan Onorato, who has a $4 million warchest and is expected to make a formal announcement later this year. That makes Cunningham's chances even better. Wagner and Onorato are both from the western part of the state and will draw votes from each other.

This analysis also misses another Cunningham characteristic - the luck of the Irish. So far as I know, there are still no serious candidates from the eastern part of the state. Everything has to fall just right for Don, but that's exactly what's happening.

Update: Morning Call Micek has chimed in with these three observations: (1) Who the hell has ever heard of Pennsylvania Report? (2) Why the hell don't these insiders say a word about Don Onorato? (I made that point myself, Micek). (3) What about gazillionaire Tom Knox from Philly? (OK, I missed that one. If Knox is serious, Don's in trouble.)
Update #2: It appears that, contrary to what the Cunningham camp told me, I did not get a complete copy of the Pennsylvania Report analysis. I'll have the details for you in a separate post tomorrow.

A Tale of Two County Execs

Two county execs would like to be your next Governor. Allegheny County Exec Dan Onorato got Northampton Dem Bossman Joe Long to host a meet 'n greet last month at which about fifteen people showed. Most of them had to be there.

So who's helping Lehigh County Exec Don Cunningham? Well, he lacks the powerful assistance of Bossman Long, so he had to ask a little known Philly pol named Ed Rendell to host a fund-raiser on May 7 at Philly's Cuba Libre. According to Capitolwire, donors will be shelling out between $250 and $1,000 for a chance to snuggle with the future Guv.

And This Guy Wants to be Our Next Guv?

Lehigh County Exec Don Cunningham, rated by LVRamblings readers as our second most accountable and responsive area leader, has predicted taxes for Lehigh County residents will remain unchanged through 2011. Some critics complain he's just lucky, but that's still a pretty good trait for an elected leader.

Ask Allegheny County exec Dan Onorato, Cunningham's most likely opponent in the next Pennsylvania governor's race. Onorato was actually booed during a recent speech on his home turf. And for good reason. According to The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "This year, Mr. Onorato cut 200 jobs from the county payroll to help balance a $727.6 million budget. He also persuaded council members to approve drink and car rental taxes ... ."

A drink tax? Wasn't there a little revolution over something like that just a few years ago? I can't imagine proud Pittsburgh Pirates' fans putting up very long with the indignity of driving to Ohio to get loaded!

Even with his little drink tax and layoffs, Allegheny's Controller predicts Onorato could face a financial crisis by 2012 if he doesn't boost revenues or cut spending.

So do we elect this guy governor or pick the lucky Irishman?

Lots of Empty Seats at Joe Long's Meet and Greet

Northampton Dem Bossman Joe Long hosted a "meet and greet" last night with Allegheny County Exec Dan Onorato. Long's entire committee - what's left of them - was ordered to pay homage to a Pittsburgh Dem whose eyes covet the governor's seat. It's no secret that the Lehigh Valley's favorite son, Don Cunningham, is casting his eyes in the same direction. So why would a local party boss oppose a popular homer?

Long has reached across the state to settle some old and mostly imagined scores against Cunningham. Perhaps Cunningham forgot to genuflect last time he saw Long. Only Joe's moustache waxier knows for sure why Long is so annoyed. Don has tried to be nice, and even got Joe some choice tickets to see Bill Clinton last week. I guess they weren't close enough.

Long's decision to work against Cunningham should be a real blow. Let's look at that last election, shall we? Thanks to Long's brilliant campaign strategy of sleaze mailers and anonymous robocalls, two Northampton County Council candidates went down in flames and a third won by only a handful of votes. He indebted the local party $9,000 to a sleazy campaign consultant who has just been charged with terroristic threats, among other things. The one candidate Long failed to help, Steve Barron, won in an upset. Oh yeah, Cunningham aide Levi Price helped Steve in that race.

At tonight's "meet and greet," Northampton County Exec John Stoffa played hooky. Newly elected controller Steve Barron and Attorney General hopeful John Morganelli were also MIA. I was able to reach two local area chairs, and they were unable to make it. One highly placed official confesses, "I honestly forgot about it." Another prominent Dem tells me, "I was out of town."

Clinton campaign coordinator Rob Hopkins was one of about fifteen people who did show up for this event, and he had to be there for those with questions about Hillary. Not counting all the different campaign people, about nine people were there to listen.

As Rob explains this disappointing attendance, it was "certainly not worth a drive across the state."

Such is the mighty power of Bossman Joe Long.

Gubernatorial Hopeful Onorato Booed on Home Turf

Bossman Joe Long, he really knows how to pick 'em, doesn't he?

On Friday, I told you he's actually going to host a "meet and greet" with Gubernatorial Hopeful Dan Onorato late March in Hellertown. Long and Onorato are likely to be the only ones there.

This is a slap across the face of the Lehigh valley's favorite son, Lehigh County Exec Don Cunningham, who is seriously considering a run. He's made a difficult job look easy. Onorato, on the other hand, has to run to the eastern part of the state to find someone who won't boo him. Check out this little ditty from The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

"Steelers fans left no doubt as to how they felt about Mr. Onorato and the new 10 percent alcohol tax he helped put into effect last month. They booed him lustily before he even had a chance to speak, and Mr. Onorato quickly turned over the microphone to B94 radio disc jockey Bubba.

"Mr. Onorato has been taking it on the chin from bar owners and drinkers over the tax, which he implemented along with a $2-a-day car rental tax to generate the county's $30 million subsidy to the Port Authority for mass transit. "

Just when I thought Joe Long had already reached the height of idiocy with his disastrous Northampton County Council races, he surpasses himself yet again.

Wow, Joe, what's your next trick? Can you disappear?

Bossman Long Gets Petty With Cunningham

Back in August, Governor Ed Rendell was telling Tony Iannelli's Business Matters that Lehigh County Exec Don Cunningham would make a "fine" governor. He all but endorsed him. And why not? As a mayor, cabinet official and county exec, Cunningham has made things look easy. And his most likely Democratic opponent, Allegheny County Exec Dan Onorato, is having trouble managing his own county.

Onorato's controversial ten per cent drink tax is ruining local business. He squabbles with his council over finances, advocates privatization with something as basic as a county park, and unbelievably fired his air quality program manager for being too "slow" in granting permits to some of the largest air polluters in the country. His reassessment scheme has been judicially labeled “arbitrary, unjust, and unreasonably discriminatory". It has driven many residents to relocate to Ohio.

This guy is a Dem?

Yeah, he's a Joe "Bossman Long" Democrat, the kind of guy who buys elections with $1.9 million warchests in simple county exec races.

Amazingly, Bossman Long is actually going to host a "meet and greet" with Ornery Onorato late March in Hellertown. Long has ordered his entire committee - what's left of them - to pay homage to this right wing air polluter. Those who refuse to attend will be dragged out of their beds late at night and shot.

This is Long's way of showing Cunningham who's really boss. Cunningham takes a fairly nonpartisan approach to most issues and is equally comfortable with Dems and Rs. He even sends news releases to bloggers in defiance of a Long order to ignore all bloggers. That drives the Bossman nutz.

So Joe's going to show Don who's boss.

This April, we'll all have a chance to show Joe who's boss.

Bad News for Don Cunningham

Pennsylvania Progressive tells us, on the basis of an Inky report, that

Rendell's money people are meeting with [Allegheny County Exec. Dan] Onorato at Citizen Bank Park and if they coalesce behind him he'll be tough to beat. These folks raised $30 million for Rendell and would provide Onorato substantial backing in Philadelphia in addition to Pittsburgh.