PoliticsPa - July Registration Data Shows Independent Increase, Party Affiliation Decrease

I often read stories telling me that President Donald Trump's approval ratings are tanking, especially when it comes his bizarre approach to tariffs. But he's a rock star compared to Democrats. A recent WSJ Poll reveals that only about a third of registered voters have a favorable view of what was once considered the champion of blue-collar voters. On almost every issue, excepting healthcare and vaccines, Republicans and Trump are more trusted. 

The polling data appears to be backed up by Pennsylvania's voter registration statistics. According to PoliticsPA, the number of registered Democrats has declined statewide since October. They have lost nearly 4.2% of their registered voters. 

Is this a cause for celebration among Republicans? No. They've lost 1.15% of their voters. 

The beneficiary of this decline in party registration has been independents. They've grown by 1.15%. 

Northampton and Lehigh Counties still have a Democratic edge, but it's wearing thin in NorCo, where the lead is just 3.8%. In Lehigh County, it is 7.9%. In Carbon County, Republicans have a 21.3% lead. 

Slate Belt Republicans Meeting Tonight

On Monday, I told you about the major divisions within Northampton County's GOP.  For that reason and others, a coalition of Slate Belt Republicans is meeting tonight at 7 pm at the Trolley Shops Restaurant (257 E Central Ave, Bangor). "Blessed are the peacemakers ... ."

Is Pa Turning Red?

That's what Charles McElwee, founding editor of Real Clear Pennsylvania, has argued in a recent roundtable. ""Places like Southwestern PA, Westmoreland County, was Democratic now it is Republican. Luzerne County is just about 2,000 away from being a Republican-majority county in Northeastern PA. It's the parties that have changed, not so much the voters."

Based on comments I hear from fellow seniors and bus passengers, I think things are trending that way. These are people who I would expect to vote Democratic, but they are disenchanted by the party that actually tries to help them. 

(Blogger's Note: I am under the knife today, so if you don't see your comment immediately, it/s because I'm a bit more groggy than usual.)

"Victim" of Revenge Porn Posted Videos Herself Online

Yesterday, I told you that Northampton County DA Steve Baratta authorized a private criminal complaint by county Republican chair Glenn Geissinger against four elected state committee members Steve Lynch, Deb Biro, Melanie Heilman and Richard Morea as a result of their unruly and disruptive behavior at a county committee meeting on June 8, 2023. At that time, two Republican County committee members who are married to each other were confronted with pictures of them engaged in intimate relations, together with accusations that they had posted several videos on an Internet porn site. Both have denied to me that they were aware that their intimate videos had been taken and posted online. But I learned yesterday afternoon that the female half of this married couple posted those videos herself. She admitted it to me.

When this first happened, I was deeply concerned about this woman's mental health. She was already suffering from depression, and abruptly left the meeting after being confronted. She had been attacked on social media by Steve Lynch's myrmidons with comments like this: "[A]re they little problems or big problems, meaning are the 5.56 problems or .308 problems or,…. Do we have .50BMG to problems, You got problems, I’ll solve it, check out the beat while my DJ revolves it." Moreover, the husband half of this married couple was suspicious that someone stole their private videos.

Although police declined to file charges, I thought approval of the private criminal complaint might provide some measure of justice. So did the female "victim" who texted me after my story published to tell me. it was a "good story."

And that's the problem. It's a good story, but it's not the truth. I finally got that yesterday afternoon. 

It's no secret that I'm no fan of Steve Lynch, whose constant conspiracy theories and bullying of everyone who disagrees with him, make him a threat to democracy. He and his allies have disrupted meetings before the one that took place on June 8, 2023. He was ejected from a Nazareth eatery after disrupting a meeting there. But his bad behavior is no justification for dishonesty. 

After my story initially posted, I received numerous comments, including this one:

"The "Victim" admitted (after initially lying) on the Bethlehem township police report #23-04723 that she was not hacked and that she uploaded the videos herself to her and her husband's public porn hub site. This police report is available to the public. Do your research before blindly defending these people. It's just going to make you look bad in the end when the whole naked truth comes out."

I immediately contacted both husband and wife.

Husband told me that the first time he knew these videos were posted online was at the June 8, 2023 meeting. 

After nearly a year, the wife finally acknowledged to me yesterday afternoon that "I was not completely honest with you." She flat-out lied to me, and on several occasions. 

Her explanation: "I never imagined anyone would see them and I don't know how they could've found them amongst the millions of photos and videos that are available online."

If she didn't think anyone would see them, then why post them in the first place? 

Now look, I'm no prude. It makes no difference to me whether someone wants to post his or her private sex life online. I think it's a bit odd, but I won't judge. But when a person lies and maintains that lie for nearly a year and allows a person to defend her based on that lie, it's a pretty clear indication that person is untrustworthy.  

Does this mean the private criminal complaint filed by Geissinger lacks merit? No, they are predicated on unruly behavior at a meeting, not the sex tapes themselves. I do think that the First Amendment, which guarantees core political speech, might encompass at least rowdy behavior. 

It seems to me that NorCo GOP committee members have formed a circle and are just shooting each other. Glenn Geissinger should be asking himself if he really wants to ruin his own county party. 

NorCo DA Authorizes Private Criminal Complaint By GOP Chair Against Four State Committee Members

Glenn Geissinger

Northampton County DA Steve Baratta has authorized the filing of a private criminal complaint by GOP party chair Glenn Geissinger against four elected members of the Republican State Committee. Steve Lynch, Debra Biro, Melanie Heilman and Richard Morea have each been charged with eight counts of harassment and disorderly conduct as a result of their conduct at a Republican County committee meeting on June 8, 2023. All charges are third degree misdemeanors, punishable by up to one year in prison and a maximum fine of $2,500. 

Lynch opposed Geissinger in the race for county chair and lost. These four committee members have been openly hostile to Geissinger since that time and have disrupted several meetings. 

During that June 8 meeting, two Republican committee members who are married to each other were confronted with pictures of them engaged in intimate relations, together with accusations that they had posted several videos on an Internet porn site. Both have denied to me that they were aware that their intimate videos had been taken and posted online. 

These two married committee members have been Geissinger supporters.

To make sure that I was aware of what was going on, someone calling himself "Another concerned Republican" emailed me some of the photos. Because it is a crime to share intimate photographs of another person without his or her consent, I forwarded this email to former DA Terry Houck.   

Steve Lynch

After being accosted with these images at the county committee meeting on June 8. the female married committee member abruptly left and has refused to return since that time. Deeply embarrassed and already suffering from depression, it was touch-and-go with her for awhile. That's why I decided against writing the details of this story at the time. 

The four state committee members have since been banned from attending county meetings.

This matter was investigated by two police departments who decided against filing charges. But Geissinger's private criminal complaint was still under consideration when DA Terry Houck left office. 

After taking office, representatives of the District Attorney's office met with Geissinger, after which his private criminal complaint was approved.  "I am very grateful to the District Attorney's office," said Geissinger. 

Will this divide county Republicans in a crucial Presidential election year? Geissinger believes it will do the opposite. "I believe this is going to help the party," he said. "Unruly and disruptive behavior by a few is not going to prevent the party from doing its job, which is supporting our Republican candidates."

WFMZ-TV69 also has a report on these charges, which are hotly disputed by Defendants Lynch and Heilman. 

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for April 23. 

Pffft! The Air Goes Out of Biden Impeachment Probe

I'm sure we're all dismayed that so many sitting members of Congress have used their public perches to grow rich on stock investments. That's no coincidence. It's corruption. Of course, there's always legislation proposed to prevent Congressman and Senators from investing, but nothing ever seems to pass. The same is true of highly placed elected officials. Whether it's President Joe Biden or President Donald Trump, the sons and daughter of both have become quite wealthy by trading in their father's name. Ivanka Trump's husband Jared Kushner received $2 billion from the Saudis for his investment firm. And House Republicans have been beating a drum for years about corrupt Hunter Biden, who was paid handsomely to sit on the board of a Ukrainian company about which he knows nothing. This is all perfectly legal, but it should be banned. But that's not what House Republicans want to stop. They instead were set on impeaching President Biden based on a lead informant's claim that both Biden and his son received millions in bribes. Turns out that this "highly credible" informant had extensive and recent contacts with the Kremlin. 

House Republicans have been played by Vladimir Putin. They built their entire case around a guy hawking Russian disinformation just as deftly as Trump sells his gaudy sneakers. Our GOP is even helping Putin mount an offensive by blocking aid to Ukraine. 

2d GOP Presidential Debate More Like Food Fight Than Policy Discussion

Well, that's two hours wasted. I made the mistake last night of watching seven GOP Presidential hopefuls interrupt and talk over each other instead of providing specific answers to the questions. The FOX moderators refused to blow the whistle as this free-for-all went on for two hours, even though they had the power to cut the mikes of candidates who incessantly operated and insisted on going beyond their time limits. All they managed to do was make themselves look as childish as frontrunner Donald Trump.  

Though there are serious issues facing this nation, one moderator diminished the forum when she asked  candidates who they would vote "off the island," as though this was some reality TV show. I'll credit Ron DeSantis for recognizing the stupidity of that question.

Who looked best? In my view,  they all looked pretty bad out there. 

For the second time, Donald Trump has won a debate despite skipping it. 

Fox News Greets GOP Presidential Contenders With "Rich Men North of Richmond"

Last night, Fox News hosted a debate among 8 contenders for the GOP Presidential nomination.  When it kicked things off with "Rich Men North of Richmond."  I was transported back to 1861. All that song needs is a rebel yell.  Was Fox suggesting we need a new Civil War? At least one of the candidates - Vivek Ramiswamy - thinks so.

He actually called for "revolution."  Although he has a lot of appeal among hard-line Rs, I thought he was arrogant, especially when he said he was the "only person on this stage who isn't bought and paid for." He called climate change a "hoax," and stated he believes we need to "drill, frack, burn coal, declare war on administrative state." 

In contrast to Ramiswamy, Vice President Mike Pence stated he is "unquestionably the best prepared" person to be President. "Now is not the time for on the job training," he said in a slur aimed at Ramiswamy. While Ramiswamy claimed that we should devote our military resources to the border (which incidentally is illegal) instead of Ukraine, Pence scoffed at the notion that the United States must do one or the other. He argued that we need to let the Ukrainians fight so we don't need to do so.  Nikki Haley told Ramiswamy, " You have no foreign policy experience and it shows." 

Pence's views on abortion hurt him. He "gave myself to Jesus Christ." and condemned the Nikki Haley notion of compromise on abortion as "the opposite of leadership."

Ron DeSantis continually evaded questions and demonstrated a complete lack of charisma. His one solid point was his claim that he refused to lock down during the Covid pandemic, unlike most states.  

Christie, a former federal prosecutor who has never shied from mixing it up, was clearly the best debater. After Ramiswamy kept interrupting others, Christie finally unloaded on him. "I’ve had enough already tonight of a guy who sounds like ChatGPT standing up here,” he said. 

I'd give the win to Christie, but I'm a Democrat. What do you think? 

Special Thank You From a Democrat to Justin Simmons and Gloria "Lee" Snover

This is who General Lee Snover has picked
to replace Charlie Dent in Congress.  

Hello Comrades!

I interrupt my weekly reading of Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals for a special Thank You to Congressman wannabe Justin Simmons and his good buddy, NorCo GOP Chair Gloria "General" Lee Snover. Thanks to their combined efforts on our behalf, Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District will finally be returning to us for the first time since 1999. That's right, folks, the 15th is going blue. We would never have done it without the help of Justin Simmons and Lee Snover.

Thanks to Simmons and Snover, there's a new purity test for Republicans. You either support Trump or you don't.

Pre-Trump, there were all kinds of litmus tests. One group believed you had to be pro-life and opposed to all forms of abortion, even if that meant the mother would go tets up. For the NRA wing, it was the right to carry rocket launchers wherever and whenever the hell they wanted. Another faction believed that the rich should either pay no taxes at all or pay lower taxes than you. Most favored deporting anyone whose name ends in a vowel. And though some of their best friends are black, some party members could never warp their heads around the idea of a black president, even though he was only half black. They never learned to just love the white half.

Now things are much simpler. You either support Authoritarian Donald Trump or you don't. If you support Donald Trump, you could open an abortion clinic tomorrow and General Lee Snover would kiss you. But if you subscribe to all kinds of Republican theories but detest Donald Trump, you're no good.

Every year, the county Republican parties host a Lincoln Day's breakfast in honor of the man who said we should act with malice towards none and charity for all. Traditionally, Democrats were invited because we all are, after all, Americans.

But General Lee stopped that practice. It was Republicans only. And not just any Republican. Charlie Dent, the most powerful and popular Republican in the Lehigh Valley, was snubbed.

Under General Lee's strict rules, Lincoln himself would have been cast aside.

A party that once met in ballrooms now meets in a phone booth, if you can find one.

The persons left include extremists like flamethrower Tricia Mezzacappa, who actually penned a letter to the editor supporting mass murderer Rockne Newell.

But that's OK because she supports Donald Trump.

She got a major award.

It was not enough to just snub Dent. General Lee Snover, the Republican party chair, actually took to the stage at a Trump cult rally that was only open to about 200 people with tickets, and bashed Charlie Dent, accusing the centrist Republican of being part of the establishment elite.

That's because Dent, who has principles and morals, stood up to Trump, who has neither.

Another person lacking principles and morals is Justin Simmons. Last year, he took campaign money from Dent. He sought and received an endorsement. Dent even put him in touch with some of his own contributors. And Simmons asked Dent what they could do to get Trump off the ballot.

But now with Trump elected and Charlie Dent being subjected to daily attacks by General Lee and others who should be ashamed of themselves, Justin Simmons sensed an opportunity. So this summer, he made trips to the swamp in Washington (that he pretends to detest) to line up support for his own Congressional bid.

Now he is suddenly pro-Trump and is challenging Dent.

General Lee loves him because he is on the Trump train. Never mind his shitty attendance record, his missed votes in the House.

Simmons and Lee are both busily bashing any Republican who gets in their way, including South Whitehall's Ryan MacKenzie.

But it does not stop there.

When Charlie Dent announced his retirement from public life, he asked Lehigh County GOP Chair Jessica Banotai and Exec Director Trevor Waldron for their help in putting the event together. As they prepared, someone in the Simmons camp posted a very ugly and vulgar personal attack (since deleted) aimed at Banotai in PoliticsPA. It shook her up. Banotai and Waldron fired off a number of unflattering text messages about Simmons in reaction to this attack. Simmons, who had no problem with General Lee Snover's bias against Charlie Dent, is now demanding the heads of Banotai and Waldron for their bias against him.

Thanks to General Lee and Simmons, Lehigh Valley Republicans are eating their own.

The result is that next November, conservative Democrat John Morganell will be elected to represent the 15th Congressional District in Congress.

It would never have happened without you, Lee and Justin. Even your pal Vladimir Putin would be impressed.

Thanks.

Jessica Banotai Takes Over Lehigh County GOP

Jessica Banotai and Dean Browning

Last night, Lehigh County Republicans elected Jessica Banotai as their new party chair. Though just 26, she has worked for both Congressman Charlie Dent and Senator Pat Toomey, earning high marks from both. Dean Browning was elected Vice Chair. Above is the only photograph I can find of Dean and Jess together.

Dean forgot to shave.

Armstrong and the Blame Game

In his first reaction to the slaughter in Orlando, conservative Scott Armstrong expressed his sympathy for the victims. But since then there have been those who demand gun control or who are intent upon blaming Islamic radicals. My own view is that we need to pay closer attention to mentally unstable people.

Below is Scott's latest essay, in which he contends that democrats have some sort of devious plot to unite the gay and Muslim community against everyone else. I completely disagree with Scott, which necessarily assumes that Islam or gun control advocates are chumps. But I'll run his essay because i believe in a diversity of views and i have no lock on the truth. .

What we are witnessing in the Democratic/Media/Gay Right’s response to the Orlando Terror attack is them pointing the finger of blame at “the majority” for the horrific actions of an Islamic extremist. This is just the latest example of the Democratic Party's long running strategy of gaining and holding electoral power by uniting minority populations against the majority.

This approach is reminiscent of the tactics deployed by European powers in their efforts to colonize the middle east and Africa. They empowered and united the minority populations against the majority population. Once in power the minority populations had no choice but to do the bidding of their colonial masters for if they ever lost power they would be destroyed by the vengeful majority.

Look at Syria today, it is a relic of that system. Assad is the leader of the controlling minority populations, Shiite, Alawis, Druzes, Christians..., against the majority Sunni population. There is no way to surrender without a bloodbath of reprisal. That's why they will fight to the death.

In America the Democratic Party has successfully employed this same strategy. They have united many minority populations on the fact that they are minorities. That is all they have in common, but the Democrats use victimization to unite them against the majority who they portray as "oppressors". This is exactly where America is today and why one minority, “Gays”, will never blame another minority, “Muslims” for anything, even this horrific shooting. Instead everything must be the fault of the majority. Hence the Democrats' answer to a radical Muslim shooting people because they are Gay is gun control. And who is blocking “sensible” gun control? Why it’s the usual suspects, the majority; 2nd amendment supporters/NRA members /The Republican Party/Rural America/ the suburbs.

While this strategy has proven its worth throughout history, it always results in a country divided against itself; the population sorted along base categories such as tribal affiliations, or religion. In our case it is race, gender, religion, sexual preference...How quickly the media and the rest of us have forgotten the term "post-racial". In fact it is now a bad word because certain parties find racial distinctions too valuable to put aside. Now 50 people are dead and another 50 are wounded simply because they were Gay. The Democrats and their collaborators are seeing to it that the blame will not rest just on the shooter but their political opposition as well. It is sad to see Gay leaders acting as mere apparatchiks to such a cynical and self serving political ploy.

Lee Snover Takes Over NorCo GOP

Craig DeFranco and Lee Snover

In what can only be regarded as another setback for local Democrats, Northampton County Republicans elected long-time party activist Lee Snover last night as their new party chair. She replaces Craig DeFranco, who has been battling health issues and time commitments. He wanted someone else in the driver's seat.

In a sign that much of the division within the NorCo GOP may be over, Lee's election was nearly unanimous.

A resident of Bethlehem Township, Lee is Chair of Bethlehem Township's Planning Commission, where she's developed a reputation as a fair and transparent facilitator. In fact, Commissioners and Bethlehem's Planning Commission recently adopted a public comment policy based on procedures she put in place.

But make no mistake, Snover is a shrewd political animal with excellent instincts. She is a veteran of many political contests, helping to put a lot of people in office.

She is one of the few party honchos I know who really could prosper as a consultant.

Politically, Lee and I have nothing in common. She is pro-life, pro-NRA and was one of Donald Trump's early supporters  She is also smart and has a biting wit that she gets from her mother, Sally Pritchard.

The vote placing her at the helm of the County GOP came on her birthday.

She tells me she just turned 22.

Snover was nominated by NorCo Bulldog Ron Angle. When he first ran for office, Charlie Roberts told Ron he should sit down with the Pritchards. He failed to do so and lost. He sits down with them a lot now. He claims they believe in three things - God, country and the Republican Party.

I made the mistake of calling Sally Pritchard a closet Democrat last night, and she vivisected me with a devastating criticism of me and my blog and for being too soft on Charlie Dent, who recently voted against a bill that would prevent transgenders from going tinkle in ladies' restrooms.

"But he's a Republican," I tried to argue.

"You must not have any children," Sally retorted. My head was spinning before the night was over, and that instigator Ron Angle, who doesn't read my blog and may not even read at all, piped in with "She has your number, Bernie. You do go easy on people"

When I got home, I tried to commit suicide by jumping out the window. But since I live on a second floor, I only succeeded in cracking the sidewalk.

Contrary to popular belief, I believe Democrats in Pennsylvania will have an uphill battle this election cycle. I see little enthusiasm for Hillary Clinton, but many enthusiastic Trump supporters. Democratic Attorney General Kathleen Kane, who faces perjury charges, goes on trial in August. That will be just as the election starts to heat up. Democratic US Congressman Chaka Fattah is currently in the middle of a political corruption trial in Philadelphia. Charges against a Democratic State Representative and State Senator have been filed. Harrisburg's former Democratic Mayor faces a trial on corruption charges. Ed Rendell's former Chief of Staff and the former Democratic State Senator have entered guilty pleas, and I expect to see more indictments soon in Allentown and Reading.

This is going to hurt. A lot. I would not be surprised if Republicans sweep this November

Lee Snover will do everything she can to put Republicans in office. Underestimate her at your peril.

Glenn Geissinger was elected Vice Chair.

Kasich: "I'm Not Biting" When Invited to Smear Fest

As three Republican Presidential candidates traded insults during last night's GOP Presidential debate, even to the point of the occasional penis reference, there was really only one adult in the room. It certainly wan't the hooting and hollering audience, or a media intent on playing along in the tit-for-tat exchanges of the three teenagers. But when moderator Chris Wallace tried to draw adult John Kasich into the smear fest with a question asking him whether Donald Trump is naive about Putin, Kasich had the best answer of the night.

"I'm not biting,'" he said, refusing to play along with the dumbed down exchange. He then delivered a very clear message on how the United States should deal with the Russian bear and other aspects of foreign policy. Of the four, he seemed like the only one who actually understood the subject.

Kasich, incidentally, grew up in a small Pa. town. He's the son of a mailman and the grandson of coal miners and has a Slavic background.

If he can hold on until the northern states begin their voting, he might pull off an upset.

Republicans To Host Candidates' Night at NCC

Northampton County Republicans will host a Candidates’ Forum and Debate on Thursday, April 16, 2015 at Northampton Community College, 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem, PA 18020. The meeting room will be at the Gates/Alumni Center (across from the main campus) in room 130. Doors will open at 6:30 and the forum will begin at 7pm.

Though only Republican candidates will be heard, everyone is welcome to attend. This is in stark contrast from similar Democrat candidate nights, in which even the audience is limited to committee members.

One reason for this refreshing transparency is the number of races in Bethlehem Township. In the words of GOP Vice Chair Lee Snover,

"Election excitement is in the air especially in Bethlehem Township. With an unprecedented 8 Republicans running for 3 commissioner positions in the township, this forum will help the voters chose those who truly represent their own views. The forum will include the Bethlehem Township Commissioner races and Northampton County Council Districts 3 and 4.

"The Bethlehem Township candidates for commissioner will have a question and answer session followed by a question and answer session for the contested county council candidates in District 3 and District 4."

"We will also have the Republican Candidate for the Court of Common Pleas, Victor Scomillo, there to address the voters. Please remember this event is limited to candidates who are registered Republicans as this is a primary election event. This is not the forum for cross-filed candidates who are not registered Republicans.

"The mission of the NCRC is to consistently work toward good government for all by promoting the principles of the Republican Party, encouraging open communication with the voters, and encouraging, training, and helping Republican candidates get elected."

As I observed in a post earlier this month, Bethlehem Township is tea party central. Already a Republican stronghold, there is a concentration of tea party members in the first ward. For the most part, these are very decent and likable people. But a small segment, who call themselves RATs (Republican Action Team), are more intent on accumulating power for themselves than in espousing Republican values. They will support Democrats over Republicans who fail their strange loyalty tests.

Some of these RATs hate judicial candidate Vic Scomilio. This is not because of his ties to an ineffectual County Exec like John Brown, which is what troubles most Democrats. They detest Vic because he worked hard to get Jennifer Sletvold, another Republican, elected judge. You see, she was opposed in her primary by RAT Tom Carroll. So Carroll and fellow RATs like Ronnie del Wacko and Tony Simao jumped on the Abe Kassis bandwagon and Carroll even circulated for Abe. This has nothing to do with principle. It has everything to do with power and vindictiveness.

1st Ward

Tom Nolan, an engineer at Lehigh Heavy Forge, has two Republican opponents. One of them is former Commissioner Art Murphy, who works for Selvaggio and Son. The other, Wayne Buller, is definitely a tea party and RAT favorite. Regulars like Ben Hedrick, Andy Azan and Melissa Miller (significant other of NorCo Council member Seth Vaughn) are behind this campaign. Buller works in waste water treatment, so he knows all about shit. Nolan is well known and respected in his ward, but I worry that Art Murphy will siphon off votes that would otherwise go to Nolan, leaving the door wide open for Buller. Is Buller tea party or RAT? I don't know.

3rd Ward

Phil Barnard, Manager at Bay Insulation, has been a moderating influence on the Board. Well-spoken and thoughtful, he really listens to residents and tries very hard to be transparent. He's precisely the kind of guy who Republicans should be embracing and grooming for higher office. I could see him as County Executive or in the State Senate.

Phil two opponents, Republican Fran Blatz and Democrat Kim Jenkins. Blatz, whom I believe to be the tea-party candidate, is listed as the Pro-life leader at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Jenkins is the Secretary of the Bethlehem Township Athletic Association, which Barnard has steadfastly supported during his four years as a Commissioner. .

At Large

This morning, someone anonymously taunted incumbent Commish Marty Zawarski, whio's seeking re-election. "Rumor has it that Commish Z is looking down every possible alley for votes. He must be worried." He is, and has every reason to be worried. He is facing challenge by two Republicans, both former Commissioners. They include Paul Weiss and the tea party sponsored candidate, Bob Birk.

To his credit, Zawarski is running hard. That, or unopposed, is the only way to go. Birk, whose ethics statement lists his occupation as "unemployed," obviously has lots of time on his hands to knock on doors. So Zawarski is knocking on doors, too, and has sent out a flier.

As with Nolan, my concern is that paul Weiss is going to take away just enough votes from Zawarski to ensure that Birk wins.

What happens if the RAT coup succeeds?

Several things. You can look to an end to any financial contributions to the Township's athletic organizations. They would look for ways to limit any contribution to the volunteer firefighters. I would expect them to flush the idea of Bulldog bathrooms. Though two union contracts are locked up until 2017, I would expect them to oppose any further wage hikes, especially for nonunion employees. They would likely seek to replace the Solicitor, Manager and Engineer.

There's a RAT or tea party dude running in one of the County Council races, too.

Matt Dietz, a Hayden Phillips protege, is a RAT favorite who just ran for Congress. He is is squaring off against Glenn Geissinger protege Lorin Bradley in the northern tier and slate belt.

There's a contested County Council race in Bethlehem Township, too. John Cusick is attempting a comeback, but Mickey Thompson wants that job.

It would be an ideal night for me. But I'll be covering County Council. There is a lot going on there, too.

Who Are the Real Republicans?

That's a question that has been asked, amazingly, by a lot of Republicans lately. Are they the extremists who are willing to shut down the government completely if they don't get their way on every issue? Is there no room left in what was once called a "big tent" for the views of centrists like Charlie Dent?  Lehigh County Executive Tom Muller changed his party because he's disgusted by what he calls "cliffsmanship" that he has seen brought down to the County level. I know one municipal official who has switched parties for much the same reason. Here's how Dent out it. In Dent's view, this brinksmanship "will damage us as we move into a presidential year and damage our likely presidential nominees.”

In the last election cycle, Northampton County voters elected a former tea party chair - Mat Benol - to Council. They also voted for Hayden Phillips who stated recently he is "proud" to be viewed as a tea party member.

But I've seen no evidence that they are intent on bringing County government to its knees, which was a big concern of mine after watching what was going on in Lehigh County. Quite the opposite. It is Phillips, of all people, who proposed a two mill tax hike last year. The Republicans on Council went along with a tax hike, but kept it at one mill. Politically popular or not, that was the right thing to do, especially in a County that expects to spend $45 million over the next five years.

Though I believe the tea party faction led by Phillips has acted responsibly and even courageously at times, it definitely is a faction. On the other side are the more mainstream Republicans. These are people like Peg Ferraro and Glenn Geissinger.

In Northampton County, it appears that there is a proxy war going on in the race for the Slate Belt seat held by Democrat Scott Parsons. Two Republicans are fighting for the right to take him out.

One of them, Nazareth School Board President Lorin Bradley, is being promoted by Glenn Geissinger. In fact, Geissinger chairs his campaign committee.

The other candidate, Wind Gap pilot Matt Dietz, is being promoted by Phillips. Diets has just filed his nomination petitions. As of Friday, he had 326 signatures. That's more than the  250 needed to get on the ballot, but is no indication of overwhelming support. .

Easton GOP Spurns DelBacco's Bid For Chair

John Van Arman was easily re-elected as Easton's GOP Chair during their reorganization meeting at the YR club last night. It didn't take long to tabulate the results. Only nine committee members voted. Seven went Van Arman's way. The other two went to Ronnie DelBacco, the LV Tea Party Chair who just yesterday demeaned KidsPeace children by staging an anti-immigration rally at the doorsteps of the facility.

At the meeting, DelBacco said that if word of his latest loss were leaked to me, there would be hell to pay at the next County Committee meeting. So don't tell anyone.

I got the word from some illegal Mestizos, working in the kitchen.

I called my fired intern, Ron Angle, to corroborate this story. "Go to Hell, Bernie. I'm not going to embarrass poor Ronnie by telling you he only got two votes and one was his own. You can torture me if you want, but I want talk."

Then he hung up.

DeFranco, Snover Will Lead NorCo GOP, Despite Dirty Tricks

Craig DeFranco, Lee Snover and Ron Angle after election

Despite the usual dirty tricks from a group calling themselves Rats, the Northampton County GOP faithful have re-elected Craig DeFranco and Lee Snover to lead the County party. DeFranco was elected Chair in a close, 96-90, vote. Lee Snover prevailed in the Vice Chair race by 106-85. Because the Rats objected to the transparency of a reorganization at the courthouse, which included worries about my reporting, the election was held at the Chrin Community Center. That way the public could be excluded and Rats could open carry. But Chrin banned firearms, and two constables were on hand to ensure order was maintained. The election process was conducted by Vic Scomillio, the Northampton County Solicitor.

What were the dirty tricks I mention? What the Rats did was select voters in different precincts and elect them to committee positions, without bothering to tell them. After they were elected, they were approached, and most said they had no interest and gave proxies to Rats like Ronnie DelBacco.

Lee Snover got wind of what was happening when she contacted two of the newly elected committee members. They instructed DelBacco that they were withdrawing their proxies, but he refused to withdraw them. During the meeting, they both called in and advised they were withdrawing their proxies, but DelBacco still refused, and cast their votes for the Rat candidates.

Snover also asked Council member Hayden Phillips to nominate her. He refused, stating he would be neutral in the Vice Chair race and cast no vote. Then he voted, contrary to what he had told her. Snover confronted him, but he just brushed her off.

Snover delivered what was, by all accounts, a great speech (you can read it here) before the vote. Nobody who reads that speech would ever conclude she is a RINO. Pointing to Republican success in the last election cycle, she asks, "Why would you replace the winning team?" She also implored fellow Republicans to start "unifying and concentrating on winning as opposed to tearing each other down."

That won't happen with nuts like Mezzacappa and DelBacco, who are thought by many to be the co-authors of "David Jones" emails that launch vicious personal attacks at other Republicans. Mezzacappa told Ron Angle, who likes to carry an unlit cigar with him, to put it away. He told her to mind her own business.

The Rats, incidentally, are chaired by Tom Carroll, who thinks he can be elected judge after aligning himself with a group that called themselves "troublemakers" last night.

Though I was barred from the Chrin building for the evening's festivities, I met with the real Ron Angle Slate after the meeting for an impromptu get together at the Nazareth Diner. That's where I got most of my facts.

The real Ron Angle slate

The Rats Have a Picnic

Last Summer, when Northampton County Republicans were temporarily under the control of Bob Kerr, I got to see his imperious tendencies first hand. I watched him tell Northampton County bulldog Ron Angle to sit down. I heard him insult top vote-getter Peg Ferraro, a former chair herself. "A past chairman is just that - past." Eventually, he was forced to resign. He and a small group of Republicans have splintered off and formed their own club, calling themselves, appropriately enough, RATs (Republican Action Team).

Although this splinter group claims to be all about electing conservatives, that's untrue. They have refused to back conservatives like Ron Angle or Lee Snover, both of whom are certainly right of center. This is really just a power trip by a group who think it's their turn to be boss, no matter what the majority of Republicans may think. Last month, their entire slate of state committee candidates lost, despite a negative website, negative mailers and robo calls, using a committee that never registered.

They had a picnic on Saturday, and probably devoured a few wheels of cheese. The only elected official who came is conservative NorCo Council member Hayden Phillips.

But Tricia Mezzacappa was there, wearing her my six-shooter. Tom Carroll gave a speech pretending he'd be a great judge and one party-goer strums his lips.

NorCo Republicans Reject Extremists in Their Midst

The rats within the Northampton County COP (they use that weird themselves) have been defeated in their latest attempt to wrest control of the party from more moderate voices. They mounted a slate of state committee candidates to take out more mainstream Republicans.  These mainstreamers, as I call them, are actually hard core conservatives, for the most part. But they were not pure enough for the slate assembled by Bethlehem City Council loser Tony Simao.

Ron Angle was assailed in a web page and vicious mailers. Peg Ferraro was attached in a robo call and mailer.

The people have made their decision.

The three successful male state committee candidates are Bob Kilbanks, Glenn Geissinger and Ron Angle.

The three successful women are Lee Snover, Peg Ferraro and Mary Barket.

Silly Republicans

They're in firm control in Northampton County, so they're doing something right. But I still have to laugh at the County's GOP. They're fighting like cats and dogs over state committee seats, with mailers that contain no disclosures. There are even campaign signs. In the meantime, several elected offices have no Republican challenging the Democratic incumbent.

Who is behind this? The same sore losers who've done pretty poorly among fellow Republicans, to say nothing of Democrats. Unsuccessful Bethlehem City Council candidate Tony Simao. Failed Easton School District candidate Ronnie Del Bacco. Tom Carroll, who lost both a City Council race and Judge contest.

It's all Ron Angle's fault.

It's all Peg Ferraro's fault.

So now they have a slate running for state committee. They are the pure Republicans. That's OK, but the Simao crew has also formed a webpage that is extremely critical of Angle and mainstream Republicans. They claim it is paid for by some PAC that does not exist. They've also sent out two mailers attacking Angle and others. In violation of state campaign finance laws, they refuse to name who paid for these ads.

Maybe Judge (some day, he hopes) Carroll told them it's OK.

Here's their problem. Their webpage, which is supposed to trash Angle, has one of the best pictures of him I've ever seen. He's also identified with a group of fairly classy people instead of Mr. Hankey the Christmas poo, or me.

In an attempt to trash him, they made him look good.

Their mailers are hateful and desperate. Speaking of hateful and desperate, Tricia Mezzacappa is part of this crew, too. She will likely be elected to the County Committee on Tuesday, although I believe it is illegal to certify her because she owes at least $1,000 in unpaid fines for late campaign finance reports.

Anyhoo, in response to the webpage and vicious mailers, there's been an anti-Simao mailer, too. No attribution on this one, either. "Say No to the Tony Simao slate," it warns.

I asked Angle to fess up. he wouldn't answer his phone, so I drove to his estate, where he was skeet shooting some of his disobedient cows.

"Pull!" he barked at a servant, and a cow went flying through the air.

Angle missed. "Look, asshole, I don't really give a shit whether I'm elected," he snarled. "Why don't you ask John Brown?" he said, and then started laughing.

I could see Democrats sending these unsigned mailers to the Republicans, but we're just  too damn stupid.

I'm thinking Mr. Hankey.