Biekenstocks Backtrack on Fetterman

On Monday, I told you that Lehigh University's Birkenstocks, who call themselves the South Side Initiative, were improperly using university resources to tacitly endorse John Fetterman's campaign for the US Senate.This is a clear violation of an IRS ban on political activity by 501c3 nonprofits. Given that most of these professors teach political science, they really should know better. But in their defense, they've been busy pretending that they're experts on urban planning

Yesterday, to her credit, Breena Holland apologized for improperly passing on news of Fetterman's Bethlehem visit.

Dear Friends of SSI:  It has been brought to my attention that a recent SSI email passing on information to you all about John Fetterman's visit to Bethlehem could imply an endorsement of his candidacy for US Senate by Lehigh University. Neither the SSI nor Lehigh University had any involvement in inviting, organizing, or funding Mr. Fetteman's visit to Bethlehem. While many people in the community and at the university have in the past discussed bringing Mr. Fetterman to Bethlehem to speak about urban revitalization, his opinions are neither those of Lehigh University nor sanctioned by Lehigh University.  Please accept my apologies for not clarifying this when I originally passed on the information about his visit to Bethlehem.  Sincerely,  Breena  (SSI Director)

Senatorial Candidate John Fetterman Visits Allentown

U.S, Senatorial candidate John Fetterman had a very friendly reception at the Allentown Brew Works on Saturday night. Most were there to cheer for Bernie Sanders in the Democratic Presidential Debate being shown on the big screen later that evening. You might say Fetterman was the undercard.

In person, he's just as big as he looks in video. He's the kind of guy I'd expect to see in a bar, but he looks more like an NFL lineman than a community organizer. I'd expect to see him at Big Woody's scarfing wings or Stahley's inhaling a few dozen steamed clams, not at a pub that makes and serves hand-crafted ales. I'd expect to hear him talk about the Eagles or the Steelers, not income disparity. With his tattooed arms, he might be even be a retired member of the Warlock or Pagan motorcycle gang, not someone who refurbished a bicycle and brings it to a lady who kicked heroin and needs transportation to and from her job.

Those tattoos, incidentally, have a story. On one arm is the Braddock zip code, where he is Mayor. On the other arm, he has the date of every person killed since he assumed office to a mostly ceremonial position after winning by one vote in 2005.

That one vote, incidentally, was a provisional ballot that counted.

Fetterman is originally from a rather well-to-do and Republican family in York."I'll be the first Democrat they ever voted for," he joked.

He night have been one of those Republicans himself but for a life-changing event during his last year in college, when his best friend died in an automobile accident. Fetterman joined Big Brothers and then ultimately went to work for Americorps. He worked in Pittsburgh and went from there to Braddock.

In just the last 13 years, Braddock has lost 26% of its population. It was a steel mill town and now has a population of about 2,100, not much larger than West Easton. It's 73% black has a per capita income of just $12,627.

His agenda is what I'd call working-class liberal, and his argument is that he's the only Democrat who can beat Pat Toomey. He's pro-Obama, pro-Obamacare, and favors a more compassionate view towards immigration. But he's also a gun owner, actually took his shotgun to respond to a robbery in his community and believes any gun reform needs to be based on a scientific study as opposed to emotion. He supports the legalization of marijuana, but decries the heroin epidemic.

His over-riding theme is inequality, whether it is in wages or living conditions.

I'm not crazy he attended the Pa Society Gala. because, as he said, that was where the "Pennsylvania political universe" is. Last time I checked, the Pa political universe is in Pennsylvania, and consists mostly of the very people who elected him, not the oyster-eating, tuxedo-wearing aristocrats.

Though he's very outspoken on domestic matters, he offered no comments about foreign policy and no one bothered to ask him any questions. That is the Achilles heel of both the Democratic party, President Obama and Hillary Clinton.

Fetterman has also been attacked for failing to file the required financial disclosure, but he claims it's on its way.

After giving his speech, Fetterman was soon back on the road for the five-hour trip to Braddock. He and his wife, a Brazilian immigrant, are the parents of three children.

Fetterman is running against Joe Sestak and Kathleen McGinty for the Democratic nomination in next year's race for the U.S. Senate. Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski has suspended his campaign.

The presumptive Republican nominee is Pat Toomey.

Does Fetterman Have a Shot?

Most politicians look to see which way a crowd is going before deciding to follow. There's very little leadership, especially in the LV delegation to the state house. The higher the office, the more reluctant candidates are to actually say anything. That's a dilemma for mainstream candidates like Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush, who are perceived as more as the continuation of dynasties than as independent thinkers who are willing to lead. Pundits claim that this is why Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders are so popular. Could Pennslvanians be looking for someone like that in the U.S. Senate race, too?

Enter John Fetterman, the Mayor of Braddock, a borough tinier than Nazareth, and one that he won by a single vote in 2005. Could he be the guy that takes out Joe Sestak and Katie McGinty in the race for the Democratic nod?

He certainly fits the role of the anti-politician. Standing 6'8" tall, he looks more like a bouncer or Hell's Angel than a graduate of Harvard, which he incidentally is.

He announced his candidacy from his rooftop today.

He's interested in helping people get education, housing and jobs. Instead of fine dining or special tax breaks for gazillionaires, he is interested in seeing that people are fed and that people will come if they are treated right.

Does he have a chance?

Pawlowski's Senate Quarterly, Finally OnLine, Shows $383,717 in Contributions

Allentown Mayor Edwin Pawlowski's expense report for the U.S. Senate, which was due on July 15, has finally appeared online. Because he mailed this report, instead of e-filing it, it caused nearly a week's delay in having the report posted so it can be inspected by the public. It also might violate FEC rules that require any report with more than $50,000 in contributions or expenditures, to be e-filed, although thattule may not apply to U.S. Senate candidates.

Pawlowski reports having received $383,717.for the period between April 1 and June 30. Contributions to candidates for state or local office in Pennsylvania are unlimited, but federal law limits contributions to $2,700.  He also lists $41,856.01 in expenses.

His supporters include some names that are familiar to federal investigators and that are specifically mentioned in subpoenas directed at Allentown City Hall. They include Abe Atiyeh ($500), Abe Atiyeh ($500), Sean Boyle ($5,400) (beneficiary of no-bid contract for parking garage in Allentown); Oldrich Foucek ($5,400 - Norris McLaughlin law firm tied into NIZ six ways to Sunday); Troy Geanopolus ($1,000 from TEN); Patrick Regan ($1,000); Richard Somach ($5,400 from Norris Mclaughlin lawyer); and Matt Sorrentino ($3,800 from Norris McLaughlin lawyer);

Contributors also include political wannabes and those seeking an inside track to business deals, like Candida Affa ($500); Michael Albarell ($500); Richard Barnhardt (He does not identify himself, but he just happens to be the CEO at national real estate developer Pennrose. He gave $2,700 for the primary and $1,900 for the general); Mark Dambly ($4,600 from another Pennrose employee); Vinay Barthwal ($2700)(Holiday Inn owner in Allentown who just happens to be looking for NIZ money);  Sam Bennett ($2,600) (She'd like to be Allentown's next mayor); Anna Boni ($5,000) (commercial developer at Parkway); Jim Brooks ($5,400 - He is the public face of LV Phantoms hockey); Robert Brooks  ($5,400 - He is the other half of LV Phantoms hockey); Butz construction family ($12,900 - How sweet it Niz); Pete Ciarrocchi  ($1,000 Chickie and Pete's, inside NIZ) Louis Costanzo ($5,400 - His Scranton based construction company was drawn into the 2011 public corruption trial of Lackawanna County Comm'rs); Nelson Diaz ($5,400 from NIZ Board member); Michael Dunn ($2500 from NIZ waterfront beneficiary); Robert Dunn ($2700 from NIZ waterfront beneficiary); Ryan S Dunn ($1,250  from NIZ waterfront beneficiary); Charles Everett ($500 - would like to keep his job at airport); Lou and Michael Fromm ($3,000 -There's money to be made by electricians inside the NIZ); Sara Hailstone ($1,000 from the ANIZDA Ezec Director and Allentown DCED Director); Barry Isett ($1,000 - NIZ always looking for a good engineer); Zachary Jaindl ($5,400 - NIZ waterfront); Kostas Kalogeropoulos ($2,700 - hotel business); Billy Konoupis ($500 - Billy's Downtown Diner); Alexander and Patricia Maggitti ($10,800 - He is the president of Diefenderfer Electric, which is doing the bulk of the no-bid electrical work inside the NIZ); Ruth Marcon ($5,400 - Her husband's construction company has a lot of work inside the NIZ): Sal Panto ($1,000 - because he'd like a NIZ, too, where he can fly flags at half-mast); Mark Pepitone ($5,400 - Is he looking to expand inside the NIZ?); Rosen Partners ($25,400 from a NYC-based real estate investment firm); Stephen Schoch ($5,400 from an architect, quelle surprise!); Anthony Stellar ($1,000 from Stellar Construction); Garret Strathearn ($1,000 from yet another City employee); Sy Traub ($1,000 from the ANIZDA Chair, who identifies himself as a seller of kids' books); Andrew Twiggar ($1,250 from NIZ waterfront developer); Herbert and John Wssmer ($5,400 from architects); Susan Ellis Wild ($500 from the City Solicitor); Julio Guridy ($500); Lisa Boscola ($1,000);and Lehigh County Exec Tom Muller ($1,000)

Jenn Mann contributed $500 and also spent $750 out of her disingenuously-named "For the People" PAC. The Fleck-created Citizens for a Better Reading kicked in $1000.

Pawlowski spent $30,000 with Dynamic RSG to do fundraising. He also spent $3,000 on Mike Fleck.

10:50 AM Update: The full report is here.

11:20 am Update: The Morning Call has picked up on this story,and includes a few names I was unaware are connected to the subpoena list.

Should "Admiral" Sestak Be Pulling Rank?

Apparently, when "Admiral" Sestak refers to himself on the campaign trail, he's violating military ethics because he fails to make clear he is retired.

From TribLive:

At an event in Latrobe on Tuesday, titled “Admiral Sestak for Senior Citizens and People with Alzheimer's Disease,” Sestak refused to address questions about why his campaign literature doesn't prominently indicate he retired as a two-star rear admiral.

“I don't know what you are talking about,” said Sestak, who rose to the rank of three-star admiral but wasn't in that position long enough to retire as such. He said he could not answer the question and referred it to campaign spokeswoman Danielle Lynch, who refused comment.

Reminded of the Pentagon's military code of ethics regarding the use of titles, Sestak said: “Mmmm. Send us something on that, would you?”

David Christian Weighing Senate Bid

From Skip Salvesen: One of the most decorated Vietnam War veterans and youngest Captains of the U.S. Army, David A. Christian of Bucks County, announced his launch of an Exploratory Committee to survey a bid for the 2012 U.S. Senate seat currently held by Bob Casey Jr.


Christian, a veteran’s advocate and Philadelphia businessman, has worked with various federal agencies including the U.S. Department of Labor, under four U.S. Presidential Administrations in Washington D.C. He is especially proud of his work in developing jobs, outreach programs and assisting returning war veterans in transitioning back to civilian life. Christian has consistently demonstrated his commitment to veterans. He was responsible for drafting some of the first Agent Orange legislation and for founding assistance programs which established Pennsylvania as the first and only state in compliance with federal regulations with respect to serving employment needs combat veterans.

Christian now works as a business consultant with clients both in the United States and abroad. He has extensive knowledge in domestic & international affairs with an emphasis on humanitarian and nation-building efforts (Cambodia/Former USSR/Middle East). He also presently serves as executive at a Philadelphia-based manufacturing company with over 50 employees.


“I plan to speak with and listen to Pennsylvanians throughout the state to examine the opportunities available in this possible bid to unseat Senator Bob Casey Jr.,” asserted Christian. “In this tough economic period, people are continuing to lose their homes and their jobs because of failed the policies of President Obama and Senator Casey. Right now we need tested leaders with business experience to unleash the natural talents of our citizens and reignite the American promise of unlimited opportunity for all.” Christian, a former Airborne Ranger and Green Beret, is a graduate of Officer Candidate School. He is also a graduate of Villanova University and the Rutgers University Law School.


David Christian serves as a board member on several organizations including The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors and The Legion of Valor; the nation’s oldest veterans’ organization. He is the recipient of many citations and awards including two recommendations for the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, as well as numerous other honors for valor. He and his wife, Peggy, reside in Southeastern PA and have four children.

This story is also reported at Pennsylvania Avenue.

Politicio Lists Charlie Dent Among Possible Casey Challengers

Charlie Dent For Senate?

The Morning Call's Nicole Radzievich, in a Sunday news account, indicates that the Charlie Dent returning to Congress is going to be a much more powerful member for two reasons. He's got seniority and he's in the Majority.

There may actually be a third reason. Rumors are swirling that Dent plans to challenge Bob Casey, Senate Zombie, in 2012. I have no idea whether there is any truth to these rumors, but have long thought Dent is ideally suited to the U.S. Senate.

If Dent gets a Committee assignment with a lot of face time, my guess is that he's running.

I Owe Morganelli a Morganelli

Let me tell you the two best-kept secrets at the Northampton County Courthouse. The first is its cozy law library, which is open to the public. But the best secret is its bright and cheerful cafeteria, managed by head chef Richard McInerney for Susan's Catering.

One of McInerney's creations is The Morganelli, a great Italian sandwich named after our District Attorney. Now that Joe Sestak has defeated Arlen Specter in the Senate primary, I owe John Morganelli a Morganelli.

I had a sinking feeling I'd lose my bet over the past few days. But I never would have guessed that Sestak's margin would be that big.

DA John Morganelli to Endorse Joe Sestak

This just in:

Northampton County District Attorney John M. Morganelli, the Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania Attorney General in 2008, and a past President of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association will formally endorse Congressman Joe Sestak for US Senate at a campaign event in Bethlehem on Friday May 14, 2010. Morganelli is a 5 term district attorney in Pennsylvania and one of the state's longest serving district attorneys. Morganelli is scheduled to introduce Congressman Sestak at the campaign event.

John and I have actually placed a friendly wager over the outcome of the Specter-Sestak race. I'm looking forward to eating a Morganelli, the sandwich named in his honor.

If he wins, I'll report him to AG Corbett for gambling.

T.J. Rooney: If Sestak Wins, So Does Toomey

Why the hell do you tink Pat Toomey was willing to debate Joe Sestak so many times?

Why Steve Barron Supports Arlen Specter

It's no secret that Northampton County Controller Steve Barron supports Arlen Specter over Joe Sestak for the U.S. Senate. He was actually Specter's surrogate in a recent endorsement meeting among Northampton County Democrats. I've asked him to tell you why. Bar Johnston, who is heading up the Sestak campaign in the Lehigh Valley, has agreed to provide a similar essay, which I will be happy to publish whn it arrives.

Below is Steve's essay. May the best man win!

As you know I support Arlen Specter for US Senate in the up coming primary. I have been on the stump for him all over the Lehigh Valley.

The first thing I tell those groups of voters is that Arlen has delivered for the Lehigh Valley countless times. He recently found key funding to update the safety equipment for the Lehigh Valley International Airport, and secured a major grant for a Workforce Training Center on the Southside of Bethlehem, run in conjunction with Northampton County Community College. The Bangor Outpatient VA Clinic has also had a huge impact on veterans from this area who need outpatient care. Arlen was instrumental in making sure that clinic was placed here to help the veterans of the Lehigh Valley.

Specter has also delivered for the country. The Obama Administration’s response to the worst economic downturn in 80 years might not have gotten off the ground if Arlen hadn’t supported the economic stimulus package. Now, Bernie, I know your readers can turn on Fox News and hear 24 hours of criticism of that bill. But as Northampton County’s Controller, I keep my eye on the financial markets every day, and the upturn we’ve experienced nationally in recent months is testimony to the decisive action the White House has taken on several fronts.

Specter has tons of endorsements from folks I work with and look up to—from the governor and legislators, mayors and county executives—but maybe the biggest reason I support Arlen is because he won my Dad’s support. When I was a teenager, my father hit a rough patch in his life. Compounding his problems was the fact that he faced a ton of red tape landing a VA home loan. Arlen Specter and his staff stepped in and delivered for us. I remember the day we got the call telling us the loan was now approved; and that the VA was sorry about the problems and misunderstanding. It was the break my Dad needed to get back on his feet. My Dad told me that Arlen always had his vote anytime he was up for election; and he’s got mine too.

This state needs Arlen to be there fighting for the Citizens of Pennsylvania. Especially when there is so much more work to be done in Washington. Pennsylvania needs his leadership, dedication, and ability to fight for us here in the Lehigh Valley and that is why I am working hard to make sure he is our candidate in November.

Sestak Gets VodVarka Kicked Off Senatorial Ballot

Joe VodVarka is a plain-spoken, down-to-earth man who wowed the 500 plus crowd at a LV Tea Party candidates' night on Friday night. He mentioned he had been in court just that day, trying to fend off a Joe Sestak nomination challenge. His tired wife was sleeping in the car outside.

Looks like Sestak has succeeded in knocking VodVarka off the ballot, forcing Democrats to choose between Arlen Specter and the Rear Admiral.

I think I'll vote for the Democrat who supports small d democracy.

Toomey: We Are Being Turned Into a European-Style Welfare State

At Friday night's candidates' night, hosted by the LV Tea Party, Republican senatorial candidate Pat Toomey wasted no time condemning the Obama / Reid / Pelosi troika.

"Their mission is to fundamentally redesign the American polity, to turn us into a European-style welfare state where a vast government controls the economy, redistributes wealth and forces the kind of social and economic outcomes that their Mandarins want to impose on the rest of us. And what's so encouraging to me is the way the American people are rising up, and saying very clearly and unambiguously, as we're saying today, 'we will have none of this.'

"I think the people of Pennsylvania and, I suspect, beyond that, they understand that the source of the greatness of our society is never government. The greatness of America is the American people."

(You can see the video here.)

Toomey was certainly "preaching to the choir,"as noted at LVPoliblog. At the only other tea party meeting I attended, the general consensus was that we are well along the path of socialism, and have been ever since Teddy Roosevelt was President.

But is this view accurate? According to Common Dreams' Nine Myths About Socialism in the US, no.

Top LV Democrats to Endorse Arlen Specter on Monday

“Arlen Specter has been a consistent moderate voice for Pennsylvania who has been more focused on results than politics, something we need more of in our country today.”

Those are the words of Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham, and they echo a theme often repeated here. While some of you certainly think that answers to our many problems lie in extreme left or right politics, most of us prefer the "can do" common sense approach of leaders like Charlie Dent, Arlen Specter, Don Cunningham and John Stoffa. Most of us, like them, detest the partisan bickering that all too often has resulted in gridlock in Washington and the land of midnight payraises.

The most powerful voices in this country, and certainly in the Lehigh Valley, are those who speak from its independent center. That's why, six years ago, when Specter was threatened from the right by Pat Toomey, I briefly switched to Republican so I could vote for him.

Now that this feisty old warrior is being threatened on the left, I'm gratified to learn that the Lehigh Valley's top Democrats will publicly endorse Snarlen' Arlen tomorrow, 9:45 AM, at Allentown's Four Point Sheraton. Don Cunningham will be joined by Northampton County Exec John Stoffa, Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Easton Mayor Sal Panto and the party bosses from Northampton, Lehigh, Carbon and Bucks County.

I note that Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan is not among those listed. He's probably worried that publicly admitting his support for Specter will cost him votes from the left.

Toomey & Sestak: Two Hares Chasing a Tortoise at Muhlenberg

Ultraconservative Pat Toomey and Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-7) are hardly what I'd call regular guys. Toomey made a fortune dealing in derivatives, while haughty Sestak goes through staff the way I go through a bag of Cheezits. You're more likely to find these guys on a swanky golf course than at an Iron Pigs game.

That's why I have to laugh about their supposed health care "town" hall, scheduled at Muhlenberg College tonight. It's no town hall in any real sense. Of the approximately 400 tickets made available by the college, half go to the respective campaigns and another 100 will be handed out to students. That leaves just around 100 for real people and the tea-baggers.

Still, they are trying to prove they're cool. They've confirmed their rendezvous on Twitter and have even agreed - Obama style - to share a beer when all is said and done. I suspect both will ask for straws.

"This is pure good governance," Sestak solemnly pronounces.

Really?

This is no exercise in democracy. It has nothing to do with health care reform, either. It has everything to do with bashing Senator Arlen Specter. While Sestak has been launching little toy boats in his bath tub, Specter has been tangling with numerous angry crowds in town halls throughout the state. They've practically assaulted this nearly 80 year-old Senator, apparently forgetting that Snarlin' Arlen comes from the tough streets of Philly, where he learned Scottish law. Rocky country.

"Yo, Adrianne!"

While Specter is out there talking about actual issues, Toomey and Sestak are moving pieces on a political chessboard. Toomey is propping Sestak up with this Muhlenberg "town" hall so he can knock him down later. He knows he just might beat Sestak. He has no chance at all against Specter. For his part, Sestak is looking for a statewide launching pad from which he can challenge Specter's admittedly weak Democratic credentials. And the last place Joe the Admiral wants to do that in is in his own district. He's already fired everyone there. So these senatorial wannabes think they have a win-win, and it's why the incumbent was given no invitation. He'll just muddy the waters.

"With Arlen Specter, you never know who's going to show up," snarks Toomey. Well, whoever that person may be, he's already beaten you once, Pat, and that was among Republicans. Sestak claims Specter is "following my leadership." I see. What leadership is that, Admiral Joe? The kind that caused thirteen of your staffers to jump overboard during your first term? The kind that led the Navy to force you to walk the plank for disrupting morale there?

Both of these hares are ready to make deposits on apartments in Washington, but my money is on the tortoise.

I Wish I'd Been a Girlie, Just Like My Dear Papa!

Two summers ago, on a hot summer day, I worked up a helluva' sweat on my bicycle ride to the courthouse. I always packed extra clothing to wear after the forty-five minute trip over the rolling hills between Nazareth to Easton. Once I made it, I stumbled into the men's room, a little slower than usual. I stripped off my soaking wet fancy bike clothes, cleaned up and was just getting ready to throw on some dry clothes, when court administrator Jim Onembo walked in on me. I gave him just one "come hither look," and the poor bastard ran out and down the halls.

I didn't even have a chance to do any toe tapping!

Apparently, the mere sight of a rotund, aging, hair ball au naturelle was too much to bear. Maybe it was the high heels. Onembo hasn't been the same since that fateful day.

He probably never played sports.

About six months after that incident, I sued Northampton County over its appointment of council members Lamont McClure and Tony Branco, claiming a Sunshine Act violation. It was only then that I began hearing comments about my lascivious bathroom behavior. Nameless council members whispered to county lawyers that I should be barred from the courthouse.

Shhhh!

They also quietly told a reporter I had been arrested.

Shhhhh!

Eventually, a reluctant reporter asked me for details. Here's what I said.

"I'm a lumberjack and I'm OK.
I sleep all night and I work all day.
I cut down trees, I skip and jump.
I like to press wild flowers.
I put on women's clothing and hang around in bars."

The real implication in the message being passed down whisper alley? Bernie O'Hare is - shhh!- gay. That's right, bippy, a bunblaster who lurks in public restrooms, preying on unsuspecting civil servants with louche behavior.

What an insult to the gay community! Those dudes don't look like Bigfoot.

And that's why I have some sympathy for now former Senator Larry Craig. What's his terrible crime? Whether he acknowledges it or not, he was given the bum's rush from the senate because he's gay. That's no crime. Yet cops still prosecute this "deviant" lifestlye. As a NYTimes op-ed makes abundantly clear, "What is shocking about Senator Larry Craig’s bathroom arrest is not what he may have been doing tapping his shoe in that stall, but that Minnesotans are still paying policemen to tap back. For almost 40 years most police departments have been aware of something that still escapes the general public: men who troll for sex in public places, gay or 'not gay,' are, for the most part, upstanding citizens. Arresting them costs a lot and accomplishes little. "

Former New Jersey Guv' Jim McGreevey speaks of his own late-night close call when he was in his 20s. "I pulled into the rest stop, parked my car, flashed my headlights, which was 'the signal,' and waited. Glancing in my rearview mirror, I saw a state trooper approaching. I desperately tried to convince the trooper of my innocence, showing him my former prosecutor's badge, a gift from the office when I left. The trooper radioed his office and returned. 'I never want to see you here again,' he said. I survived for another day."

What a sad way to "survive!" Gay folks should do what we straighties do - blast a horn. Works every time.

In our homophobic culture, gay people learn to repress their tendencies. Many of them, at least on the surface, are very conservative. And this internal contradiction is the justification for outing a holier-than-thou conservative senator picked up in a men's room.

They're hypocrites, we piously proclaim.

But as Roy Clark at Poynter tells us, we're all phonies. "I'm a hypocrite. You’re a hypocrite. We are all hypocrites. Why? Because I violate in my private life some of the things I profess in public. I guess it makes me a hypocrite because I take public actions designed to encourage my children, my students, my colleagues, and my readers to be a little better than I am. I don’t always practice what I preach."

A few thousand years ago, someone put this a little more succinctly. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."