- Merlino says family punished for others' mob ties
- Camden County judge seriously hurt in bike accident
- Racism underlies rage at Obama presidency
- Dogs try out for role in "Oliver!"
- 5 area schools win U.S. Blue Ribbon honors
- New Pa. public-records law: lots of requests ... & lawsuits
- Ronnie Polaneczky: Pen to paper: Will Madoff make him rich?
- Drawn by Obama's proximity, activists spar on health care, abortion & other issues
- Ailing woman, 78, spared eviction after PHA's reasoning collapses
- ACORN shows 'pimp' and 'pro' the door here
- Obama in Philly, fundraising for Sen. Arlen Specter
- Blockbuster may shutter 960 stores
- SnapGlow.TV: Modern Gems Galore!
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Clout: A reason or 2 why the GOP axed their judicial slate
HERE at PhillyClout we know that this is a tough town for the GOP.
Earlier this week, the Daily News reported that the city's Republican Party leaders folded the campaign tent on local judicial races this fall, withdrawing six candidates and substituting Democrats in their place.
That means that the Democratic candidates are now on both ballots, removing any competition and annoying Republican ward leader Matt Wolfe, who says that you'll never win elections if you don't contest them.
PhillyClout has since heard from helpful readers offering to explain the Republicans' move.
Explanation one: The Republicans are really concerned about the state Supreme Court race, and depressing turnout in heavily Democratic Philadelphia by eliminating competition can only help.
South Philly Democratic ward leader Matt Myers likes this theory. "They definitely want to depress turnout. The top of the ticket is the big prize," Myers said.
Republican chairman Vito Canuso laughed at the idea.
"Everybody wants to come up with some elaborate theory," Canuso said. It's simple arithmetic, Canuso said. Every candidate files for both primaries, and the Republicans who didn't win the Democratic primary knew that they had no shot and wanted out. The Democrats asked to be slated in their place, and "the easiest thing for a politician to say is yes." Can't hurt to have a Democratic judge as a friend down the line.
Explanation two: Republican leaders saw a chance to make some quick cash for the party by requiring Democratic candidates to spend a few grand on tickets to GOP events.
"All our candidates get solicited," Canuso said. "They were asked to participate in our [annual summer] clam bake, and they'll be asked to participate in the [pre-election] dinner."
"Participate" - does that mean a few thousand bucks?
"The amount hasn't been determined," Canuso said.
One final thought: If the Republicans really hope to suppress competition and diminish turnout, they'll have a problem with their candidates for district attorney and controller, Michael Untermeyer and Al Schmidt.
Both are hard-charging campaigners who will lay down for nobody.
Would Rizzo Run for Lt. Gov?
City Council returns to work after the summer recess next week. But will this be the last fall session for Councilman Frank Rizzo? The at-large Republican says that he's seriously considering a bid for lieutenant governor.
"I have talked to prominent people in Republican politics that have approached me and said, 'You'd be a great guy to run with Tom Corbett,' " Rizzo said.
Corbett, the state Attorney General who hails from western Pennsylvania, is poised to announce his gubernatorial plans Monday.
"Allegheny County-Philadelphia County, I think, is a ticket [combination] that would be tough to beat," Rizzo said.
Despite Rizzo's tough talk, PhillyClout doubts that he would give up his comfy Council seat for a statewide race.
But Rizzo insisted that he's considering it and will make a decision by early 2010.
"I think as a minority member of the Republican Party in Philadelphia, I've accomplished a lot," Rizzo said. "I think in all politicians' blood is [a feeling that] you want to take the opportunity to do more."
Vincent Hughes reads aloud
So, the state budget is 73 days overdue. Legislation that the city needs from the General Assembly to balance its budget is mired in political bickering in Harrisburg. But state Sen. Vincent Hughes on Wednesday found time to indulge in something completely different.
He took to the floor of the Senate to read the text of President Obama's address to schoolchildren, which occurred in a Virginia school Tuesday and was offered for broadcast to schools across the station.
National Republican leaders howled with outrage for days before Obama's speech, some calling it an attempt at socialist "indoctrination." It turned out to be a work-hard message about striving for success no matter where you come from or what people expect of you.
Hughes told his colleagues in the Republican-controlled Senate that he was reading the speech because some people chose to keep their kids from hearing Obama's message. He vowed to submit the text for the record, so that it "can go down in the annals of the Senate's history."
No Republicans objected or complained about indoctrination.
Quotable
"He was like O.J. Simpson knocking down old ladies."
- Sen. Arlen Specter, in the Delaware County Daily Times, describing Vice President Joe Biden rushing to catch a train in Union Station years ago.
Staff writer Dave Davies contributed to this report.
Have tips or suggestions? Call Chris Brennan at 215-854-5973 or Catherine Lucey at 215-854-4712. Or e-mail
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Have a news tip? Gossip? Suggestion? Call Chris Brennan at 215-854-5973 or Catherine Lucey at 215-854-4712. Or e-mail phillyclout@phillynews.com.
