Monday, March 8, 2010
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Weekend To Remember
It's not often that the re-election bids of three potential retirees is overshadowed, but the mess that's developing up in PA-12 is certainly putting a damper on what was otherwise a good-news weekend for Dems.
-- Local PA-12 Dems may have favored ex-Murtha staffer Mark Critz (D) at their non-binding convo 3/6, but PA Dem Chair T.J. Rooney was quick to remind them that his cmte will have final say on the nominee when it votes tonight. But will the state cmte really overturn the preference of local Dems?
-- Possibly. At least one news outlet quotes a senior PA Dem who says it's "unlikely" that Critz will win the nomination, mainly because of the ethics concerns ex-Treas. Barbara Hafer (D) raised during the days leading up to the convo. But even if Critz does win the special nod, the 5/18 primary will be a blood bath, as Hafer promises to continue to hammer Critz's record.
-- Still, Dems got very positive news over the weekend, as Leonard Boswell (D-IA 03) and Ike Skelton (D-MO 04) both filed for re-election, and John Spratt (D-SC 05) made moves that appear to show he'll do the same. If those three do indeed seek re-election, it'll be a bit of a blow for GOPers, as many expected at least one of that group to announce his retirement in '10. Still, each of these contests has the potential to become competitive anyway, as at least one GOPer in each contest appears on the NRCC's "Young Guns" program.
Resigned To Resign
Despite threats to the contrary, Rep. Massa (D-NY 29) will indeed resign at 5 p.m. today. But he doesn't mince words in a 3/7 radio interview. Meanwhile, a top Dem drops plans to replace him.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Special Elections
PENNSYLVANIA 12 (D/JOHNSTOWN -- MURTHA)
1. Plenty Of Critz-ism, But Mark Still Pulls It Out
Ex-Murtha staffer Mark Critz (D) "handily captured" a nonbinding preference vote of Dems 3/6, "kicking the next phase" to the PA Dem Exec. Cmte, which promises a nominee tonight (Roddy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 3/7).
The 3/6 tally (83 total votes)
Critz 46 Ex-Treas. Barbara Hafer 22 Cambria Co. Controller Ed Cernic 14 Navy vet. Ryan Bucchianeri 1 (
Johns, Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, 3/6).
In his speech before the vote, Critz "claimed the mantle of Murtha's heir," tying his candidacy to the work he did on Murtha's behalf (Wereschagin, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 3/7). He said he's grown to "appreciate the people" of the CD through his work with Murtha, and he "pointed out that he has the endorsement" of Murtha's widow, Joyce. Critz: "No one is going to outwork Mark Critz in this campaign" (Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, 3/6).
Hafer, who has criticized Critz as the party's "insider pick" and raised questions about his business dealings and role in a House ethics cmte investigation, told delegates she's the only candidate "tough enough to beat" GOPers. She also "apologized" for raising the allegations last week on the day Murtha's memorial service took place in DC.
But she said Critz "still must explain" how a concrete company he served as bookkeeper for "was slapped" with tax liens. And he must explain what he told Cong. investigators during their inquiry into Murtha's earmarks to defense contractors" (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 3/7). Her remarks brought a shout of "Leave the congressman alone" from one delegate (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 3/7). Hafer, later: "He should answer those questions. I believe I'm the best candidate. I've been vetted." Critz said he'd answer those questions "to everybody's satisfaction," but declined to do so 3/6 (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 3/7).
During his speech, Critz also said he wouldn't campaign against other Dems in the race: "Let's not concentrate on beating the crap out of each other. Let's concentrate on solving problems." Hafer, during her speech, "offered little assurance that the attacks would cease": "Whatever's thrown at you and whatever's thrown at me, it's going to be a thousand times worse by the Republicans" (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 3/7).
Spin Cycle
Each side "quickly spun its own interpretation" of the results which, while not binding, "could have significant influence" on the 50 state cmte voters who are expected to look for signs of local sentiment before nominating a candidate tonight.
Critz had previously said his goal was to win the nonbinding vote "overwhelmingly and make it implausible" for state cmte members to decide otherwise. But his showing came in at 55%, "far from" the 70% he'd hoped for. Critz: "I'd say it's overwhelming when the closest competitor was less than half of what I did" (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 3/7).
For Hafer, winning 25% of the vote "was more than expected -- and maybe just enough to allow the state party to back her" over Critz. Hafer: "I still think I'm the best person to win. We're all going to be in this race. We'll see how it plays out" on 5/18 (Manganaro/Hirschhorn, pa2010, 3/6).
Meanwhile, Hafer mgr Josh Morrow pointed out that among the elected state cmte members -- "excluding the more than 40 delegates" who were appointed by county chairs -- the two candidates tied at 16-16 (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 3/7).
Thanks Everybody. Now The Adults Will Take Over
Following the local vote, PA Dem chair TJ Rooney "thanked" Dems for their vote, but "made sure everyone remembers the final word comes from" his exec. cmte. Rooney: "The vote taken today is a non-binding recommendation. That said, the members of the Executive Committee will certainly take those results under consideration" (Hirschhorn, pa2010, 3/6).
Critz "may have the support of local" Dems, but one "high-level" Dem says the "electability issues" that have been raised about him are "serious enough" that exec. cmte members may "deny him the nomination" this p.m. Calling it "very unlikely, incredibly unlikely" that Critz will win the nod, the party insider signaled "that the stakes are too high for a candidate who hasn't been vetted over any remotely long period of time" (Hirschhorn, pa2010, 3/7).
Meanwhile, Morrow said Critz "simply cannot hold" the CD for Dems. Morrow: "The reality is this guy is not electable. A Republican would love to run against this guy given what we know now" (Manganaro/Hirschhorn, pa2010, 3/6).
Can You Spare A Quarter
Critz said 3/6 that he's raised $130K so far, has secured $90K in commitments "and will soon have more than" $250K in cash (Manganaro, pa2010, 3/6).
Bucch-ing The Party
All four candidates have indicated they intend to run in the 5/18 primary, "regardless of who the party leaders select" for the special (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 3/7). And Bucchianeri announced today he's filed to run in the primary. Bucchianeri: "It is official. Our campaign to bring about change to southwestern Pennsylvania and more importantly, change to Washington is now a choice that voters will have in this primary election" (release, 3/8).
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