Josh Shapiro on "Inside Story"

Josh Shapiro, a Democratic candidate for Attorney General, and his candidacy were discussed on ABC’s  (WPVI) "Inside Story" on January 17^th.  The host / moderator was Tamala Edwards, panelists were Aajay Raju, Dom Giordano, Larry Platt, and Renee Amoore

Shapiro's team has made the video available.  I watched and took rough notes.  This is not intended to be a formal transcript.  I apologize in advance for any errors or misconceptions.

TE: Let’s talk about Josh Shapiro jumping into race for Pennsylvania Attorney General.  Four other people are running for the Democrats, including Kathleen Kane.  Biggest challenge would be Stephen Zappala Jr, from West.  He’s the District Attorney for Allegheny County.  Shapiro has released polls that look good for him, Zappala has released ads that look good for him.  East vs West.  Shapiro would do well in Southeastern PA, the rest of state is a toss up.

AR:  Both Congressman [there was a glitch in the sounds but I think it is Brady] and Johnny Doc may endorse Zappala not our favorite elected rep Josh Shapiro.  We have an early endorsement from Darrell Clarke and it was curious as he usually doesn’t endorse so early.  JS a star not just locally but statewide.  Makes it a dogfight.

TE:  Statewide race.  Who and what endorsements will sway mid-staters more?

LP:  A question of messaging rather than the insider’s game of endorsing.  Clarke’s endorsement could help JS locally.  The thing that intrigues me in terms of JS’s candidacy in terms of zeitgeist.  JS all about reform and management.  AG’s office in desperate need of reform and management.  The downside of JS candidacy according to conventional wisdom is that he’s never been a prosecutor.  But 21 of the nation’s Attorneys General are not prosecutors.

TE:  JS says he polls well in leadership.  Zappala says look at my records;  you want AG to be top law guy.  Which has greater sway.

DG:  I like JS a lot even though we differ politically.  Depends on who can effectively contrast with Kathleen Kane.  He is clean, efficient.  He served in Harrisburg too.   He can raise a lot of money.  Has a lot of support.

TE:  What does it mean that [Gov] Wolf loves him, will do some things for him statewide.  With his connections he can pull in national people.

RA:  JS people love him.  He knows and understands how to cross the aisle.  I’m deputy chair of the Republican Party and he put me on his transition team.  Popular through community he works with.  He has the answers.  People love him.  He’s been in Harrisburg. 

AR:  He’s a star.

RA:  He’s out in the community 24/7.  He’s earned his accolades.  He’s young and he communicates with people.

TE:  We usually disagree but we all agree here.

LP:  Watch what he did with zero based budgeting in Montco.  He remade local government, turned deficit into surplus.  Someone needs to remake the Attorney General’s office.

DG:  That might be a stronger argument than “I’m a career prosecutor” or “everyone likes me and knows my credibility.”

Stollsteimer's Drug Market Intervention Initiative

Jack Stollsteimer, an announced candidate for Pennsylvania Attorney General, has released a drug market intervention initiative.  It is a four page document available on his website.  He has a three-pronged approach and spells out specific actions he would have the department and community partners take.  It's a pdf and doesn't allow me to cut and paste.

This initiative is related to the increase in misuse of prescription pain killers and the increased use of heroin.

data related to the dispensing

of Schedule II controlled substances by pharmacies

and doctors in Pennsylvania.

Stollsteimer Announces for AG

Regardless of whether or not Kathleen Kane steps down as Pennsylvania Attorney General, the office will be up for election in 2016.  Here is the first candidate announcement for the 2016 election:

Jack Stollsteimer announced today that he is running for Attorney General of Pennsylvania and will be seeking the Democratic nomination in the 2016 Primary.

Stollsteimer has spent much of his legal career as a criminal prosecutor, both as an Assistant District Attorney in Delaware County and as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

In 2006, Stollsteimer was appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania as the Safe Schools Advocate for the Philadelphia School District. As the Advocate, he brought to light the District’s underreporting of violent crimes in schools and its failure to discipline violent students in accordance with the District’s own Student Code of Conduct. His work resulted in changes in District policy, establishing a safer environment for both children and teachers within Philadelphia’s schools.  

"I have established a long track record for protecting Pennsylvanians from crime," said Stollsteimer. "It is time to take that proven track record and put it to work again so that the citizens of our Commonwealth are assured that they have someone as their chief law enforcement officer who is 100 percent focused on keeping them safe."

Jack Stollsteimer, born in Philadelphia, currently resides in Delaware County with his wife and two children.

Murphy Endorses Kane

from the inbox:

Today, Iraq war veteran and former prosecutor Patrick Murphy endorsed his Democratic primary opponent, Kathleen Kane, for Pennsylvania Attorney General.

“Primaries are never easy. But it’s important to remember that this was a family fight. Now that it’s over, we must come together and rally behind our nominee. That’s why I am endorsing Kathleen Kane for Attorney General. Because in the end, Kathleen is Pennsylvania’s best choice for Attorney General,” Murphy said.

“Kathleen is a fierce competitor. But she also has a vision for this office. We agree that consumer protection must be the cornerstone of this office and that we must do more to protect children from sexual abuse. We need an Attorney General who will protect the middle class and defend the rights of every Pennsylvanian, not just those with money or power. So now, we Democrats must come together, beat David Freed, and deny Governor Corbett the Attorney General he hand-picked to protect his radical agenda,” Murphy added.

Kathleen Kane, Patrick Murphy, and Bill Clinton

There are two Democratic candidates for Attorney General in Pennsylvania, Kathleen Kane and Patrick Murphy.  Former Pres. Bill Clinton has talked about both of them.

Bill Clinton on Kathleen Kane, March 26, 2012:

“The first elected office I ever held was Attorney-General, so it’s a job I know something about. The Attorney General can have an enormous positive impact, so it’s important to elect someone who understands how to use the office and the legal system to protect and advance the lives of Pennsylvanians.  Kathleen Kane would make a great Attorney General. She’s smart and tough. She’s prosecuted more than 3000 cases, protected senior citizens, and put child molesters and violent criminals behind bars,” remarked President Clinton.  “Kathleen is a great Democrat who understands that an Attorney General’s job is to stand up for consumers and people. I’m proud to endorse my friend Kathleen Kane and I hope she’ll become the first woman ever elected Attorney General by the people of Pennsylvania.”

Bill Clinton on Patrick Murphy (then running for Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district), Oct 11, 2006:

"Do we got a great candidate or what?" (source:  Scheid, Brian.  "Clinton stumps for Murphy," Intelligencer 10/12/2006)

Murphy supported Obama in the 2008 presidential election; Kane supported Hillary Clinton.

Kathleen Kane Video

Kathleen Kane, one of the Democratic candidates for Attorney General, released an introductory video today.  You can watch it at:  http://www.kathleengkane.com/kathleen-kane-introduction/

Patrick Murphy's First TV Ad

Patrick Murphy, one of the Democratic candidates for Attorney General, has released his campaign's first television ad (also available online).  The text of the ad is as follows:

Patrick Murphy: “My dad was a cop for 22 years. He taught me early on the importance of fighting for what’s right, no matter what.”

Narrator: “Patrick Murphy: Husband, father, Army paratrooper, West Point law professor. Murphy prosecuted terrorists in Iraq and came home to help end the war.”

“As attorney general, he’ll enforce the law fairly, to protect the rights of workers, our environment, and protect a woman’s right to choose.”

“Patrick Murphy: Democrat for Attorney General.”

Patrick Murphy's Annual St. Patrick's Day Event

This evening I stopped in at the Ancient Order of the Hibernians in Bristol for Patrick Murphy's annual St. Patrick's Day event.  I like this event -- it's my third time attending.  It is not so much a political event as it is a community event, and is priced accordingly.  There was live music and Irish dancers.  The food was pretty good (though if there was a dessert table I missed it); the company was nice.  Usually at political events I find a quiet spot in a corner and hunker down with discretely placed paper and pen.  At this one, though, I can join just about any table and be comfortable.  There isn't a lot of self-congratulation or social climbing.  If anyone who wonders who I am and why I'm there they keep it to themselves.  You engage in small talk with others at the table.  People ask if they can borrow a chair.  It's neighbors visiting with neighbors.

Murphy went around and talked with people but not in an organized way.  He wasn't working the room table by table.  He'd stand in one place and people would come to talk with him then one of his kids would zoom by and he'd shift a few feet and some other people would come up and talk to him.  For me, at least, it was a nice change of pace from what had been an otherwise hectic day.  Murphy is running for statewide office, Attorney General, and it's great to see that he is still holding this event in his hometown area.

Patrick Murphy on Corbett Remarks

a press release from the campaign of Patrick Murphy, Democratic candidate for Attorney General:

Yesterday, Gov. Tom Corbett was asked about House Bill 1077, the so-called “Women’s Right-to-Know Act,” which would force women to undergo a mandatory and invasive ultrasound at least 24 hours before receiving abortion care. He said the following:

“I don’t know how you can make anybody watch, because you just have to close your eyes,” said Corbett. “But as long as it’s on the exterior, not interior.”

Today, Iraq war veteran and former prosecutor Patrick Murphy issued the following statement in response to Governor Tom Corbett’s comments:

“It’s bad enough that Governor Corbett wants to force women to get an unnecessary and invasive procedure as a means of getting a government permission slip to undergo legal medical care. It’s worse yet that he wants to shame them by shoving an ultrasound screen in their face. But it’s unthinkable that he would so casually dismiss this by advising women to just close their eyes. Governor Corbett’s comments are disturbingly offensive, insensitive, and out of touch. He should apologize immediately.” Murphy said. “As I have said before, this legislation is an outrageous assault on women’s rights in Pennsylvania and an unprecedented intrusion into decisions that should be made exclusively between a woman and her doctor. The proposal is demeaning, mean spirited and wrong. There is no legal justification for forcing a woman to undergo an invasive ultrasound, and after careful analysis, I believe that no reasonable arguments can be made to support the Constitutionality of this bill. As Attorney General, I could not defend it against a Constitutional challenge.”

Too Many Kathleen Kanes

Kathleen Kane is one of two Democratic candidates vying for Attorney General.  According to her website she has worked in the Lackawanna County District Attorney's office.   I enjoy researching candidates and so tried to look into Ms. Kane's work.  Most of the articles I found about her as an assistant district attorney referred to her as Kathleen Granahan.  That is her birth name.  Fair enough.  Oddly, there was one 1999 article from the (Harrsiburg) Patriot-News which referenced a Lackawanna County attorney named Kathleen Kane who represented a woman charged with credit card fraud ("Across Pennsylvania," Oct 21, 1999).

Trying to sort this out I went to my favorite lawyer tracking site, www.martindale.com.  That database shows a Kathleen Kane in Philadelphia who graduated from Widener in 1993, a Kathleen A. Kane of Paoli who graduated from Villanova around 1991, and a Kathleen M. Granahan with a Philadelphia address who graduated from Temple Law School in 1993 (BS from University of Scranton).  The last entry matches the most closely with the background listed on Kathleen Kane's campaign site (www.kathleengkane.com).  But if she was part of the Lackawanna DA's office in 1999, who was the Kathleen Kane who decided the woman accused of credit card fraud?  Same person, different person?  There was a politcally connected Kathy Kane in the area but she isn't a lawyer.  Other than that I'm stumped.

Weissmann Endorses Murphy

from the inbox:

Today, Former Pennsylvania Treasurer Robin Wiessmann endorsed Iraq war veteran and former prosecutor Patrick Murphy for Pennsylvania Attorney General. Wiessmann, widely recognized for her work in public finance, is a pioneer for women in her field. Prior to running the Pennsylvania Treasury, Wiessmann founded the leading women-owned investment banking firm in the United States and as Treasurer, she made the office a more efficient and transparent steward of taxpayer dollars.

“As the former head of the Pennsylvania Treasury, I know what it takes to effectively lead an independent agency like the Attorney General’s office. Patrick Murphy has the experience, dedication and professional judgment to serve as the highest law enforcement official in the Commonwealth. This office is about leadership. It’s implementing a vision for a better Pennsylvania. Serving in the military during wartime and as a champion of civil and human rights, Patrick has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to public service, to the law and to fighting to create better lives for people he represents. That is why it is with great confidence and enthusiasm that I support Patrick Murphy in his bid to become the Pennsylvania Attorney General.” Wiessmann said.

“As the Congressman in my home district, Patrick served his constituents with passion and diligence. He took the time to understand the issues affecting families in our district and was not afraid to take the lead in national debates. Most important, Patrick takes action when called for and stands for what he believes is right.  He will ably serve our Commonwealth as our next Attorney General,” Wiessmann added.

“Treasurer Wiessmann has made a lasting impact on Pennsylvania, changing the way we protect and invest taxpayer dollars, and she has been a trailblazer for women in her industry, a true leader and public servant,” Murphy said. “Treasurer Wiessmann protected taxpayer dollars and promoted economic growth in a transparent and efficient way. I’m honored to earn her support, and even more honored to call her a friend.”

McCaffery Announces AG Bid

from the inbox:

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania - Daniel McCaffery announced his candidacy last night for the Office of Attorney General of Pennsylvania. A former Assistant District Attorney and Army Cavalry veteran, McCaffery brings over twenty-years of court-room experience to this office along with the courage necessary to enact real reform in Pennsylvania.

"I am running for Attorney General because I know what I'm doing. I have spent every day of the last twenty years in a courtroom; I've never backed down from a fight and never will." Said McCaffery.

"Over the last five years, we've witnessed a financial meltdown as a result of fraud and greed by Wall street. Millions of families have lost their life savings. These are good hardworking men and women, Pennsylvania families, American families who have lost their life savings, retirements, pensions and their homes. No one is standing up for them."

"As Attorney General, I will create the most aggressive law enforcement agency in the nation, hold these offenders accountable, and bring them to justice... This is about protecting Pennsylvanian Families from financial crimes and rooting out fraud against taxpayers, Political corruption is rampant and white collar crime goes unpunished." Said McCaffery.

website: www.mccaffery2012.com facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dan-McCaffery twitter: @DanMcCaffery

Auditor General Jack Wagner on School Superintendent Buyouts

from yesterday's inbox:

Auditor General Jack Wagner said today that he was initiating a new policy of immediately auditing school superintendent separation agreements so that full details of buyouts would be available to taxpayers.

Wagner announced the enhanced policy after the School District of Philadelphia and the Allentown School District relieved their superintendents of their duties within the past week. Wagner said he was particularly disturbed because these two districts have announced significant classroom cutbacks because of declining financial support from state government. According to media reports, the outgoing Allentown superintendent is receiving a $50,000 contract buyout and ongoing employment at the school district at the same $195,000 salary and the outgoing Philadelphia superintendent is getting a $905,000 severance package, with $500,000 coming from taxpayers and $405,000 from anonymous private donors.

Wagner said his auditors would contact the Allentown School District and School District of Philadelphia in the next few days to obtain complete information on the details of their superintendent buyout agreements.

“Public school districts in Pennsylvania are grappling with their greatest financial challenge in a generation, and they are working hard to make sure that every taxpayer dollar is being spent wisely and prudently,” Wagner said. “Superintendent buyouts send a message to the public that the leadership in these school districts are out of touch with taxpayers and are not careful stewards of taxpayer dollars. Superintendent severance packages are questionable not only because they appear to waste money, but because the full terms of the secretly negotiated severance packages are seldom made available to the public for scrutiny. As the state’s independent fiscal watchdog, I want to help taxpayers understand what they are paying for.”

The superintendent buyouts in Allentown and Philadelphia are the latest that Wagner has highlighted during his 6 ½ years as auditor general. Other school districts previously cited by Wagner’s audits were:
• Mt. Lebanon School District (Allegheny County): Buyout in excess of $420,000
• South Allegheny School District (Allegheny County): Buyout in excess of $375,000
• Lehighton Area School District (Carbon County): Buyout in excess of $150,000
• Pittsburgh Public Schools (Allegheny County): Buyout in excess of $150,000
• Derry Township School District (Dauphin County): Buyout in excess of $126,000
• Warren County School District (Warren County): Buyout in excess of $101,000
• Coudersport Area School District (Potter County): Buyout in excess of $73,000

Wagner previously made specific recommendations to the General Assembly in August 2005 to amend state law to reduce or eliminate the need for buyouts. Wagner has recommended:
• School districts should limit their potential liability by granting future superintendents to the three-year minimum contract term permitted by state law,
• Future superintendent employment contracts should contain adequate provisions from the outset of the employment relationship to address premature termination of employment, and
• Superintendent contracts should not contain confidentiality clauses that prohibit public disclosure of the reasons for the termination of superintendent to justify the school district’s expenditure of public funds to buy out the superintendent’s contract.

“Because the General Assembly and school boards have has failed to take action and rein in these wasteful buyouts, the Department of the Auditor General will step up efforts to keep taxpayers informed,” Wagner said.

Wagner sent a letter on August 9 to Robert L. Archie Jr., chairman of the Philadelphia School Reform Commission, informing him of the Department of the Auditor General’s concern that “negotiated buyouts of school officials are frequently not made transparent to the public.”

“I urge you, as stewards of tax dollars for the citizens of the City of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia School District, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to do the right thing on behalf of the taxpayers concerning salary and compensation packages for School District of Philadelphia administration leaders,” the letter concluded.

Auditor General Jack Wagner is responsible for ensuring that all state money is spent legally and properly. He is the commonwealth’s elected independent fiscal watchdog, conducting financial audits, performance audits and special investigations. The Department of the Auditor General conducts thousands of audits each year. To learn more about the Department of the Auditor General, taxpayers are encouraged to visit the department’s website at www.auditorgen.state.pa.us.

New Kane Video

Kathleen Granahan Kane,one of the Democratic candidates for Attorney General, has released an introductory biographical video.

Kane to Announce for AG

Kathleen Granahan Kane plans to announce her candidacy for Pennsylvania Attorney General on Thursday, June 9th in Scranton. From her campaign bio:

Born and raised in Scranton PA, Kathleen’s working class upbringing contributes heavily to her work ethic. A graduate of the Scranton public schools, Kathleen worked her way through The University of Scranton and Temple University School of Law in Philadelphia. Her legal career began with civil litigation with the firm of Post & Schell, P.C. in Philadelphia, but inspired by the call of public service she returned home to accept a position as an Assistant District Attorney in the Lackawanna County District Attorneys Office.

Murphy Raises $500K

from the inbox:

Just six weeks after announcing his candidacy for Pennsylvania Attorney General, Patrick Murphy has raised $500,000 and secured major endorsements, including Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams.

In addition, Patrick has earned the support of Former PA DEP Secretary John Hanger and Former U.S. Senator Harris Wofford, as well as a number of state representatives, Democratic Party leaders and labor organizations, such as the United Steelworkers.

“As long as I’ve known Patrick, he has been dedicated to the safety and security of the people of Pennsylvania, whether that be as a soldier or Congressman,” said Mike Russo, Contract Coordinator and Executive Board Member of United Steelworkers Local 4889. “Working families have a friend in Patrick Murphy. As our next Attorney General he won’t be afraid to stand up to special interests that are exploiting everyday Pennsylvanians. Patrick is a true champion for the middle class.”

A former Congressman and Iraq war veteran, Patrick has been overwhelmed by the support he has received since launching his campaign on April 20.

“This type of response just goes to show that Pennsylvania is hungry for leadership in Harrisburg. Working families have had enough of government protecting corporate and special interests at their expense,” Murphy said. “As Attorney General I will stop at nothing to protect Pennsylvania families, something I have dedicated my entire life to doing. I will fight crime wherever it exists – on the street, in the corporate boardroom or in Harrisburg.”

“I’ve heard from so many great men and women throughout Pennsylvania during the past six weeks. I look forward to spending the next 18 months meeting the people who make our Commonwealth great and sharing my vision for the future of Pennsylvania,” Murphy said.




Full List of Endorsements

Elected Officials
Chaka Fattah, U.S. Rep.
Tim Holden, U.S. Rep.
Jason Altmire, U.S. Rep.
Ron Klink, Former U.S. Rep.
Kathy Dahlkemper, Former U.S. Rep.
Harris Wofford, Former U.S. Senator
Dan Onorato, Allegheny County Executive
Seth Williams, Philadelphia District Attorney
John Hanger, Former Secretary of PA Department of Environmental Protection
Daylin Leach, State Senator
Chelsa Wagner, State Rep.
Dan Frankel, State Rep.
Tony Payton, State Rep.
Josh Shapiro, State Rep.
John Galloway, State Rep.
Mike Carroll, State. Rep.
Tina Davis, State Rep.
Steve Santarsiero, State Rep.
Margo Davidson, State Rep.
Thaddeus Kirkland, State Rep.
Michael O’Brien, State Rep.
Mark McCracken, Clearfield County Commissioner
Connie Kough Pittenger, Huntingdon County Commissioner
Tom Leighton, Wilkes-Barre Mayor
J. Richard Gray, Lancaster Mayor
Rick Vilello, Mayor of Lock Haven
Brad Koplinski, Harrisburg City Council

Democratic Party Leaders
TJ Rooney, Former Chair, PA Dems
John Cordisco, Chair, Bucks County
Marcel Groen, Chair, Montgomery County
Greg Stewart, Chair, Centre County
Chris Tarsa, Chair, Lebanon County
Susan Hartman, Chair, Huntingdon County
Roger Lund, Chair, Adams County and State Committee South Central Caucus Chair
Frank Rosenhoover, Chair, Blair County and State Committee North Central Caucus Chair
Greg Specht, Acting Chair, Juniata County
Bob Kefauver, Chair, York County
Don Hilliard, Chair, Jefferson County
Rick Thomas, Chair, Union County
Jessie Bloom, Chair, Lycoming County
Larry Kriess, Chair, Butler County
Rick Daugherty, Chair, Lehigh County
Sally Lyall, Chair, Lancaster County
William O’Gurek, Jr., Chair, Carbon County
Gail McDermott, Chair, Cumberland County

Labor Leaders
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776
PA Conference of Teamsters
United Steelworkers
International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America
Sprinkler Fitters Local 692
Plumbers Union Local 690
Ironworkers Local 401
Boilermakers Local 13
Boilermakers Local 19
American Postal Workers Union Local 7048
Communications Workers of American Local 13000
Steamfitters Local Union 420
International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers Local 3