Hansen Thank You

a note from State Senate candidate Jack Hansen:

To all my supporters and helpers;

 

The 2014 elections are behind us. The results are not what we wanted, but they are what they are. What we can learn from this year is that all committee persons have to work harder for the causes that we believe in, and all the volunteers have to stay engaged through every election cycle.

 

Elections are not about just one person, rather a common cause that will benefit all of us. I don't think any one of us saw the repeat of 1994 coming where there was a strong swing to the right.

 

We can take refuge in the fact that we elected Tom Wolf as our Governor, and Mike Stack as our Lieutenant Governor, but now it is our job to support them by staying on top of the issues and making our elected officials do our will and work with them.

 

I ran for State Senate because I believed that we need a change in our state government, and I still believe that! About 22,000 voters also believe that. It is the job of the candidate to deliver a victory for their supporters. I failed to deliver for you. I am not asking for sympathy in that statement. I am just stating a fact. I truly am humbled by all the support that you gave to me, and I will never forget it. I consider all of you friends even if we didn't have the opportunity to meet personally. Over the six months of this campaign I had the opportunity to travel over 17,000 miles in my old station wagon, and never leave the district, I attended town hall meetings, breakfasts with civic groups, luncheons with retirees, dinners with committees, and even a cruise on the Delaware River. I went to community days, parades, and picnics. I had the opportunity to speak with many people who all felt the same way about our government. They are tired of the gridlock and dis-function of our government that has haunted both Washington and Harrisburg. I knocked on doors and spoke with regular folks who just wanted to vent about their displeasure with the status quo. We all want the same thing. A government that works for all of us, not just the privileged few.

 

From what I have heard, with the exception of Tom Wolf, our campaign delivered a better showing than any other challenger in the state. I could not have done this without your support

 

I am proud of my staff, and all of the volunteers who worked so many hours to make a difference. Please stay involved, and informed so you can help candidates in the future.

 

Thank you for all your hard work!

 

Sincerely,

 

Jack Hansen

Boyle Thank You

note from Brendan Boyle, from the inbox:

On behalf of my family, my staff and the hundreds of volunteers who have been a part of our campaign over the past 18 months, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for your support during what has been an unbelievable journey.

Last week we won 67% of the vote in what was one of the most decisive open seat election victories in the country, and we did it together. Through difficult odds, we've shown that a willingness to work hard can overcome and can give regular Americans a seat at the table. The idea of progress based on hard work and merit is at the heart of what makes our country the great place that it is, and I am proud that our campaign has been able to embody this ideal.

However, we have a great deal of work ahead of us. From promoting good public schools, a fairer tax structure and badly needed investment in our national infrastructure, there are pressing issues that urgently need to be addressed. I am humbled to have the opportunity to work with you to find solutions to these problems, and am eager to get to it.

As we move ahead in the coming weeks toward swearing in day and get to the business that awaits the 114th Congress, I hope you'll continue to stand with me as we continue our journey together.


With Gratitude,

Brendan

Dan LaVallee Thank You

from the inbox:

Dear Friends 

When we started this campaign in late January, we knew it was going to take a lot of hard work, passion and dedication to bring western Pennsylvania the new leadership it deserves. We also knew it was going to take thousands of supporters just like you -- we share a desire to bring the change that is so desperately needed to our region and the rest of America. 

Despite the fact that this campaign raised nearly half a million dollars and communicated with over 700,000 people across all seven counties, we came up short of our goal of bringing new leadership to western Pennsylvania. However, the fact that we got as far as we did is a testimony to you and that when we join together, anything is possible.

Many people said to me before or after they voted and through messages today that “you are not too young and we need new leadership!” New leadership that keeps the American dream alive and well for all Americans – protecting Medicare and Social Security for seniors like my grandmother, creating a climate for job growth, and investing in education for generations to come.

As you have heard me say, Terrina and I want to pass along an America and a western Pennsylvania full of prosperity and opportunity for the next generation and the children we hope to have someday.

I just visited my grandmother in her rehab facility. She wanted me to express her thanks for your belief in what we can do together. You will always be a part of our family.

With deep gratitude,

Balchunis Thank You

from the inbox:

I want to thank you for all your support. I could never have anticipated the immense support we received from the good people of the five counties in the 7^th district. When the party asked me to run in February, I knew we had several challenges: a strong incumbent, one of the most gerrymandered districts in the nation, an opponent with a huge war chest and an even bigger staff. In the midst of the campaign, my mom became very sick and later died. But, I knew my mom would want me to run to take a stand for all the issues that were so important to her: stopping the gun violence, increasing minimum wage, equal pay for equal work and decreasing student loans.

I called Congressman Meehan to concede the election last night. I want to congratulate him, and I want to pledge my support in the Congressman’s efforts to obtain Universal Background Checks.

When I was in graduate school, we learned that the nickname for the senate was “the millionaires club”.  Now, half of the House of Representatives are also millionaires. Many of them work to make sure that their wealth is protected while the middle class is getting squeezed and the poor are getting poorer. We need a congress that understands the needs of all the people in the 7^th district.

Timing is everything in politics. Although this may have not been my time to enter congress, this does not end our fight on all of the issues that we stood for in this campaign. We must take these next two years to unite as a nation, not a party, to work together to make our nation a more equal, more prosperous, and a safer place for our families. As I said last night, persistence is the key to life, and now is the time to persevere. I am so proud of the campaign that my campaign team and I were able to put forward. We couldn't have done it without your help. I can’t thank you enough.

                                                                                    Gratefully,

                                                                                    Mary Ellen

Post-Election Note from Marcel Groen

A note from Marcel Groen, chair of Montgomery County Democratic Party:

Congratulations to all of us for a remarkable victory last night for our next governor, Tom Wolf, and our next lieutenant governor, Mike Stack.

Tom ran a remarkable race, and I know that all of you share my sentiments not only in congratulating him and his wife, Frances, as well as Mike, but also in our belief that he will be a great governor and make us proud.  We, in Montgomery County have much to be proud of in helping him get elected. We provided him with a greater margin of victory than any County in the Commonwealth other than Philadelphia and Allegheny County -- and we almost matched Allegheny. With all of your collected efforts, we gave him a 51,000 vote margin. That represents five times the margin we gave to Dan Onorato in 2010.

We continue to add to our status as one of the two or three best County organizations in the State. Our turnout was similar to what it was in 2010, and we won the County by twenty percentage points -- an unbelievable number and one of the top percentages in the State, as well. As always, we accomplished what we did by all of us working together for a common cause. Thank you for all of your work and effort.

Obviously, while we were thrilled by the outcome of the gubernatorial race, we had mixed results in the legislative races. While we overwhelmingly reelected eight State House members and elected a new State Senator and Congressman, we also lost Mark Painter's bid for reelection. Mark has been a phenomenal legislator these last two years, and we are proud of him. We hope that, in two years, there will be another rematch in which we recapture that seat.

Congratulations to our incumbent House members who were re-elected; Matt Bradford (70th), Mary Jo Daley (148th), Tim Briggs (149th), Madeleine Dean (153rd), Steve McCarter (154th), Greg Vitali (166th), Kevin Boyle (172nd), and Pam DeLissio (194th).  Our delegation will be one to be reckoned with.

Congratulations to our new State Senator, Art Haywood, for his resounding win in the 4th senatorial district; to Congressman Chaka Fattah in his reelection and to our new congressman Brendan Boyle in the 13th. Brendan, of course, is replacing Allyson Schwartz. While we are confident that Brendan will do a great job, we want to thank Allyson for many years of dedicated service to the people of this County.

I also want to take a minute to thank and congratulate the challengers who were not successful. They all worked hard, gave it everything they had, and we owe them a heartfelt "thank you." As I am sure you all recognize, it is not easy to run against an incumbent or in a seat which has a significant registration advantage for the other side. Their efforts are significant and helps us to continue building our Party. When you see Ruth Damsker, Jack Hansen, or Kathi Cozzone, our state senate candidates; Dottie Miller, Suzan Leonard, Michael Beyer, David McKenzie or Marian Moskowitz, our State House candidates;  Manan Trivedi, Kevin Strouse, or Mary Ellen Balchunis, our Congressional candidates, give them a thanks or a hug for their efforts.

We are not judged only by our victories, but also by our losses, by the quality of our candidates and the realization that these candidates will make it possible for us to win these races in the future.

Now that this election cycle is over, we must turn our attention to 2015. A smart person once told me, winning the second time is more important than the first because you are being reelected on the basis of your performance, not about how bad the other person was who preceded you. In that vein, next year will be a truly exciting year for us.  Like me, take a day or two off and then let's get started towards next year's goals.

Again thank you, for your efforts and for giving me the opportunity to be the chairman of such a truly remarkable organization.

Concession Note from Kevin Strouse

a note from Kevin Strouse, who ran for Congress in the 8th district (Bucks Co)

Friends,

We came up short last night. It's never fun to be on the losing side of things, but as I reflect on our effort I know that my team did everything it could to win this race, including working many late nights to get out the vote. Thanks to your efforts, we reached out to over 220,000 voters throughout this campaign. In fact, we knocked over 20,000 doors just in the last four days.

I am so grateful for your loyal support. I asked constantly for your help, and you always came up big for us. I am deeply flattered you were willing to stand with me. 

Ultimately, we talked about the issues that matter most. We stood up for improving our education system, we pushed for equality, and we tirelessly fought for opportunity for all.

I do have one final request of you: please stay involved. The issues are too important and our problems are too large to stop working towards a better country. If good people like you don't continue fighting, who will? 

Thank you for all you've done. 

Kevin Strouse

Joel Cohen at Constitution Center

On November 12th, Joel Cohen, author of Blindfolds Off, will be part of a discussion at the Constitution Center.  His book is based on interviews with 12 federal district judges, asking how they make decisions.  Joining Cohen will be five former and current justices; they will be discussion controversial court rulings.

The judges on the panel will include Judge John Cleland, Judge Nathaniel Jones, and Judge Marjorie Rendell. The program starts at 6:30 p.m.

Veteran trial lawyer Joel Cohen, and author of Blindfolds Off, will join the Constitution Center on November 12 at 6:30 p.m. for a discussion with five former and current judges to candidly discuss a number of controversial rulings.

The distinguished panel will include Judge John Cleland (who recently handled the Sandusky case), Judge Nathaniel Jones (who’s also handled a number of high-profile cases in PA), former first lady of PA Majorie Rendell, among others. The program will draw from Cohen’s book and will shed light on the decision-making processes of America’s judges.

Obama's Remarks at Temple Nov. 2nd

from the inbox:

 November 2, 2014

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT

AT RALLY FOR TOM WOLF FOR GOVERNOR

Liacouras Center

Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

7:29 P.M. EST

     THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, Philly!  (Applause.)  Hello, Temple! (Applause.)  Give it up for your next governor, Tom Wolf!  (Applause.)  We've also got one of the best senators in the country -- Bob Casey.  (Applause.)  Congressman Chaka Fattah.  (Applause.)  Your Mayor, Michael Nutter.  (Applause.)  One of your state senators, and your next lieutenant governor, Mike Stack!  (Applause.)   

We’ve got three outstanding congressional candidates here today that deserve your vote, so I want you guys to pay attention -- you got to go all the way down the ballot.  We've got Dr. Manan Trivedi who is going to be a great member of Congress -- (applause) -- served his country with the Marines in Iraq.  We've got Kevin Strouse, who served his country as an Army Ranger in Iraq and Afghanistan.  (Applause.)  We've got Brendan Boyle, who’s lived out the American Dream as the first in his family to go to college.  (Applause.)  All three of them, they’re young, they’re sharp, they’re hardworking.  They’re ready to fight for you if you send them to Washington.  Make sure to vote for them. (Applause.)

And we’ve got all of you.  (Applause.)  This is a good-looking crowd right here.  (Applause.)  Now, those of you, if you’ve got a seat, if you want to sit down feel free. 

AUDIENCE:  Nooo --

THE PRESIDENT:  You want to stand up.  All right, that's good.  (Laughter.)  That's good, because I'm going to try to get you out of your seats, because we've got some work to do.  (Applause.)  Because two days from now, you get to choose your future.  Now, if you came to this rally, I suspect you already know there’s an election and you are planning to vote.  (Applause.)  Otherwise you thought there was a basketball game here, and that's not the case.  (Laughter.)  So I need all of you to go grab your friends, grab your classmates, talk to your coworkers.  Knock on some doors.  Make some phone calls.  Check out IWillVote.com --

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  I love you!

THE PRESIDENT:  I love you, too, but I need you to vote.  (Applause.)  So go to IWillVote.com, find out where your polling place is.  And then take your people -- your friends, your neighbors -- to the polls.  (Applause.)  And when you do, make sure they vote for Tom Wolf.  (Applause.) 

Let me tell you why.  Let me tell you why.  First of all, Tom is just a nice guy.  (Laughter.)  You can tell he’s a sincere person.  He’s not a professional politician.  He’s somebody who knows how to create jobs, knows how to start a business, knows how to serve the public.  He’s in it for the right reasons.  You know he’s going to do a good job.  But also I need everybody to recognize the moment we're in.  The country has made real progress since the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes.  (Applause.) 

You think about where we were when I came into office.  The economy was in free fall.  The auto industry was about to disappear.  Housing prices were collapsing, financial system in chaos.  Our unemployment rate went over 10 percent.  And now, over the past four and a half years, America’s businesses have created more than 10 million new jobs.  (Applause.)  Over the past six months, our economy has grown at the fastest pace in more than a decade.  (Applause.)  There’s almost no economic measure where we're not doing better -- deficits cut by more than half; energy production up; high school graduation rates up; college attendance rates up.  (Applause.)  Clean energy, we've doubled.  Carbon emissions, we have slowed.  So we've made progress on every item.    

But what we also know, the reason we're here, is because we've got so much more work to do.  Not everybody has felt growth in the economy.  You know right here in Pennsylvania that, unfortunately, because we've had a governor who doesn’t always work with us, Pennsylvania ranks second to last in the country in job growth.  Second to last.  You don't want to be second to last. 

AUDIENCE:  No!

THE PRESIDENT:  And over the next week, you’ve got a chance to change that.  You can choose a governor who doesn’t put political ideology first, he puts you first.  (Applause.)  And that's the kind of governor you want.  (Applause.) 

And Tom understands the economy.  As a successful businessman, Tom helped grow his family’s company into the largest supplier of kitchen cabinets in the United States.  Now, there are a lot of kitchen cabinets in the United States, so -- (laughter) -- I'm just saying.  You think about how many kitchen cabinets there are.  If you're the largest, that's a lot of kitchen cabinets.  (Laughter.)     

In 2006, he left that business to serve as your Secretary of Revenue.  Then in 2009, he was getting ready to run for governor, but he got a phone call.  The company he had spent 25 years growing -- the company he had left three years earlier -- was facing a very tough time because it was right when the recession was hitting, so like thousands of other businesses across the country, it was on the brink of bankruptcy.  And Tom could have decided, you know what, that’s not my problem anymore.  But he wasn’t going to turn his back on his former employees.  So he put his future on hold, bought the company back, started sourcing cabinets made in America to compete with Chinese imports.  (Applause.)  Made sure his workers earned good benefits and good wages.  He gave more than 20 percent of his profits back to his employees -- (applause) -- because Tom believes if you work hard, then everybody in your company should share its success -- not just folks at the top, but the workers who are actually doing the work.  (Applause.)   

So Tom doesn’t just -- he doesn’t just talk the talk.  Talk is cheap.  He walked the walk.  (Applause.)  He’s walking that walk.  Tom knows how to create jobs here in Pennsylvania.  He’s done it.  And now he’s running because he believes that if you work hard in this state, if you work hard in this country, you should share in the country’s success.  (Applause.)  And Tom has proven that when the going gets tough, he’s got your back.

That’s what this election is all about.  When you step in the voting booth, you’re making a choice not just about party, not just about candidates.  You're making a choice about two very different visions of America.  And you’ve got to ask yourself who is going to be fighting for you?  Who going to be on your side?  Who cares about the single mom?  Who cares about the student who’s maybe the first in their family to go to college?  (Applause.)  Who’s going to fight for you?

AUDIENCE:  Tom Wolf!

THE PRESIDENT:  Tom Wolf -- that's a good answer.  (Laughter.)  You're paying attention.     

Now, listen.  Listen, I want to say this.  Republicans are patriots, too.  They love their families.  They want what’s best for the country.  But I was trying to explain -- I was down in Connecticut -- I was trying to explain there are a lot of people in my family who I really love, but I wouldn't put them in charge.  (Laughter.)  Because they got bad ideas.  (Laughter.)  Right?  So I'm not saying there’s anything wrong with the Republican leadership as sort of like -- as Americans.  I'm just saying they’ve got bad ideas.  (Applause.)

They keep on offering this theory of the economy -- you give more tax breaks to folks at the top; you cut investments in things like education; you loosen up regulations on the big banks and polluters and credit card companies; you cut the safety net for folks who’ve fallen on hard times -- and somehow everybody is going to get better off.

Here’s the thing.  I guess if we hadn’t tried that for 10 years, resulting in ultimate disaster, maybe they’d have an argument.  But we did try it.  It didn’t work.  We can't go back to that.  We've got to go forward with Tom Wolf.  (Applause.)

Tom has a different vision for what this country should look like, and it's rooted in that core belief in America, the notion that prosperity doesn’t trickle down from the top.  Prosperity derives from a thriving middle class and folks working their way up into the middle class.  And when everybody is doing well, then the entire country does well.  That's his understanding of how the economy works.  (Applause.) 

Tom wants to build Pennsylvania’s economy from the middle class out.  And he’s not ideological about it.  Look, here’s the thing you know about Tom.  He doesn’t care whether the idea is  Republican or Democrat as long as it works.  He’s a practical person who just wants to make it work for the people of Pennsylvania. 

So he knows, for example, that education is the key not just to economic growth but also to personal advancement in a modern economy.  So he’s not going to run on an agenda of slashing budgets for our schools, or laying off thousands of teachers.  He knows teachers matter.  He knows you should support teachers, not run down teachers -- (applause) -- that we should respect teachers and treat them as the professionals they are.  (Applause.)

He knows we should invest in our kids and early childhood education, and make college a reality for more young people, and make it more affordable.  That's Tom’s plan for Pennsylvania.  (Applause.)

Tom believes that in a democracy like ours, elected officials serve the public, not the other way around.  So he's not running to serve special interests or the status quo.  He’s running to change the way business is done in Harrisburg.  

He believes that nobody who works full-time in this country should have to raise a family in poverty.  (Applause.)  We had one Republican governor recently say the minimum wage “serves no purpose.”  You're not going to hear Tom say that -- because he knows the difference that a little bit of money can make for that hardworking mom or dad who’s trying to make ends meet, save maybe for their kids’ college education, pay a few bills.  (Applause.)

That's why Tom isn't running against a minimum wage increase; he’s running to give Pennsylvania a raise.  (Applause.)   

Tom Wolf believes that America is stronger when women are full and equal participants in the economy.  (Applause.)  It's bad enough that we got Republicans in Congress who voted no on a fair pay law.  You had one Republican who’s running for national office say, “You could argue that money is more important for men.”  That's a quote.  He said that.  Now, I know he didn’t talk to Michelle when he said that.  (Laughter.)  I know he didn’t talk -- he didn’t talk to you, either, did he?

AUDIENCE:  No!

THE PRESIDENT:  If we’re going to strengthen the middle class for the 21st century, we need leaders who understand the 21st century, and understand that women are in the workforce, and understand that women are increasingly breadwinners in their family, and understand that they should be able to get paid the same as men for doing the same job.  (Applause.)  And while we're at it, we should make sure that women have control of their health care choices -- not some politician.  (Applause.)  

You know, it’s funny -- when you ask Republicans about climate change, they say, “I’m not a scientist.”  (Laughter.)  That's what they say.  But when you ask them about a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions, they all act like they’re doctors.  (Applause.)  I want women to make those decisions.  I mean, “Mad Men” is a good show, but we don't want that show in Harrisburg. 

AUDIENCE:  Right!

THE PRESIDENT:  Because when women succeed, America succeeds.  (Applause.)  And I want Malia and Sasha to have the same opportunities as somebody’s son.  (Applause.)  That should be common sense. 

So, look, here’s the bottom line.  The biggest corporations, they don’t need another champion.  The wealthiest Americans don’t need another champion.  They’re doing just fine.  But what is in need of a champion is somebody who understands opportunity for all is what America is all about, opportunity for all is what  Pennsylvania is all about.  (Applause.)  And that's what Tom believes.    

But, listen, you all have to vote.  That's what this comes down to.  You’ve got to vote! 

You know, I was talking to one of my staff members, and we were just running through the numbers.  The number of eligible voters who vote typically in a midterm is like in the 30s.  I mean, Ukraine just went through an election -- they got a war going on, they had about 60 percent turnout.  (Laughter.)  There is no excuse for us to just give away our power.  (Applause.)  If you wonder why things don't happen, if you wonder why sometimes elected officials don't seem responsive, it's because so many of us stay at home.  (Applause.) 

So I know I'm preaching to the choir, but I'm hoping you then take this message to folks who aren't planning to vote.  If you believe that we don't need to give millionaires another tax break, maybe give child care tax breaks to families who are really struggling -- (applause) -- you’ve got to vote for it.  If you believe that our kids should have the best schools, then you’ve got to vote for it.  (Applause.)  If you think that we should make it easier for young people to go to college without ending up with tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of debt, you’ve got to vote for it.  (Applause.)  If you believe that an honest day’s work deserves an honest day’s pay, you’ve got to vote for it.  (Applause.)

You got to vote!  You got to vote!  (Applause.)  Vote!  (Applause.)  You got to vote!

AUDIENCE:  Vote!

THE PRESIDENT:  This is straightforward.  I got a simple message:  We got to vote. 

AUDIENCE:  Got to vote!

THE PRESIDENT:  Four years ago, Democrats lost --

AUDIENCE:  Vote!

THE PRESIDENT:  Vote!  (Applause.)  Vote!  Vote!  Vote!

AUDIENCE:  Vote, vote, vote, vote, vote --

Good job!  Can I just say, by the way, it took me forever to cut those letters out.  (Laughter.)  I mean, I had one of those little scissors and I mean -- (laughter.)

Listen, four years ago, the Democrats lost the governor’s race in Pennsylvania by 20 votes per precinct -- 20 votes.  That was your cousin Pookie -- (laughter) -- not voting.  That was Jim, who was like drinking beer -- (laughter) -- and playing his -- setting up his fantasy football for next week, and he didn’t vote.  That's what happens.  Twenty votes could decide whether millions of hardworking Pennsylvanians get the raise they deserve.  Those 20 votes could decide whether teachers get the support they need, and whether our kids get a fair shot.  (Applause.)  Twenty votes.  Your vote matters.  It decides the course that Pennsylvania will take. 

So I don't just need you to vote -- because I know all of you are going to vote.  (Applause.)   You’ve got to get involved. There are organizers here.  As you’re going out, you should try to hook up with them and talk to them about volunteering.  Go to WolfForPA.com, volunteer.  Make some phone calls.  Knock on some doors.  Grab people you know.  The election is too important to leave it to somebody else.  It's up to you.  And you.  Make a difference.  (Applause.) 

Listen, I know that the hardest thing in politics is changing a stubborn status quo.  And to the young people here especially, I want to emphasize this.  Sometimes it seems like folks in power care more about power than they care about you.  I know that.  And you’re fed information every day that says nothing is changing and everything is terrible.  And when we do make progress, you don't hear about that.  You hear about some conflict or phony controversy.  And over time, you get cynical and you think, you know what, what I do doesn’t make a difference.  And so you don't get involved.  You don't go out there and organize.  Sometimes you don't even bother to vote. 

And I'm just here to say, especially to the young people, don't buy that.  Don't buy it.  (Applause.)  Because despite the cynics, America is making progress.  This country always makes progress.  Despite unyielding opposition, there are workers right now who have jobs who didn’t have them before.  There are families who have health insurance who didn’t have them before.  (Applause.)  There are students who are going to college who couldn’t afford it before.  (Applause.)  There are troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan with their families who weren't at home before.  (Applause.)   

Cynicism is sometimes passed off as wisdom.  There’s nothing wise about it.  Cynicism didn’t put a man on the moon.  Cynicism never started a business, or cured a disease, or fueled a young mind.  Cynicism is a choice.  And hope is a better choice.  (Applause.)   

Hope is what gave young people the courage to march for civil rights, and voting rights, and workers’ rights, and women’s rights, and immigrants’ rights, and gay rights.  (Applause.)    Hope is what built this country -- a belief that there are better days ahead; a belief that together, we can build up our middle class; that we can pass down something better for our kids.  That's what built Pennsylvania.  That's what built America

-- the belief that America’s best days are still ahead. 

You’ve got to believe it, and you’ve got to act on it.  You’ve got to vote.  And you’ve got to vote for Tom Wolf.  And when you do, I guarantee you a better future for the people of Pennsylvania and the people of this country.  (Applause.)  

God bless you.  God bless America.  Let’s get to work!  (Applause.) 

                        END                7:51 P.M. EST

Threat to Trivedi Campaign Office

from the inbox:

Yesterday evening, the Trivedi for Congress offices were briefly closed after an individual threatened over the phone to commit an act of gun violence. Local law enforcement were notified immediately, and extra security measures have been taken. 
All Trivedi for Congress and coordinated campaign offices in the Sixth District will be open today, with hundreds of volunteers expected to help get out the vote for Dr. Trivedi in tomorrow's election. 

Dr. Trivedi released this statement Monday morning: 
"I am grateful for the outstanding law enforcement officers in the Sixth District for their quick response after this threat was made and their commitment to safeguarding the election process. 

"Threatening gun violence is no joke, especially when too many innocent people have died or been wounded this year in shootings across our commonwealth. That's why I support bipartisan, commonsense background check laws to keep dangerous guns out of the hands of criminals, the mentally ill, terror suspects, and domestic abusers.

"I encourage all those who are concerned about gun violence - especially the responsible gun owners in our communities - to stand up to threats like this and come out to volunteer and to vote tomorrow."

Information pertaining to the individual responsible for the threat made against the Trivedi for Congress office has been turned over to local law enforcement in West Chester, Trooper, Wyomissing, Paoli and Royersford, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

Dr. Trivedi is locked in a tight race for the Sixth District in what is expected to be one of the closest races around the country this year. 

Wounded Warrior Project Wins Clio Award

There is a local connection to a Clio Award winning project.  The trailer for a new MSNBC documentary, Wounded:  The Battle Back Home, features a song by the band Imagine Dragons.  The documentary is connected to former Congressman Patrick Murphy's show on the same network, Taking the Hill.

Holding Up the Hate Crimes Bill

Now that same sex marriage is legal in Pennsylvania, it is time to extend further rights to all citizens.  Pennsylvania’s hate crimes law does not includes sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.  In 2013 it was one of only 15 states that did not.  Two bills that change this law, HB177 and SB42, have been sitting in committee for over a year.   HB 177 also adds ancestry and physical or mental disabilities to the law. 

The House bill was voted out of committee in early October, after sitting in the committee for months.  The Senate bill in the Senate Judiciary  Committee.  On December 3, 2013, the Harrisburg Patriot News asked the committee chairs (Jim Marsico and Stewart Greenleaf) when there would be action the bills.  Neither responded.  Greenleaf has said he has no intention of bringing the bill up for a vote.   This past Monday Greenleaf’s Democratic opponent, Ruth Damsker, delivered 80,000 signature on a petition calling for a vote on this measure.

Another House bill, HB300, would add gender orientation or identity to the state’s human relations bill; it also adds ancestry and physical or mental disabilities.  It also is sitting in committee; in this case the House State Government committee.

Text and status of bills can be found at legis.state.pa.us

Sources

DeMarco, Emily, “PA’s hate-crime law still leaves many groups out,” Patriot-News, 12/03/2103

Newall, Mike, “Growing calls for stronger Pa. hate-crime laws,” Philadelphia Inquirer, 9/20/2014

Damsker campaign press release

Better Late Than Never?

from the inbox:

On November 6, 2014, President Barack Obama will award the Medal of Honor to Army First Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing for conspicuous gallantry. 

First Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions while serving as commanding officer of Battery A, 4th United States Artillery, Artillery Brigade, 2nd Corps, Army of the Potomac during combat operations in the vicinity of Cemetery Ridge, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on July 3, 1863.

During Longstreet's Assault, also known as Pickett's Charge, First Lieutenant Cushing's battery took a severe pounding by Confederate artillery.  As the Confederate Forces advanced, he manned the only remaining, and serviceable, field piece in his battery.  During the advance, he was wounded in the abdomen as well as in the right shoulder.  Refusing to evacuate to the rear despite his severe wounds, he directed the operation of his lone field piece continuing to fire.  With the Confederate Forces within 100 yards of his position, Cushing was shot and killed during this heroic stand.  His actions made it possible for the Union Army to successfully repulse the assault.

First Lieutenant Cushing's cousins, Frederic Stevens Sater and Frederic Cushing Stevens III, and families will join the President at the White House to commemorate his example of selfless service and sacrifice.

2015 PA Progressive Summit

Mark your calendars!

The 2015 PA Progressive Summit will be held February 6 - 7 at the Hilton Harrisburg in Harrisburg, PA.  Register early or monitor conference developments at:  http://www.paprogressivesummit.net/

Op-Ed from Steve Cickay

from the inbox:

My name is Steve Cickay and I am running for State Senate here in District 10. My opponent, Senator Chuck McIlhinney, is a career politician who has been in Harrisburg far too long: 16 years too long of too little accomplishment. It’s time for a change. 

Change can be a challenge for some. The status quo is comfortable and known. But please realize now that not to change will be even more uncomfortable and wrong. For the Corbett/McIlhinney path we are on is clearly wrong for the people of Pennsylvania.

It is wrong for education.  It is wrong for the environment. And it is wrong for an economy that should instead be supporting well-paying jobs for middle-class workers and a secure retirement.

Chuck is a fine person and a fine family man and has tried his best to serve the public well. But after 16 years, we have seen much failure. Our property taxes keep rising each year. Our schools are underfunded. Big corporations and oil companies don’t pay their fair share of taxes at our expense. A pension crisis looms and nothing gets done to fix it. Working people’s wages are stagnant and the minimum wage leaves a million people in poverty. 500,000 of our fellow-citizens don’t have health insurance. Common sense gun safety legislation doesn’t get passed. Job discrimination laws are still on the books. Women, in 2014 in America, still often don’t get paid the same amount as men. Yet our 253 legislators in Harrisburg can’t seem to do anything about these important issues.

I feel a big part of the problem of why nothing gets done is career politicians are focused too much on campaigning and not governing, too much on getting campaign contributions from special interests and not enough on doing what the people want.

I promise to be both your servant and leader. I promise to listen to you in town halls all over the district every two weeks when I am not in Harrisburg. You won’t have to make a big campaign contribution to have me hear your voice. I will represent you if what you say makes sense for our community. I will represent the rich and the poor; the healthy and the sick, the strong and the weak; independents, Republicans and Democrats alike.

But if you stay the course with Chuck and Corbett, our public education system will continue to be underfunded. And the oil companies will continue to get tax breaks. Stay the course with Chuck and Corbett and our property taxes will continue to go up. And multinationals will continue to enjoy loopholes that allow them to pay zero taxes. Stay the course with Chuck and Corbett and soon you will see frackers drilling in our District. Think what that will do to the quality of our life here and our property values.

But elect me your senator and the change you will see will be a good one. I will work tirelessly for you, just as I have tirelessly walked and run the streets of this district for the last 8 months. I will strive to make Pennsylvania not the last among states, but among the first. Think of me then on Election Day as your first Democratic senator in 120 years. Make change happen. Yes, it’s time for a change here in District 10.  Vote for a new state senator, Steve Cickay, on November 4^th.

Op-Ed from Jack Hansen

from the inbox:

My name is Jack Hansen and I would like to be your State Senator.

Working with our next Governor, Tom Wolf, with his record and mine of creating jobs, we can get many unemployed and underemployed Pennsylvanians back to work in good-paying jobs where they can support their families and educate their children.

I have been serving on Lansdale Borough Council for 7 years. My opponent Bob Mensch has been in Harrisburg for 7 years. He says he wants to run on his record. I will put my record up against his any time.

Since I have been serving on Borough Council, we have brought in a number of new businesses: Tabora Farms, Montella’s, Round Guys, Shell Fish Sue, and Molly Maguire’s, to name just a few. 

We have also redone our Main Street, curbs, sidewalks, and lighting. We built a new thoroughfare to relieve traffic congestion at our busiest intersection while increasing parking downtown.

Since Mensch has been in Harrisburg, our state has gone from number 4 in the nation in job creation to number 47.

I have consistently advocated taxing the natural gas industry to fund education. Children are our future decision makers, and we have to give them a good start in life.

We have to do a better job of regulating the drilling and fracking. We can no longer allow under-reporting of the waste that is going into our landfills, and the pooling of used fracking fluid in surface ponds that can overflow in a heavy rain, and flow into our rivers or leach into our ground water. We cannot allow drilling in our state parks or the Delaware River basin. State parks belong to the people, and should not be used for private enterprise. The Delaware River is now a pristine river. 15 million people depend on the Delaware for their drinking water. We cannot put them in jeopardy.

When political winds start to blow in an election season, an opportunistic politician may change his opinion from what he has supported to what he thinks the voters want to hear, just to get re-elected. 

This is just what Mensch has done.

Mensch has voted with Corbett against an extraction tax on our natural gas industry that could help to fund education. He has voted to take funding away from education for our young people. This puts an undue burden on our local municipalities and school boards to raise your taxes. In an election year, he now says he would favor such a tax. Which Bob Mensch do we believe?

If you believe, as I do, that we need a change in our state government, then please come out and vote on November 4th for Jack Hansen for State Senate and Tom Wolf for Governor. Thank you.

Jack Hansen
Democratic Candidate for State Senate in the 24th District

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense Founder Profiled in More

The October issue of More Magazine includes a profile of Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense.  The magazine tucked the article, "The Accidental Activist" by Nanette Varian,  away in the very back of the issue, starting on page 131.

One of the pullout quotes is "they kept referring to me as well educated, which I thought was code for uppity housewife."  This is in reference to her testimony before Indiana legislature.  Watts has a four year degree.  Given the number of lawyers in the state legislature I, too, find it odd they would use this terminology and agree that it is intended as a slur.

The Moms group was intended to serve in a similar role that Mothers Against Drunk Driving did, to bring an issue to the public's attention.  In this case it is gun violence prevention.  They have had some successes,

"Since the group's inception, the Moms have helped get background-check laws passed in five states and laws aimed at keeping guns out of the hands of domestic abusers passed in six more.  They've persuaded Facebook and Instagram to take steps to prevent illegal gun sales on their platforms and Statrbucks, Target, Chipotle and other chains to ask customers not to bring their guns into their establishments." 

To read the full article pick up the current issue at your local newsstand.

Annual SEPTA Stop Hunger at Your Station

from the inbox:

SEPTA will kick off its sixth annual Stop Hunger at Your Station food drive to benefit Philabundance on Friday, October 17, 2014, at 10 a.m. at Dilworth Park (15^th Street side).  SEPTA’s food drive will run October 20-31, with the Authority collecting donations of much-needed canned goods at 43 rail stations and transportation centers.  In 2013, SEPTA customers and employees collected a record 25 tons of food for Philabundance.  Over the last five years, the drive has collected 90 tons of food for Philabundance.

Biden Alert: Philly Visit on Thursday

Expect travel issues tomorrow, Thursday the 16th.  Vice President Joe Biden will be in town for an event highlighting the important of America's infrastructure.  You know, those roads, bridges, and trains we all use every day to get from one place to another.  Visits from high ranking officials always seem to create traffic tie ups.  We're glad to see them, though.

State Legislation II: Hate Crimes

This post contained information taken from elsewhere (text was in blockquotes to show it was not original to this blog).  I have been informed that it was incorrect and thus have removed it.  My apologies for the error.

State Legislation I: State Senate Meddling with Gun Safety / Domestic Violence Legislation

This is taken from two CeaseFire PA communications:

Last week a bill to punish towns and cities for passing gun safety legislation was stopped.  The bill would have allowed organizations , for example the NRA or the KKK to sue municipalities for passing laws to curb the illegal trafficking of firearms.  This week that wording in HB 2011 / HB 1243 was attached as an amendment to HB 1796 on its third consideration in the state senate, which is primarily aimed at protecting the victims of domestic violence.  If the amendment is approved this will put state senators in the position of either approving the "sue the city" wording or voting against an otherwise productive bill.

Contact your state senator and ask them to vote against the amendment, or if it passes, vote against the bill.