Dear Candidates- You're Not Special

Chances are, candidates out there, you're not these guys.

There's a little primary going on in the Lehigh Valley for a state house seat in the Northampton/Whitehall area. Initially it had three Democrats and three Republicans. One of those original Republicans dropped out, and was replaced by a younger one. When it's all said and done, only one of the three original Democrats will be on the ballot. One turned in badly defective petitions that did not have the year, office being sought, or district number on it. That candidate is apparently livid that someone would challenge them for these errors. The third Democrat says they are running as an independent now, because the party leaders were being mean to them. Of course, they announced this with two days left in petitions, leading me to believe they didn't have 300 valid signatures. Of course, there are plenty of hard feelings on this matter. Of course, the one candidate that Democratic leaders in the region liked is the one who printed their petitions correctly and collected enough valid signatures. Those damn party leaders are clueless!

The GOP is split along county lines behind two of the candidates, while the Democrats have settled behind one. I know how much people hate party leaders and their damned heavy-handed tactics, especially when it wasn't long ago that Lehigh Valley Democrats (like myself) complained about the "boss" picking our candidates for office. It's not just here in the Lehigh Valley, people hate the DCCC's picks for seats in Congress all over. Activists would love wide-open primaries, where a purely Democratic system plays out, and they get to pick candidates free of any of those damn procedural constraints. I get it. No one wants to be told how to vote. No candidate wants to be told they aren't the right person, at the right time, for the job they think they can do best. That's common sense, as why would someone run if they didn't think they were the best person for the job? I guess my perspective has changed now that I'm on the state committee, but even I have to admit that sometimes the party picks candidates terribly wrong. It happens all over the country, every year, and sometimes it's not even one specific person's fault.

The problem with the idea of stopping party leaders from tilting the scales in favor of their anointed candidates is that usually the party leaders get it right. Not all the time, obviously, but most of it. You see, it is important that a candidate be able to raise money, or be willing to knock on doors, or maybe know a bit about policy, or be viewed as enough of an adult to fill a seat. These things aren't all nonsense. Sometimes, the most progressive candidate isn't the right candidate, and sometimes the youngest, most articulate candidate is not ready to be the right messenger. Party leaders, generally, are the people most engaged in their regions' politics, and generally have seen enough races to know what does and doesn't sell in their areas. Some basic barriers to being the establishment pick, like a lack of institutional support or fundraising ability, is basically universal. While no one likes to be told they shouldn't run because of money, there's no sense nominating someone who will get drowned in a general election by the opponent. The idea is to get the objectively best candidate, not to make everybody feel good.

Of course, back to the primary I mentioned above- the irony is that the Democratic Party in Northampton County has a basic, blanket open primary policy, and the chairman actually fought to get voter file access for the "outsider" candidates (I can vouch for it)- so I find the charge that the party was less than hospitable to be pretty funny. Brushing that aside, at least one (if not both) of the other Democrats who wanted in couldn't print petitions correctly. Who should be blamed for that?

I have a really radical thought here for candidates- for the most part, you're not Robert F. Kennedy. You're not Bill Clinton. You're not Barack Obama. I know, they weren't who they ended up as, at least at one point, and we should all get the shot to do that. One of the ways you earn the privilege of being a serious candidate is taking the time to go out and be a part of the process, make the relationships you need, and learn what you're doing. Even "outsider" primary challengers like Joe Sestak or Matt Cartwright had built up relationships, had friends ready to advocate for their candidacy, and had the profile to be taken seriously from the start. Build relationships with labor, with LGBT groups, with women's groups, with environmentalists, and with other groups, and watch how your problems raising money, getting signatures, and finding tangible support go away. Yes, you'll have some growing pains, but for the most part, these groups expect that. Taking the time, and doing the work, will be appreciated in due time.

In politics, you can be one of two things- actively a part of the process, or on the sidelines complaining. That choice is up to you. You're not special though. No one is. If you can't do what's needed, you won't find people lining up behind you. Such is life.

The Route 22 Corridor is Blue

There's a river, a stateline, and several municipal lines between the 22-78 split in Pohatcong Township, NJ and the 22-78 merger just past the turnpike. Politically though, there's little division at this point. Phillipsburg elected a Democratic Mayor and Council. Easton doesn't have a competitive Republican Party, and voted entirely Democratic on Tuesday too. Palmer Township voted Democratic on most of the ticket Tuesday, and has a Democratic majority governing it. Wilson Boro is a solidly Democratic town. Bethlehem Township has flipped to Democratic majorities. Bethlehem City has no Republican Party to speak of. Allentown is not a competitive place politically either, and that was basically proven on Tuesday. You can find Republicans on the eastern edge of that stretch in Pohatcong, and out west of Allentown a bit, but in between, you have a dark blue stretch politically.

This is worth noting when looking ahead to 2016 and 2017's elections. If a Democratic candidate can turn these people out in a countywide or larger district race, they can win. Sure, Republicans may win in the northern tier of the county, and somewhat south of 78, but there are less people there. They can only win elections in the Lehigh Valley now that are gerrymandered or have super low turnout. That fact should not be lost on Democrats in the region.

Happy Wednesday, November 4th, 2015

We Had a Successful Rally in the Valley on Sunday

A mixing of our statewide candidates and local ones

I'll admit, that was a little more trouble than I thought it would be. When I got the call a couple weeks ago that we could have Senator Casey stop in the Lehigh Valley on his get-out-the-vote tour, it was a no-brainer to say yes. As I worked with some of the other local Democratic leaders though, there were snags left and right. We had to move the event around a couple times, and on Friday (48 hours before) set it finally for Moravian College. I guess I owe my alma mater a huge thanks for helping me pull this off. It just re-affirmed that there are some great people there.

The rally was great. We had 61 non-participants (aka- not staff or speakers) at the rally by my count, which isn't exactly the kind of crowd Hillary or Barack would draw right now, but it's a good crowd for a beautiful Sunday on an off-year in Bethlehem. We allowed speakers from both county tickets, and we were joined by some of our highest local elected officials, such as Congressman Cartwright, District Attorney Morganelli, and Controller Barron. Council and Commissioner candidates, township candidates, and party leaders alike took the stage. It was great.

District Attorney Morganelli

We were obviously joined by Senator Casey and four statewide Judicial candidates, which was a real honor for me as a party leader and Moravian alum. I was also happy to see State Representative McNeill, who's doing a great job in Harrisburg. All of the judicial candidates did a nice job, and Senator Casey added a real presence to the room that I think the entire crowd appreciated. They all left that crowd excited and ready to go work for the ticket.

Senator Casey and Mayor Donchez

I also think I would be remiss if I didn't thank Bethlehem's Mayor Bob Donchez. I'm not necessarily someone who has been in his loop (I'm friends with his main 2013 rival for Mayor), but he was there for us when we needed someone to help us put this event on. He was the emcee, and commanded the stage well. He's a solid gentleman and was a huge help.

Congressman Cartwright

Finally, also a huge thanks to Congressman Cartwright for his appearance, which wasn't scheduled and was a great surprise. He finished up our rally by coming in and letting the people know the stakes of the election. He was funny, engaging, and entertaining. I'm really glad this guy's my Congressman these days.

Tomorrow's election is really important. So much is at stake that directly effects your lives. Workers rights, environmental rights, quality of services, protection of the most vulnerable in our society- all of these things mattered. Judge Dougherty reminded us in the event that the people who really need a judge- children, the sick, the mentally ill, our displaced veterans, and our broken families- often times don't have a voice in these elections. They are who this is all about. Thanks to all who spoke and all who came out to our rally, and please work hard now to turn out the vote.

Come Out and Join Us- Senator Bob Casey, Pennsylvania Democrats at Moravian College

Tomorrow afternoon's going to be a very proud moment for me. Tomorrow at 3:30, Lehigh Valley Democrats will rally at Moravian College in Prosser Hall, the main auditorium in the HUB. We'll be joined by our statewide judicial ticket and Senator Robert Casey. Bob Casey, as he's better known, is one of the most popular figures in Pennsylvania, and a damn good Senator. His work on the behalf of the middle class, in search of peaceful solutions to global problems, and to advocate on the behalf of Pennsylvania are second to none.

I graduated from Moravian ten years ago this coming May (God, that sounds bad). Much of our local ticket are alumni as well. It's going to be a very proud day at 1200 Main St. tomorrow afternoon in Bethlehem. I hope those of you reading can come out.