First of all, we'd like to preface our newest post. We don't want anyone to get the wrong idea and start thinking this is a Republican blog. It's really not. It's just that...well, the Democrats have just been a little boring so far. You remember when you got that Ant Farm and for the first hour or so, it was so cool to watch the ants scurry around and start digging? Then, you woke the next day and couldn't care less about what they were doing? Working again? How boring. Well, it's sort of like that. The Democrats are busy, all right. Busy building a quiet faction of candidates for offices all over the county.
Now that that's out of the way - it looks like we're the first to comment on tonight's debate....errr...forum. Here's the thing about debates...errr...forums: you can go in with the best intentions, but in the end, sometimes it turns out like this.
Gunnison showed up with cheat sheet in hand and looked like she was ready to pull some "Making the Great Wall of China Disappear" tricks. But it never happened. It was more like a "Look like Bob Casey" trick. The only guy to win on the "I'm not the other guy" platform. She didn't really lay out the plan for reform that we were expecting, but rather took shots at Barclay, Eichelberger, Rovegno, maybe even Cecconello.
It was very West Side Story-ish: campaign crews were rolling deep - Barclay had his (why else would half of the Republican State Committee show up?) and Eichelberger had his (we saw you, Matt Best). We thought that Gunnison swung for the fences and came solo, but as we left, we saw Dave Harris, lurking in the shadows. What can we say? The beatnik Joe Trippi must know his stuff.
While we're not sure how to sum up, we can say that things went very...expectedly. It looks like Desperation City for Gunnison, so we'd recommend she reins that in post haste. Focus on a Five-Year Plan toward countywide success. The winner of the day? Today is a tie. Rovegno constantly impresses us with his everyman demeanor and his Encyclopedia Brittanica brain. I mean, what other county commissioner knows although the LA Dodgers won the 88 World Series, the highest amount of homers posted was 25? (Kirk Gibson, by the way) The other winner? Gary Eichelberger. Again. As time goes on, we see less and less reason to try the New & Improved version. He might be a Republican, but we think we like it.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Thursday, April 19, 2007
The Shifting Tide
Looks like we picked the wrong time to take a vacation. In the 8 days that we enjoyed (ever so blissfully), it looks like quite a bit has happened. Why didn't anyone tell us?!?
Less than 30 days out and the commissioners race has begun. The gate is open and its an all-out horserace from here on out. We've seen several yard signs for the Republican candidates, and we're impressed. What's ironic is that everyone knows that yard signs don't contain any substantive information, so its not like they're going to sway voters one way or the other. So what's the real reason for yard signs? Well, its popularity, of course. The more yard signs you have out, the more support it appears you have. What's the irony, you ask? We're glad you asked. The irony is that Commissioner Eichelberger's signs boast "Principles...not Politics." To get the joke, you have to keep in mind that the slogan of this camp is that the whole race has been a popularity contest - image over ability. I guess what tickles our funny bone is that yard signs are all about image. Oh well, maybe there's a deeper strategy that we don't get.
The PAC. While the idea of this is intriguing to us, we see two options. Obviously, County Chairman Vic Stabile isn't happy about it, as it undermines his authority and ability to support the endorsed candidates. The Eichelberger camp must be ecstatic. To have Bruce Barclay give the wink, wink nod, nod to his donor friends is gift in and of itself.
Human behavior is fascinating. We claim to be the top of the food chain and the supreme being, but sometimes, the animal way is just plain better. When animals hear loud noises, they run the other way. Humans are curious and walk toward the noise. When animals find food, they keep it. Humans barely consume 40% of the food produced every year. And it would be in Chairman Stabile's best interests to kill the PAC story. No media comment and then maybe go out at midnight and yank some yard signs out of intersections. Keep things low. But he can't help himself. We've already seen a quote from him and we're betting there's more. Gunnison isn't going to benefit from Stabile making it a bigger story than it already is.
We didn't pick a winner last time, so we're going to go with Gary Eichelberger this time. Between Bruce Barclay's silent but deadly help, and the county chairman aiming the gun at his own foot right now, Eichelberger better start baking pies, because there are a lot of faces in the county committee.
Less than 30 days out and the commissioners race has begun. The gate is open and its an all-out horserace from here on out. We've seen several yard signs for the Republican candidates, and we're impressed. What's ironic is that everyone knows that yard signs don't contain any substantive information, so its not like they're going to sway voters one way or the other. So what's the real reason for yard signs? Well, its popularity, of course. The more yard signs you have out, the more support it appears you have. What's the irony, you ask? We're glad you asked. The irony is that Commissioner Eichelberger's signs boast "Principles...not Politics." To get the joke, you have to keep in mind that the slogan of this camp is that the whole race has been a popularity contest - image over ability. I guess what tickles our funny bone is that yard signs are all about image. Oh well, maybe there's a deeper strategy that we don't get.
The PAC. While the idea of this is intriguing to us, we see two options. Obviously, County Chairman Vic Stabile isn't happy about it, as it undermines his authority and ability to support the endorsed candidates. The Eichelberger camp must be ecstatic. To have Bruce Barclay give the wink, wink nod, nod to his donor friends is gift in and of itself.
Human behavior is fascinating. We claim to be the top of the food chain and the supreme being, but sometimes, the animal way is just plain better. When animals hear loud noises, they run the other way. Humans are curious and walk toward the noise. When animals find food, they keep it. Humans barely consume 40% of the food produced every year. And it would be in Chairman Stabile's best interests to kill the PAC story. No media comment and then maybe go out at midnight and yank some yard signs out of intersections. Keep things low. But he can't help himself. We've already seen a quote from him and we're betting there's more. Gunnison isn't going to benefit from Stabile making it a bigger story than it already is.
We didn't pick a winner last time, so we're going to go with Gary Eichelberger this time. Between Bruce Barclay's silent but deadly help, and the county chairman aiming the gun at his own foot right now, Eichelberger better start baking pies, because there are a lot of faces in the county committee.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
The Strategy Memos
We're not sure what the percentage is, but a large percentage of voters have no clue what their representatives do on a municipal level. No wonder no one votes. Don't they know it makes it hard for us to spread juicy rumors about conflicts on a municipal level?!? Still, we've got the commissioners race, which is starting to turn heads again. With the end-all be-all just over 30 days away, its time to go full speed. Republican victories are won and lost in grassroots politics, so we're watching to see who does it effectively and quickly.
Five weekends of trench warfare stand between winners and losers and its a fact (albeit a sad one) that 20% of voters decide who to pull the lever for at the poll. So, for those of you who are about to receive an early-morning Saturday knock from Rick Rovegno or Karen Gunnison, here's a quick synopsis of the winning strategy for each camp (we'll even guarantee that our strategy would get a win):
Barclay Camp: The message is simple. Tons of volunteers means tons of supporters. They support me, so you should too. Plus, I've got a massive ad budget, so you'll be seeing the Barclay name alot. And hearing it too, we're guessing. Still, take a look at the shape of the county and remember who got you there. The Chairman, that's who.
Gunnison Camp: Take a look at how hard I've been working over the past 3 months. I've been everywhere, to every meeting, and have met every Republican in the county. Many times. Its only a taste of my dedication to my job, and you'll have that fire tenfold when I'm commissioner. Plus, don't be scared by a bully pulpit - it's almost impossible for a single commissioner to change the entire lay of the land in 4 years.
Eichelberger Camp: Take a look around. Cumberland County is at the top of its game in every way imagineable, and Bruce Barclay didn't do that himself. With the state goverment as uncertain as it is, its hard to imagine your life getting astronomically better. But its easy to imagine it getting worse with Karen Gunnison in office.
Cecconello Camp: Proven experience on a municipal level. With a borough like Carlisle, which is nearly split 50/50 down the party lines, its damn near impossible to make everyone happy. Which is what makes me so good. Moderate Democratic leadership will keep your taxes low but your programs flourishing. My strong stand is something that you're not getting from Rovegno.
Rovegno Camp: For a guy who gets held down by his two older brothers and picked on, I do pretty good for myself. And its not like you've gone to a local meeting of any kind and not seen me there. I'm as involved as it gets, so why risk making things worse. Tact, intelligence, and incremental compromise.
Five weekends of trench warfare stand between winners and losers and its a fact (albeit a sad one) that 20% of voters decide who to pull the lever for at the poll. So, for those of you who are about to receive an early-morning Saturday knock from Rick Rovegno or Karen Gunnison, here's a quick synopsis of the winning strategy for each camp (we'll even guarantee that our strategy would get a win):
Barclay Camp: The message is simple. Tons of volunteers means tons of supporters. They support me, so you should too. Plus, I've got a massive ad budget, so you'll be seeing the Barclay name alot. And hearing it too, we're guessing. Still, take a look at the shape of the county and remember who got you there. The Chairman, that's who.
Gunnison Camp: Take a look at how hard I've been working over the past 3 months. I've been everywhere, to every meeting, and have met every Republican in the county. Many times. Its only a taste of my dedication to my job, and you'll have that fire tenfold when I'm commissioner. Plus, don't be scared by a bully pulpit - it's almost impossible for a single commissioner to change the entire lay of the land in 4 years.
Eichelberger Camp: Take a look around. Cumberland County is at the top of its game in every way imagineable, and Bruce Barclay didn't do that himself. With the state goverment as uncertain as it is, its hard to imagine your life getting astronomically better. But its easy to imagine it getting worse with Karen Gunnison in office.
Cecconello Camp: Proven experience on a municipal level. With a borough like Carlisle, which is nearly split 50/50 down the party lines, its damn near impossible to make everyone happy. Which is what makes me so good. Moderate Democratic leadership will keep your taxes low but your programs flourishing. My strong stand is something that you're not getting from Rovegno.
Rovegno Camp: For a guy who gets held down by his two older brothers and picked on, I do pretty good for myself. And its not like you've gone to a local meeting of any kind and not seen me there. I'm as involved as it gets, so why risk making things worse. Tact, intelligence, and incremental compromise.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
At the starting line
We know, we know. Its been over a week. Really, its not even our fault. Its just that there's nothing going on. No fiery municipal races to cover and there isn't even anything happening with the commissioners race. Its just the down time. Fortunately, the real race begins next weekend. One month out usually signals the green light, so its time to put the websites on coast and start getting out there. As a candidate, if you're not working EVERY DAY from April 15 to May 15, then there's something wrong.
We tried to find something juicy to feed you while we wait, but didn't have very much luck. The good news is that Commissioner Eichelberger is stepping things up, from what we hear, and launching a personal grassroots effort. We question whether or not this is too little too late, but personal door-knocking does help eliminate the whispers of unreachability. When the issue is a personal one like this, its best to attack it head-on, which seems to be the strategy for Eichelberger. Much, much better than the old one, which was to ignore it. Like we said, we wonder whether or not its too little, too late. In the past, when a candidate has made a valiant effort to repair personal wrongdoings, it was the same case of too little, too late. We'll see how things work out this time.
We enjoy a competitive arena, as you may have noticed, so we try to pick a winner for the time period of each blog. Today's winner? Gary Eichelberger, for making strong efforts to come back and join the living. While we would suggest filling the seats with a larger audience rather than going door-to-door to visit all 220,000 Cumberland County residents, he's still trying to make things right.
We tried to find something juicy to feed you while we wait, but didn't have very much luck. The good news is that Commissioner Eichelberger is stepping things up, from what we hear, and launching a personal grassroots effort. We question whether or not this is too little too late, but personal door-knocking does help eliminate the whispers of unreachability. When the issue is a personal one like this, its best to attack it head-on, which seems to be the strategy for Eichelberger. Much, much better than the old one, which was to ignore it. Like we said, we wonder whether or not its too little, too late. In the past, when a candidate has made a valiant effort to repair personal wrongdoings, it was the same case of too little, too late. We'll see how things work out this time.
We enjoy a competitive arena, as you may have noticed, so we try to pick a winner for the time period of each blog. Today's winner? Gary Eichelberger, for making strong efforts to come back and join the living. While we would suggest filling the seats with a larger audience rather than going door-to-door to visit all 220,000 Cumberland County residents, he's still trying to make things right.
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