Tuesday, May 1, 2007

The Death Rattle

Politics is a funny business. Someone once said that in tough times like these, you find out who your friends are. And while we tend to agree, we also can concede that this is a business unlike any other. Normal rules don't apply to this game, so while you might have spent years defending the actions of comrades, you can't take your friends into the batter's box with you. Its just you and you.

Over the past few weeks, we've seen Commissioner Eichelberger step into the box. It's a lonely feeling to have to step up to the plate alone.

Where are we going with the sports metaphors? Well, lately we've been wondering where all the elected officials have been. We've made no secret about the fact that Senator Vance has been grinding an axe with Commissioner Eichelberger, and is looking to pull him from the game (ok, that was the last one). But what about everyone else? It's ironic to the point of comedy that of all people, members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives have nothing to say. To misquote Will Rogers, these people never met a reporter they didn't like. So why all the mum's the word now?

We've heard rumblings of some folks working one way or another - placing bets but not putting the farm on anyone. But here's what we think: 2008 is just around the corner, and we all remember what happened to the last guy who chose poorly. Despite more than 30 years of combined legislative tenure, things got a little too close for comfort for Cumberland County's Three Musketeers last year. And ending up on the wrong side of the fence this year could make things even worse next year.

This bitter deference toward the potential of Commissioner Eichelberger is frankly, well....impressive. For all the comments that complain about his bad attitude and anti-social behavior, he's got three State Representatives afraid to open their mouths and that isn't an easy thing to do.

Things have gotten so bad that it almost looks like Gunnison is polishing the brass on the Titanic. Not only has half of the Republican committee split, but the Carlisle Sentinel reports that Commissioner Barclay won't even be seen with Gunnison in public. And, just for the record, we'd like to point out that our prediction came true - Chairman Stabile just couldn't resist. A simple "no comment" would have worked wonders.

While we have a soft spot for the underdog, we do hate to see such a potentially well-executed campaign go up in flames. I mean, after all, Gunnison has one of the best teams we've seen in a long time: Zaborney, Cliff Jones, beloved ex-commissioners, and an entire fleet of Anstine women. We know, we know; you're probably saying: Well Bill, look how successful they've been - Swann got trounced, Cliff Jones has never held office, ex-commissioners are just that, and the Anstine women haven't dropped a female into power since...well,...are we counting Catherine Baker Knoll? We didn't think so. What do we have to say to that? Well, the "Reformers" have yet to unite behind a single candidate or even a single issue. But powerless? Ask Bob Jubilerer how powerless they are.

Today's winner is Commissioner Eichelberger. Aaaaagain. (We're running out of gold stars, Gary) But we would like to offer Gunnison a chance to make it through one more round, so here goes: Drop Barclay, who is now dead weight and personally go door-to-door and instead of telling people what's wrong, listen. You'd be amazed at how impressed people are when you manage to listen to them without rolling your eyes or drifting off.

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