Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Pennsylvania 10th CD update

The big news today is that Chris Hackett landed a big fish and Dan Meuser has a new TV ad about immigration.


Today, the Club for Growth PAC endorsed Chris Hackett in the Republican primary in Pennsylvania’s Tenth Congressional District.

While Hackett does not have a voting record, he has quickly demonstrated a commitment to pro-growth issues on the campaign trail. Taking the lead against congressional pork, he wrote an op-ed for the local Scranton Times, criticizing Democratic Representative Chris Carney’s record of voting for such wasteful earmarks as California’s Mule and Packers Museum. He recently signed Citizens Against Government Waste’s Earmark Reform Pledge and challenged both Carney and his primary opponent, Dan Meuser, to sign the pledge as well. Hackett is also a strong supporter of tax cuts, school choice, and tort reform.


“With his business background and his pro-growth campaign platform, Chris Hackett has demonstrated an intuitive understanding of the importance of limited-government, free-market policies in advancing economic growth,” said Club for Growth President Pat Toomey. “We are confident Chris Hackett will fight for lower taxes and an end to wasteful government spending if elected to Congress. He is exactly the kind of principled conservative Pennsylvania taxpayers deserve to have representing them.”
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Most endorsements are a one day event that are good for a press release but this one counts. The Club for Growth is a big player in Republican politics that can steer a lot of money to a candidate and Pat Toomey has a committed following among my PA conservative friends.
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The new Meauser ad is titled Securing Our Borders





It starts off with the family gathering for dinner and a friend asked "is there any food on the table?" Then it shows some scary pictures of Mexicans claiming that there are 20 million illegal immigrants in "our country." Who counted them? I sure they don't send in their census forms. It cuts to a very serious looking Meuser telling us that immigration is a problem that costs millions. How much? He then gives us the "Meuser Plan" that sounds like what every other Republican candidate is saying. Secure the borders (does he want to also build a fence on the Canadian border?), no amnesty and making English the official language. I'm still not sure how naming an official language will discourage immigration.


Standard Republican fare playing on our fears instead of appealing to our hopes. Whatever happened President Reagan's "Shinning city on a hill?"


This will probably play well with the one issue voters but the recent F&M poll from last week lists immigration as the 6th most important issue to Republican voters scoring only 8%.

40 comments:

Barry O'Connell said...

Illegal immigrants are nothing compared to the threat of EXPLODING WHEEL CHAIRS! I have heard that there are multiple deaths and many homes destroyed. Maybe Dan can talk about the threat from EXPLODING WHEEL CHAIRS.
Best wishes,
Barry O'Connell

Anonymous said...

Hey Barry, Exploding wheelchairs are nothing compared to COOKIES LACED WITH RAT POISON!!! Why don't you tell us about that Barry?? Tell us about the treat of COOKIES LACED WITH RAT POISON!!!
****of course, this is tongue and cheek to illustrate how absurd your post is*****
A company that builds and sells hundreds and thousands of products a year will have someone misusing them from time to time and the family will try to get rich. Since you think you know so much Barry why don't you tell everyone exactly how any of these incedents happened. Now remember Barry, people who lie go to Hell so think before you speak.

Anonymous said...

that's good tongue and cheek bob and you make a good point, people shouldn't lie. I think Dan should explain to us what happened to those negligent people who died.

Anonymous said...

Dem money supporter Hackett will go down in flames and I hope this finally puts and end to the disengenuous Pat Toomey too. Maybe they can all have a race down to the Social Security office in their Pride Mobility scooters too.

SHAME ON YOU TOOMEY, YOU PHONEY NEVER WAS - YOU HAD BETTER CANDIDATES EARLIER ON AND YOU PERSONALLY DISCOURAGED THEM ALL!!

Barry O'Connell said...

Hello Bob Kelly,
Two things: First of all, it is not lying that sends one to hell it is the lack of relationship with, the only way to heaven, Jesus Christ. It is wrong to think keeping the law gets us to heaven it is that Jesus paid the price for our sins. Still we should not lie and I challenge you to show one lie I have told.

Now Dan Meuser appears to have gamed the system exploiting loopholes to cash in on motorized wheelchairs. Serious allegations have been made that Dan allowed people to die and then used money and lawyers to hush it up. How many died, how did they die, and how was it hushed up. Did Dan and Pride Mobility force the victim's survivors to promise silence to get a few dollars for their tragedies. This is bigger that the alleged Hackett kickbacks, people died or so the records indicate. If I am off base in any way then let Dan Meuser clear the air and tell us what really happened. As a candidate Dan Meuser needs to tell us everything and let the voters judge for them selves. If there is one dead senior then Dan must tell us, if there are more than one Dan needs to tell us. Full disclosure nothing less will do.
Best wishes,
Barry O'Connell
Former Elected Member Republican State Committeeman from Lycoming County

Anonymous said...

Wow Barry, you must have a personal vendetta against Meuser. Care to share?
As for the religious aspects of your post, I think I got a pretty good grasp on who's devine intervention influences people to act in certain ways.
I have known many people who have benefitted from power wheelchairs. I'm sure people who use them to participate in daily activities don't have a problem with Pride Mobility. I guess you'd rather see them sit in a chair in the corner all day. Hey, we're all entitled to our opinion.
As for exploding wheelchairs, I'm still curious as to what facts you have. My wife's grandmother was in a Pride chair for years. It didn't explode. Hey, I drive a Ford, I've heard they explode from time to time. The fact is, if I'm sitting here in a wheelchair and let's say my robe comes in contact with a space heater and I catch on fire and fry, my family could look to cash in on this and go after the wheelchair company, the space heater company, hell, even the robe company. So unless you have some kind of proof of faulty products knowingly being sold and people perishing from this, you really shouldn't be throwing stones.

Bob Kelly - Former world traveler, current NEPA resident from Luzerne County

Anonymous said...

interesting post about the rat poison. How much poison has entered this country from china? how much food bourne illness from w/i out own food supply? all of this because president Bush has cut the inspectors.

Anonymous said...

Barry O'connell- is working for Hackett. he is a Maderia Kool aid Drinker. Barry- you are a former Lycoming committeeman because nobody could stand you. We got rid of you.

You did nothing and you contributed less. hackett must be desperate to get this guy on board. By the way I live in the
5th and could care less about the 10th. Meuser campaign watch this guy because he is a mud slinging liar. Shame on you Hackett if you brought this guy on board, he will be your death knell in Lycoming county

Barry O'Connell said...

Anonymous said, "You did nothing and you contributed less." Obviously Ronald Reagan did not agree:
http://www.spongobongo.com/oc1.htm

I suppose "Real Conservatives" like you Meuser people would not consider guys like me and Ronald Reagan either conservative or real Republicans. You Meuser people are mostly pitiful Anonymous fools. If you had any cojones you would sign your name.

Anonymous said...

Barry,

Hello, peace be with you. If you don't mind me saying, you seem a tad bitter.

I guess when you are mostly a former soemthing, it can be a bit depressing.

Meuser has nothing to be ashamed of, or afraid of, concerning the way he has run his busines.

He is,and has always been a man of integrity, in his personal and busines dealings, but you already know that, don't you.

Oh, Barry, I'm not picking on you, but soon you will be a former mouthpiece, for a former failed candidate for the 10th congressional seat.

Ironic isn't it, you, Toomey, Maderia, and soon Hackett, a veritable loser Hall of Fame.

Ciao Barry.

Barry O'Connell said...

Hello Kar,
Me bitter, not a chance. I am basically a happy upbeat guy who hates to see slimeballs in Congressional race. As for me and Hackett: Hackett speaks for Hackett and I speak for me. With Reverend Ely out of the race who is there besides Hackett.
I am short of time tonight because of a client but tomorrow I will tell you a story. I am trying to decide between the death of John Robles or Proof of Dan Meuser's involvement in a illegal KICKBACK operation. Guess what guys? No romor, no innuendo I got the real goods on Dan Meuser and I feel like talking. I can link Dan Meuser to flagrant violations of Federal Law. Meuser is far worse than Don "the strangler" Sherwood ever dreamed of being. More tomorrow.
Best wishes,
Barry O'Connell
Former Elected Member Republican State Committeeman from Lycoming County

Anonymous said...

OMG you are so funny Barry. Seriously, I can't wait to read your stories. This is going to be priceless.
You actually are going to tell everyone here you have no ties to Madeira or Hackett??? And since you're going to be the champion and save us all from Meuser, why haven't you spoken up sooner???
I feel like I should be contacting 60 minutes and tell them about this great story we're going to hear.
I'm thinking Dan Meuser should just quit the race tomorrow because one of Hacketts many cronies has a story he'd like to share about Meuser being public enemy number one. It's just that the only person that knows it is Barry. OOooooo. Scary!!!!

Barry O'Connell said...

Office of Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) programs
October 3, 2002
Pride Mobility Products, a Pennsylvania DME company, agreed to pay $80,000 to resolve its liability for violations of the kickback provision of the CMPL. An OIG investigation revealed that through a marketing program, the company solicited and received monthly payments from suppliers in return for referring sales leads to those suppliers. In addition to the payment under the settlement agreement, the company was also required to adopt and implement certain compliance measures.
The Meusers through the company they control admitted their involvement in violations of the kickback provision of the CMPL.

Is this what you expect from your congressman. If Meuser would do this what wouldn't he do? I never saw a character like Dan Meuser how did he think he could run for office with so much dirt on his record. If Dan Meuser was not involved in the KICKBACKS who was? Maybe it was the guys on the loading dock? Dan Meuser needs to explain his involvement in Kickbacks.

If anyone doubts my word they have only to contact the Office of Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services:
By Phone: 202 619-1343
By Fax: 202 260-8512
By E-Mail: paffairs@oig.hhs.gov
By Mail: Office of Inspector General
Office of Public Affairs
Department of Health and Human Services
Room 5541 Cohen Building
330 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201

Just for the record Chris Hackett has no knowledge that I was going public with this. (Hey Chris no hard feelings but I did not contact you so that you could say you know nothing about this.) How come the press ignores this?
Best wishes,
Barry O'Connell
Former Elected Member Republican State Committeeman from Lycoming County

Anonymous said...

We get it. Both candidates are successful businessmen with a degree of success dependent on some form of "corporate welfare". That degree of success we can debate until long after the election passes.

Both candidates are focused on fighting some amorphous enemy abroad versus fighting them at home. Unfortunately we no longer have the resources to fight terrorism at home because the necessary munitions and vehicles of our national guard are overseas.

With the economy tanking due to an oversupply of money and escalating prices for the things we need, which candidate plans to focus on the needs of the district versus fighting a boogeyman thousands of miles away.

Most people don't care about capital gains cuts because they're swamped in debt. The country has been involved in a 7 year experiment in trickle-down economics and the area has been left behind once again. If neither candidate finds solutions beyond the Supply Side talking points, it becomes a huge waste of their fortunes.

In that case, the Prince of Pork wins 55-45. With Carney's fundraising, he can hire Bobby Vinton and dedicate "Mr. Lonely" to the poor schlep who comes out of this bloodbath of a primary.

Anonymous said...

Barry,

Good job Sherlock, maybe when John Walsh retires you can replace him on "America's most wanted".

As much as you and your ilk don't want to admit it, this election is going to turn on issues, and not on 7 or 8 year old public record information.

Maybe your pal Hackett can try to explain to 10th district farmers that he doesn't care if they survive or not.

In the words of his latest mentor Pat Toomey " if someone fails at their chosen profession, why should I care about it".

He's referring to family farmers, I think someone running for congres in a rural ditrict would have a more enlightened attitude toward farmers.

But you keep digging,and slinging, Meuser and his team will continue to focus on the issues.

Barry, I have a tip for you, Dan I 'm sorry to rat you out, but this guy is relentless. Barry...and this is unconfirmed, I heard that Dan skipped school when he was 14, he and his friends went to the mall.

They were caught, no charges were filed, but I do believe that he was punished by his parents.

Whew, I feel better now.

Ciao.

Kar

Former paper boy in Exeter,and West Pittston, Luzerne Couny.

Anonymous said...

wow barry, where the hell you've been that is old old old news. it may have even been on this site at one point. do you have anything new?

Anonymous said...

kar accusing someone of mudslinging??

Anonymous said...

Barry,
I have to echo Anon 9:48 in that this was old news last year. So let me get this straight. You are painting Pride and Meuser as the ultimate evil because they took some kind of payment in return for referring people to a dealer????
Huh
What exactly does Hackett's company do????
Um, don't they take money from a business for referring a worker to them?????
Paint it anyway you want Barry, Pride may not have realized what they were doing was not legal and they paid their fine and changed their practices.
So find something better and something newer.
I'm still waiting on the exploding wheelchairs.
By the way Barry, they don't run on gas. They don't explode.

Barry O'Connell said...

The issue is not Federal Medicare Fraud. THE ISSUE IS INTEGRITY. Dan Meuser needs to come clean about Federal Medicare Fraud and all the dead seniors. You guys can laugh about it being the victim's fault but there is nothing funny about the horrible death of John Robles Sr. while his daughter Virginia fought to save him. If Dan Meuser has real character he will come out and come clean. He can not win hiding behind clowns like you.
Best wishes,
Barry O'Connell
Former Elected Member Republican State Committeeman from Lycoming County

Anonymous said...

barry,

for one thing it is old news. pride settled and dan has addressed this. the company addressed it. most companies that manufacture electronic devices have something like this happen.

give us something new, something people have not already considered, rehashing old info, no matter how tragic, isn't the new stuff you promised

Anonymous said...

Jack Brady left the Meuser campaign, upset over the Mike Long / Ray Zaborney / Scott Burnside management of the campaign.

Barry O'Connell said...

I can understand why Jack Brady left the Meuser campaign. I got to know Mike Long years ago in Young Republicans. I do not mean this in a bad way but Mike stirs strong emotions, people who know him tend to either love him or hate him. I hear he married my old friend John O’Barrie’s sister and that can only be a good thing.

One thing I am curious about was the $20,000 that Mike got from Louis DeNaples. Mike ran Citizens for a Better Pennsylvania, a political action committee for Former Sen. Robert Jubelirer. In 2005 they raised $32,000, $20,000 of it from DeNaples and them Jubelirer votes against slots. Go figure… I have always liked Louis DeNaples and I hope he beats the current trouble that he is in. But DeNaples is a straight-up guy and I always wondered why Mike screwed him.
Best wishes,
Barry O’Connell

Anonymous said...

Who is Jack Brady?

Anonymous said...

Barry,
You want Meuser to come clean?? How about you Barry? Why don't you come clean?
Have you EVER had any run in with the law?? Come on.....come clean.
Tell us a little about what an upstanding guy you are. Then tell us how you are qualified to throw stones.

Barry O'Connell said...

Hello Bob Kelly,
I guess I got you because you want to shift focus on me. You know where I got you? On the integrity issue. It is not about all the deaths, it is not about the fraud, it is not even about how money is filtered into his campaign, and it is certainly not about the involvement of Mike "Mr. Pay Grab" Long. It is all about how Dan Meuser deals with these issues and others with or without INTEGRITY. Do you remember the Wendy's ad, "Where's the Beef"? With Dan Meuser it is, "Where's the INTEGRITY".
Now some of you are going to ask, "What about Chris Hackett"? I ask: Who has Hackett killed? When has Hackett confessed to and paid a fine for Medicaid Fraud? So he cut a check to Skrep, big deal. Chris Hackett did not break the law. Chris Hackett has made his money honestly and honorably at least in comparison to Dan Meuser. Chris Hackett is a long time resident of the 10th unlike Dan "the carpetbagger" Meuser. No matter what way you slice it Hackett is less of a scoundrel than Dan Meuser.
Now you wanted to know about the skeletons in my closet. I confess I once did Coke with George Bush. here is the evidence: http://www.spongobongo.com/oc20.htm
Best wishes,
Barry "Coke with George Bush" O'Connell

Anonymous said...

It's true Barry, the rumors I've heard are true. You are psychotic. Your family must be so proud. Better yet, Chris Hackett must be even prouder that you are stumping for him. I have to wonder if you're related to Dave Madeira. You too are both crazy.

Anonymous said...

Barry- the truth is you were never a state committeeman. you were local- big difference. You were also arrested for making threats against candidates. How long did you probation last for that one.
You are scum- you throw accusations at Meuser but did you ask him about any of this? Do you have tghe guts or will there be another restraining order issued agianst you. Again Chris Run from this guy- you thinkk Yvonne was going to hurt you. This guy is crazy. This guy can ruin your candidacy. You got a big endorsement don't sorround yourself with guys like this. he is trouble- big time

Anonymous said...

It IS pretty funny how the Club for Growth endorsement is being overshadowed by "Barry the Bulldog" attacking Meuser.
More well thought out strategy on the Hackett/Madeira ticket again.

Barry O'Connell said...

Hello,
You guys are funny. You are desperate to take the INTEGRITY QUESTION off Dan Meuser. How can I prove I was a member of the Republican State Committee? What box did I pack the documents from the Pa. Sec. of State? Then I remembered a letter from my friend State Treasurer Budd Dwyer: http://www.persiancarpetguide.com/sw-asia/Friends/I_knew_Budd_Dwyer/I_knew_Budd_Dwyer_I_was_at_the_Trial.htm

Read the Address Block, obviously the Republican State Treasurer knew the difference between the state party and the county party.
As for any suggestion that I broke the law or ever got probation keep in mind that as a private party I have all my legal protections under law. If you make statements about me that are untrue I can have Blogger who hosts Gort 42 give me your ISP address. You can be tracked down and sued. Further by telling lies under the name Anonymous you have violated that ridiculous law that Bush signed into effect last year. I on the other hand sign my name and can provide citations for every point that I raise.

Back to the real question:

Dan Meuser where is the INTEGRITY?

Why can't I find any record of you personally and publicly addressing the multiple deaths and the violations of Federal Law. If you have the INTEGRITY to be congressman you need to address these things.
For those of you who want to make me the issue you only emphasize Dan Meuser's failure to deal with the issues.

I am speaking as a private person and am not tied to or working for the next Republican Congressional Candidate Chris "Mr. Clean" Hackett.
best wishes,
Barry O'Connell

Anonymous said...

so barry you are still harping on one thing. where is all the bad things you were going to expose?

it is old news, old, old, old. it was tragic, but it was taken care of.

tell us more of the secrets you have. expose away..... i am waiting for something for you to tell us...

Anonymous said...

Old news is still good news and although you've know the dirt on your boy for a long time, the voters are just finding out. But I wounder why a guy with this kind of baggage would even put his hat in the ring. I guess Long is going to suck him dry of cash, have him run a lot of puff pieces and attack the other guy and then cast him on to the waste heap of used candidates - he's done it a before. Sorry Mr. Meuser, you've been had.

Anonymous said...

Barry...dude, Bud Dwyer? The same Bud Dwyer who ate his gun on national TV?

This is getting a bit strange, I'm out of this thread.

Peace out.

Anonymous said...

I agree with you KAR. And Barry, claiming the whole privacy thing when your first statement was bragging about being a public servent, you cant have it both ways. KAR is right. This is getting very strange. I'm out of this string too. I fear for my safety.

Barry O'Connell said...

Sorry gentlemen,
It is no secret I spend more of my time in Washington DC taking care of my regular work and clients. So now I am getting ready to be back in the 10th tomorrow. I have been a little pressed for time. But since you guys are begging for it here goes. You'll never guess who called me last month, a fellow who asked if I would be willing to go back to the White House and work in the Executive Office of the President. I told them oh no, not me, not for this President. I am happy with my current clients who include a Fortune 500 company. Besides if I worked in the EOP I would have to cancel my visit to the Persian Gulf and Iran in April.

On April 1, 2004, John Robles Sr. was in the kitchen of his Salinas California apartment when his Pride Mobility wheelchair caught on fire. John was a 65-year-old stroke victim who was trapped in that wheelchair. Unable to save him John's daughter Virginia was badly burned trying to save her father. Now I realize that many of you Meuser supporters never knew your father but imagine watching someone you love trapped in the burning chair of death. That is what Virginia Robles faced. Before you start blaming the Robles family for their tragedy what we need is for Dan Meuser to come forth and tell us how many people have dies using his products. We can get to the sex thing and the fraud, and the questions about fund raising later but for now let Dan Meuser talk about the body count.

Dan Meuser how many people have died and been injured in Pride wheelchairs and scooters.

Private for Chris Hackett: Everyone please do not read this last part. Chris I am sure you have already but if you send someone to Salinas and have them nose around the Monterey County courthouse. I understand that graphic evidence is yours for the asking and the photos of the fire scene are mind-blowing. You get the locals on video tape talking about the fire and play it with the photos the weekend before the primary... need I say more. But if anyone asks we have never talked and never met. Say hi to Ramah and the girls for me.
Best wishes,
Barry O’Connell

Anonymous said...

once again same old same old Barry. honestly i feel bad for the family, but guess what people die every day. sometimes from products that malfunction, sometimes due to a mfg error, sometimes due to their own fault, sometimes due to illness, sometimes due to accident, sometimes due to their own neglect, sometimes due to medical neglect. people f---ing die.
This was a defect in a product, it happens. how many troops died because the moron and chief and the people at the pentagon didn't get the humvees that could w/stand ied's? By your stupid ass logic we should impeach Bush because his lack of competence in running this war got thousands of brave men and women killed.
The gentleman in Cali died, it is sad, it is tragic. Pride changed their product info to put a warning so it doesn't happen again. No one cares!
If you have recent current issues put it out there. If you can't put out something new in all this time it is because either you don't have it or you are making it up.

And I have no problem believing that the moron in chief would want you. Birds of a feather.

Anonymous said...

Barry,
Again, nice find. You left out exactly how this gentleman cought fire. He could have been sitting on a kitchen chair and still caught fire. He could have been sitting on a bucket for that matter and still caught fire. Tell the whole story Barry.

Barry O'Connell said...

Even if what you say has possible merit in the Robles wheelchair of death case what about Henry Hickerson who lost lost his wife and home in a fire. Different case and circumstances. Do we have to haggle over ever horrible death of the infirm and elderly. Where is the INTEGRITY?

Is PRIDE really an acronym for:
People
Roasting
In
Defective
Equipment

I am amazed that some of you have decided that anything Dan Meuser can be ignored or excused. You say that when people die it is OK. You say when home burn it is OK. When people are hurt it is OK. When businessmen participate in Medicare fraud it is OK. I could go on and on we never even got o the Meuser sex scandal but really what does Dan Meuser stand for. It is obvious that many of you are political whores who stand for nothing.
This is not about all the dead Senior Citizens. this is all abut Dan Meuser's INTEGRITY.
Best wishes,
Barry O'Connell

Anonymous said...

TPM Cafe: Meuser's company has settled a contentious lawsuit over the death of an elderly man using their wheelchair, in which plaintiffs alleged that a defective battery caused a fire. From the Monterey County Herald, January 9, 2007: "Had the case gone to trial, according to court records and statements in court, jurors may have heard evidence that Pride Mobility was aware of at least 18 other fires in its wheelchairs and scooters with identical battery packs since 2002. Ten of those fires destroyed dwellings and five were fatal." (From Nexis).

Anonymous said...

and chris hackett has integrity. he is not a political whore? okay he isn't he is a john. he paid skrep and vondy 5g's for a nice contract that gotta a lot of people forced into retirement.

so please barry neither of these two are either conservative or have integrity.

if you like bum 1 over bum 2 that is okay, but the rehash on thing Meuser has addressed is old.

Hackett has never given to a republican, he has never helped a republican, he never attended a rally for a republican. he aint done shit for the local, state or national party, but he wants our support.

honestly as republican i am voting carney. he is more conservative than the 2 rinos combined.

Anonymous said...

Issues in Meuserland, look no further than Eric Wallace, he is one bad mo-fo.

'nuff said