Another Blogfest success

The outgrowth of the Saturday OT Committee and Operatic Society scored another feather in the cap with the 5th iteration of Blogfest at Rooney's in Pittston last night. About 200 people came and went throughout the evening who adhered to the spirit of the event. Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians and Pastafarians agreed to disagree but nobody was disagreeable and everybody wore clothes.

.

11th CD Democratic candidate Gene Stilp added some fun to the evening by inflating one of his pink pigs outside Rooney's. The police stopped by to check it out because somebody called 911, the cops laughed it off.

.

Stilp showed up with a posse of supporters and talked my ear off. I asked why he was running for Congress when most of us that pay attention associate him with state issues. He refuted that saying the issues he brings up matter not only to the state but the country. I also found that we have a mutual friend, my gatekeeper Dot. Primary opponent Bill Vinsko worked the room and the Barletta campaign was represented by CM Lance Strange who has great sense of humor and a thick skin like his boss.

.

It was great to see State Rep Gerald Mullery and his opponent Rick Arnold have a nice chat.

.

Young Republican Aaron Kaufer is running in the 120th HD. Regular commenter Forrest seemed to be persuaded by him.

.

Matt Cartwright and Tom Shibula came after they were done with the meet and greet down the street from my house. Blogfest had been on the calendar since January so you guy's schedule an event to step on it 2 weeks out? Grrrr as Rusty would say. Tim Holden also had an event scheduled at the same time many miles away. Laureen Cummings is the Republican candidate in the 17thCD and made the rounds at Blogfest. My pal Jim O'Meara is her campaign manager.

.

JJ Murphy represented his brother Patrick who is running for Attorney General but was in Pittsburgh campaigning. Hey Nat you have to get your scheduling priorities straight. I was disapointed that Kathleen Kane or any surrogates didn't make it but that's no surprise as I have been told she hasn't been on the hustings as much as she should. After all the parking was free with no need to worry about getting a ticket.

.

Other politicos in the crowd included Bill Goldsworthy, Harry Haas, Bob Lampman, Bob Zaruta,Mike Szutack, Bob Caruso, Johm Lombardo and Casey Evans who recently got engaged. It was good to see both the Young Democrats and Young Republicans, they are our future leaders. I'm sure I left someone out and misspelled some names.
.

As the blogger report I will update NEPA Blogs

.

Pictures of the event are available at

Joe V's Photo Bucket and Here