Thursday, June 23, 2005

Sharks are circling

It seems all the pols smell Don Sherwood's blood in the water. I think he probably could survive this thing if he settles the lawsuit. He would take some heat if he did, but by the election it would be old news. Of course it is entertaining to have someone who talks family values exposed as a hypocrite. If this does drag on and his poll numbers start going south I'm sure the powers that be will twist his arm to retire. At least one Republican is saying he will run if Sherwood steps down.

From the Times-Leader:

Jerry Birmelin, an 11-term state representative from Wayne County, said Wednesday he'll run if Sherwood does not seek a fifth term.
"I'd run only if Congressman Sherwood decides to resign or does not run'" said Birmelin. The 56-year-old chairman of the House Children and Youth Committee and a leader of the Pro-Life Caucus in the General Assembly, Birmelin proposed unsuccessful amendments last year that would have barred homosexuals from adopting children and prohibited the state from offering same-sex benefits to its employees.

I know Jerry from when I lived in Honesdale. He was very good at constituent service but he was mostly a one issue candidate.

The Democrats have two people testing the waters. Luzerne County Commissioner Greg Skrepnak and Susquehanna county political science professor Christopher Carney are both interested. According to the TL:

He has never before run for political office, but Carney said he believes he can win against Sherwood now that the four-term congressman is embroiled in a $5.5 million lawsuit brought by 29-year-old Cynthia Ore, who alleges Sherwood repeatedly beat her during a five-year relationship.
"There seem to be some cracks in Mr. Sherwood's armor now,” Carney said, adding that he would not make Ore's allegations a central theme in his campaign. "This is about judgment. What kind of judgment does this man really have?
"But that is not the focus of this campaign. This campaign is about issues."


I love the quote about issues. I think the only issue is the proper technique of giving a neck massage. Being unknown he would have a hard time raising the money to challenge Sherwood. Any serious Democrat is going to have to spend $2 million or more to win.

Then there is Skrep. I think he has the star power and name recognition to mount a serious challenge. Too bad he hasn't done a very good job as commissioner. And I'm sure the GOP will make an issue of his wife's drug use. As a friend pointed out:

The district is gerrymandered conservative--only a Skrepenak could break the party hold because voters in this area don't read too many papers and are apt to be star struck. The only chance that the democrats have of taking the seat is to front a personality--some liberal think tank guy won't win that district.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Fitz brings up a good point. Maybe Skrepenak's name recognition doesn't travel to far out of the valley, if that is so I don't think Sherwood will be beaten. As far as Peters and Haggerty go, they'll have the same problems as Skrep. Do you think somebody from up north is going to want the Mayor of Kingston for a representative. I don't think so.

The repubs pretty much sinched up that district when they reconfigured it last year.

It may be a lost cause. We will see.

Gort said...

It would force the GOP to spend money on a usually safe seat.

Anonymous said...

NOBODY ASKED ME, BUT WHAT IS THIS SECRET LOVE/HATE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTS AND TERRORISTS? I CAN'T SEE WHY THE LIBERAL PRESS DOES NOT RUN WITH THIS STORY; THINK ABOUT IT: THE PRES. OF THE US IS NEGOTIATING WITH IRAQI INSURGENTS! THE VERY PEOPLE WHO ARE KILLING OUR TROOPS AND 'WOULD' KILL US IF GIVEN A CHANCE!! WHAT AN OUTRAGE--AND HE CALLED KERRY A WEAK MAN NOT TO BE TRUSTED?? JUST ANOTHER MOMENT OF HYPOCRICY FROM THE GOP/WHITE HOUSE!!

Anonymous said...

Haggerty doesn't stand a chance against Skrep--nor do any of the other potential candidates on either side of the aisle. Could you imagine a debate between Skrep and any of the other candidates?? Yes, he is not the most intellectual guy on Earth--but when did that ever matter (look at the current occupant living on Penna. Ave.); and we are forgetting one undeniable advantage Skrep has: He physically towers above all of his potential opponents--Hell, he's the biggest dude in all of Pennsylvania! What are the voters going to come away thinking when Skrep walks over to greet his opponent (s) following a debate?? Macho is everything--especially in this area--and Skrep has the market cornered on this baby!! Can't wait to see this movie!!!

Anonymous said...

I think the Democrats have it great. With Sherwood's bed side manner's haunting him, I think the republican's will be desperate. Speaking of mayor's I think they should get Magroaty to run. I know he is a democrat but let's face it he's a democrat disguised as a republican. he would be a great puppet for them.

Gort said...

McGroarty running for Congress. That would be funny. He is the only man I know that can get his own dog mad at him.