Jim, did you stand Lois up for Prom?

I think that if you're trying to break into politics and away from fashion, you may want to disassociate fashion from politics and read up some more on politics.

I don't know much about this race in particular, I live outside of the district, but I do know that Murphy is devoting a lot of her energies in getting the word out that Gerlach is one corrupt son of a bitch. He took $30K from Tom DeLay and refused to give it back. Until there was enough pressure to do so after Murphy started up a storm.

He took money from Duke Cunningham who recently stepped down after admitting to taking millions in bribes. I haven't heard if Gerlach gave that money back.

I hope you don't base your entire voting pattern over if you don't like their choice of heels. Pay attention to the issues at hand. Don't get distracted.

Hello Albert. Strong words! Coming from a group that has members who didn't start out as being politically involved, it is safe to say that folks get their interest in politics from different inspirations, and far be it from us to judge.

Now look, we have taken jabs at Gerlach, but he isn't truly as you describe him. Meet him and talk to him - he is very approachable. We suggest that someone try to blog interview him as was done with whats-his-name that used to have our 6th district...Hoeffel..that's who. And Hoeffel was pretty darn cool...some of his staffers were lacking (they were always looking for their next political job), but he was cool.

And honestly, if you live around here and talk to the local papers, all you hear about is Lois and her Gerlach Platform - and you have to admit, that there HAS to be some other degree of substance other than constantly slamming her opponent. It IS girly, it IS petty, and it DOES do Lois Murphy a CONSTANT disservice because no matter what your party affiliation is, this gets bothersome fast.

For example, if Lois has the chutzpah, we are waiting to see how SHE feels about eminent domain. Face it, if she's a candidate around here, that is but one of MANY issues she needs to be addressing.

We haven't heard of her meeting with our targeted business owners, while election year or not, Jim Gerlach DOES reach out to his constituency consistently. And where we sit, the ones doing the most about eminent domain nationally are republicans currently in office, like it or not...so if as a Dem, she wants the office, her tune can't be the same old song...There was a candidate a few years back (Republican woman)running for state office that looked like Elvira. She made hating Connie Williams her platform, and it bit her in the ass real hard - she lost.

Lois needs to get the word out about what LOIS is about, and what LOIS will do, and what LOIS thinks about issues in Lower Merion, Chester and Berks Counties. And nationally.

Thanks for making us think, and thanks to Her Alter Ego for a post that was both funny and thought provoking.

Face it, there are no easy answers with regard to politicians and politics. It's a crap shoot every single time. They ALL do tradeoffs to survive...it's not right, but it is reality...OH, and by the way, just like with the local elections, this isn't an endorsement...far from it...these are observations based upon what we have seen thus far. Face it, if any group abhors politics as usual, it's us!

1) I totally disagree. It is not a "crapshoot" everytime. We can make educated decisions. It is was not a crapshoot to vote for Bush in 04. Love him or very much hate him, everyone knew pretty much exactly what we were getting.

2) What the hell does being girly mean? Are you serious with that comment? Your criticim of Lois Murphy, a woman, is that she is acting girly? Really? I would suggest that you might want to reconsider that line of attack.

"he isn't truly as you describe him" - what part of taking money from two corrupt politicians isn't true?

i didn't call him unapproachable, i called him "he isn't truly as you describe him"

and i agree with dan, it's not always a crapshoot.

Well good morning all! I can see my post achieved it's desired effect: to make y'all think. As for where I look, maybe it isn't your cup of tea, but I do look at the total package. And people who can be sloppy with personal appearence can be sloppy in other ways. And I DO pay atention to the issues, I might blanket such knowledge with a smoke screen or two, but that is my prerogative....and as for his taking money, since he's not my guy, I can only go on my personal research which is EVERYONE takes some money...he seems to take very little, and if you go to the website of congress and pull up his voting record, he doesn't always vote with the pack. As for his opponent, I stand by my comments, and if you don't like my opinion danielua, tough noogies - women ARE prone to peevishness that is girly. And sorry, but building a campaign around hating one man without always offering up anything other than that is ridiculous. And negative campaigns turn me OFF. Just like excessive whining.And selecting a politician is ALWAYS a crap shoot - I agree. What folks say to get elected, and what they do once they're in are two entirely different scenarios....and I don't think what you see was what you got with W - I believe the reality to be much worse than everyone imagined...which is why I chose John Kerry in '04....and had Kerry won, it would have been a bit of a crap shoot too...In closing I would add that debate IS the spirit of America, and I look forward to seeing what else people have to say! Maybe, in the end, it will make a better campaign for both parties concerned

Albert...Jimmy isn't the worst representation we have had around here...sure he could show improvement, what elected official couldn't? But we have to play with what we've got. Would we like him to stand out with us a bit more fighting eminent domain? You betcha' Should he do that? You betcha' Should he be more independent? What politician couldn't stand to be a little less tied to party apron strings?

But here in the twilight zone of politics, with what we have been through, he is a mere drop in the bucket. We'll give his opponent time to state her case with us, we do that with all candidates...but will she do it? That remains to be seen..Lois says on her web site: " I am running for Congress, because you deserve a Representative in Congress who will fight for your priorities every day, and who will never stop working to improve the lives of Pennsylvania families. "

We suggest she put her money where her mouth is. WE are PA families who need lives improved - stopping eminent domain sure would be a nice place to start.

Lois lists Gov. Ed Rendell as Honorary Campaign Chair....that would be the man we have NEVER heard from about eminent domain in Ardmore after his visit in August 2005. Will she be hands off on the topic of eminent domain until she politically can't afford to avoid it any longer, or will she be proactive? With all her many press releases we have yet to see one that addresses eminent domain head on.....

Ok, we're done on discussing this...just wanted to reply to your thoughts...we aren't endorsing ANYONE. We are only telling you what we have experienced. It's a long time to November.

"he isn't truly as you describe him" - what part of taking money from two corrupt politicians isn't true?

i didn't call him unapproachable, i called him "he isn't truly as you describe him"

we can agree on is that debate is good. Odd that the Democratic party here in PA doesn't want an open primary. They'd rather shut out debate and let Casey Jr keep his mouth shut.

And on the Republican side, they want to shut down an open primary as well and let Lynn Swann keep his mouth shut.

Albert- we have answered your questions. At least as much as we can....

And as for your dissection of Republican and GOP primaries, you are correct. These candidates don't wipe their noses without their handlers approving it.

Our personal opinion? The "handlers" want their candidates controlled, with no room for margin of error..of course, that lends itself to the question of when a candidate in PA opens their mouths, who's talking? The candidates or the handlers? And then when they are in office, who is really creating public policy?

Just for the record, some of our members have reached out to the Gubanatorial wannabes - NONE of them, from EITHER party have responded to questions or comments about eminent domain. And in PA, eminent domain IS a hot button issue, as it permeates the Commonwealth of PA, not just our area.

Interesting, huh?

that should read:

i didn't call him unapproachable, i called him "one corrupt son of a bitch"

Democratic and Republican primaries.

If you'd like to see two Democratic candidates vying for the 2006 PA Senate seat, there is a candidate's forum, this Saturday at the First Baptist Church at 17/Sansom Sts starting at Noon.

Chuck Pennacchio and Alan Sandals will be there. I have no idea how it is being moderated or if the audience will be able to ask questions, but I know that Pennacchio [I'm a volunteer on his campaign] would be more than happy to speak to you or a rep from SAC afterwards if you're not allowed to ask a question during the forum. He's always stayed late at his 200+ stops across the state to date.

wow! this post is the gift that keeps on giving...who knew ? had no idea there were such strong emotions going on...kinda cool, actually...I am learning a lot ....and yes albert, about more than fashion (said with humor and a smile)