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What would Catherine think?

by Bill Kortz

PITTSBURGH—The Pennsylvania State Democratic Committee held a dinner here last weekend to celebrate the life of one of our most beloved Democrats from Western Pennsylvania, the late Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll. Everyone fortunate enough to know “C.B.K.” knew of her many virtues. One that stood out the most was her commitment to the people of Pennsylvania, and her sense of inclusion for all.

But the dinner that was supposed to honor C.B.K. was anything but an honor to her memory. The State Committee allowed Senator Arlen Specter—a Republican for 45 years conveniently turned Democrat—to speak at the dinner. But when I, a declared Democratic Senate candidate, hand delivered a letter requesting equal time to address the committee, my very fair entreaty was flatly denied.

As a life-long Democrat with a reputation for hard work and dedication to my duties in the state House of Representatives, I was very disappointed to see that loyalty and dedication completely ignored by the party leadership.

This action by party leaders is completely contrary to what rank-and-file Democrats have overwhelmingly been telling me as I travel the state. Voters reject the anointing of Specter by party leaders, as proven by a recent Susquehanna Poll that showed 62 percent of Democrats wanting to see a real Senate primary in 2010.

But apparently this message is falling on deaf ears with a party leadership clearly out of touch with the rank-and-file Democrats in Pennsylvania.

That tone-deafness was amplified when robo-calls to Allegheny County Democratic Committee members—asking them to meet Arlen Specter at a local union hall—clearly flopped. With a committee membership in the thousands, only a hand full showed up.

After the dinner in her honor turned so blatantly political, you have to wonder: What would Catherine think?

The writer, a state Representative in Allegheny County’s 38th District, is a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate.

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June 8, 2009 at 10:04 am

--Bill Kortz

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  1. Mike Mauer

    Jun 8th, 2009

    Bill Kortz deserves his place on the ballot and his voice to be heard. Most individuals I speak with in the veteran community are livid about this circumventing of the electoral process, as well as the treatment of veterans in general within the Commonwealth. We are looking for leaders – not party-hack re-treads. The recent irregularities noted at the Pittsburgh Veterans claims office, the proposed closing of the Scotland School and the Governor’s seemingly deaf ear is causing a tremendous feeling of disenfranchisement. Bill Kortz has always been responsive to our voices. He is a fine representative and would make a good United States Senator.

  2. Wicked Game

    Jun 9th, 2009

    Sucks to be Kortz. Welcome to the Big Leagues bro’. THere is no crying in this wicked game. It is what it is. Suck it up.

  3. Tim Scott

    Jun 9th, 2009

    At least the party leaders were consistent: Mr. Sestak nor Mr. Onorato were given the platform to speak either. I do agree that Mr. Kortz has every right to compete in an open and honest primary for US Senate.

  4. Cry Baby Kortz

    Jun 9th, 2009

    Bill Kortz is a cry baby. Maybe of you had an ounce of name recognition or perhaps and momentum in your campagin, you would be given some attention. Bill, at this point you are no different than any other State Rep. Get over it and support our party’s candidate.

  5. Kortz Support

    Jun 9th, 2009

    So Mr. Crybaby,

    A viable candidate standing up ask for fair press is not permitted in this race? Do you not read the papers? Are you that politically numb? I can only assume you are from the east side and perhaps know nothing of this passionite and considerate person that simply wants the voters of this state to have say in who is elected to this seat. The last time I checked, it was Pennsylvania and not Rendellvania or Rooneyvania. I guess if the Gov told you to go jump off a bridge you would have gladly done so and thanked him for telling you that you should do it. Get out of the friggin dark ages numbnuts and standup for our right to choose who we want as a Senator and not want 5 or 6 people want to choose for you.

    Arlen’s ship is steaming for port and destined to be decommissioned in 2011. Listen to the public, they dont want him anymore especially when his party switch was all about self preservation and had nothing to do with your best interest.

  6. Pat O'Malley

    Jun 10th, 2009

    First, Catherine Baker Knoll was not the saint that you all make her out to be.
    She was mean, selfish and pushy.

    And SINCE WHEN is Specter “our party’s candidate”?

    Did I miss the 2010 primary?

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