That’s a great hire. Vince is a strong leader and a hard worker.

I don’t see this lasting very long. Probably a couple months before he’s sent packing his bags

Vince is good guy for Lentz to get.

He’s got experience, knows Delaware County, and knows what worked and what didn’t in Sestak campaign. I’m sure that he also has some even better ideas that he didn’t get a chance to explore under Sestak’s campaign philosophy.

Vince was the ONLY one I knew on Sestak’s campaign team that understood the value of working with the local party as a team (rather than screwing them over).

I’m glad to see that Lentz is picking someone that not only shares my values on Democratic unity, but that he didn’t bring in some outsider/mercenary that doesn’t know the district.

Whenever I see Vince at events, I ALWAYS tell him that I wish he’d come back to help us in Delco.

Deputy campaign manager for Sestak??

You got to be kidding. Did anyone check this guy’s references? We’ve never heard of, nor saw anyone with this guy’s name during Joe’s 2006 campaign.

Wow, the things people put on their resumes and try to get away with. Where was Lentz’s vetting process?

Matt-
Vince was on Joe’s campaign for the first few months when there was a lot of heavy lifting to be done and Sestak has ZERO name recognition. I was there watching Vince bust his @ss for Sestak. Vince’s desk was right by the front door, and I was the one that set up his computer.

The better question, Matt, is who the heck are you? Who’s your “we”?

Vince left half way through the campaign. This was probably around the time that Bill Walsh came on board (though I don’t know if was related).

I won’t speak to Vince’s reasons for leaving, but like EVERYONE on that campaign he worked LONG hours for little or no compensation or real appreciation.

Vince is the kind of PARTY Democrat that will work with the local candidates. So, he’s a better fit with Lentz. This is a strong move by Lentz.

At least Vince he’s not a VP for one of the largest contract lobbying firms in the state. Oh I’m sorry. Meehan’s against special interests except when they’re running his campaign.

Everyone prepare yourselves for a shock:

I have to agree with Diano on this one. I spent more time than I prefer to remember in the Sestak campaign office throughout 2006, including many hours with Vince Rongione when he was indeed a deputy campaign manager in the spring primary season. I definitely don’t remember a Matt Patterson. Who the heck are you and what role are you claiming to have had in Sestak’s 2006 campaign?

Mario Cimino
D – Morton Borough Council
Volunteer Coordinator, Sestak for Congress 2006

David and Mario,

The “we” is my retired wife and I. We helped out as volunteers, along with a couple of friends, in that great, fun campaign back in 2006 beating crazy Curt Weldon. It was magical, and look forward to another magical experience helping Joe win his Senate race!

We do recall Bill Walsh, and you could not help but run into a Sestak – there were so many of them, especially Joe’s brother, Richard, and 2 or 3 of their sisters.

Joe, Richard and Bill ran the shop, and we just don’t recall a Vince Ronginoe, or that there was a deputy campaign manager.

Maybe my wife and I are just getting old, but Bryn should just be more careful, that’s all.

Mr. Patterson:

I’ll take you at your word, as you should for Vince Rongione. He was there during the primary season, before many people were even aware that there was a race, even before Bill Walsh arrived. He busted his butt to get the momentum going that eventually knocked off Crazy Curt. He left after the primary to work on Chris Carney’s successful campaign in the PA 10th District. But during the spring Primary season, he was one of the first to see the promise of the Sestak campaign that few would see until months later. He put aside his career and worked grueling hours for minimal compensation to set the stage for Sestak’s win that November, so please give the man his due. He’s more than proved his capabilities in his subsequent work with Carney and Brian Lentz will be well served by him.

Mario Cimino
D – Morton Borough Council
Volunteer Coordinator, Sestak for Congress 2006

Mario-
Exactly. This is the problem with the late-comers to the Sestak train.
I was there just before you and Vince and helped set up the office. I unpacked and setup the first 3 laptops, fixed the jammed copier, snagged the color laserjet and networked the office.

I know what you guys went through.

Even though you and I disagree on some things, I have great respect for your honest dedication as a Dem.

Matt-
As for Joe, Bill and Richard “running the shop”, that’s exactly the problem. The campaign staff had absolutely no regard for the legislative campaigns. The field director told me that she didn’t care if they all lost, as long as Joe won.
I think you and your wife should cherish you “magical” memories of defeating Weldon and avoid the “bad” memories you will have of Sestak getting crushed in his Senate race.

BTW, Matt, if you are such good pals with Sestak, why don’t you ask him to offer to give back the donations he got from the 7th for his Senate campaign?

David:

Let’s see if we can keep this peace and harmony going a little longer. I appreciate you backing me up on this. I know that you genuinely have idealogical positions that differ in important ways from Sestak. I just wish that’s what you would debate instead of the personal slander. Step back for a minute and look at Sestak objectively. This is a man who has literally given his entire life going back to his high school years at O’Hara to public service, with a huge amount of sacrifice and very little personal gain aside from feeding the expansive psychological ambition he shares with pretty much all other politicians, Arlen Specter being a perfect example, not to mention Barack Obama. I don’t care whether you like Joe or not, but it doesn’t matter in the big picture. Sestak was a major catalyst, by no means the only one, in the Democrats of Delaware County moving the ball forward to an extent unprecedented in the history of the county. Sestak’s chutzpah brought resources and attention to the our cause that wouldn’t be there today otherwise. Sestak’s long term ambitions don’t change that. The most important thing is anyone who wants it bad enough can volunteer for that kind of relentless campaign and learn how to bring Democratic change to their own community, and many have, which will become even more apparent on November 3. The most important thing that people can learn from Joe Sestak, and Barack Obama for that matter, is to have the chutzpah to, say, think they can take the majority on Ridley Park Borough Council. I don’t see whats at all wrong with that.

Mario Cimino
D – Morton Borough Council

Mario-
“feeding the expansive psychological ambition”
That’s an interesting way of putting total ego (that is really total Id).

My emerging understanding is that he mistreated the men under his command like he has mistreated his campaign and congressional staffs (as well as potential political allies). While he’s a bright, hard working guy, with a lot of energy and ability, he’s not a team player now, and I doubt he was one in the military. The military finally handled it when Admiral Mullen removed Sestak from command, in a move that was apparently long overdue and applauded.

While Obama certainly has ambition, it’s clear from his history of interviews going back to when he was in his twenties, that his “ambition” has been to help the less fortunate. Sestak (and I’ll agree Specter) have the ambition for power itself. Despite his independent voting streak, I think Specter has more respect for his final allies in the Democratic party. The right-wing GOP was always looking to take him down, and the Dems have really given him a genuine welcome. Besides, Specter will now be free of lobbyists, since this is his last election.

Contrast this with Sestak. When he came in, he was begging us for help to get the big money boys in DC to view him as viable. Once he got that help, he completely disses and disregarded the LOCAL Dems that got him there and supplied the initial infrastructure. He also undermined Dems in Republican leaning precincts and refused to share resources. In some districts, Sestak’s campaign counted upon split ticket voting that would pick Sestak, but vote against St. Leg candidates. Field and GOTV efforts targeted these voters, knowing full well it would hurt the other candidates (rather than trying to convince Joe supporters to support the entire ticket). In a dictionary of idioms, I’d put Sestak’s picture next to the phrases “wouldn’t give you the salt off a pretzel” and “horse’s @ss”.

I fully agree that Sestak did energize the Dems and showed people we could win in that district. It was a major psychological barrier. I concede also that his outsider status generated some rare county party unity. I’m also glad that it got you active in politics, because you have developed tremendous skills.

However, I DISAGREE that the Machiavellian approach was the right way to do the 2006 campaign. I STRONGLY believe that a more coordinated and cooperative approach that built up the local committee system would have put Sestak in the lead BEFORE Weldon got raided. I agree the hard work was a good example, but I also believe that the operation was run so inefficiently that twice as much work was needed to accomplish many goals.

There was an almost total failure to connect with the local committee system, and Sestak built a parallel infrastructure that not only duplicated efforts but drew resources away from areas that needed it. I know for a FACT that he once he had more than enough petition signatures, he still didn’t want to give up resources (volunteers) to help the other candidates with their petitions. It’s both selfish and foolish at the same time.

I don’t agree with the counter-argument “you can’t argue with success” because I believe a better approach (and better success) was not only available but rejected out of pure selfishness. I think that Sestak could have been further ahead sooner. The “common good” of party could have been improved as well. You can be “relentless” and still be cooperative (except in Joe’s dominion).

The “leave no man behind” military rhetoric, was completely opposite to the actual actions taken.

Mario, you’ve seen my computer system and the internal Dem emails I’ve sent out about party building and cooperative strategies for the common good. It’s the complete philosophical opposite to Sestak’s approach. My “credentials” on this point are well established.

In my mind, EVERY GOTV call make by any candidate should include the phrase “when voting for candidate XXX, we hope you’ll consider voting for the rest of the Dem ticket”. That’s something I never expect to hear coming out of a Sestak phone bank.

Back in 2006, many of us realized Sestak was no prize, but he was better than Weldon, and we hoped Sestak would appreciate the people that got him his start. We have been disappointed by his behavior, attitude and some key votes. I was actually one of the last hold outs supporting Sestak, who argued that he was smart enough to come around to a more cooperative approach.

I think with someone like Vince, and a candidate like Lentz, many of us will find a more satisfying campaign, that will be what the Sestak campaign could (and should) have been.

For 2010, my efforts will be focused on the congressional race AND coordinating it with the St. Rep races and local committees. Also, I’d like to help put a way the Sestak campaign early, so Specter doesn’t waste resources he needs against Toomey.

BTW, Sestak’s got more than $300K in General election money he won’t be able to spend if he loses the primary. By May 2010, that number should be close to $1 million. How much of that money will go to help the local parties in his district and defeat Meehan?
I think donors should get a “prior” commitment regarding the use of that money once Sestak loses.

Just to change the subject back to Lentz and Rongione ….
The R’s better watch out on this one.
These guys know what they are doing. I think that Mario and David and other local Dems will both be pleased by the energy, team spirit and effectiveness of the entire team. Welcome back, Vince. It is a pleasure to support a strong team.
And, I must add – go Phillies!

Colleen-
The R’s aren’t going to know what hit them.

Now that the rumors of Sam Thomas running for State Rep have died down, is there any truth to the new one that he is being brought on the be Deputy Campaign Manager for Lentz?

And before you trash him Diano take a look at the bio he has posted for himself on twitter, if true, he seems to know his way around a campaign, and the 7th. http://www.twitter.com/sam__thomas

David-
Sounds good to me!

Annon-
If I was Lentz, I’d be more concerned that Sam (or any hard-core Sestak fan) was there to gather info for Sestak. I’d make him sign a non-disclosure agreement, with specific admonitions regarding Sestak.

From what I’ve seen of Sam’s use of Facebook, Twitter and polling, I’ve been less than impressed with him so far.

However, as long as he’s willing to work hard and be a DEM team player, to win for Lentz AND the other Dems in the 7th, I’ve got no problem.

He still has Sestak’s logo as his Icon, so it’s not like he left because he figured out the real Sestak.

His run for State Rep was total vapor. He’s got ZERO standing in the Haverford committee. If Vitali leaves to run for Congress (looking less likely each day), there are others in line ahead of Sam.

[...] In the 7th, Lentz hires a campaign manager. [...]