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Laura Vecsey's Blog

Laura Vecsey's Blog

Middle Ground

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Jack Wagner requests that you stop underestimating his desire—and ability—to become governor

We stepped into it a little bit by suggesting that Jack Wagner has not displayed the kind of fiery rhetoric or scripted campaign march commiserate with a man who racked up more votes than Barack Obama in Pennsylvania last November.

Also, there is the issue of cash on hand. Can Jack raise the dough, which he might do a little of tonight at the Slovak Club in Armstrong County?

At any rate, it  seems we’ve touched a nerve, and perhaps awoken a sleeper sidebar in the story of the crowded Democratic field for governor.

Apparently, Wagner has decided to take the high road and continue to do the work of the people instead of making campaigning his full-time job.

This would be in direct contrast to the Republican counterpart who has spent hours, miles and capital during his long march to the GOP nomination.

Tom Corbett has won the perception contest that he is the GOP front-runner, while Wagner, in a similar high-office perch, has refused to pull the punches early.

It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. That is apparently Wagner’s motto. The idea is that there’s time left to carve a niche and use his name-brand cache to close the deal next May.

OK, sounds good. Curious to see how this plays out.

Wagner vs. Gerlach in 2010?

share001btn Jack Wagner requests that you stop underestimating his desire—and ability—to become governor

October 9, 2009 at 12:10 pm

--Laura Vecsey

comments

comments [6] | post a comment

  1. Greg Kauffman

    Oct 9th, 2009

    I like Jack Wagner – he has a proven track record and he’s just an all around likable guy. I would be happy to cast my vote for him, but he probably needs a little more name recognition.

  2. Pete

    Oct 9th, 2009

    Wagner is a nice, honest man. I wish him well. If Onorato runs a mediocre campaign and one of the Doherty, Hoeffel, Knox trifecta doesn’t get hot, Wagner could be the nominee.

    That said, I would be FREAKING SHOCKED if he could get through a general against Corbett next year.

  3. flynnbw

    Oct 9th, 2009

    I think Mr. Wagner has the best shot (in terms of electability) against Mr. Corbett. Jack actually has real experience working in public policy, not just prosecutorial skills.

  4. steelersfan

    Oct 10th, 2009

    Dan, you don’t seem to know Jack Wagner very well. He is a guy who is passionate about the job of government because he knows how important it is to so many people. There are very few people in America and even fewer in public life who actually shed their blood for their country. Jack Wagner is one of them. He is tough and he has been taking on the wise guys and their cronies his entire career. He is a person who will tell you what he thinks and won’t back down from a challenge. That is the kind of person that most voters want — it is not the kind of person that the pay to play pols and their consultants want in the Governor’s mansion.

  5. obamarox

    Oct 10th, 2009

    steelersfan, fyi, this is Laura’s blog, not Dan’s. Also, I am open to Wagner. This is because I feel that the biggest danger to effective government is the crony capitalism that enriches a few at the expense of the many. Government is being bought and sold by the special interests in both parties. I can point to health care at the national level and the film credit at the state level. My top priority is finding a candidate who can best make government work for the average guy and tell the special interests to get their noses out of the trough. If you are doing nothing but raising money for your campaign, I am deeply suspicious.

  6. Barry OConnell

    Oct 12th, 2009

    I think Jack Wagner needs to show that he has the right stuff to win. Party activists and contributors like winners and Jack has yet to show how he is going to beat Corbett and most importantly how he is going to pay for an aggressive race. I like Wagner but I am waiting for some answers.
    Best wishes,
    Barry O’Connell

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