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Hoeffel takes up the cause for currently self-loathing progressives

As the clock winds down toward the May 18 gubernatorial primaries, one candidate continues to stump on issues and a philosophy that, frankly, make people feel squirrelly  in these days of Tea Party/Party of No obstructionism.

Not that all progressives are self-loathing, or self-doubting. It’s just that in these days of the economic meltdown, joblessness and eye-popping U.S. debt, it’s not exactly a slam-dunk for a candidate like Democrat Joe Hoeffel to rally supporters to his self-described socially progressive, fiscally responsible bandwagon.

Still, in a Democratic primary where two pro-life, socially conservative western Pennsylvania Democrats are going to split Allegheny County votes, Hoeffel continues to remain relevant. He boasts poll numbers that show him beating Corbett in the critical southeast.

Hoeffel remains unfazed by Dan Onorato’s money and machine and Jack Wagner’s broader appeal. Neither has closed the deal in the southeast, Hoeffel said.

“Give Dan credit, because money counts, but he doesn’t do well in the Philly market, and he’s got to spend millions there,” Hoeffel said.

As for Philadelphia’s own state Senator Anthony Williams, Hoeffel said he just doesn’t know the impact, since Williams got into the race so late.

But the real fight that Hoeffel has been making has been leading the charge against Tom Corbett and the right-wing surge that has seemed to gain supremacy in the wide world of political rhetoric.

“I think the vision of the right wing, shared by Tom Corbett, is to attack government and treat it as the enemy,” Hoeffel said. “That’s not good enough. It doesn’t answer the average Pennsylvanians questions. How do I get a job or health care? Who’s going to fix the schools? How can I get a college education?”

Unlike any of the other candidates in this race, on both sides, Hoeffel has made himself available and accessible to talk with media members in the most candid fashion. In addition to running for governor, he seems to be a walking public relations campaign for why someone espousing the ideals of the Democratic Party should not be treated like a societal outcast.

There’s nothing to be ashamed of, is the vibe he seems to exude.

“I think we should confront the right wing of the Republican Party and call out Tom Corbett, whose only solutions are to shrink government and cut taxes,” he said in a recent interview. “How do we put people back to work?’

“People want government to invest,” he added. “People love tax cuts, but they want investments in health care, schools, job creation. Democrats can’t be afraid of investing in the private sector and saying so, to counter the Republican’s cramped, limited view of government.”

If Hoeffel writes a book, maybe he should call it “Chicken Soup for the Democratic Soul.”

March 24, 2010 at 2:31 pm

--Laura Vecsey

Tags: Joe Hoeffel

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