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Tammy Alonso's Blog

Tammy Alonso's Blog

Left of Centre

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What was she thinking?

Dropping out of the race in the 12th Congressional District is probably the best thing Barbara Hafer could have done—for herself.

From announcing her candidacy before John Murtha’s family had even had a chance to hold his funeral, to besmirching Murtha’s legacy in the eyes of many of his loyalists in the process of trying to smear her opponent, long-time Murtha aide Mark Critz, to decrying and questioning the fairness of the process that named Critz the Democratic nominee for the special election to serve out Murtha’s term, Hafer’s short-lived campaign amounted to one misstep after another.

Her most mind-blowing comment had to come in an interview earlier this week with pa2010.com, during which the former state treasurer and auditor general, who has spent most of her adult life in politics, tried to cast herself as the political outsider in the race.

Yeah, I’ll just let you digest that one for a moment.

The face of her campaign was one of disorganization at best, chaos at worst. I could have done a better job of presenting myself for this nomination and I’ve never run for public office in my life.

Maybe Hafer was receiving bad political advice. Maybe she was just having a very public meltdown. Regardless, after all her years in public service, she should have known better.

Critz was right when he said in response to Hafer’s withdrawal that she has a record as a public servant to be proud of (Hafer should take note—there are ways of raising yourself above your opponent that don’t involve pounding them into the mud). I can’t imagine that this is the way she would like to be remembered in Pennsylvania politics.

I don’t know what Hafer’s been thinking over these past few weeks, but she needs to take a step back, for goodness sake stop talking, and carefully consider her words the next time she does decide to give a public comment.

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March 11, 2010 at 9:47 am

--Tammy Alonso

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  1. Larry

    Mar 11th, 2010

    She besmirched Murtha’s legacy? I live in the 12th and Murtha is nothing but a crook and his “legacy” is one of corruption and greed. What has he done for the people of the 12th? In all his decades in office, have things changed at all? His answer to every problem was another handout and another highway, park, school, or whatever named after himself. What an ego. I’m sure Hell now has a John Murtha International Airport. I hope it sees more use than Johnstown’s does.

  2. WESTPADEM6

    Mar 11th, 2010

    It wasn’t a misstep to decry the rigged process. Having a “staged” and rigged process was “repugnant” to borrow a phrase from TJ Rooney and sends a clear message that has not gone over well with committee people.

    Hafer was right in the sense… that the GOP will ravage this guy with his shortcomings. I was glad she was not afraid to step up and take on the establishment. In some ways… she won because their procedural foolishness in handling the process so poorly and unjustly was exposed.

    Anyone worth their salt would have been able to explain the procedural process and how it was followed to all candidates. That did not happen and the un-Democratic process is something that is an injustice not only to Hafer but all candidates and 12th district voters regardless of who you are for.

  3. Enough

    Mar 11th, 2010

    Larry and Westpadem…..agreed. That being said…signatures? Really?

  4. Jerry P., PA

    Mar 11th, 2010

    Tim Burns the Rhino.

    Either Tim Burns doesn’t care about Republican causes or even worse, he’s just a RINO.

    Tim Burns doesn’t vote consistently. If he can’t show up in crucial elections for our Republican candidates, he shouldn’t expect Republicans to show up for him. According to official records, Tim Burns didn’t vote in the 2000 Presidential election (Bush v. Gore), the 2002 General election (Rendell v. Fisher), or the 2004 Republican primary (Specter v. Toomey).

    Tim Burns isn’t 100% committed to protecting life. In an interview with a conservative radio show, Burns said he wasn’t sure if he’d support a Constitutional Amendment that clearly says life begins at conception. Listen to the interview here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/flbradio/2009/05/14/interview-with-tim-burns

    Tim Burns hasn’t ever been there for our Republican candidates. The multi-millionaire has opened up his pocketbook for all but 1 Republican candidate over the years when he gave a measly $1,000 to Rick Santorum in 2006. Where was he for the countless other Republican candidates we’ve all been working our tails off for so many years now?

  5. WESTPADEM6

    Mar 11th, 2010

    Yes,…

    Here we go it love it :) I heart confrontational discourse.

    That said, he prob would have missed his game at the country club? Didnt russell the carpetbagger not vote either in PA then?

  6. JOE VOD VARKA FOR SENATE

    Mar 13th, 2010

    Joe Vod Varka wants to restore Christmas

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