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For Republicans, a ‘baggage’ argument in the 10th

When Republican Tom Marino announced his candidacy for Congress in the 10th District earlier this year, Democrats wasted no time in pouncing on the former U.S. Attorney’s legal representation of a casino magnate who his office had once investigated—previewing attacks that Democrats will surely roll out if Marino wins the GOP primary to take on Congressman Chris Carney (D-10).

Now with that primary just a month away, some of the same questions are being raised by Marino’s fellow Republicans. They are never floated in public, reserved instead for subtle references on the campaign trail to which candidate does or doesn’t have “baggage.” But they underscore that Marino’s opponents in both parties are looking to capitalize on the fact that, shortly after reports surfaced that his office was investigating Louis DeNaples’ gaming application, Marino stepped aside as U.S. Attorney and went one to represent DeNaples. The issue has remained a nagging one for Marino, with The Morning Call reporting last week that he had misreported his income from representing DeNaples, who eventually agreed to give up his ownership stake at of the Mount Airy Casino Resort.

The references to Marino’s past come from his primary opponents in only a thinly-veiled form, such as what Snyder County Commissioner Malcolm Derk told a GOP women’s group last month.

“I have no baggage and a proven track record of fiscal responsibility.” Derk said, according to the Wayne Independent.

“We need someone who can stand up to his negative tactics,” Derk added, referring to the incumbent. “Carney will try to tar and feather the Republican nominee.”

In a recent interview with pa2010.com, Derk emphasized that he was not calling into question Marino’s past himself. Publicly, all Republican candidates have kept their focus squarely on Carney.

“We have seen that Chris Carney will use any negative of a Republican to take attention away from the issues,” Derk said. “I do feel that I am the best candidate to be able to make sure that Chris Carney has to answer to his voting record.”

Another GOP candidate, Luzerne County chiropractor Dave Madeira, declined to talk about Marino on the record. Madeira has been dogged in his public criticism of Carney, and Republicans’ reticence to openly attack Marino for his relationship with DeNaples is fueled by practical concerns, too—by many accounts, DeNaples remains quite popular in parts of the district.

A political insider in the district, speaking on condition of anonymity, predicted that fear of Marino’s liabilities in a general election just might be enough to steer primary voters away.

“Marino has a laundry list of baggage,” this insider said. “Republican base voters are voters that are going to want to know that they can win in November.”

Multiple attempts to reach Marino’s campaign last week were unsuccessful. Most Republican insiders consider him the front-runner in the May 18 primary, and he finished March with more campaign cash than either Derk or Madeira.

April 20, 2010 at 11:00 am

--Donald Hoegg

Tags: Chris Carney, Dave Maderia, Malcolm Derk, PA-10, Tom Marino

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