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Saidel’s new job: Corbett critic-in-chief
Ever since Democrat Jonathan Saidel won the state party’s endorsement for Lieutenant Governor earlier this year, the former Philadelphia city controller has slowly but surely been pivoting to a new role: primary attack dog against Republican gubernatorial front-runner Tom Corbett.
What started as little more than off-the-cuff jokes at Democratic committee meetings mushroomed into full-throated criticism when Corbett joined in a lawsuit seeking to block the new health care reform law. Saidel quickly started an online petition, and shortly after, went so far as to call for Corbett’s resignation as state attorney general.
“If Attorney General Tom Corbett was on trial for politicizing the office that the people of Pennsylvania entrusted him to hold, he would be looking a guilty verdict square in the eye,” Saidel said earlier this month.
For Saidel, the new tack reflects both short-term and long-term political strategy. In the short term, he remains the overwhelming favorite to win the May 18 primary for Lt. Gov., but can continue to rally party activists to his side by taking the lead in challenging the other party’s presumptive nominee for governor. In the long term, he can begin laying the groundwork for a more sustained attack by Democrats in the fall.
“We sat and looked at the situation, and no one’s really laid a glove on this guy yet,” Saidel spokesman Marty Marks said of Corbett. “We’ve got an election to win in November, so we decided that it would really be in the interest of the whole party if we start to focus on Tom Corbett.”
Marks said the Saidel campaign isn’t assuming victory in next month’s primary—but with far more money, party support and labor support than any other candidate, the time was right to begin looking forward.
“Obviously we’re cautiously optimistic and confident,” Marks said. “But we think it’s also the best campaign strategy for us, to let Democratic activists and primary voters to see what Jonathan can do with this. On the camaign trail, that’s going to be the main job of the Lt. Gov. candidate.”
Corbett’s campaign manager could not immediately be reached for comment. But a spokesman in the attorney general’s office said earlier this month that Saidel “must be reading from the playbook that the only way to get your name in the paper is to attack Tom Corbett.”
April 26, 2010 at 12:15 pm
Tags: Jonathan Saidel, Lt. Gov., Tom Corbett
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David Diano
Apr 26th, 2010
Saidel would probably be a better candidate against Corbett, in terms of zingers, patter and energy level.
BB
Apr 26th, 2010
Someone’s got to do it. Tom Corbett would make for a terrible governor of this state. Same old, same old campaign rhetoric, no specifics of how he would actually get what he says he wants to get done, accomplished. And, he should have resigned as AG to run, and turned over prosecution of lawmakers to an independent prosecutor, yet continued to hand pick who he would prosecute and who he wouldn’t. He continues to blur the lines of state business with campaigning. His actions are simply disingenuous. Pa. residents deserve better, zero leadership from Corbett.
Adam S.
Apr 26th, 2010
Saidel’s great. It’s so refreshing to have a politician who actually seems like a real person when you talk to them. I hope he builds a following that will stick with him win or lose in November.
Dennis
Apr 26th, 2010
I wouldnt be so sure that Saidel is the best candidate. He may have attacked Corbett but, Saidel will bring the democratic ticket down in the fall. Corbett will rip Saidel apart because of Saidel’s past. Pay to play, Corruption. If you dont believe me read this article and do your research!!!!
http://www.rockthecapital.org/node/225
CorbettKid
Apr 26th, 2010
Haha Thank you for running Saidel. If you pull this off PA will be Red once again. It looks like Christmas will come in early November for the GOP this year!
BB
Apr 26th, 2010
Name a politician that doesn’t put themselves first in priority instead of the constituents they are supposed to serve? You can’t, it’s that simple.
I support Corbett
Apr 26th, 2010
I would have to go with a corruption fighter over another Philadelphia machine candidate.
But I do agree with BB, if I were Saidel I would keep calling for an independent prosecutor. We wouldnt want to risk letting the AG’s Office uncover anymore corruption just incase it leads back to Saidel. But while I am on that subject, I hope that the campaign doesnt let his girlfriend “borrow” any more campaign funds.
Get it RIGHT!
Apr 27th, 2010
Tom Corbett takes orders from the
GUN TOTING TEABAGGERS!
All at the expense of the Pennsylvania Taxpayer!
Doing so he is a GO-PiHAD supporter!
Delco Dan
Apr 27th, 2010
Saidel – The political hack who brought the DROP program to Philadelphia. This guy is a no-talent hack through and through.
Delco Dan
Apr 27th, 2010
Adam S – Does he really “feel like a real person”? Typical libtard.
Brett
Apr 27th, 2010
Corrupt Saidel Go home
Samson
Apr 27th, 2010
Looks like Arts & Crafts for morphodytes is back in session. That fraud and criminal tom”naked gun” corbett is a total blithering idiot. This hypocritical idiot is getting exposed. He can’t balance his own checkbook and has no administrative ability. He misuses the power of the AG’s office and selectively prosecutes dems and republican outcasts. As for the tea baggers. I got ur tea bags right here for ya….. Corbett is going to get tea bagged. In the general!