Pat:

Pat:
This is some weak ass s###.
Show some substance for cripes sake.

Wait a second. Is this a PA2010 report or the Lentz press release on Meehan’s revelations? Couldn’t convince me of the difference.

1. Is this news? Millicent Bystander is right, this is absolutely awful and biased.

2. I will never read another “news” article by Mr. Hirschhorn EVER agin.

3. I did some personal research since apparantly “reporters” no longer do that. I was undecided. Bryan Lentz has lost my vote.

Once again Dan, I’m impressed by your unbiased reporting (sarcasm = on). I follow this race closely because I live in the district and want my country back for me, my children, and someday, hopefully, for my grandchildren. I think you should rewrite this, publish some more facts, maybe at least attempt to use an unbiased tone and resubmit. If I were to submit a report like this to my boss, he would laugh in my face, and then proceed to either make me re-do it to an acceptable level or fire me on the spot. Thumbs up Dan. Thumbs up.

Hey everyone,

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again (though I hardly expect to convince the folks above): All I do is report the facts in their proper and accurate context. I’m a referee, and that’s what refs do. Sometimes the Democrat gets the better of that. Sometimes the Republican gets the better of it.

As a side note, it’s an intriguing exercise to think how different this story would have been if the Meehan campaign had simply sent out the press release they distributed today. That, I’m sure, would have been treated as a perfectly valid attack, albeit one that hearkens back a bit. But instead, they said they’d be challenging his “fitness” for office, a really high bar to set. They overreached.

They framed the story. I only reported the results.

Regardless, I can and will take the heat from folks like P. Lombardo and Daniel. But I hope for the sake of productive discourse that we can shift this conversation away from me and toward Mr. Meehn and Representative Lentz. They’re the ones who really matter.

Thanks as always for reading.

Dan Hirschhorn

who does meehan listen to? whoever they are his first act after this snoozer should have been to fire them…

Looks like the Delco GOP has their rapid response team up and running.

Dan, I think your report was excellent. Millicent, Daniel, and Lombardo are just mad their guy’s weak attempt at mudslinging made him look like a fool.

When a candidate (and his team) flub a simple press conference this badly it is news – especially for a site that caters to insiders. Just because the story focused on the Meehan campaign’s poor execution rather than the half baked story the Meehan camp wanted to be written doesn’t make the story biased.

Maybe amateur hour campaigns should think twice before they try to fake out real journalists. Not all reporters are as gullible as the ones at the Delco Times, Pat.

Dan, while licking your wounds the barrage of informed criticism above, take comfort that the Morning Call agrees with your take on things:

http://blogs.mcall.com/capitol_ideas/2010/06/pat-meehan-bryan-lentz-in-a-7th-cd-steel-cage-match.html

quoting:

In fact, we’re not sure what was the more compelling: Republican 7th CD candidate Pat Meehan’s courtroom-worthy histrionics or Democratic rival Bryan Lentz’s taking to the podium moments later to dryly and sarcastically disassemble of all of Meehan’s accusations.

“What did he know and when did he know it?” Meehan demanded, getting all prosecutor-y.

Then things kind of fell apart. Meehan stumbled when he asked how it was possible to Lentz to rubber-stamp anything Veon did — especially since Veon was voted out of office in November 2006 and Lentz didn’t take office until January 2007.

He also said he couldn’t provide any proof that Lentz knew that Colis was working on the taxpayers’ dime or that Colis even knew that bonus came from somewhere other than campaign money.

“I don’t know if a crime was committed,” said Meehan, who as a former prosecutor, might know that you would need actual evidence before accusing someone of something.

Meehan’s attack was weak….and then to say that he would continue to accept support from people in DelCo who benefited from the Perzel scam? Wow, that’s a pretty obvious double standard — one for Democrats and one for Republicans. Who is advising them? Terrible, terrible, terrible.
What’s the deal with Corbett’s investigation into Meehan’s campaign anyway? Any news on that front?

Good point Dan. I get a little worked up about this. I think that the fitness for office is a fair attack. Lentz had staffers that work for his campaign that recieved state funds. This is a crime. Not only is it a viloation of the law, it is a violation of common ethics. Aslo, as an officer in the United States Army, Lentz swore to protect the Constitution and uphold the laws, among other things. I was in the Army. I know the oath well and respect it. By breaking the law, Lentz has broken his word. Withouth respect to the laws of the United States, the Oath of a United States Officer, and without his word, this man is not fit to serve in public office.

Reality, who in Delco recieved help from Perzel’s micro targeting operation? Pat said he would look into who was helping his campaign if any are indicted. You are attacking him for something that wasn’t even speculated by anyone except maybe you.

As for the petition investigation, Paul Summers wasn’t working for the campaign but rather volunteering on his own time, much different then Lentz who had a paid staffer who stole yours and mine hard earned tax dollars.

Lentz had twenty six(26)Bonusgate staffers on his campaign and you down play it because you feel it didn’t meet an expectation that you had from the press advisory. And you are ony the Ref?? Haha

Dan:

If this is such old news, why has Lentz’ connection to the Bonusgate players not been published in any newspapers or otherwise covered? Where has this ever been covered that makes this story a rehash? Are you saying it was common knowledge in the press of Lentz’ illegally paid workers? But just not reported? Dan, you have written that the Meehan camp doesn’t jump for your calls; this type of report appears to be simple retribution against them.

While I was grabbing a quick bite before the press conference. I witnessed you (Dan) with who turned out to be some of Lentz’s campaign staffers. Is this the act of an unbiased reporter?

A little reality check: Meehan buddy Tom Corbett has ivestigated since 2006 and indicted everyone and their cousin who had anything to do with Bonusgate, Collis is still working for the state house and Corbett never even talked to Lentz. A snoozer non-issue, if not then why didn’t Meehan look into this when he was U.S. Attorney – remember that job where he never prosecuted even one case.

from the Allentown newspaper:

At the press conference, Meehan also said he couldn’t provide any proof that Lentz knew that Colis was working on the taxpayers’ dime or that Colis even knew that bonus came from somewhere other than campaign money.

“I don’t know if a crime was committed,” said Meehan, who as a former prosecutor, might know that you would need actual evidence before accusing someone of something.

Hey Mike,

Wish you had said hi. On my way in I saw the Lentz folks in the cafeteria. Naturally I popped in to say hi and to see if there was anything I needed to know.

When I got up to the Rotunda, I chatted briefly with the Meehan folks.

If I wasn’t allowed to talk to campaign staffers, this site wouldn’t exist.

Dan Hirschhorn

26 volunteers appear from out of town and Bonusgate Bryan “doesn’t know who they work for or how they got there”. C’mon the guy is LYING.

People here are intimating that LENTZ broke the law? are you kidding me? Where did you get that form anything reported or that Meehan even said? What a joke. Lentz did nothing improper. Meehan’s campaign is being investigating for corruption.

The rhetoric used in this article is hardly “unbiased,” Mr. Hirschhorn. From my reading of your coverage on this race, I’d like to see an example of such treatment of a Lentz team action.

Just because you call yourself a referee doesn’t make you unbiased.

I know someone who saw this spectacle. They said that Meehan was speaking and Lentz showed up in the crowd. When Meehan saw Lentz, Meehan got visibly flustered and couldn’t finish sentences. He mumbled, turned red faced and even couldn’t answer reporters’ questions. Then, Lentz took over the podium and took down Meehan’s sign while Meehan just watched shell shocked. Meehan then abrutply left his own press conference and Lentz took over and calmly answered questions about 1 volunteer from his 2006 campaingn.

This person couldn’t believe how scared Meehan looked. They questioned whether Meehan and his staff are ready for prime time.

Rick,
26 bonusgate “volunteers” not 1 but 26. That’s the way to reform Harrisburg!

My take away is that Pat tried to fake his way into a press opportunity without doing any intellectually honest fact checking. Very amaturish.
If General Corbett had a case, I assure you he would bring it against any Dem that got in his sights. As of today only Meehan’s campaign workers/supporters are under investigation for criminal acts relating to election frauds(remember he ratted them out trying to prempt the issue)

March 30, 2010 Philadelphia Inquirer: “The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office said yesterday that it would take over an investigation into possible forgeries on nominating petitions submitted for Republican congressional candidate Patrick Meehan.”

April 1, 2010 Philadelphia Daily News “[Meehan’s long time close personal friend and political godfather John] McNichol conceded yesterday that he hadn’t been the circulator, yet he signed a sworn affidavit claiming that he had been.” Paul Summers, another longtime close personal friend of Pat Meehan “claims to have gathered 643 signatures on March 6 and 7, which, by the Lentz campaign’s calculations, means he averaged one signature every 4 1/2 minutes for 48 hours straight.”

Read more: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20100401_Petition_fraud_could_give_Meehan_a_bad_namee.html#ixzz0r3DEAcEM

April 1, 2010, Philadelphia Daily News: “Responding last night to the evidence of potential fraud that continues to emerge, Meehan spokesman Pete Peterson said: “Pat believes that any circulator who engaged in criminal activity should be held accountable, but the Lentz campaign’s accusation that Pat was involved in overseeing the signatures is just completely false.”

June 16, 2010: Admitting: “I don’t know if a crime was committed,” Meehan now tries to jump Lentz because someone from out of town who Lentz never previously knew or worked with and volunteered in his campaign for a few weeks in a campaign 4 years ago was a state employee who months later may have gotten a bonus. Moreover, the same The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office now investigating Meehan and his pals looked into this situation for 4 years and found no wrongdoing by Lentz.

Millicent, you say you’d “like to see an example of such treatment of a Lentz team action.”

There isn’t any because the Lentz team doesn’t make screw ups like this.

Lentz clearly did not commit a crime. The investigation has concluded that the issue is with staffers, not volunteers. Lentz’ office always has lots of volunteers because he actually appeals to his constituents – he in no way broke the law by accepting volunteers. Yes, it is a shame that some volunteers have been implicated in Bonusgate, but Lentz had nothing to do with it. The AG hasn;t even talked to him, and if you want to talk campaigns breaking the law, let’s talked about the fraudulent Meehan petitions.

P.S. this number 26? Where is that from? No congressional campaign even has 26 staffers!

Well, if someone who is not about to be pushed around is high on your list of qualities you want in your Congressman, Bryan Lentz is the clear winner here. Please tell me someone caught these dueling press conferences on video. It sounds like political theater at its best. Except that Meehan had, or should have, carefully planned his part, and Lentz took him down right off the cuff. A skill most Lentz likely learned in combat and training with the 82nd Airborne. Can’t wait for these 50 debates Meehan wants.

Mario Cimino
D – Morton Borough Council

As a former U.S. Attorney, Meehan should know better than to disingenuously peddle such bull**** to the public. These allegations don’t even have a modicum of objective proof to support them.

What a disappointment.

So why is Meehan even bothering with this stuff. It’s very amateurish. Could it be that his internal polls show trouble? He’s laid back for almost a year and now he comes out with this rubbish. Why bother? He’s breaking with his campaign approach in a very odd way. Troubling for Meehan.

Anonymous – anyone that believes Meehan is worried about polling against Lentz is smokin’ Dutch Cleanser!

So why is Meehan bothering with this then? If you’re winning big you don’t need to get into this kind of stuff. You just hunker down and run a typical low key campaign with an advertising binge at the end. Pretty much what Meehan has been doing. Why go on the offensive in such a foolish way when you don’t have to? Unless, of course your support is thin and you’re worried.

I think Pat should go back to hanging out at train stations.

This smells like some “consultant” is running the show and giving a talking point scripts to Pat, that when pressed is unprepared to talk off script.
I hate to say it but this is what Angle, Paul and Palin and the hard righties have decided to throw bombs and hide in the fall out shelter.
It says a lot about character ( or lack) when you can’t make an accusation to a man’s face.
Pat running away is bush.

Some boxers have glass jaws.

In politics, some people like Meehan have glass brains.

It also strikes me as odd (and abusive)that Pat Meehan is using (including all the stage trappings) the inside of the taxpayers state bulding to stage a lame political event i.e. the Capital bulding, for a congressional race in Delco. Why dident he have it in Perzel’s office or Corbett’s office?
I would bet this was staged by the republican staff politcal caucus in the Pa House or Senate. I would also bet that they are running the Meehan compaign as well.
Big reform guy.

Interesting thoughts, Idiot…another quetion is if the State Repubs provided any assistance to Meehan, is that permissible in-kind cointribtuions for a federal candidiate under federal campaign finance guidelines? hmmmm. sounds like another investigation of the meehans is needed…they are already investigating the petitions meehan filed…and there is a pending investigtion of the state repub caucus in bonusgate…and an investigation of the repub senate leadership for Senator Orie and her family misuse of public funds….patterns are forming ont eh republican side and meehan is front-line, dead center…can’t waith for the next sho to drop

Sick:
Didn’t Senator Orie use her paid Sentate staff to circulate Corbett’s nominating petitions on Senate time?
This phonied up bonusgate issue has the stench of a canned campaign strategy coming out of Republican State Committee and with its uniform talking theme that Meehan has been using and is getting delivered in a cookie cutter package.
One size all fits themes only works on the dim witted and cool aid drinkers and shows the user to be lazy or vacuous.
Pat: The Idiot sez: It is better to be thought to be an idiot than open your mouth and prove it.

Come on, now, PA2010, how could you expect anything different? Even many of us, loyal blog readers, know that politicians are all show and no substance. These candidates, Meehan and Lentz, are exactly what WE DON”T need, yet the electorate is to be be blamed for voting for these people. ENOUGH ALREADY, time for a constitutional convention in which THE PEOPLE have a say.

Thanks for the video Dan. Really brought the story to life.

BB:
A Constitutional Convention to do what create a monarchy? Bring back 8 tracks? Repeal the designated hitter rule?
What we don’t need is this blovinating tea bag rhetoric that all politicians are bad except they new politicians we support and can’t get elected.

Note to Pat Meehan: you were screwed by Bob Asher just like so many others. He was on your side to run for governor. He convinced you to leave the US Atty post to lay the groundwork. He jumped ship from you back to Corbett (he never was really with you, Pat). Then he nudges you into a race against a tough opponent. Are Asher drones running your campaign too? Sure look like it with this dud. When are you establishment types going to realize that Asher is not anone’s friend but Asher’s? The list is endless of people he screwed and you all keep coming back. That Corbett has this snake in his tent is beyond belief.

wow…Corbett may have his Asher snake, but the relevant quesstion is who and how many are the snakes in Meehan’s tent…McNichol, Sexton, Summers, Loeper, Pileggi, Civera, Reilly…the list goes on and on….

AS somebody smart has said the GOP this kind of phony stuff reflects a GOP that has lost its way pandering to the vuvuzelas of the fringes.
Meehan does not have the legs perkiness to pull off the caribou Barbie momma bear gibberish laden accusations.
How is that dopey thing workin out?

Anidiotsayswhat… Hey, I’ve got news for you, I am as far from being a tea bag supporter as Australia is from Pa. Repeal the DH rule, that I am for. Hate AL rules. Let pitchers bat. Seriously, the people need to take back the government, no one said anything about monarchy. And, it is true, ALL politicians ARE bad. There has NEVER been one in history that has placed his/her constituents ahead of their own interests. NEVER. All politicians are awful professional human beings. Period. And, you would never guess my political foundation. You can’t judge a book by its cover.

OK, point well taken. I assumed the anarchistic sentiments were tea bag stuff. What I dont get is who exactly are we taking the country back from. Even if we disagree with the results, our govenment is consitiuted with the relsults of our democratic eletorial process. Its not like King George’s army is encamped in Broomal
I met a bunch of public servants who are also are politcians who are good and diecnt folks but I am sorry also that you have not had the same experence.
Lentz( who I have met) and Meehan ( who I also have met) both have qualities. Lentz is in my view winning so far in an abundance of substance and a history od service.
We will see in November.
If you are aginst all public servants I am not sure why you would choose to live in civilization.
It is , you know a free country.

Anidiotsayswhat…I have to live somewhere so I put up with the fact that politicians are going to be around, nothing I can do about that. If it was truly a “free country” I would demand that full time politicians cease to exist (smiling). Doesn’t mean I have to like any of them. I don’t know what your definition is when you refer to “good and decent folks,” but look at it like this: When someone runs for elected office and wins, by human nature that automatically changes their priorities in life, after all they won a grand scale popularity contest, it inflates their ego, they’re surrounded by people (staff) who essentially cater to their every need. They start to feel the power, it becomes addicting, clouds their minds and it becomes all about them, not their constituents. If its a lower level office they want a higher level office, on and on. As I said earlier, there has NEVER been a politician in history that has EVER put his/her constituents ahead of their own ambition, even though ironically it’s those constituents that pay their salary, provide them the premium benefits and expenses, all the elements to live a comfortable life. They will say whatever they have to say to keep it going, lie, cheat, deceive, doesn’t matter, they know they are part of the insider’s club and they don’t want to be kicked out of that club. The day that a politician doesn’t put themselves ahead of their constituents is the same day that hell will freeze over. It simply WILL NOT happen.

[...] Apparently, 7th district Republican Pat Meehan wanted to hit back at his opponent, state Rep. Bryan Lentz, after the Democrat gained traction last month by raising questions about Meehan’s ballot petition.  Count this week’s press conference as a swing-and-a-miss. Meehan came out prepared to make Lentz another example of “Bonusgate“-style corruption, and left a group of thoroughly unconvinced journalists behind.  [...]

That went well, Pat, didn’t it?