It has been all too common for newspaper articles on Pennsylvania’s upcoming US Senate race to ignore progressive Democratic candidate Chuck Pennacchio. When Chuck does receive a mention, his name is often preceded by an adjective like “longshot” or “unknown” as in this article. It never seems to dawn on journalists that Chuck’s alleged underdog status could have anything to do with the fact that he receives but a small fraction of the media attention his primary opponent Casey enjoys. Talk about self-fulfilling prophecies. After months of the mainstream media acting as though Casey has already won the nomination, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Chuck would trail Casey in primary polls.
PA’s “Democratic” Governor Ed Rendell, along with DSCC chair and NY Senator, Chuck Schumer, have done their best to cram Casey down Democrat’s throats.
The Casey apologists over at Kos chant incessantly that Chuck is not a viable candidate. With such biased reporting it is truly amazing that Chuck has come as far as he has. Despite the best efforts of the Democratic machine to crush Pennacchio and deny PA Dems an open primary, Chuck continues to rack up endorsements from grassroots groups across the state. The Lancaster Democratic Committee recently voted to have an open primary. And Casey only narrowly snagged an endorsement from the Bucks County Democratic Committee.
In Sunday’s edition of the New York Times Robin Toner writes “…some public opinion polls consistently showing Mr. Santorum trailing his Democratic opponent, State Treasurer Bob Casey Jr.”
Not only is Chuck Pennacchio not mentioned by name, it is as if there is no primary. Please contact Robin here and make sure the NY times is aware of this oversight. Also send a letter to the editor to letters@nytimes.com.
Chuck Pennacchio is a viable candidate; the media just refuses to acknowledge it. He’s done over 260 public campaign stops to Casey’s 5. Yes, Pay-Per-View Bob has done a few dozen fundraisers but that is not the same as actually talking with voters and winning them over. The Democrats have lost 14 consecutive full-term US Senate elections. Let’s break that losing streak.
Thanks for working so hard on the longshot. I hope your GOTV efforts are well in place. Who knows what can happen in a primary.
I read the NYT article earlier this morning, and it prompted me to start writing a fairly scathing letter of response.
If one were to rely on the information contained in the NYT article alone, it would appear that PA doesn’t conduct primaries – the parties simply anoint candidates beforehand. Oh wait. . .never mind.
The NYT’s only mention of a potential Democratic candidate other than Bob Casey was contained in the following paragraph: “(Even now, Kate Michelman, the former president of Naral Pro-Choice America, angered over Mr. Casey’s support for the confirmation of Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., has indicated that she is pondering an independent candidacy for the seat.)”
From my perspective, the NYT article missed the real issue at hand in the PA senatorial race and races in other parts of the nation. And the real story is not “Santorum vs. Casey”. It’s the intervention of people such as Chuck Schumer – who recruit candidates based on perceived electability rather than values – while throwing (what’s left of) the party’s integrity out the window.
Tuesday night will find me serving as a caucus convener in MN – but my public service is not on behalf of the DFL.
Just want to share there thoughts, in response to this dairy, having just read this dairy:http://www.boomantribune.com/?op=displaystory;sid=2006/3/4/135741/1896
I am new to this, so please flame gently.
I recently posted this over at Dailykos:
http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2006/3/2/181017/4326/67#67
And in response to this article:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/2/1/123642/2442
I posted this:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/2/1/123642/2442
Sorry Folks?! (4.00 / 3)
initial reaction:
What happended to that can-do spirit?!! Wellstone did it, so can Pennacchio! We deserve better that the options the top of the party is offering.
Look past the emotion to the root issues concerning pro-choice progressive women. When pro-choice women vote, Democrats win – we all win.
“Sorry folks” does not cut it.
Donate: http://www.chuck2006.com
In the actual hard copy of today’s New York Times I’ve been told there is a note hat this was the only the first of a series of articles on the Pa US Senate Race. So it is very important that we all write in and demand that they cover the primary race too.
Thanks to those of you who have written in.
I gave $50 yesterday to the Pennachio campaign. Don’t forget to give a little bit at his website I’m sure the campaign can use some cash. Maybe Pennsylvania is a good place for the left to make some noise this primary season. Booman has made it clear that its a pretty stark contrast between Pennachio and Casey. Lets get behind this guy. When is the date of the primary?
May 16.