Endorsements and the PA GOP convention

This past weekend, the Pennsylvania Republican Party held its' annual winter meeting and endorsement convention.

There's been a lot of hoopla lately about endorsements and whether or not we should endorse candidates or let the people choose, etc.

The fact is, we the people elect the State Committee members who vote to choose our candidates. Unfortunately, I'm afraid most average citizens (on either side of the isle) have no idea who they're voting for when they come to that portion of the ballot that says, "State Committee," nor do they realize the importance of the office that person will fill.

So my first thought on endorsements... if you're a Republican and you don't like how your county State Committee members voted this past weekend, vote them out of office. I know I'll be working against 2 of the 3 in Perry County when their terms come around.

More importantly, though, I think is not the fact of if we endorse, but WHOM we endorse. As far as I'm concerned, I think the PA GOP did a pretty good job overall this year.

For Senate, we endorsed Pat Toomey. A more passionate conservative candidate for Senate you'd be hard pressed to find... and I haven't heard anyone complaining about that endorsement. (Which they shouldn't be.)

My problem here: Pat Toomey is no more conservative today than he was 6 years ago when he sought the Party's endorsement. Back then, however, he was running against the Party child... but not really the Party child... he was running against Philly's own homeboy, Arlen Specter.

And one thing I've learned about Philly politics in the Republican Party... they get what they want. Period.

(That has to change.)

Thus, 6 years ago Pat Toomey was ridiculed, mocked, and criticized by the same individuals who are now gaga over his candidacy. That's just wrong. In fact, one could make the argument that the PA GOP (led by the Philly hacks), via their endorsement, is responsible for the Democratic successes of late through their empowerment of Benedict Arnold.

For Governor, the PA GOP endorsed our great Attorney General, Tom Corbett. Our other gubernatorial candidate is Rep. Sam Rohrer.

This is the race drawing the most criticism for an endorsement. Frankly, either of these gentlemen would make an excellent Governor. Both are strong conservatives and either of them are worthy of endorsement. The Republican Party can be proud of our candidate however the upcoming primary turns out.

I do understand this endorsement, however. Tom Corbett is a household name in Pennsylvania. He has an outstanding record in law enforcement and a terrific campaign record. I am extremely confident that if Tom Corbett is our nominee, Tom Corbett will be our Governor.

While I like Sam Rohrer, as well, I cannot say the same of him. His name recognition just isn't what Corbett's is... not that he couldn't win the general election, but I understand the logic behind the Corbett endorsement... and if I had to pick between the two of them today, I'd have to go with Corbett.

Now onto the most shameful move by the PA GOP this convention. We have endorsed Jim Cawley for Lt. Governor.

It's not that Jim Cawley is an especially terrible candidate. But we had SO MANY superior candidates to choose from!!!

Particularly, I believe either Joe Watkins or Chet Beiler would have made a terrific Lt. Governor and one of them should have earned the endorsement. Neither of them have yet announced if they will run in the primary, but I hope one of them will.

Why do I believe Jim Cawley is a mistake for Lt. Governor?

First, he dubbed himself a "Progressive" Republican. I don't know what that is. I'd like to stick with a conservative Republican, thank you.

Second, he has stated that he would meet with Planned Parenthood to discuss the use of authorizing tax dollars for their family planning process. Does he just not know what "family planning" is? Or is that part of his "Progressive" Republicanism?

Third, Jim Cawley has never worked among us regular people. He's a Philly lawyer, worked for a State Senator while serving at a law firm, and was APPOINTED (not elected) to the position of Bucks County Commissioner... further, his father and grandfather were both Union bosses. The

last time I checked, Republican + Union Boss rarely = Conservative.

Lastly, Cawley's first budget action as an elected official was to raise taxes 7.1%. Additionally, Cawley has led Bucks County in over-budget spending his entire career as Commissioner. Conservative? I don't think so.

(For more on why Jim Cawley is the wrong choice for Pennsylvania, you can visit www.jrjim.blogspot.com... fyi, no affiliation with CFRS.)

This probably won't some as a surprise to you, but I'm supporting Chet Beiler for Lieutenant Governor should he run in the primary. Chet was scholar shipped to college, sold gazebos from the trunk of his car, and built his business into the nation's largest gazebo retailer. Last year, Chet had to close his California plant do to the tough times in the economy.

Unlike Jim Cawley, Chet knows how to make tough choices. He knows that what we need is lower spending and fewer taxes, not more.

Chet understands the needs of small businesses. He understands the problems facing average Pennsylvanians everyday... because he is one of us.

Chet is a conservative. He values every human life and would never discuss family planning with an organization known to butcher hundreds of thousands of helpless infants each year.

Chet comes from Lancaster County. He grew up on a dairy farm with 8 brothers and sisters. He's not a big city progressive. He's a conservative.

So why did Jim Cawley win the endorsement of the Pennsylvania GOP? Why, when we were doing so well with Toomey & Corbett, did we come out with Cawley?

Did I mention Jim Cawley is from Philadelphia?

Yeah, that's why... and that's where our endorsements went wrong. The Philly machine is trying to force its will upon us once again, just as it did with Specter 6 years ago. We cannot afford to make that mistake again.

We cannot have Jim Cawley on the ballot with Tom Corbett this November. The stakes are too high. We must stand for conservatism. There is no alternative.

In conclusion, I support endorsements... if we endorse passionate conservatives... who just happen to be Republican.