Political Notebook

Hugs and Plugs

Democratic district attorney hopeful Alex Talmadge got a big hug from U.S. Rep. and Democratic City Chairman Bob Brady Thursday night at Councilman Jim Kenney’s annual St. Patrick’s Day party.

What did the hug mean for Talmadge, the decided underdog in the May 15 primary battle against District Attorney Lynne Abraham?

Apparently not much. Brady will most likely let the ward leaders fight it out.

Talmadge, however, has picked up a good chunk of support in the city’s Northwestern wards, according to one of the revelers, a judicial aide attending Kenney’s event at the Society Hill Sheraton Hotel.

So who’s supporting Talmadge?

Many ward leaders who did not attend the party, but were reached via telephone.

10th Ward leader Edgar Howard said he and his ward, one of the city’s largest with 29 divisions, are in the Talmadge camp.

"I am supporting Alex," said Howard. "My next ward meeting is on April 19 where I will encourage my committee people to also support him," he said.

State Rep. Rosita Youngblood leads the 13th Ward. She said she is also supporting Talmadge.

Councilwoman Marian Tasco, who runs the mighty 50th Ward, says she supports Talmadge "110 percent, because I believe Alex will bring fairness to that office and a broader vision to look into other areas where the district attorney has the power to prosecute."

Ralph Wynder is the 38th Ward leader. "Alex is a good friend but the whole ward has yet to make a decision," he said.

Back at the party, people were talking about who might fill Talmadge’s empty city commissioner’s seat. Talmadge had to resign earlier this month.

Mayor John Street could appoint now to fill the vacancy or wait until the next mayoral election in 2003. If he did appoint, the new commissioner would still have to run in the next election.

Charlie Bernard, special assistant to Bob Brady at City Committee, has been touted as a possible replacement for Talmadge. Bernard is popular, so word is if he did become a commissioner, he could end up as chair, a seat currently held by City Commissioner Marge Tartaglione.

The chair’s seat is voted on by the three commissioners. City Commissioner Joe Duda would be the swing vote and Bernard supporters say that the Republican Duda — who is friendly with Brady — would go with Bernard.

Brady said he had heard about the movement to draft Bernard as commissioner, and Bernard says he has been thinking about it.

Casey At Bat

Auditor General Bobby Casey, Jr. stopped by Kenney’s event to network with the crowd. Casey was the beneficiary of a fundraiser earlier at the cushy Vesper Club hosted by Marty Weinberg and Mitchell Rubin, close allies of State Sen. Vincent Fumo. The other hosts were Sharif Street, son of Mayor Street and leader of NextGen PAC, and Jim Harrity, labor liaison for Sheriff John Green and a member of the Pennsylvania Young Democrats.

Checks collected that night went to Casey’s gubernatorial campaign next year. Approximately $20,000 was raised, according to Sharif Street.

When does Casey expect to announce?

"I will announce at the end of the year although everyone already knows I am running for governor," said Casey.

He does not have to resign as Auditor General to run.

Casey is pro-life and is expected to do well in the conservative Catholic towns in the western part of the state.

But what about the pro-choice heavy hitters such as State Sen. Tina Tartaglione who have already come forward to support Casey?

"I don’t think they look at Bobby as a one issue candidate," said Al Dezzi, special assistant to Casey.

Al Dezzi is married to Eleanor Dezzi, the campaign manager for Lynne Abraham.

Gerry Kosinski, leader of the 45th Ward, dropped in at the Vesper and chatted with Second Ward committeeman Michael Ciliberti and 65th Ward committeeman John Sainte-Marie.

Tony Palmiere, Second Ward chairman, also attended the Casey fundraiser. Does this mean that Second Ward leader Buddy Cianfrani is supporting Casey?

"No," said Palmieri. "It does not mean Buddy is for Casey."

However, one South Philadelphia ward leader is already on the Casey bandwagon. Register of Wills Ron Donatucci, who also leads the 26th Ward, is hosting a fundraiser for Casey later this month at the Eighth Floor.

More Green

The Brehon Law Society held its annual St. Patrick’s Day breakfast at The Plough and the Stars Saturday morning. Early risers feasted on black pudding, sausages, potato pancakes and Irish soda bread with treacle while listening to Irish ballads from Common Pleas Court Judge James "Jimmy" Lynn.

Lynn was seeking the endorsement of Democratic State Committee for the one seat on the Supreme Court this year. He stepped aside in favor of Kate Ford Elliott. Lynn said he intends to run for the next Supreme Court election in 2003. Lynn will face Municipal Court Judge James "Jimmy" DeLeon who also wants a shot at the Supreme seat.

Lynn is close with Bob Brady, who stopped by the breakfast before he headed off to class.

Brady teaches philosophy on Saturday mornings at the University of Pennsylvania.