July 15-21, 2004

political notebook

Specter's Plugged In

by Mary F. Patel

Republican U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter picked up an endorsement from International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98 last week. The senior senator will face Democrat Joe Hoeffel in November's general election, a vote that will mark the end of a difficult re-election cycle for Specter who nearly lost a bruising primary to Patrick Toomey. Now, he can look forward to thousands of electricians on the street come Election Day.

Local 98 political director Bob Henon confirmed the union's endorsement, citing Specter's support for labor.

"Specter was endorsed by the building trades," Henon pointed out. "He has consistently supported the prevailing wage and unemployment compensation."

All of the 4,000 members of Local 98 are not involved in the endorsement process, according to Henon. Key endorsement figures within the union include Henon and Business Manager John Dougherty, who also happens to be treasurer of the city's Democratic committee, which has endorsed Hoeffel.

"It is tough for John and certainly puts him in an awkward position," says Henon. "Democrats are the backbone of the labor movement. I'm not going to say John puts one thing before the other. He looks at them separately: What's good for the union and what's good for the Democrats."

While Republican House Speaker John Perzel is in Harrisburg making deals with Democrats on heady issues of the day, his Democratic opponent is pounding the pavement in the district.

While Perzel, who represents the 172nd district in Northeast Philadelphia, is in Harrisburg wheeling and dealing with Gov. Ed Rendell on issues like tax reform and gambling, his opponent Tim Kearney, a clerk for Social Security, is trying to make inroads in his race with the entrenched legislator.

Perzel, a former waiter, was first elected to the state House in 1978 and worked his way up the political ladder to become majority leader. After the death of Matthew Ryan last year, he became speaker.

Pushy and tenacious, Perzel remains a force to be reckoned with in a predominately Democratic town and is a strong advocate for the Republican agenda in the state. For example, he reached an agreement with Rendell earlier this year for Republicans to control the Philadelphia Parking Authority. Much to the annoyance of Mayor John Street, Rendell signed off on the legislation that took control of the quasi-public entity from the city, thwarting the mayor's plan to take over the enforcement portion of the Authority's mission. Despite the ongoing squabble between Street and Rendell on the issue, the city stands to gain more than $25 million in additional funds since the Republican takeover.

Meanwhile, Rendell can thank Perzel for helping him along.

Of course, all elected officials must occasionally go through the annoying pretense of facing the voters. In 2000, Perzel's Democratic challenger Mark Chilutti lost to Perzel by a mere 92 votes. Chilutti, then a political unknown, did well because voters felt Perzel was spending too much time grandstanding in Harrisburg and not enough time in Mayfair.

Later, reapportionment extended Perzel's district further north, where Republican registrations dominate. His last Democratic challenger, Paul Prior, received 3,914 votes to Perzel's 17,498 in the November 2002 general election.

Kearney is a former aide to Councilman David Cohen. He moved from Germantown to the Northeast just to run against Perzel. Kearney's platform is lowering prescription drug prices, auto insurance rates and real estate taxes.

Daily News columnist Stu Bykofsky has been rounding up a cadre of politicos for the 14th Annual Stu Bykofsky Candidates Comedy Night.

The politics-heavy standup routines, performed by Democratic and Republican candidates squaring off in November's election, are the featured attraction of this fundraiser for the Delaware Valley chapter of Variety Club, a charity benefiting physically challenged children.

Scheduled to appear are Specter and Hoeffel; state treasurer candidates Jean Craige Pepper and Bob Casey Jr.; attorney general candidates Tom Corbett and Jim Eisenhower; U.S. House candidates Bob Brady, Debbie Williams, Chaka Fattah, Stewart Bolno, Allyson Schwartz and Melissa Brown. Even State Sen. Vincent Fumo and his Republican opponent John "Jack" Morley, are scheduled to appear.

Bykofsky advises candidates that self-deprecating humor works and bashing their opponent does not. Since not all candidates are naturally hilariously funny — or even entertaining for that matter — Bykofsky said he offers help with their jokes so they don't embarrass themselves too much.

Fumo spokesperson Gary Tuma said the senator had not yet given much thought to what his routine will be but, in time, will probably consult with staff on the matter. Morley did not return calls about his shtick.

Bykofsky's Comedy Night will be held at Finnigan's Wake on Aug. 12 at 8 p.m.. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased by calling Ellen Ganley at the Variety Club at 215-735-0803.