Lunch With No DeLay

by Mary F. Patel

The 300 or so lawyers and judges of the Philadelphia Bar Association got a treat Monday at their spring luncheon meeting at the Marriott Hotel. Petite firebrand New York Times columnist and Bushworld author Maureen Dowd stepped in as keynote speaker, replacing Democratic U.S. Sen. Joe Biden.

Biden was tied up in Senate hearings on the nomination of John Bolton to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Dowd was once a reporter at the Washington Star and, surprisingly, a sports columnist. She admitted in her remarks that she was not used to public speaking, and said she comes from a family of Irish Republican conservatives, including members of the legal profession.

A Pulitzer Prize winner, she is one of the columnists responsible for the Times' reputation as a paragon of the liberal media — although she claimed that she always fires her rhetorical spears at the party in power.

She spent most of her 20 minutes on prepared remarks attacking Tom DeLay, the controversial speaker of the House in Washington, D.C., whom she referred to as the "Hammer" and "Hot Tub Tom." DeLay, a Texan, has long been a Dowd target — especially since the ever-righteous senator became a leader in the move to impeach former President Bill Clinton.

Now the chickens have come home to roost as DeLay has come under scrutiny for many alleged ethical lapses involving fund raising and lavish lobbyist-funded golfing excursions as well as what is being referred to as his outspoken, hypocritical support for Terri Schiavo's parents. Dowd noted DeLay's slipping support — even among Republicans. Even our vulnerable GOP U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, she mentioned, is calling for DeLay to explain his conduct publicly, saying that the leader's profile is hurting Republican candidates. Dowd also railed against conservative Republicans who want to usurp the role of the court system and override the opinions of "activist" jurists.

In print, the columnist is known for her fierce advocacy of liberal positions, and she didn't temper her views for the many conservative Bar Association members. After lunch, some attendees said it was a surprise that she wasn't booed.

"I rather enjoyed her," one female judge observed. "But after all, I am a Democrat."

Democrats Fighting For Control

City controller candidate John Braxton won another legal battle last Monday when a three-member panel of Commonwealth Court Judges upheld a lower court's decision that the Democrat can stay on the May 17 primary ballot.

Braxton got into a scrape last month when Democratic opponent Alan Butkovitz challenged his nominating papers, specifically the financial-disclosure statement on which Braxton failed to list income from his Common Pleas Court pension and rental properties. This ethical breach was enough, Butkovitz asserted, to have Braxton removed from the ballot.

Braxton responded that it was an unintentional error. The lower court ruled at that time that Braxton was allowed to amend his statements and stay on the ballot. Butkovitz unsuccessfully appealed.

"I feel vindicated," Braxton said. "Alan Butkovitz is just trying to get me to spend money instead of talking about the issues," he said, referring to his mounting legal fees.

"That's a disgrace," Butkovitz responded. "It's a simple disclosure. It's an insult and he should know better."

Braxton praised the work of his attorney, George Bochetto (who also represents this reporter on another matter). Butkovitz was represented by Sam Stretton.

Butkovitz, also a state House member, was endorsed by Democratic City Committee for the controller's seat, which is considered an easy win for even a non-incumbent Democratic candidate since current Controller Jonathan Saidel is not seeking re-election as he may run for mayor in 2007.

Between the court challenge and losing the Democratic endorsement, Braxton has had big obstacles. But now that he has won in court, he says he is picking up speed.

"The court ruling has boosted my contributions," said Braxton.

Butkovitz said that Braxton's failure to disclose sends a "bad message you can't ignore." He pointed out the importance of being above suspicion in the current climate of the City Hall corruption scandal.

"The role of city controller is to be the watchdog of the city," said Butkovitz.

Nevertheless, Butkovitz said he respected the Commonwealth Court ruling and would not appeal to the state Supreme Court. "I will just continue on, raise a substantial amount of money and win."

The winner of the primary will face Republican Hillel Levinson in November's general election.

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