Man-on-Dog and Other Campaign Notes

Both parties scramble at the 11th hour.

by Mary F. Patel

With the Nov. 7 election bearing down fast, Democrats and Republicans alike spent the past week rallying for their candidates and putting the finishing touches on strategies to get out the vote.

Senate Republicans pulled out the big guns last Wednesday in an attempt to boost the poor odds for their colleague, U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum. With polls showing that Santorum has trailed Democratic opponent Bob Casey since at least Labor Day, four moderate Republican senators — Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Norm Coleman of Minnesota and Arlen Specter — held a show-of-support press conference at the Hilton on City Avenue.

Billed as "Centrist Senators Rally Support for Sen. Santorum," the senators wanted to publicize Santorum's work on nonpartisan issues with moderate Republicans; they also maintained that he is a leader on important causes such as improving conditions in puppy mills and working on legislation to combat HIV/AIDS in Africa.

"I've been trying to do something about puppy mills for 10 years," said Santorum. "I got the Humane Society and the American Kennel Club to jointly support a bill, and they hate each other."

Santorum also spoke about how he has worked to increase national funding by $866 million for the Global Fund in fiscal year 2007. While Santorum has introduced legislation to fund programs that try to reduce HIV/AIDS overseas, his anti-condom and pro-abstinence positions when it comes to funding U.S. groups has not helped foster a reputation as a champion in the fight against the disease. It probably doesn't help that the Global Fund he mentioned also supports 73 faith-based organizations including Youth for Christ and World Vision, a Christian relief agency based in the United States.

In response to Republican attacks on the military record of 8th District Democratic congressional candidate Patrick Murphy, a veteran with a Bronze Star, John Kerry made a stop in Bucks County last Thursday. He was there, along with fellow veterans, to support Murphy's attempt to unseat incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick.

One Vietnam vet said he was there to learn about Murphy, who was a U.S. Army captain and served in Iraq, because he didn't know anything about him. "I don't know too much about Mike Fitzpatrick, either," he added. "He doesn't come around here too much." (Fitzpatrick, who is finishing out his first term, is considered a moderate Republican.)

It wasn't all smiles, though. Hearkening back to the swift boat attacks, an anti-Kerry veteran stood around wearing a big sandwich board saying Kerry was a phony vet. "I've served my four years, sir," Kerry told him.

On Friday night, the local NAACP chapter hosted a candidates' forum where Gov. Ed Rendell and challenger Lynn Swann dropped in, as did Santorum but, much to the dismay of some, Casey was nowhere to be found.

"I am peeved he did not show up," said J. Whyatt Mondesire, chapter president.

Eleanor Dezzi, a volunteer spokesperson for Casey, said he tried to make the event but was also scheduled for a rally in Pittsburgh with U.S. Sen. Barack Obama that night.

Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge John Younge, who is interested in running for one of the two open seats on the Supreme Court next year, also attended.

Then, on Saturday afternoon, First Lady Laura Bush headlined a Republican Party rally, again at the City Line Hilton. The event was designed to help energize ward leaders and committeepeople for their get-out-the-vote operations on Election Day. Lt. Gov. candidate Jim Matthews emceed the event that featured Swann, 6th District Congressman Jim Gerlach and Santorum. The Philadelphia Boys Choir provided the entertainment.

That night, fat Madonnas, Richard Simmons and a few versions of Marie Antoinette made the scene at Pure for LibertyPA's fundraiser for Rendell. The Halloween masquerade party also involved barely clothed boy bartenders.

Rendell, an icon of the gay community, was in his element. He spoke to some of the bigger donors at a private reception on the mezzanine and then joined the hundreds of other revelers on the main floor, where he made remarks from the stage.

Possible 2007 mayoral candidate and former City Controller Jonathan Saidel stopped in, while rumors abounded that he is not planning a formal announcement for his candidacy anytime soon because he may get another gig. If Casey beats Santorum, word is that Rendell will appoint Saidel to fill out the remaining term as treasurer, Casey's current day job. No comment from the Saidel camp.

(rcpatel@aol.com)