New York Minutes

by Mary F. Patel

MANHATTAN — The "Who's Who" of Pennsylvania politics flocked to New York City last weekend for the 108th annual Pennsylvania Society shindig, which featured numerous parties and soirees centered around the opulent Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

The Society, a nonprofit patriotic and charitable organization, was founded in 1899 to encourage the ideals of William Penn, but its annual gathering has become a springboard for political campaigns and a huge statewide networking forum. It's held here because that's where several of the founding members (including Andrew Carnegie, also the founder of the Waldorf) wanted to meet more than 100 years ago. The Republican State Committee kicked off the weekend Friday with a $1,000-a-person Commonwealth Club luncheon/fundraiser at the Hotel Pierre, which was followed by a jam-packed Scrimmage Party at the ESPNZone on Broadway hosted by the Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney law firm.

Three early-evening receptions happened simultaneously at the Waldorf: one hosted by state Auditor General Jack Wagner; another by Allegheny County chief executive Dan Onorato ; and the crowd tarried at the Waste Management party hosted by VP James Dancy.

The largest Friday-night party was the annual Blank Rome soiree at the InterContinental Hotel, with its usual long line of guests greeting Blank Rome chairman David Girard-diCarlo, who was a key fundraiser for U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum.

Santorum will officially relinquish his Senate seat to current state Treasurer Bob Casey next month. His campaign finance chair, Rob Bickhart, attended and said the senator was not planning to come to the jamboree, but that his old boss is talking to Fox News and CNN about hosting a show (those guys make upwards of $100,000 a week). Santorum is also looking to work with the American Enterprise Institute or the Heritage Institute, both Republican think tanks. Word is that Bickhart is considering selling his lobbying firm, Capitol Resource Group.

House Speaker John Perzel, obviously too important to stand in the Blank Rome receiving line, breezed right on into a party where Casey and Rendell held court amidst a horde of congratulators and well-wishers.

Society regular Brian Tierney made the scene with his wife Maud, and what a difference a year makes. Last December, Tierney was in Taiwan on business, but this year, as Inquirer publisher and a principal owner of Philadelphia Media Holdings — owners of the Inquirer and Daily News — he was busy negotiating with the unions to avert a strike.

George Bochetto and girlfriend Christy Adams arrived with associate attorney Scott Sigman and his wife, Pamela. Bochetto is mulling a run on the GOP mayoral ticket while Sigman was talking about his new position as chair-elect of the Philadelphia Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division (for lawyers under 35). He will preside in 2008. On the other side of the room, GOP city Councilman Frank Rizzo worked the crowd with new wife Debbie; he was discussing a possible run for mayor as a Democrat.

After the Blank Rome experience, there were three important parties — also all at the same time. Local 98 Electricians Union had a splashy gig in one of the main hotel ballrooms, complete with two dance bands, but John Dougherty was nowhere to be found. Dougherty, who still may run for mayor, stayed home to look after his mother, who is ailing with emphysema, according to spokesperson Frank Keel. Former 98 political operative Ed Kirlin dropped in and said he has just finished his book, The Littlest Mummer, which is a how-to guide for children on how to be a mummer. (Purchased through Mummer Time Magazine, proceeds benefit the Katie Kirlin Wheelchair Sports Program for Children.)

THE KINGMAKER AND I: Vince Fumo and Bob Brady at a Pennsylvania Society party. : Joe Barber

The Gov. Mifflin Society held a party on another floor of the Waldorf, hosted by lobbyist David Urban, attorney Gregg Melinson and developer Gary Silvi with special guest U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan.

Meanwhile, another hip party, sponsored by Duane Morris, was happening at the "21" Club, where the eclectic crowd featured Alan Kessler and David L. Cohen; state rep and newly announced mayoral candidate Dwight Evans was front and center. (Former city solicitors Ken Trujillo and Nelson Diaz made a bet on whether Evans would win the Democratic mayoral primary.)

Meanwhile that night, former mayoral candidate Jonathan Saidel dined with former Commerce Director Jim Cuorato and Klehr attorney Sharon Suleta at the Bull and Bear restaurant at the Waldorf. Saidel is telling everyone he has not made plans since dropping out of the race.

On Saturday morning, the hungover and bleary-eyed made their way to the PNC or Penn breakfasts, or the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Associations' symposium/luncheon, but by 5 p.m., the partiers were in black ties and gowns.

The evening began with receptions given by Mellon Bank and Pepper Hamilton at the Waldorf, but the biggest and newsiest was the Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney bash. The latter was clearly a good stop for candidates; Sharif Street, running for an at-large City Council seat next year, was there, as were Matt McClure, running in the 4th Councilmanic District, and Michael Untermeyer, who is running for sheriff next year.

Herb Vederman, who had completely lost his voice, is working for Chaka Fattah, who had been on the scene promoting his mayoral candidacy since skipping important congressional business on Friday.

That night, the main event, the Society dinner, was held in the grand ballroom; former Penn president Judith Rodin was honored.

The after-parties began with the Governor's Rec-eption, hosted by Ballard Spahr and the lobbying firm of S.R Wojdak & Associates; it featured Ballard chairman Arthur Makadon and Wojdak lobbyist Holly Kinser Linsley, who was there with her husband, Ed.

Common Pleas Court Judge James Fitzgerald, whose wife Carol is the Society's executive director, is expected to soon be appointed by Rendell to fill the interim term on the state Supreme Court, which was vacated by Justice Sandra Newman, who is retiring early.

U.S. Rep. and Democratic Party chairman Bob Brady and his wife Debra were schmoozing at the party with state Sen. Vincent Fumo. Brady is running for mayor and his first mayoral fundraiser is scheduled for Dec. 21. Brady said it will probably be held at the Sheet Metal Workers Union Hall. His mayoral campaign finance chair is Ernie DeNofa, who was making the rounds with Ed Camiel, nephew of former Democratic Party boss Peter Camiel.

Mayoral candidates Michael Nutter (with wife Lisa), Tom Knox (with wife Linda ) and Fattah (with his wife, Channel 10 news anchor Renee Chenault-Fattah) also attended the parties.

Late-night parties were held by Sunoco, Dilworth Paxton, Excalibur and the Energy Association. At the Sunoco event, political consultant Maurice Floyd did not seem to think that the mayoral candidates would have the cash for a lot of on-air advertising.

"This race will be fought on the ground," he said, "and not on the air."

(rcpatel@aol.com)