Rudy Makes the Rounds

Rudy stops by; Oh, David; Party season

by Mary F. Patel

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Published: Nov 28, 2007

Republican presidential candidate Rudolph Giuliani was in town Monday for several campaign stops, the first at the offices of Radnor Trust Company for a $2,300-a-person fundraiser hosted by Marla Green and Radnor CEO Jim DiDio.

Giuliani arrived with Manny Stamatakis and stayed almost an hour, giving a lengthy speech and taking questions from some of the 70 guests.

"This will be a nasty and horrible campaign," said Giuliani of his potential battle against the Democrats. "I know, I live in New York."

Giuliani then told the crowd that the Democratic presidential candidates want to increase taxes to fund their giveaways.

"We can't elect one of these clowns," said Giuliani, who promised fiscal responsibility and to lower taxes, particularly for the corporate sector, if elected. He also criticized the Democrats for criticizing the rich. "They are ultimately hurting the poor. Without a tax base, there are no funds."

He promised to appoint judges that follow the Constitution and said that one of his opponents, Hillary Clinton, would most certainly appoint liberal judges "who would try to make the law and not interpret it."

On the medical malpractice issue, Giuliani, who is a lawyer, had strong words for trial lawyers who encourage clients to sue doctors: "I call it the Pig Factor."

Ken Davis, chairman of the Montgomery County Republican Party, who was at the event, said he believed Giuliani would ultimately represent the Republican Party in the general election. Davis added that when he last privately spoke with U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, who is a moderate Democrat, Casey agreed and told him he liked Giuliani as well. (However, Casey spokesman Larry Smar said Tuesday that that "doesn't match [Casey's] recollection" of the conversation. "He never said he liked any candidate or not," said Smar, noting that Casey merely referred to polls that had Giuliani faring well in the state so far.)

Giuliani's next stop was at a fundraiser hosted by Gabe Battista, followed by an event hosted by Al Clemens, Bob Asher, Tom Judge and John Perzel. From there, the former mayor of New York City wound up at party hosted by Scott Zelov at his Lower Merion home.

Oh Maybe?

In local politics, Republican City Council at-large candidate David Oh has been making noise that he intends to

contest the election results that had him losing the final slot to incumbent Jack Kelly. Oh, who claims that absentee ballots were not handled in accordance with state law, lost the general election by 122 votes after a long count of absentee, provisional and alternative ballots.

Oh did not return calls by press time and George Bochetto, who represented Kelly in the vote count, said that as of Monday night, Oh had not filed the necessary court papers for the challenge. The attorney said Monday would have been the deadline for filing that action.

'Tis the Party Season

Politicians suffering from post-election trauma syndrome can take comfort in knowing that the annual Pennsylvania Society confab in New York City is right around the corner.

The Dec. 7 to 9 overdose of politics and partying is a must stop for candidates statewide, and many a deal can made over a martini. Seats to schmooze about are the state House and Senate slots, state row offices and congressional seats.

GOP Attorney General Tom Corbett is running for re-election and his Democratic opponent may be Jim Eisenhower again though Eisenhower, an attorney at Schnader, says he's yet to decide whether to seek the seat for a third time.

Democrat Auditor General Jack Wagner is running again; no word yet on who the Republican will be. Meanwhile the GOP's Tom Ellis says he wants a shot at the treasurer seat against Democrat Rob McCord.

Since the Society convenes in New York, will New Yorkers Clinton and Giuliani stop in?

The 109th Pennsylvania Society formal dinner is always held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on Park Avenue and this year's recipient for the Gold Medal award is U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter.

Parties begin as early as Friday afternoon in various locations, such as the Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney shindig at the ESPN Zone on Broadway.

This year, Friday night is packed with receptions so guests will have to juggle events. Wolf Block has a new party this year at the Waldorf, competing with the Local 98 party followed by the Blank Rome reception. Hip late parties include the Gov. Mifflin Society gathering and the party at the 21 Club.

On Saturday night, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney will host a formal party before the official Society reception prior to the dinner. So will Mellon Bank. The Ballard and Wojdak firms are hosting the governor's reception, as per tradition.

Expect more door control. Several of the party hosts are mailing wrist bracelets to invited guests to use for admittance. If you are not invited to any of these parties, don't bother trying. You won't be getting in.

(rcpatel@aol.com)

 

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