About a month or so ago I blogged (or was it in my column?) about the possibility of Republican Montgomery County Commissioner Jim Matthews teaming up with Democratic commissioner-elect Joe Hoeffel, leaving Republican commissioner-elect Bruce Castor the odd man out. Well, it sounds like it is going to come to fruition. Not quite the way I predicted, which would have had Hoeffel being elected chairman and Matthews vice chairman, but if the reverse is true does it really matter?
You know what really matters?
That this is just another sign the Montgomery County Republican Party has more splinters than a termite could handle in a month.
I don't know folks, perhaps it's time for someone to step up and take the reins away from the Asher/Davis duo.
21 comments:
It still amazes me Matthews got elected. Castor the front runner said early on he did not trust him. Matthews told everyone he wants to run for treasurer in 2 years... who hires (elects in this case) a guy who says he will only stay a short time them look elsewhere. This County government is horrible and there will be little change!! Too full of corruption and nothing be done about it.
Good call, Stan.
I'm amazed that Castor, was the top vote getter.
Matthews and Hoeffel still have the name recognition and the broad connections to garner state or national support. Hoeffel won and, Matthews, Ellis and Castor looked at state office before this past election.Politics has always been a profession where higher political office is nearly always the goal for the future .
The lesson learned this time is that the Democrats are on the threshold of being in control of Montgomery County, so its better not to antagonize the opposition early.
Stan, How many people told Castor he was crazy to seek the office of Commissioner? Mr. Castor believes everything should go his way,silver spoon and all. He wants to be Chairman (hello) get your feet wet first, you will still be able to sit in the limelight. And getting rid of Mr. Marino what a blessing. Now, maybe the new crew will remove the highly priced consultant Mr.Gulotta. Both Matthews and Castor and maybe Hoeffel will move out before their terms are up...another blessing. If only the voting public were aware of all these inside deals per Ms. Gibbons article of Dec.18,2007.
Mr. Huskey, Maybe the Sheriff should run for Commissioner,then he could fullfill his promise to get the Deputies a living wage. Another case of broken promises, so please Mr. Castor bear with it, you can run for another State position shortly. You people are not worried about the little guy,it's what you can put in your pocket that counts. EGO, EGO, EGO.
Just read today's article on Matthews-Hoeffel aligning themselves as a pair. Does anyone else see all the references to these commissioners hiring their friends, such as Peter Leis, Mike Marino and bringing back Barry Miller. C'mon Commissioners you are here to make the County a better place not to make employment for your friends!!! Why doesn't the County start hiring on qualifications instead of friendship!
Stan... Same thing as Jon Fox was dealt. Castor needs broad shoulders, which I believe he has. I'm waiting for the news that will come from the third and second place winners...should be interesting.
Tell me it ain't so Joe, why are the Democrats getting in bed with Matthews. You just know he will stab you in the back like he did his own party. We should just wait until 2011 when we will take over the entire courthouse. Joe, you know that when you lie down with dogs you get up with fleas. You better got some flea powder for your 8th floor office suite.
I was hoping it wasn't true, but now that the press conference is history, it's real. I am shocked at the backstabbing by Matthews and very disappointed, not to mention sorry that I supported him. Despite Matthews' experience as commissioner, I viewed Castor as the strength of the ticket and the main reason why I voted for both. Can a commissioner be impeached?
You are totally correct about Ken Davis and Asher, they have to GO and pronto before even more damage is done. Each local gov't needs to galvanize its troops to groom better candidates for party positions.
Stan: Matthews' brother, you know the one that has a voice with only one pitch...LOUD, must be very proud of his action today...we now know where Matthews' loyalty lies ?? or do we. I realize Hoeffel,needs to stay close to home when runing for office, because name recognition he does not have nor does Matthews. Now, Castor is another story, he has a bright future. I wish him well. The Press Conference went well...both Matthews and Hoeffel,two elderly men,appeared red faced and ill at ease... and so they should. I for one will NEVER vote for either of them and I will campaign for any person that runs against them ...even Mickey Mouse will do.
This is a disgrace! We need better candidates! We need stronger personalities with some scruples in our party! A County Leader aligning himself with a Democrat. This is Horrendous. I wish Matthew's would re-register as Green Party. The Democrats don't even deserve him.
Wake up Republicans! We are losing the county and you're leaders are MAKING DEALS WITH THE ENEMY!!
This is more about Matthews being bitter and envious of Castor's accomplishments, reputation and clear pull with the voters and less about wanting to reach across party lines to work together, as he claims. This is the same guy who couldn't give a hoot what Damsker wanted over the last few years. Are we to believe he's changed his stripes overnight?
This just screams 'vindictive' and "petty". This man put his own insecurities above what's best for the PARTY. I hope he reconsiders the damage he's done to the Republican Party and the County, and gives Castor the chairmanship he rightly earned, or he'll be hard pressed to get anyone's vote for anything going forward. People have long memories around here.
Matthews aligns with Hoeffel, WOW.
If Matthews backs down as Mr. Castor suggest Mr. Matthews life as a politican is dead. The whole system is screwed up,and it's the non-voting public who is at fault. Until they get off their lower posteriors and get out and vote,nothing,nothing will ever change. And to Mr. Castor,four years is a long time to get even.
This is certainly a disgraceful turn of events. How could Matthews turn his back on the same people who put him in office. It seems to me that he should be kissing the ground that Castor walks on. If it wasn't for Castor
s draw at the polls, Matthews would have come in dead last instead of next to last. I guess we are going to be punished for another four years, the voters will never forget what he has done to Montgomery County, higher office is definitely not in his future, the whole Commonwealth will know in short order.
Thank goodness. I don't know how much more of the egomaniacal creep I could have taken.
The celticwarrior has finally made some sense when (He or She) suggested that people do have long memories around here. Look out for the freight train,it's coming down the tracks.
This GOP infighting goes back to the removal of Mario Mele by Marino and Bartle. They all deserve some time in the wilderness.
Stan... Freind's article "Open Letter to Montgomery County Commissioner Jim Matthews" in todays papers should make Republican and Dems. take note. Being truthful certainly would help here in our County and State ...I have a long memory and so do many other voters. The "who's to know" attitude does not wash anymore. It's my money, my township, my county and my state...not the elected officials' play ground... Remember the saying "Do it to me once... shame on me. Do it to me twice...shame on you. Do it to me thrice...shame, you are not my friend or one to be trusted." SHAME...SHAME...SHAME...!!
YO Duke,
Jim Matthews political career is over, this will be his last election victory. No one will ever be able to trust him, no ever Joe Hoeffel. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. I would never, ever, again vote for the likes of Jim Matthews. He is the guy who should be changing his party affiliation, not Armstrong.
Your comment about time to shed the Asher/Davis duo is on target. Castor did not want Matthews on ticket with him (obvious reasons). If Melissa Weber were chosen the party would not be in this mess. Also, wonder how the County Committeee members feel since they caused this situation and also the loss of five row offices to the D's ???
It doesn't really matter whether the GOP or the Dems are "in control", all they think about is party politics and what they can do to stay in power, or how they can get into power if they are not. Coalitions are formed, backs are stabbed, deals are made and unmade. Once in a while our elected officials agree to perform actual county or municipal business for the good of the people, but it isn't nearly as much fun as the game.
One of the moves in the game is that the party can use its power to endorse a candidate. The "good soldiers" (such as Melissa Weber) drop out as candidates, and the voters are deprived of a chance to make their choice.
This is not fair to the voters. Most people are intelligent enough to know that by the time they are allowed to go to the polls, a lot of the best candidates have been left in the dust a long time ago. Why? Because the party has power over campaign money, campaign money gives the winner of the campaign power over our tax money, and our tax money gives the winners and party contributors more power.
Okay students, that's all the time we have for today. For those of you who came in late, this is Politics 101.
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