I know we're all busy. I'm busy, you're busy, every time you ask someone to do something they're busy, but seriously folks, I'm really starting to question the temerity of our county Republicans.

A candidates forum was held Saturday at the George Washington Carver Community Center in Norristown. Guess who showed? That's right, both of the Democratic candidates for county commissioner and neither of the two Republican Candidates.

As the moderator I had to choke back a resounding 'puhlease' as I read the opening statement that said Bruce Castor and Jim Matthews had scheduling conflicts. Isn't that political speak for I don't have time to be bothered with it?

I'm serious when I tell you I have a real concern going into the November elections.

Will this be the first time in a century Democrats will have control of county government?

It will be if the Republican candidates don't start showing up.

The forum could have been a lot of fun with a little Republican fervor. Instead, I was relegated to talking head status, occasionally having to cut off one of the candidates who went on past their allotted time or one of the audience members who was under the mistaken belief that it was audience participation time.

There was a comment from a reader on the earlier version of my blog from former state representative Jacquie Crahalla and I'm posting here so I can get the new blog off to a running start.
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Stan, this weekends' papers had me quite angry. The reporting by Peggy Gibbons - would she have used the word "chronies" with the word "Democrat"? Doubt it, let's just bash all and any Republicans. Nice of you to give candidate Damsker the opportunity to say there is an underground government, in a large comments box as well as the article. Try the Rendell administration for that. Then the dumb commentary by Cassie Hepler who needs to get out of her ivory tower: "Talk about proud to be an American. How can anyone willingly support a country that condones mass genocide?" Say what!!!! The US condones mass genocide, since when!"

Jacquie Crahalla's comment couldn't have been timed better. I have been thinking about the sad state of the Republican Party for quite some time now, and Jacquie chose today to write about how one of my writers was taking pot shots at Republicans that she wouldn't take at the Dems. As for that, Jacquie I couldn't disagree more. Margaret Gibbons is an equal opportunity basher. It just so happens the Republican Party deserves it right now. What the heck is going on with the county leadership?
It's time to clean house folks. Republicans unite, before it's too late.
Ken Davis has to go. Period. I'm sure Bob Kerns is waiting in the wings somewhere. Let's give him a chance.
You know what they say, if there's an appearance of conflict of interest, there's a conflict of interest.
I know the county lobbying contract was taken from Davis, but you do realize Davis still holds the contract for Montgomery County Community College, right? And you do know who appoints the board of the college, right? If not I'll tell you, the county commissioners appoint the board.
And what in the world really happened at the county Republican convention? How did Jim Matthews walk away with the endorsement along with Bruce Castor? Matthews didn't really have anyone to run with since there wasn't a snowballs chance in pergatory that Ellis would get re-elected. Castor hand picked a running mate that had great name recognition and actually had a chance of fending off the formidable duo of Ruth Damsker and Joe Hoeffel.
So what happens? Matthews is paired with Castor? Talk about mixing oil with water.
This is just the tip of the iceberg folks. Stay tuned.