Which Pennsylvania politician had the worst year ever in 2007? Take a second and vote in the poll at the top left of this page. You have four choices, listed in alphabetical order:
1) Democratic House Majority Leader Rep. Bill DeWeese, embroiled in scandal throughout 2007, the biggest of which is "Bonusgate," in which state employees sent time working on political campaigns while collecting paychecks from taxpayers. Current and former Democratic legislative leaders are facing criminal indictments in 2008 over the incident. DeWeese could be the biggest fish snared by the attorney general. When he wasn't answering questions about "Bonusgate," DeWeese proved to be the most incompetent political leader Pennsylvania has had in decades.
2) Sen. Vince Fumo is facing a 139-count federal indictment for fraud and corruption, centered on $1 million in taxpayer money he allegedly used for personal gain. He had enough pull to get this trial moved back beyond the April 22 primary, but he is facing a strong challenge from a reform candidate, Anne Dicker
3) The most powerful politician in Pennsylvania in 2006, Rep. John Perzel was ousted as Speaker of the House in January largely by a revolt from his own Republican House members. He was given the title of "speaker emeritus" but Perzel lost most of his influence in 2007. His hopes for the governor's office in 2010 were also dashed.
4) Gov. Ed Rendell came off a landslide re-election victory in 2006, but lost his political magic in 2007. The lame duck governor has been unable to get any of his initiatives past the Legislature even though Democrats now control the House. Revelations about mismanagement and waste in state agencies are coming out daily. Rendell had to return money from indicted Democratic fund-raiser Norman Hsu. And Rendell has been tabloid fodder over his relationship with a blonde lobbyist for the film industry and out-of-control anchorwoman Alycia Lane.
I have my picks, which I will share with you later in the week.
No comments:
Post a Comment