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Monday, March 31, 2008

GOP leader donates to a Democrat?

Only in Montgomery County can a candidate for Republican Party county chairman donate money to a Democratic Party candidate.

Montgomery County-based blogger Bill Shaw reveals at Writemarsh that Jim Vlahos, the Pottstown-area GOP leader who wants to be the next Montgomery County Republican Committee chairman, donated $250 to Michael Nutter, the Democrat who won the 2007 race for Philadelphia mayor.

Two questions immediately come to mind. Why would a Pottstown-area resident donate money to a Philadelphia mayoral candidate? And why would a Republican leader donate money to a Democratic candidate?

Vlahos has a lot of explaining to do to the GOP committee members who will be picking he next party chairman.

Here's what Bill Shaw has to say about Vlahos:
Now, I believe that every American has the right to do with their money what they please. But let's be serious, folks. I truly question his wisdom in doing this and then wanting to run for Chairman of the Republican Party. Also, one of our own MCRC bylaws strictly prohibits us from helping anyone outside of the Republican Party in their elections.

"What a great example for county leadership - I'll help Republicans when it's convenient. Otherwise, everybody is fair game. We've had to suffer 4 years of a chairman whose loyalties have been questioned because of his lobbying business and his need to keep good relationships with the democrats. Do we want more of the same?"
The other announced candidate for Montgomery County chairman is Bob Kerns, whom Shaw is supporting:
"Kerns, on the other hand, is pure Republican. He has no business or political ties to the Democratic Party."
The Republican Party has been on a death march under the current leadership of Chairman Ken Davis, Bob Asher and Jim Matthews.

Davis, a longtime foe of Bob Kerns, hasn't publicly endorsed a successor, but it's pretty clear he won't be backing Kerns, who has vowed the unify the party after four years of dissension under Davis.

Montgomery County GOP leaders must choose wisely in May or there will be no Republican Party left to lead.

6 comments:

Julian Stolz said...

Bobby Asher's PA Future Fund donated to Nutter too.

Anonymous said...

Hey Tony,

Who is Bill Shaw? Why is what he has to say important?

Was the following comment verified as fact?:
"Kerns, on the other hand, is pure Republican. He has no business or political ties to the Democratic Party."

Oops!
Also, I never once seen you at any Montco Republican meetings or fundraisers?

Bill Shaw said...

Anonymous,

To answer your questions:

1) I am Bill Shaw.

2) It's not that what I have to say is important, but what is important is the fact that I am willing to put my neck out there to express my opinions, rather than hide under an alias or remain "anonymous" to do so.

3) I've known Bob Kerns for quite some time now. In the time I have known him, he has only given money to Republican causes.

4) I'm sure that Tony doesn't attend political functions because he is a professional journalist. His job is to cover these events. If he ever runs for office, I'm sure he'll attend an event or two.

Satisfied?

your Friend,

Bill "a Legend in his own mind" Shaw

TONY PHYRILLAS said...

As you can see, Bill Shaw can defend himself. As of the question from the anonymous reader about why he or she has never seen me at any Montco Republican meetings or fundraisers, my response would be, "so what?" What does attending party functions have to do with anything? I'm not a member of the Montgomery County Republican Committee. I don't have to be a political donor to want good government. I've never contributed to any political party. I support the best candidates, not the people party bosses want me to support.

Bill Shaw said...

True dat, T...True dat.

B.

Anonymous said...

so long as it's a republican