June 24, 2003
...on Wesley Clark, Candidate?
Former NATO Commander Wesley Clark refuses either to jump into the Democratic race or to rule out a bid, and he clearly isn't crawling off of the national scene.
Clark showed his first partisan activity recently when he spoke at a Women's Leadership Forum of the Democratic National Committee event on June 16. The gathering, described by one insider not as a "fund raiser" but as a "donor servicing event" for existing contributors, took place at the offices of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, a New York City law firm.
At the event, Clark talked exclusively about foreign policy, often criticizing President Bush. Perhaps most interesting, however, the General still did not indicate he is a Democrat. "Basically, he said that he was not a Republican," chuckled one knowledgeable source.
In some ways, Clark appears to be the new Ross Perot, not the new John McCain. And in a few months, the General's new book, Winning Modern Wars: Iraq, Terrorism and the American Empire, is scheduled to be published. You can count on him soaking up another round of publicity then.
...on Pennsylvania 13
Democratic Cong. Joe Hoeffel's Senate candidacy is certain to create a slugfest in a Democratic-leaning but competitive Southeastern Pennsylvania district.
On the GOP side, Dr. Melissa Brown, who ran for Congress in 1998 (unsuccessfully in the primary) and 2002, will run once again. She drew 47% last time against Hoeffel in spending $1.8 million on her bid.
Former two-term Congressman Jon Fox, who lost to Hoeffel in 1998, is also considering a comeback bid. But Fox was widely criticized for his previous campaigns, and his political success was tied to the strength of the Montgomery County GOP, not to his own campaign skills.
State Rep. Ellen Bard, who was first elected to the Legislature in 1994, entered the race before Hoeffel announced his intentions to run statewide. Insiders raise questions about her ability to raise money. Another state representative, Denny O'Brien, has also been mentioned as a prospective candidate. O'Brien, from Philadelphia, chairs the House Judiciary Committee. He has been in the Legislature since 1983.
Al Taubenberger, 49, who drew 45% in a losing challenge to Brown in the 2002 Republican primary, is also looking at the race. He has a Northeast Philadelphia base. A former aide to Cong. Charles Dougherty (R), he is the head of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.
Another previous candidate, Joe McColgan, is considering the race. McColgan drew 41% in 1990 and 31% in 1996 as the GOP nominee against Democrat Bob Borski.
Also mentioned as potentially interested is Montgomery County Commissioner Jim Matthews. Matthews, in his mid-50s, was floated as a possible lieutenant governor nominee, and he is the brother of TV show host/political commentator Chris Matthews.
On the Democratic side, at least six names popped up immediately: former Hoeffel chief of staff Joshua Shapiro, former Congressman Borski, Philadelphia City Manager Joe Martz, Philadelphia City Controller Jonathan Saidel, state Rep. Mark Cohen and trade association activist Ross Schriftman.
Borski opted against running for reelection last time when his district and Hoeffel's were combined. Shapiro, who is only 30 years old, returned to the district after leaving Hoeffel's office. Cohen is from Philadelphia and serves as the Democrats' Caucus Chairman in the state House. He has served in that body for almost 30 years - since 1974.
The district is split almost evenly between Montgomery County, a wealthy suburban enclave that was once solidly Republican but is now a swing area, and the city of Philadelphia, which is more working class and traditionally Democratic. Montgomery accounted for over 57% of the votes cast in the 2000 Presidential race, a reflection of the higher turnout in the suburbs.
Republican map-makers in the state Legislature drew this district in the hope that Democrats would nominate a Philadelphia candidate who wouldn't sell well in the suburbs. But Hoeffel, who represented part of Montgomery before redistricting, was the 2002 Democratic nominee and was able to hold onto the seat. The open seat, then, creates renewed questions about the district.
Republicans are hoping that businessman Sam Katz (R) will upset incumbent Philadelphia Mayor John Street (D) this November, giving him an opportunity to help the GOP Congressional nominee in the 13th C.D. next year.
Keep your eye on this district. The Democrats begin with an edge, but they certainly can't take it for granted.