Posted on 10/30/2009 11:20:00 AM PDT by Willie Green
He may have been starry-eyed, but he wasn't a fool.
Carl Romanelli, a divorced father of two grown sons from Wilkes-Barre, knew that as the Green Party candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2006, he'd have a hard time beating the big boys in the race: Republican incumbent Rick Santorum and Democrat Bob Casey. But he hoped to focus on his issues: an end to the Iraq war, health insurance, the rights of women and gays.
He did not foresee that, first, he'd get knocked off the ballot and, three years later, both he and his lawyer would be facing a $80,407 bill for the expenses incurred by foes who challenged Romanelli's nominating petition.
An election expert says this is only the second time in U.S. history that a candidate has been assessed the cost of efforts to remove him from a ballot.
After lengthy appeals, Romanelli may have run out of options. The state Supreme Court refused on Oct. 17 to reopen the case and ordered him to pay immediately.
Romanelli, 50, who works in the office at a locomotive repair shop, said his experience should make anyone think twice about running for office.
He doesn't know how he'll pay, he said:
"I make about $40,000 a year. I don't own a home. I don't have stocks and bonds. I still owe money on my car."
(Excerpt) Read more at philly.com ...
If you want to play the game it's frequently helpful to read the rule book before you pony up your ante.
I don't feel sorry for this guy at all.
L
More importantly: Is it pronounced Wilkes-Bare or Wilkes-Barrie?
This is a classic Obama ploy — one he used successfully to remove all opposition against him before he ran for President, except for Alan Keyes’ quixotic attempt in the US Senate race.
As you know, Pa. makes it very hard for third party candidates to get on the ballot. I don’t expect that to change any time soon.
The Republicans supposedly helped him to get on the ballot. However, after that they left him alone.
Don't dish the Two Parties when only one of them is acting like a bully.
Given his politics and potential to siphon off Dem votes, we know who is responsible for his woes.
This is tyranny.
Let’s see -
He’s 50 years old.
He makes about $40,000 a year.
He doesn’t own a home.
He doesn’t have stocks and bonds.
He still owes money on his car.
- Yep, he’s a loser.
In July 2008, not quite two years after the Senate election - which Casey won - Romanelli woke up to a story in the newspapers that stunned him.
The state Attorney General’s Office, in the Bonusgate indictments, had charged several Democratic employees of the state House with doing political work on government time. Some of that political work allegedly had been identifying bad signatures on Romanelli’s petition.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus
Wilkes-Bar
When I was up there, I heard it as Wilkes-”Berry.” I never heard it as -”Bar.”
I don’t support Mr. Romanelli’s politics, but something is definitely wrong when an average Joe Citizen can be bankrupted by the parties in power for wanting to stand-up and make a run for office.
More importantly: Is it pronounced Wilkes-Bare or Wilkes-Barrie?
In NE Pennsylvania, it's pronounced "anthracite".
In SW Pennsylvania, we call it "bituminous".
I was in USAREC for 18 months, assigned to the Phila. RMS. Got detailed up to northern Pa. for 6 mos. Lived in Wilkes-Barre. That’s what the locals I knew called it.
It’s pronounced: “Louisville”.
Well, there you go.
It’s pronounced “LEW-zer.”
The Green Party Candidate had one purpose, pull enough votes away from the Republican to ensure a Democratic victory, similar to the New Jersey race.
Green Party does not pull off would be Republican votes; now the Constitution Party and Libertarian Party might, but not the Greens. Greens are for people who think the Dems are not left enough.
The Green Party Candidate had one purpose, pull enough votes away from the Republican to ensure a Democratic victory, similar to the New Jersey race
In the real world, it can be pretty difficult to distinguish any difference between a 'Rat and a RINO.
But at least in theory, I think you got the two mixed up and reversed.
Yep, us old geezers do occasionally, I noticed as soon as I clicked the post button.
Barrie to me nearby.
It’s an attempt by the democRATS to discourage leftist 3rd parties from diluting their votes.
I still blame Mike Ditka for the Yo-bama presidency.
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