Dems to rally against lawmaker's 'treason' (Pennsylvania)

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | 12/31/06 | Don Hopey

[LdSentinal]

State Democrats, still hung over from Republican maneuvering that may continue Rep. John Perzel's hold on the House speaker's chair, will hold rallies today in Reading and tomorrow in Harrisburg to highlight what they're calling the "political treason" of one of their own.

The rallies are billed as a show of "support for the will of the voters" by state Democratic Party Chairman T.J. Rooney, who called on Rep. Tom Caltagirone, a Reading Democrat, to vote for Greene County Democrat H. William DeWeese as speaker or resign.

Mr. Caltagirone announced over the weekend that he will support Mr. Perzel, a Republican who has held the speaker's gavel since March 2003, instead of Mr. DeWeese, whom he characterized as "petty" and "vindictive" in a letter he sent to fellow House Democrats.

"Caltagirone sold out to Perzel and the House Republicans," Mr. Rooney said. "He now has two options: He should remain in the Democratic fold, or resign his seat immediately and switch his political affiliation to Republican -- which he in essence has done with this decision -- and run for the seat during a special election."

If Mr. Perzel holds onto all 101 Republicans in the House and gets Mr. Caltagirone's vote, he would win the speaker's job by a 102-101 vote tomorrow, the opening day of the 2007-08 legislative session.

Democrats will be joined for the 3 p.m. rally today at Mr. Caltagirone's district office by members of the Service Employees International Union, said Abe Amoros, a Democratic Party spokesman.

"This was nothing short of political treason to really thwart the will of the people," Mr. Amoros said, adding that in 2006 state House and Senate elections Democrats received 200,000 more votes than Republicans did. "Mr. Caltagirone and the Republicans are thumbing their noses at the electorate."

[LdSentinal]

He now has two options: He should remain in the Democratic fold, or resign his seat immediately and switch his political affiliation to Republican -- which he in essence has done with this decision -- and run for the seat during a special election."

Rooney forgot a third option. Caltagirone can switch parties and become a Republican without resigning.

[doug from upland]

I have no doubt that these guys were cheering Jumpin' Jim Jeffords a few years ago.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I hope this courageous gentleman has bodyguards. 'Rats suffering from BDS and RDS might try to stop the gentleman from breathing.

[rabscuttle385]

I sense that the 'Rats are disturbed now that they must taste their own medicine.

[Ikemeister]

Doesn't matter, here in PA, all politicans are crooks regardless of party.

[Eagles6]

Unfortunately I have seen little difference between repubs and dems here in PA. The voters threw out Rick Santorum and snubbed Diana Irey, the only politicians in this state with any backbone and conviction.

[AndyTheBear]

This Rooney character needs some basic civics training.
The "will of the people" is expressed in voting for a Representative, not in blanket support of a specific political party.

[lonster]

dems rally against treason?? is this the onion or something???

[lonster]

it's only the will of the people when dems win, otherwise is that eeeeevile diebold company with money from haliburton delivered by karl rove in an s.u.v.

[skr]

Well said

[Lunatic Fringe]

The rallies are billed as a show of "support for the will of the voters"

The voters had their say. They have no say in who is Speaker or Committee chairs, etc.

In fact, I think I recall that in the U.S. Congress (yes, I know this is the statehouse-- I'm using this as an example) the Speaker of the House need not be a House Member.

[hnj_00]

when jeffors did this in the US senate....the lib/dems were all for it...now that the shoe is on the other foot...the lib/dems run to the courts!!!!

[VanB]

Why is it when Dem's get a one vote majority they have a mandate to do everything in their platform without opposition? But if the Republican's hold the House, Senate and the Presidency they don't have a mandate and need to work with the Dem's in a bipartisan manner. Dem's have to be the most self important people who have ever walked the Earth.

[DWPittelli]

Can you imagine an MSM source using "Treason" in a headline against Jeffords? It would be denounced the width and breadth of the nation, as would any Congressman using the same sort of "hate speech."

[weegee]

Only DUmbcRats would be nasty enough to say voting Republican is "treasonous" and expect legal action.

They put party before country every time and yes I DO question their patriotism.

[jmaroneps37]

Dennis O'Brien is new Pa. House speaker; Perzel is out
1/2/2007, 1:56 p.m. ET
By MARK SCOLFORO
The Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Newly seated members of the state House of Representatives, in a surprising turn of events, replaced Speaker John Perzel with another Philadelphia Republican, Dennis M. O'Brien, after Democrats were unable to maintain unity in their fragile majority.