Pennsylvania Governor Schweiker Shows Republicans How to be a Leader

Republican Governor's Association ^ | today | HighWheeler

[Fintan]

Too bad Rendell will probably win the next election.

Unless, of course, we vote.

[Temple Owl]

He decided to put his family first. No, it is too late for him to change his mind to run for Governor ( he took over when Ridge went to Washington), but maybe, hopefully, he will, in the future run for U.S. Senator to take Wishy Washy Specters seat, With Schweiker and Santorum, Pennsylvania would have to the two best senators in the country.

State Attorney General Mike Fisher is trailing Ed Rendell by double digits in the race for governor, but the GOP has yet to launch a campaign. Hopefully things will change once the Republicans decide to spend some campaign money.

[Spyder]

I saw people on another website last night whining that he was only active at the mine for political reasons, that he was so transparent, etc., etc. The posters ate their words pretty quickly when someone set them straight that he wasn't even running for governor, hence his motives had nothing to do with getting his face out in front of the cameras.

[Redleg Duke]

My congrats! It take a real jerk to come up with a negative comment during a moment of triumph.

Yo moma mus' be so proud a ya!

[Fracas]

In Philadelphia, they'll vote till they get Rendell elected.

[Temple Owl]

TERM LIMITS!!!!!!

[Symix]

I don't care if they were b(B)lack - the history will be rewritten to serve the media purpose.

[Pining_4_TX]

How about a little more cold water? Why was the governor there? He has no expertise in this matter. The people in charge of the rescue could have spoken to the press as easily as the gov did. Doesn't he have a state to run? Or is it that every politician sees what an opportunity a tragedy gives to a political career if one can insinuate oneself into the situation? Sorry, but I guess I just don't see what he did except to grandstand. He could have been as supportive from his office where his job is.

[USMA '71]

I live in PA and this was nothing more than typical political grandstanding. Schweiker knows nothing about mining - he was simply in front of the cameras for face time. Why wasn't the president of the mining company allowed to take the lead? His ass would have been the one receiving all the blame if the miners had died - why shouldn't he have been the guy dealing with the media all along???

Besides, Schweiker is as Socialist! He stands no more for conservative Republican ideas than Bill Clinton did. I can't wait for him to go. At least I expect Rendell to be a leftist - and I'm sure he won't let me down.

[Symix]

>Republican Leader = oxyomoron

We know that the Democrats' Leaders are there to destroy America - we don't even argue the fact.

It stands to reason that those who oppose them are patriots and fight against evil - so the Republicans should be just that. Taking this premise further one would start looking for the courageous Republican Leaders - but... there is none - at least not at the top, known to the public.

There is this shady crowd in the Congress we call Republicans that consistantly vote more Democratic than even the Democrats. Take the Trafficant case - how could ALL Republicans vote to expel him? Not because of the accusations - they are all guilty of much greater sins. Is it because he was too LOUD and could expose EVERY member of the Congress?

There is only one courageous Republican Leader who stands for something - Alan Keyes, a two-times Presidential candidate- but apparently he scare Republicans even more then Democrats - how come Bush does not invite his talents?
I bet he would be the real Secretary of State!

[cva66snipe]

He could have been as supportive from his office where his job is.

It was his responsibility to be there if he could help. As governor and on site he could cut through the chase and get such matters as equipment and assistance on site faster. Communication direct communications in a resuce operation is necessary. The longer you have to wait for info to be channeled through the chain of command or political chain the longer it takes to see results. He knew first hand on site what was happening and could respond quickly to coordinate solving logistical problems like other agencies response.

As well there were federal officals involved and many state agencies. I salute him for not hiding behind the desk and taking charge for the better or worse as so few elected are willing to do these days. Keep in mind had it been a failure it would as well have reflected on him. Or he could have stayed home risking no personal or political damage from it at all.

[HighWheeler]

Your post reminded me of the last major screwup by a leader trying to run operations from his desk. It was Carter trying to run the hostage rescue in 1980. The entire operation was completely his fault, down to HIS selection of helos. He also insisted on approving every minor thing in real time, causing a major communication bottleneck and delaying the start. What an idiot.

[Redleg Duke]

Obviously you have never been a commander or if you had, you must have slept through the leadership instruction.

A good commander is there, if for no other reason that to show the troops he is there. You obviiously have a real problem with this guy in particular and Republicans in general. I am sure that if Clinton had been there, you would have thought that entirely appropriate and inspiring.

Face it, Junior! You just don't get it!

[Kaslin]

You know the old joke. Politicians are like bananas. They start out green, eventually turn yellow, and if they hang around long enough, they all go rotten.

That's why in general I never vote for anyone more then twice

[Miss Marple]

The Fire Chief of Sipesville in two separate interviews yesterday said that if it weren't for the work of two memn they would not have been able to rescue the miners, because they did not have the resources to coordinate such a massive rescue.

The two men he credited were Governor Schweiker and President Bush.

Governor Schweiker was there both for moral support and to coordinate things with the feds, including cutting red tape and calling federal agencies to request things like the navy rescue team. President Bush gave the ok to pump the water from the mine directly into the creek, sent the helicopters for transportation and medical evacuation, waived permits for heavy equipment transport, etc.

Governor Schweiker was appreciated by the people in the area. He always credited the actual rescuers. I also saw the mine spokesman on TV quite a bit, although at times he was so upset he couldn't talk much.

Schweiker is not running for any elective office; he is returning to private life. In my opinion he unified and encouraged the effort, as well as doing a lot of plain old paperwork stuff. The Fire Chief was quite inpressed with a governor who would wade through the slurry, jump up on drill rigs, and ask questions. He thought the governor was great, and so do I.

[Pining_4_TX]

Hey, I can accept your disagreement with my opinion. That's what FR is all about. But don't accuse me of being a Dem or a Clinton fan. It shows you know nothing about me.

Oh, and thanks for calling me junior. Nobody's called me that in many years. :)

[Redleg Duke]

My pleasure. Always glad to make someone happy.