Berks Democrats

End of Blog

Berks Democrats is ending.  This is a sub publication of my state and national blog which has been shut down by a local Obama supporter and Democratic Committee woman.  It will remain public for a short time, as will The Pennsylvania Progressive as legal issues get resolved.  The two blogs are now involved in several legal aspects including copyright infringement and plagiarism by the Obama campaign.

I was in the process of deciding whether to continue The Pennsylvania Progressive, our only statewide Democratic blog, when IBEW strong arm tactics made it for me Friday evening.  Nothing like giving someone a table then telling them they aren't good enough to sit there.  Good thinking Mel.  I've had it with the Democratic Party.  I have to remain a Committeeman for legal standing then I'm finished.

Mayor Caught Stealing Hillary Sign

Reading Mayor Tom McMahon, an avid Obama supporter, was caught today trying to have city workers steal the large Hillary sign outside 645 Penn Street.  The 4 x 8 foot sign was on private property belonging to the company which owns the building.  Fortunately a Hillary staffer caught him and saved the $500 sign.

The actions by local Obama supporter are completely crazy.  Between slashed tires, bogus complaints, defamatory emails and stolen signs people are afraid of these lunatics and worried by what they are capable of doing.  Obama volunteers have been observed screaming at undecided voters outside their headquarters office.

Update:  The Mayor denies having anything whatsoever to do with City employees suddenly claiming the space where a year ago it was OK for his sign to stand is now City property (it isn't).  Sure, and I'm a turnip that just fell off the truck.  He said I should call him nest time.  Want to know why I didn't file a police report after the tire slashing?   I figured it would be a waste of time.  Where were the phone calls from those Obama supporters claiming I was being paid to blog for Hillary?  You can't change a street from one way to two way because it suits you.

Political Spy Caught In Act

Who was that person caught recently spying on the Hillary for President office?  They must have a lot of volunteers available if they can park someone along Penn Street to keep an eye on the comings and goings at 645.  Now we know how tires get slashed.  No sense going to the police folks as this is the guy who is in charge of them.

Photos From Bill Clinton Event

Below are some of the pictures taken by Albright's John Robert Pankratz.  The entire series is available at his website.

Berks for Hillary Has Open House

The Hillary for President local staff held an open house Wednesday at their office, 645 Penn Street.  The five Berks County staffers discussed phone banking, canvassing and get out the vote operations to about 33 volunteers.  They are looking for additional volunteers to help between now and election day.

Hillary Office Open House

Hillary's local campaign is hosting an open house this evening at their office.  The event begins at 5:30 pm at 645 Penn Street.  If you are supporting Hillary Clinton and/or want to volunteer this is an opportunity to meet her local field staff.  RSVP to 610-396-1405 or email berks@hillaryclinton.com.

Chris Dodd at RACC Sunday

Sen. Chris Dodd, a former presidential candidate, will speak at Reading Area Community College Sunday in an Urban Town Hall for Barack Obama.  The event is at the new Miller Center at 6:30 pm.

Rendell To Highlight Spring Fling

Governor Ed Rendell has announced he will attend the Spring Fling on April 19th at The Riveredge.  The Guv said this will be one of only two County Committee dinners he will attend this spring.  He will attend in support of New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Rumor: Why Barack Obama is not coming to Reading

According to sources, after high raking members of the Obama campaign became "aware" of an anti Hillary Clinton blog created by the local Berks for Obama group. They went into damage control mode and decided to try and distance themselves from the local group, and not reward them for actions the campaign does not condone.

Now the question becomes, what was in the blog that caused the Obama campaign to back away from the local group? While this blogger was not given specifics, a quick look at some of the postings might give us a clue. For example: The blog linked to a website created by the same people that created the Swift Boat Vets website to attack Hillary. The blog has a posting that 70 to 80 percent of the electorate is to ignorant to be allowed to vote. My favorite is this statement from one of the founders of the blog:

"I always thought there was some dishonesty when Hillary moved to New York State just so she could run for the open Senate seat. It’s Cheney like behavior and very calculating."

Actually it's more like RFK behavior. RFK moved to New York to successfully run for the US Senate which helped launch his run for the presidency a few years later.

I could go on and on with examples, but I don't want to further embarrass the local Obama group.

Of course if Obama does come to Reading. It means that either this rumor is false or the Obama campaign does not care what tactics it supporters use to attack Hillary.

Bill Clinton's Visit

I attended two of Bill Clinton's events yesterday.  People lined up in the rain with their umbrellas to attend the Reading event at Albright College and seemed excited one of the campaigns had arrived. The President arrived about ons chedule and spent time in some meetings while the 2,000 people awaited and began chanting "We want Bill" just as he took the stage with Rep. Thomas Caltagirone and Gov. Edward Rendell.

The former President spoke about how well qualified he feels his wife is and what it means to elect Hillary this year.  He spoke positively and articulated many significant facts comparing the Bush record with the condition of the country when he left office.  I thought he made a very good case for his wife and I expect Sen. Obama will make an equally compelling case he should be the nominee.

I enjoyed the fact that President Clinton didn't tear down his wife's opponent but lifted her status by speaking about why he feels she is better qualified.  I think the voters are tired of the bashing back and forth and want these two contenders to focus on attacking George W. Bush and John W. McCain rather than one another.  Democrats want to see a candidate who they feel is willing and able to attack the failed policies of these eight years and criticize the GOP nominee for his support of those policies.

Democrats in Pennsylvania are excited about this race and another nice crowd gathered at Dickinson's Kline gym to listen to Bill Clinton on the third leg of his tour (it began in Pottstown).  I arrived in Carlisle just after he began speaking and enjoyed listening and watching how that crowd reacted to his words.    Each time Clinton spoke about key issues like energy and health care he spoke eloquently about why these issues are important and how to find solid solutions.

The motorcade passed me on I-81 shortly after I began my return drive and headed to Lewistown and State College.   I'm not sure what time he finally finished at Penn State's Rec Hall but I imagine it was late.  The number of young people attending at Albright and Dickinson was encouraging and they seemed genuinely excited to have Bill Clinton on their campuses.  They turned out and are participating in the process and that's always good.  Dickinson saw a handful of Obama students holding a sign at the back of the gym after the event to provide some visibility for their candidate.

This is Commissioner Kevin Barnhardt meeting the President:

State Representaive Tom Caltagirone:
Coroner Dennis Hess with Gov. Rendell: