Just ask Bill DeWeese and John Perzel.
DeWeese, the House Democratic leader on the verge of leading his flock of 101 colleagues out of 12 years in minority exile, was elated when Barbara McIlvaine Smith won a Chester County race to give Democrats a one-seat majority.
Though an effective minority leader, DeWeese's use -- some might say abuse -- of perks, committee assignments and money had earned the enmity of many of his colleagues.
As I wrote last night, DeWeese was impressive. I have a new respect for him.
Re: Humbled DeWeese trumped GOP's Perzel
Yeah, I have a lot of respect for what DeWeese did. No matter what level of egotism one has, it’s still hard to set aside your own personal ambitions for the common good.
On another note, we Dems often decry the lack of discipline in Democratic ranks, but the things DeWeese did and does are the kind of things that have to be done to enforce party discipline.
When Dems acheive unity, we’re happy, but like sausage and lawmaking, we don’t like to see or know the process that produces what we like.
Thoughts on Yesterday
First, let’s establish a few truths. For all intents and purposes, this is still Bill DeWeese’s House. He’s the Majority Leader and his party controls the committees. Asked yesterday why the elixir of Dennis O’Brien was needed, many Dems responded that the votes for DeWeese simply weren’t there. So, wily southeastern Dems progressed to Plan B: a RINO speaker. At the post-theatrical press conference, O’Brien essentially promised Rendell and DeWeese enactment of their legislative agenda, while dancing around the question of party affiliation. For many Republicans, this is akin to handing Arlen Specter the Speaker’s gavel: you hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Regardless, DeWeese still rules the floor. It just so happens that he won’t preside from the rostrum. DeWeese’s “graceful” acceptance of reality is a bit overblown. On another note, unless Republicans are able to flip a few Dems, Perzel’s leadership career is over. This would be to the betterment of the party, to be sure.
Re: Thoughts on Yesterday
Yes, Perzel’s comments about being elected to serve a two year
term indicate to me this may be his last term. I think it says a lot that the House Rs did not reorganize themselves, thus leaving Perzel out in the cold. The NE Philly Times should have
several stories about this which I will post when it comes
on line.
The Dems have the majority and as we know, “to the victors go the spoils”.
Re: Thoughts on Yesterday
“‘The voters of the 172d District elected me to a two-year term,’ [Perzel] said of his November reelection. He would not elaborate.”
That’s not even a statement of intent to serve the full term.
Re: Perzel
I really cannot see Perzel resigning. What will be interesting to follow is the fate of Perzel-engineered state takeover of the PPA. I wonder how long it will take for Dems to offer a bill to return it to the city. I can’t imagine anyone outside of the Philadelphia GOP cares about the Parking Authority.
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