I’m not too surprised about this; DeWeese is a survivor. I guess my only question to House Democrats is – after all that’s happened over the past year, didn’t you think that maybe new leadership was necessary?
State Rep. Bill DeWeese of Waynesburg will remain as head of the 102 House Democrats, despite some questions about his leadership ability, a bonus investigation hanging over the House and a lack of progress in moving Gov. Ed Rendell’s political agenda forward.House Democrats met for several hours at a suburban Harrisburg hotel yesterday to discuss how to proceed on substantive issues — health care, energy, open records, property tax relief — as well as to air concerns about Mr. DeWeese’s leadership style.
After the session broke up about 5:30 p.m., most of the Democrats bolted out of the closed-door caucus at the Radisson Hotel in Camp Hill without talking to reporters, except to say that Mr. DeWeese would remain as their leader. Mr. DeWeese remained in the room, which reporters weren’t allowed to enter, and was unavailable for comment.
“Bill made his case as to why he thinks he’ll prevail [as leader],” said Rep. David Levdansky, D-Forward. “Some members said don’t change course, don’t capitulate, don’t change horses in midstream.”
Democratic Leadership
Keeping DeWeese as their leader they have taken another backward. Both DeWeese and Perzel must go before real change for the good of the State of Pennsylvania begins.
Amen, Amen
I have been saying this for over two years. There may be more chance next year with the Republicans. So far 11 Republicans are retiring. Combine this with the 25 or so freshmen this year and you have a sizable block post pay raise. Add to that the usual discontents, defeats … and it may happen, IF people give them a little nudge.
Where have all the true lib's gone.
We need to get rid of the turncoat, H.William Deweese.He has gone so far right of center he makes Mit Romney look like a good democrat.
As normal House Democrats
As normal House Democrats unable to think for them selves.Life is to short,if you have a problem get rid of it.Your ability to govern is being held hostage by your enability to toss the BUM out. Dewesse must step down so rational well minded people can run our government,that we all deserve regardless of party.
The only thing that saves them
The only thing that will save the Democrats is that the Republicans are just as insensitve to the same issues.
Demote DeWeese
The following letter was printed in the Philly Daily News.
“Printed 29 August 2005 – More on the Harrisburg pay raises
THE WAY that the state legislative pay increase was slammed through shows a leadership that is insensitive to both the desires of their rank and file and even worse, the people who elected them. Legislators need to remember that they report to the people of their districts, not the legislative leaders or the governor.
Demoting 15 Democratic subcommittee chairmen who voted against the raise and promoting 15 who voted for the pay raise may be legal and business as usual, but it stinks to high heaven.
Even going with minority leader Bill DeWeese’s explanation that it is to reward those who voted the way the leadership and the governor wanted, it still seems undemocratic.
The Democratic rank and file should insist on another demotion – of minority leader DeWeese. If they don’t stop the leadership, which one of them will be next on the block for standing with their conscience or their constituents?
Sincerely,Paul E. Moore”
I sent a copy of it to most of the rank and file Democrats.
If they had done what they should have in ’05, the Democrats would be in mutch better shape.
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