Wow – Shapiro’s a big name to be calling for DeWeese to step down. I thought August would be quiet but it looks like things are still heating up.
Pronouncing him a political liability who could cost the Democrats control of the state House this fall, state Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, has called on embattled state House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese to give up his leadership post.Shapiro, 38, of suburban Abington, considered one of the party’s rising stars, has become the fifth House Democrat to call on DeWeese to step aside as a result of the burgeoning scandal known as “Bonusgate.”
“We need a break with the past…with the old and accepted way of thinking….and commitment to change ourselves so we can enact real change for the people of Pennsylvania,” Shapiro said at a Capitol news conference. “I am convinced that Bill DeWeese, even if he wanted to, is incapable of directing, orchestrating and choreographing that fundamental change.”
Shapiro
I like Shapiro a lot, but this smacks of 100% self-interest. After all, who else would be the choice to replace DeWeese but Josh himself?
pd
Maybe not
I think it would be prudent for DeWeese to resign his leadership position – he is dragging down the caucus and they need to purge themselves of the bad blood. That said, it does sound like self interest when Josh gives a presser about it.
DeWeese has been dragging down the caucus for over a dozen years
He will only go when the a majority of the caucus feels that they can safely oppose him without fear of retribution.
Fair enough
You’re probably right about DeWeese, but Shapiro probably was wrong in his approach to it, too. IMHO, the best course would be to get the guv in on things behind the scenes. He can be very persuasive and probably assure the best outcome for all concerned.
pd
The Right Thing To Do
Thank goodness that Josh Shapiro has the backbone to do this. This is the right thing to do. Getting the Governor involved is not a good idea – separation of powers issues, and whoever replaces DeWeese should be someone who is viewed as independent of the Governor, as the General Assembly should be.
Could there be self-interest here? Possibly. But good things should happen to people who do the right thing and exhibit both courage and a fiery desire to promote the public interest over the personal interests of a corrupt or incompetent (take your choice) politician who has been in office far too long.
Now, if only someone would have the courage to introduce a resolution of censure of Representative Darryl Metcalfe for his flouting on the floor of the House the Pennsylvania Constitution’s guaranty of freedom of religous conscience, which Metcalfe believes should not extend to Muslims or Jews. Where is the outrage?
Post new comment