As the incomparable Robert Byrd would say: “Shame!”
You knew this was coming: When State Rep. Tony Payton Jr. challenged the Democratic Party establishment two years ago — and had to go to court to win the 179th Legislative District over Emilio Vazquez, the party-backed candidate who had been forced to wage a write-in campaign — we knew the party would return for Payton’s head. On Saturday the party endorsed newcomer Guy D. Lewis to challenge Payton, identified in Lewis’ press release as “the incumbent,” in the May primary.
it is a shame
It’s a damn shame Greg. I’ve had several occasions to speak with Tony one on one and find him to be one of the great hopes that the party has. He’s not only a good person, but his views are dead on for the progressives looking for young leadership at this point. Open government, free college education for anybody in PA admitted to a state university, improved education… and the party in Philly just wants to teach him a lesson: get in line and be a good little boy.
I have no doubt that his opponent is a decent fellow, but I’m also completely convinced that he would be totally accountable to the ward leaders in his district, not to the voters themselves. And that’s a shame.
LV
When will they learn?
Do you think these sort of tactics are on their way out the door, LV? I have a feeling that they are; the younger generation, including folks like Josh Shapiro, seem to find this sort of distasteful.
—Greg
not sure
I think these tactics are alive and well in Philly especially. I’ll be interested to see if people like Nutter and Shapiro come to Payton’s aid. If they don’t I think that will be telling. Should point out that Rendell is backing Payton.
LV
Josh Shapiro represents a suburban district where
there is no Democratic machine. Whether or not he finds it distasteful, I don’t think that Philly ward bosses care what he thinks.
Shapiro's a reformer
Sure, but Shapiro is a reformer and also a rising star in Harrisburg. What he thinks matters.
T4: The Democratic Machine in Philly
Like the cyborg in Terminator, the machine will fight every attempt to destroy it. The machine is scared because several chinks in its armor have been exposed in the last year or two, e.g.: Michael Nutter was elected mayor; Carol Campbell lost in the primary race for City Council; City Council bowed to public pressure by the Committee of Seventy and the press to enact campaign finance reforms. The machine wants to remind everyone that it is still a force to be reckoned with; hence, the attack on Tony Payton.
Nutter was a ward leader himself
Nutter was a ward leader and so calling his victory a defeat for “the machine” is not really true. As I understand it, he’s also getting at least some, if not a lot, of behind the scenes help from Bob Brady now that he’s mayor. And, if you think about it, he has to since Nutter really has no constituency of his own per se. Further, in his capacity as ward leader, Nutter helped out Carol Campbell when she asked for his assistance.
That said, Tony Payton will likely retain his seat in the house, IMO.
pd
Similar on Republican side
Don’t think for a minute that the Republicans are much better on this, they have their own machine which buries those who go against the establisment. They may be more sophisticated at times, but they do it too.
If one party gets its act together and starts serving the people instead of the leaders, the othe one will be in trouble until they catch up. Unfortunately, this may be after h311 freezes over.
Shapiro
To think Josh Shapiro matters in a race in North Philly and the lower Northeast is pure fantasty.
fundraising
Shapiro won’t matter in the voting, but he is a proven fundraiser who can help Payton quite a bit… perhaps even overcome the advantage that will come with the support of the ward machines.
LV
Get the facts straight
I’m sure Payton is a nice guy and a wonderful father to his son, I don’t doubt that. But the FACTs are: Guy has been a community activist longer than Payton been alive, remember Guy’s rooted in the 179th district. Guy has lived in Frankford for over 53 years, Payton moved to Frankford four years ago. Guy holds a Master degree in Health Education, Payton is attending Community College for a two year degree. Guy is a decorated US Army Officer, a Veteran of the Persian Gulf War and holds the rank of Major; Payton only talks about the present war.
You talk about Tartaglione and Savage being long lost friends of Guy’s, when in fact Guy said he most recently met them both when he started looking for endorsements (Payton also pursued and lost), which at Guy’s press conference last Tuesday he mentioned several endorsements; various local unions, PASNAP, Nursing, Jonathan Saidel and Bob Brady to name a few.
Growing up in Frankford, I know we need real change and Payton has proven he’s not the answer!
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