Corbett's Endorsements of Candidates Causing Splits in the PA. Republican Party

[JPZenger]

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/01/gov_corbett_takes_risks_with_g.html

The Republicans traditionally have been very efficient in reducing competition within their primaries in PA. One candidate is told they won't get any fundraising support for office A, but they will get lots of support if they agree to change to office B, so they switch. The Democrats have been much less disciplined but more democratic, with many more candidates in PA. primaries. Now we read that Corbett made his own endorsements - without consulting top Republican party officials and without waiting for the State Party to meet to decide upon endorsements.

Excerpts of the above link:

"Risking precious political capital that political observers said was unnecessary, Gov. Tom Corbett spent the weekend here cajoling, pleading with and strong-arming Pennsylvania Republican Party leaders into rubber-stamping his endorsements in four statewide races.

Corbett’s endorsement of the four candidates, days before the state committee meeting, sent a signal that he was claiming political dominion over the Pennsylvania Republican Party. But the move also upset factions that perceived the endorsements as unilateral directives. The gamble was big. But the potential long-term damage could be even bigger. By endorsing Freed, Maher and Vaughn, Corbett only risked angering prominent party bosses such as Bob Asher, who had backed a different attorney general candidate.

The loudest protests have come from a growing number of Pennsylvania grassroots GOP activists who have called for an open primary in the Senate race. They argue that open primaries allow state party voters to choose their own candidate, while endorsing a candidate precludes rivals from party resources and dictates a single choice for voters. "

[blue neen]

1. Governor Tom Corrupt thinks he's the king of Pennsylvania.

I'd say he's more like the court jester.

[blue neen]

2. Why didn't Tom Corrupt do any of this "cajoling, pleading, and strong-arming" to arrest Sandusky?

Corbett had the goods on Jerry Sandusky. Why didn't he throw his weight around then?

[JPZenger]

3. He said they had to endorse candidates, or no one would pay attention to them

WHYY had a report today about the endorsement process. It had Corbett telling party officials that they had to make endorsements, or candidates would not pay any attention to them.