Montgomery County Democrats

May 2008 Vol. 2, No. 3 Montgomery County Democrats The Newsletter of the Montgomery County Democratic Committee Clinton Wins County by Slim Margin On election night Democratic presidential candidate Senator Hillary Clinton celebrates her victory at the Park Hyatt- Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia. Photo Credit: Bonnie Squires Norristown, 5 May. In a primary race that witnessed a heavy Democratic turnout, and a very light Republican showing, Senator Hillary Clinton edged Senator Barack Obama with a 1.42 percent margin of victory in Montgomery County a victory not reflected in Senator Clinton s winning numbers in the state. Senator Clinton won with continued Clinton on page 2 McCord Takes State Lower Merion, 5 May. Winning 46 of 67 counties, and garnering more than 776,000 votes throughout the state, Rob McCord, endorsed by the Philadelphia Inquirer, easily defeated his three opponents for state treasurer with 43.3 percent of the total vote. Rob handily took his home county of Montgomery with 98,532 votes (79.4 percent), which ranked behind 129,061 votes and 106,608 votes he received, respectively, for Philadelphia County and Allegheny County. Although Rob lost Philadelphia County by 11,016 votes to second place finisher, John Cordisco of Bucks County, he took Allegheny County by 51,038 votes, and, more importantly, according to John Lisko, Rob s campaign manager, he took the two important media markets of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia by 47 and 45 percent, respectively, with the remainder of the vote divided among Cordisco, Jennifer Mann, and Dennis Morrison-Wesley. McCord s campaign focused on 16 counties with election day operations that included working with local candidates in those counties, massive distribution of campaign literature, and the presence of signs at every polling precinct. In Allegheny County alone, the campaign issued 50,000 to 60,000 pieces of literature, and the campaign rushed an additional 80,000 pieces of literature above what had already been distributed in Philadelphia County. The result proved the strategy s value, as Rob took 14 of those 16 counties, continued McCord on page 2

Montgomery County Democratic Committee May 2008 page 2 McCord from page 1 winning in Allegheny, Beaver, Cambria, Chester, Cumberland, Delaware, Erie, Fayette, Indiana, Lackawanna, Montgomery, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. Rob spent the day campaigning in Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Delaware counties before returning home to watch the day s results with his staff, volunteers and friends. Clinton continued from page 1 54.6% (1,260,937) of Pennsylvania Democrats, while Senator Obama received 45.4% (1,046,822) of the vote. Within Montgomery County Clinton received 77,886 votes (50.7%), only 2,204 more votes than Obama at 75,682 (49.28%). Clinton celebrated her victory in Philadelphia at the Park-Hyatt Bellevue Hotel before cheering supporters, while Obama graciously conceded the race during an Obama rally (for the May 6 th Indiana primary) in Evansville, Indiana. The Primary itself went smoothly. Committee people throughout the county consistently described the turnout as steady, although some committee people expressed surprise that the number of voters was not the overwhelming avalanche characteristic of a presidential general election that they had expected. In fact, over 154,000 of the almost 248,000 registered Democrats in Montgomery County voted, and more significantly, Democrats turned out in almost a 3 to 1 majority over Republican voters (153,568 to 49,029). The low Republican turnout allowed for few lines, although some committee people in particular districts observed that write-in campaigns for the GOP inadvertently created long waiting periods for some voters. Despite the tensions of the presidential race evident in the national media, Montgomery County Democratic committee people and volunteers reported, with a few exceptions, the day to be calm, with some polling precincts characterized as almost festive. Some committee people noted that their biggest challenge of the day was explaining to inquiring voters the procedure for selecting delegates, with one Lower Merion Township committee woman jokingly assuring a voter that as long as the voter cast a ballot for either of the two candidates, the party will figure out how to get the right delegates to Denver in August. Chairman s Corner By Marcel Groen, Chairman Montgomery County Democratic Committee Spirited Campaign Unified Party It was a long six weeks leading up to the Pennsylvania primary, but I am proud to say that after a spirited contest, I believe our county party came out of the skirmish determined to be united behind the ultimate nominee of our party. Several of our party leaders Commissioner Joe Hoeffel, Sen. Connie Williams, Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, and State Reps. Josh Shapiro and Mike Gerber -- were very active in the two campaigns as were Democrats throughout the county. Despite the strong support for both candidates, everyone maintained a high degree of dignity and decorum, and I believe the primary was a net-plus for our party, because it brought thousands of new Democrats into the party, injected a great deal of energy into our ranks and put us in a wonderful position for the general election regardless of who ultimately becomes our candidate. This also will result in our congressional and legislative candidates receiving increased support in their attempts to win in November. As we discussed in the last newsletter, the process resulted in Montgomery County becoming a Democratic county. That s right, there are now 9,401 more Democrats in Montgomery County than Republicans. At last year s general election, registered Republicans outnumbered Democrats by 30,000. We expected to become the majority party, possibly by this November, but the massive move to the Democratic Party for the primary hastened the process. Some people will go back to their original registration, but I fully expect us to have the registration lead when voters go to the polls in November. The process gave many of our elected officials a tremendous amount of positive exposure as they appeared on numerous television and radio shows talking about the candidate they supported. The media, especially the cable news outlets, always seemed to want more coverage of the primary. For instance, it was a rare day that I was not called to be interviewed by electronic or print media, and I was fortunate enough to appear on Hardball with Chris Matthews, the Michael Smerconish show as well as several others. I am confident that the Democratic Party both here and across the country will come together for the general election and be unified to defeat John McCain. We cannot afford four more years of the Bush Administration.

Montgomery County Democratic Committee May 2008 page 3 Vice President of the Conshohocken Council James Ike Griffin at the Conshohocken Catholic School (Conshohocken 2). Committewoman Joan Nagel at the North Wales Borough Building (North Wales 2). Jeanne Sorg with the Rep. Rick Taylor re-election campaign stops at the Horsham Township Building (Horsham 2-1 and 2-3). Pollworker Judy Maines shows a voter a sample ballot at the Wissahickon Valley Public Library in Ambler (Whitpain 5). Committeeman Robert Winokur at the Yuoung Sang Presbyterian Church (Horsham 3-2). On left, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Ft. Washington, (l-r) Pollworkers Shelly Pullian (Upper Dublin 2-1), Camille Auspitz (Upper Dublin 4-2), and Berni Heron (Upper Dublin 2-1). Committeeman Tom Collins, Area 6 Leader Deb Crowe and her daughter Catherine Scullen at the Jarrettown Methodist Church (Upper Dublin 3-1).

Montgomery County Democratic Committee May 2008 page 4 Pollworker John Sprouse at Bridle Path Elementary School in Lansdale (Montgomery 1 and 3). At St. Dunstan s Church in Blue Bell Committeewoman Eileen Kane Stephenson and Area 14 Co-Leader Shelly Waldman flank Gary Gantz, who signs a petition in favor of the removal of asbestos from a dumpsite in Ambler (Whitpain 7). Pollworker Sarah Tucci at the Conshohocken Municipal Building (Conshohocken 6). On left, (l-r) Pollworker Ginny Duffy, Committeeman Ed Fitzgerald (7-3), and Committeeman John Spiegelman (11-2) at the Abington Free Library (Abington 7-3 and 11-2). Pollworker Michael Cianchetta at Limekiln Simmons Elementary School (Horsham 4-3). On right, at the Jarrettown Elementary School Committeewoman Debbie Shulman-Brecher (Upper Dublin 6-1).

Montgomery County Democratic Committee May 2008 page 5 Committeeman Ron Stoloff at the Tiferet Bet Israel Synagogue in Blue Bell (Whitpain 1). Conshohocken Councilman Tony Tucci at the Conshohocken Fire House (Conshohocken 5). Committeewoman Kathryn Carlson at the Gywn Nor School in North Wales (Upper Gwynedd 2). Committeeman Dan Foltz and pollworker Warren McNeill at the Montgomery Township Building in Montgomeryville (Montgomery 5, 6, and 8). Committeewoman Kathy Walker at Simmons Elementary School (Horsham 2-2). Committeewoman Carene Sanders and Committeeman Larry Clever at the North Wales Water Authority (North Wales 1). On left, 2-2 Committeeman Paul McCarthy at the Blair Mill Inn in Horsham (Upper Moreland 2-1, and 2-2).

Montgomery County Democratic Committee May 2008 page 6 Committeemen Bill Ridenhour and Ed Morganson at Shady Grove Elementary School in Ambler (Whitpain 4). (l-r) Committeewoman Jean Corrigan, Pollworker Lois Odabas, Democratic Commissioner Les Benzak, Committeeman Joe Corrigan, and Pollworker Renee Webb at the Edge Hill Fire Company (Abington 6-1 and 6-2). Pollworker Lydia Crush, Area 5 Representative Todd Eisenberg, and Dave Toth with the Rep. Rick Taylor re-election campaign at Montgomery Elementary School in North Wales (Montgomery 2 and 7). On right, at the Temple Sinai Committeewoman Marjorie Berllinghof (Upper Dublin 2-3). Horsham Democratic Committee 2nd Vice- Chair John R. Foster, Jr., at the Horsham Public Library (Horsham 2-4). On left, Committeeman Robert Niewodowski and Committeewoman Linda Hee at the Highland Elementary School (Abington 11-2).

Montgomery County Democratic Committee May 2008 page 7 PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS 22 APRIL 2008 OFFICE NAME VOTE* TOTAL VOTE^ Rep. in Congress District 2 Chaka Fattah 8,498 157,693 Rep. in Congress District 6 Bob Roggio 26,254 81,549 Rep. in Congress District 7 Joe Sestak 13,141 89,041 Rep. in Congress District 8 Patrick J. Murphy 2,457 100,793 Rep. in Congress District 13 Allyson Schwartz 51,927 97,342 Rep. in Congress District 15 Sam Bennett 5,547 73,504 Senator in the General Assembly District 7 Vincent J. Hughes 6,469 53,992 Senator in the General Assembly District 17 Daylin Leach 27,050 38,334 Senator in the General Assembly District 19 Andrew E. Dinniman 2,279 37,078 Rep. in the General Assembly Dist. 53 Jack Hansen 5,453 Rep. in the General Assembly Dist. 61 Frank X. Custer 7,439 Rep. in the General Assembly Dist. 70 Dwayne D. Royster 6,744 Rep. in the General Assembly Dist. 146 James Prendergast 5,844 Rep. in the General Assembly Dist. 148 Mike Gerber 12,035 Rep. in the General Assembly Dist. 149 Tim Briggs 9,798 Rep. in the General Assembly Dist. 150 Kelbin Carolina 6,174 Rep. in the General Assembly Dist. 151 Rick Taylor 7,639 Rep. in the General Assembly Dist. 152 Lisa Romaniello 6,045 6,512 Rep. in the General Assembly Dist. 153 Josh Shapiro 11,251 Rep. in the General Assembly Dist. 154 Lawrence H. Curry 13,111 13,279 Rep. in the General Assembly Dist. 157 Paul J. Drucker 1,214 9,014 Rep. in the General Assembly Dist. 170 Brendan F. Boyle 498 8,913 Rep. in the General Assembly Dist. 194 Kathy Manderino 2,527 12,556 *Montgomery County ^Where applicable, district total (including precincts outside the county) Attorney General John Morganelli* - 1,602,560 Auditor General Jack Wagner* - 1,640,863 State-wide Democratic Primary Results Treasurer Rob McCord* - 776,109-43.3% John Cordisco - 467,336-26.1% Jennifer Mann - 432,302-24.1% Dennis Morrison-Wesley - 117,285-6.5% *denotes winner Spring House, 3 May. Democratic Leaders (from left to right) Greg Holt, Andrea Trainer, Les Benzak, Shirley Weiss, Steven Kline, Lori Schreiber, Michael O Connor, Ernie Peacock, Brendan Boyle, Josh Shapiro, Ruth Damsker, Rick Taylor and Jeannette Maitin, all celebrate at the Rising Power Banquet of the Abington Rockledge Committee, which was held at the Old York Road Country Club. Mayor Michael A. Nutter was the Keynote Speaker, and Michael Barbiero, Esquire and Valerie Ward were honorees. Photo Credit: Barbara Halpern

Montgomery County Democratic Committee May 2008 page 8 VOTER TURNOUT BY PERCENT OF REGISTERED DEMOCRATS 1 Upper Dublin 70.16 2 Lower Gwynedd 69.81 3 Jenkintown 69.72 4 Bryn Athyn 69.55 5 Whitemarsh 68.27 6 Springfield 67.43 7 Lower Merion 67.34 8 Abington 66.53 9 Whitpain 66.14 10 Narberth 65.53 11 Worcester 65.15 12 Cheltenham 65.13 13 Upper Salford 64.98 14 East Norriton 64.57 15 Skippack 64.11 16 Franconia 63.72 17 Upper Hanover 63.19 18 Upper Gwynedd 63.11 19 Lower Providence 63.06 20 Towamencin 62.45 21 North Wales 62.22 22 Upper Providence 62.17 23 Perkiomen 62.07 24 Ambler 61.97 25 Lower Frederick 61.88 26 Schwenksville 61.79 27 Trappe 61.65 28 Lower Moreland 61.59 29 Plymouth 61.53 30 Upper Merion 61.16 31 Lower Salford 61.10 32 Montgomery 60.94 33 West Norriton 60.90 34 New Hanover 60.58 35 Conshohocken 60.35 36 Salford 59.75 37 Red Hill 59.55 38 Limerick 59.52 39 Hatboro 59.48 40 Upper Pottsgrove 59.37 41 Royersford 59.16 42 Rockledge 58.75 43 Marlborough 58.64 44 Upper Moreland 57.92 45 Upper Frederick 57.39 46 West Conshohocken 57.34 47 Collegeville 57.15 48 Green Lane 56.64 49 Lansdale 56.59 50 Horsham 56.30 51 Douglass 55.71 52 Hatfield Twp. 54.71 53 East Greenville 54.62 54 Pennsburg 54.34 55 Hatfield Boro 54.31 56 Bridgeport 53.73 57 Souderton 53.25 58 Lower Pottsgrove 53.22 59 Telford 52.99 60 West Pottsgrove 49.76 61 Pottstown 48.94 62 Norristown 47.73 A large crowd attended the Upper Dublin Democratic Mock Presidential Caucus in January 2008. Pictured are Joseph Chmielewski (5-1) and Betsy Parziale (7-2), who serve as Co-Chairs of the Upper Dublin Democratic Committee. Photo Credit: Betsy Parziale

Montgomery County Democratic Committee May 2008 page 9 Upcoming Events Thursday, 8 May 6-8pm Fundraiser for Frank Custer Please join us at a reception honoring Frank Custer, our Democratic Candidate for the 61st District at the Blue Horse Restaurant and Tavern located at 602 Skippack & Pennlyn-Blue Bell Pikes in Blue Bell. RSVP to Todd Eisenberg at 267-235-1196 or toddeisenberg@gmail.com. Bala Cynwyd, 13 April. Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, Washington, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, and former US Senator from Pennsylvania Harris Wofford attended the Lower Merion and Narberth Spring Dinner held at the Bala Golf Course. Honorees were Murray and Lonnie Levin, as well as retiring Lower Merion School Board members Joss Gelfand, Larry Rosenwald, and Marcia Taylor. Tuesday, 13 May 6pm-8:30pm Fundraiser for Brendan Boyle Please join us at a reception honoring Brendan Boyle, our Democratic Candidate for the 170th District at the law offices of Friedman-Schuman, Applebaum, Nemeroff & McCaffrey located at 101 Greenwood Ave., Fifth Floor, Jenkintown, PA. RSVP to Sean Kilkenny. An Explanation of Election Maps* Bala Cynwyd, 13 April. Lower Merion and Narberth Democrats recently honored Murray and Lonnie Levin for all of their work for the party over the years. Murray served as the chairman of the DCMLN from 2002 through 2006, while Lonnie has been an active both in the local party and in the Woman s Caucus of the PA State Committee. Pictured are (l-r) Lonnie Levin, Eva Levin (Murray s mother), Murray Levin, and Lower Merion Committeewoman Eva Ray (6-2). Map One tracts the percentage or margin of victory of the two candidates in each township and borough. Thus, in Abington Township, for example, Senator Obama s margin of victory was 3.93 percent over Senator Clinton, while in Hatfield Township, Senator Clinton won by an 8.23 percent margin. The margin of victory is calculated by dividing the difference in the vote totals for the two candidates by the total number of votes cast: in Limerick Township, Clinton received 1,425 votes to Obama s 986, for a difference of 439 votes, which divided by the total number of votes cast, 2,411, yields a margin of victory of 18.21 percent for Clinton. The darker shades of yellow (Clinton) and green (Obama) on the map reveal where the margin of victory was more pronounced. Map Two displays the actual number of votes cast for both candidates; the paler shades of purple represent fewer number of actual votes cast, while the darker shades represent a higher number of votes cast. The color scale reveals the range of the number of votes. *see page 10 for maps

MAP 1: PERCENTAGE OF VOTES CLINTON OBAMA 34%-41% 41%-57% 21%-25% 25%-30% 10%-20% 10%-16% 1%-10% 1%-10% *percentages represent the margin of victory MAP 2: TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTES CAST 64-448 518-843 1,211-1,398 1,566-1,924 2,314-2,437 2,559-2,868 3,293-3,408 3,660-3,823 4,033-4,143 5,334-5,531 6,390 12,370-14,017 18,466