April 2008 Vol. 2, No. 2 Montgomery County Democrats The Newsletter of the Montgomery County Democratic Committee MCDC Welcomes Chelsea Clinton and Ted Kennedy Chelsea Clinton holds For Liberty and Glory: Washington, Lafayette, and Their Revolutions by James R. Gaines, a book presented to each of the speakers by MCDC Chairman Marcel Groen. Senator Ted Kennedy speaks to the crowd. King of Prussia, 3 April 2008. Almost 600 Democrats gathered at the Annual MCDC Spring Reception this past Thursday night at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in King of Prussia. This year s reception was especially significant, as Democrats turned out en masse to hear Chelsea Clinton and Senator Ted Kennedy speak on behalf of presidential candidates Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, respectively. Arriving at the hotel, guests were greeted by supporters outside, waving Clinton and Obama signs, and inside the mood was just as animated, as Clinton and Obama campaign workers distributed buttons and signs to their respective supporters. Attendees enjoyed a wonderful buffet and waited with anticipation in the ballroom, which was decked out in candidates signage. Cheers from the corner of the room signaled the arrival of Chelsea Clinton who began to make her way through the crowd. Accompanied by Governor Ed Rendell and State Representative Mike Gerber, Clinton shook hands, posed for pictures, and signed autographs for Hillary Clinton s supporters. She continued on page 8
Montgomery County Democratic Committee April 2008 page 2 Chairman s Corner By Marcel Groen, Chairman Montgomery County Democratic Committee A Great Night! Many Greater Tomorrows! To say our Spring Reception last Thursday evening was a success would be an understatement. The crowd was large and electric. Chelsea Clinton and Senator Ted Kennedy added a measure of star power that only heightened the excitement. The energy in the room was contagious. But, the best news came about 19 hours after the party broke up. At 4 P.M.. Friday, the Montgomery County Board of Elections confirmed that there are now more registered Democrats in Montgomery County than Republicans. The latest totals are 240,232 Democrats and 240,053 Republicans a difference of 179. County officials told Montgomery County Democratic that there are still some 8,000 more registration applications to process. With registrations running 10 to 1 in favor of Democrats, Montgomery County will certainly be a Democratic county when voters go to the polls on April 22. This is a new day in Montgomery County. It is a testament to the message and the candidates that the Democrats have put forth over the past decade, who, in turn, have been aided by the hard work and dedicated support of so many rank and file members, all of whom I wish to thank. Enjoy the moment, and think back to those days when people only whispered the word Democrat in Montgomery County. But only take a moment, because our work is not done; in fact, it is just beginning. This news should give us the shot of adrenalin we need to work even harder to make certain that our excellent slate of legislative and statewide candidates, as well as our eventual presidential nominee all win in November. As we look forward to a bright future, it might be helpful to look back and see how far we have come. As recently as 1996 Republicans had virtually a 2 to 1 edge in registrations. The county s congressional delegation was all Republican. There was only one Democrat in the Montgomery County state House delegation and none in the state Senate. At the 1996 General election, Republicans had 114,008 more registered voters than Democrats. In the ensuing 12 years, the changes have been startling. Democrats have out-registered Republicans every year since 1996. At first the change was gradual. By the presidential election of 2000, the registration edge had slipped under 100,000. Four years later, at the 2004 presidential election, the divide was down to 54,522. When registration closed before the 2007 general election the GOP advantage had dwindled to 30,714, but the registration tremors that have shaken all of Pennsylvania since then have been magnified in Montgomery County. As of March 31 of this year, a mere four months after the registration period reopened following the 2007 general election, the registration edge was a razor thin 7,843 voters, and four days later the deficit was erased. A snapshot of Montgomery County today is much different than that taken in 1996. The vast majority of Montgomery County is represented by Democratic Members of Congress, with four of the six congressional seats that, together, represent much of Montgomery County being held by Democrats. At the same time, four of the eight state Senate seats that represent at least a portion of the county are held by Democrats, while six of the fifteen state House seats are held by Democrats. At the county level, the Democrats, until this year, had never won a county-wide election and the only Democrats to serve in elected county office were those mandated by law. In 2007 the Democrats came extremely close, but failed to take a majority of the board of commissioners, but did win five of the nine row office seats a staggering accomplishment that political observers are still trying to comprehend. Those wins came before the recent substantial registration gains. Despite the previous registration disadvantages, however, Democratic presidential candidates have won Montgomery County in every election since 1992. Congratulations! We have come a long way, but our journey is far from over. We have much work to do.
Montgomery County Democratic Committee April 2008 page 3 Governor Attends Rick Taylor s Fundraiser Ambler, 19 March. More than 100 people attended State Representative Rick Taylor s fundraiser at the Shanachie Irish Pub in Ambler. The special guest speaker Governor Ed Rendell wholeheartedly endorsed Rick s reelection and Rick s state house colleagues, Mike Gerber, Josh Shapiro, and Joe Brennan, also spoke on his behalf. State representative candidate Lisa Romaniello, MCDC Chairman Marcel Groen, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue Tom Wolf, Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, County Clerk of Courts Ann Thornburg Weiss, and former County Commissioner Ruth Damsker also attended the event. Briggs Kicks Off Campaign King of Prussia, 6 April. Tim Briggs kicked off his campaign for State Representative for the 149 th District at the King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company. Billed as a family event, about 75 people turned out to support Tim. His wife Robyn, his mom Tess, and his two sisters Katie Briggs and Pattie Ceithaml helped make the event a success. Photo Credit: Jeanne Sorg Among the many friends and supporters present, were members of labor, such as the teamsters, building and trades, IUOE, Roofers Local 30, UAW, AFSCME, PFT, APSCUF, PSEA, and PASNA. Also in attendance were Ambler Mayor Bud Wahl, members of Ambler Council, Upper Dublin Commissioner Bob Pesavento, Wissahickon School Board member Betsy Cornish, and Upper Dublin School Board member Joe Chmielewski. It was a fantastic night for Rick, and he encouraged everyone to get out and vote in the primary. While about 25 children participated in coloring and face painting activities, the adults talked with local dignitaries, including State Senator Connie Williams, State Representative and state senatorial candidate Daylin Leach, County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel, candidate for the 61 st State Representative District Frank Custer, Bridgeport Councilwoman JoAnn Gadzicki, Dan Wofford, and Ed Cheri. Tim is totally prepared to be state representative, Williams told the crowd, while Joe Hoeffel exclaimed Welcome to Briggs country. Hoeffel praised Tim s loyalty to the party and experience, and stated that he was thrilled to be present at the beginning of what will be a long political career. For his part, Tim thanked his wife Robyn, his entire family, Diane Reilly, Joe Foster, Ken Lawrence, Jerry Lawrence, Lois Murphy, Williams, and Hoeffel, for all of their support. Tim entered local politics in 1992 as a committed worker for Democratic Party. He mused how far the party has come since those days and was pleased to announce that the Democrats now have a majority registration in the county. It s an exciting time to be a Democrat in our county, Tim declared. He emphasized that his campaign is about better and safer schools, easier access to health care, and infrastructure improvements in the district.
Montgomery County Democratic Committee April 2008 page 4 Jury Commissioner Greg Holt and Richard Bioteau of PSEA. North Penn Committeewoman Susan Gordon and Whitpain Committeeman Dan Ronca. 6th Congressional candidate Bob Roggio, his wife Jeanne Day Roggio, and Keith White. Horsham Democratic Leader Andy Hornak with Horsham Committeewoman Carol Ritting. Sharon Kalich, Hatfield Commissioner Charles Sisian, and Committeewoman JoAnn Sisian. Bernice Groen and Hatfield Committeewoman Ellen Dove. Norristown Councilman Bill Caldwell and County Clerk of Courts Ann Thornburg Weiss Lower Merion Committeewoman Leora Natan with Nancy Swanwick. State Senators Connie Williams and LeAnna Washington. Whitemarsh Committeeman Matt Schwartz. On right: Senator Ted Kennedy with State Representative Rick Taylor.
Montgomery County Democratic Committee April 2008 page 5 Vince Gillen, County Prothonotary Mark Levy, and County Register of Wills D. Bruce Hanes. Upper Moreland Committeeman Stephen Hecht and his wife Meredith Hecht. (l-r) Seth Rovner, John Weiss, Area 7 leader Howard Rovner, and North Wales Committeewoman Joan Nagel. Narberth Councilwoman and Co- Chairman of the LMNDC Mary Jo Pauxtis and Bob Winkelman. Norristown Committeewoman Jan Pearce and Al Mauther. MCDC First Vice Chair Joanne Olszewski. Norristown Committeewoman Olivia Brady and Lower Providence Committeeman Randolph Roberts. State Committee Member Penny Gerber and Whitpain Committeeman Ron Stoloff. On right: (l-r) Kevin Guns, candidate for the 61st state representative district Frank Custer, and Bill Mullen. On left: Congressman Joe Sestak, State Senator Connie Williams, and County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel on stage.
Montgomery County Democratic Committee April 2008 page 6 Candidates for state representative Brendan Boyle (170th) and James Prendergast (146th). Whitpain Committeeman Bill Ridenhour with his wife Ann Ridenhour. Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz and Chelsea Clinton. Photo credit: Jared Freedman Lower Salford Committeewoman Betsy Whitman with Deb McCarter of PSEA. Lower Merion Committeeman David Broida with Lower Merion Treasurer Sam Adenbaum. North Penn Committeeman Al Rieck and Lower Salford Committeeman Bob Solomon. Lower Merion Committeeman Bill Leopold with Cheltenham Committeewoman Joan Johnston-Stern. Bernice Groen, Senator Ted Kennedy, and MCDC Chairman Marcel Groen. County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel, Meredith Hecht, and Governor Ed Rendell. On right: John Weiss, John Weiss, Jr., and County Clerk of Courts Ann Thornburg Weiss.
Montgomery County Democratic Committee April 2008 page 7 Candidate for state representative district Lisa Romaniello (152nd) with Horsham Committeeman Paul B. Gallagher. State Committee Member Murray Levin with his wife Lonnie Levin. Candidate for the 149th representative district Tim Briggs, Madeline Kaufman, and Pam Reiss. Chelsea Clinton talks with MCDC Chairman Marcel Groen. Candidate for state treasurer Rob McCord, Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, and State Representative Mike Gerber. MCDC Executive Director Steve Morris and MCDC Political Director Steve McCarter. Jury Commissioner Greg Holt, State Committee Member Caren Moskowitz, and Upper Merion Committeeman Gian Singla. Senator Ted Kennedy and State Representative Josh Shapiro. (l-r) North Wales Committeewoman Joan Nagel, County Register of Wills D. Bruce Hanes, and Cheltenham Committeewoman Fern Billet. The crowd listens attentively to MCDC Chairman Marcel Groen.
Montgomery County Democratic Committee April 2008 page 8 continued from page 1 happily chatted with Democrats, who approached her to show their support for her mother. While Clinton continued to make her way through the room, Marcel Groen took the stage and talked about the need for Democrats to embrace the historic opportunity presented to the party in this year s primary. He noted that he was thrilled with the turnout and thanked both Chelsea Clinton and Ted Kennedy for speaking at the event. Groen introduced State Senator Connie Williams, who made a formal introduction of Chelsea Clinton. Flanked by Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, Congressman Joe Sestak, County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel, State Representative Mike Gerber, and Governor Ed Rendell, Williams said she was thrilled to have the opportunity to introduce Chelsea Clinton to the crowd. Clinton delivered brief remarks about why Montgomery County Democrats should cast their vote for her mother on primary day. I do believe, Clinton stressed, that she is the most progressive and the most prepared candidate and leader to deliver on all things that are so important to me. She thanked everyone for the warm reception and explained how excited she was to see more young people participating in the political process. She ended her speech, quipping that she then had to go meet the other half of the room. Hillary Clinton supporters were treated next to a speech by Governor Ed Rendell, who was introduced by County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel as Pennsylvania s finest governor. Rendell talked at length about the peaceful and prosperous 1990s and Hillary Clinton s role as first lady to her husband Bill Clinton during his presidency. More African- Americans were lifted out of poverty during President Clinton s years than in any other time in history, he announced to cheers from Clinton supporters. Hillary Clinton is the best prepared presidential candidate since 1980 that I have ever met, Rendell continued by focusing on Clinton s positions on education, health care, infrastructure improvements, energy, and the war in Iraq, ending his remarks with the simple statement, Hillary Clinton gets it. As Chelsea Clinton exited the room, again surrounded by supporters, Groen took the stage and Obama supporters began to make their way to the front of the crowd to get the best spot to see Senator Kennedy s speech. Groen prepared the crowd for the arrival of Senator Ted Kennedy, stressing the importance of the presidential election. Whether Senator Clinton or Senator Obama wins the nomination, he noted, we need to see that they win this county and the state of Pennsylvania. The Democrats throughout the room cheered Groen s comments. Before the primary we are a family, he continued, this election is a great opportunity for Democrats to show their strength in the county. State representative and senatorial candidate Daylin Leach began the Obama presentation. The two main reasons Democrats should get out and vote in April and November, Leach asserted, are to insure that a Democratic president will appoint the next Supreme Court Justices, and, he added jokingly, the second reason, my personal election depends upon it! He praised the historical gravitas of Senator Kennedy, and introduced his colleague State Representative Josh Shapiro, who, like Leach, supports Senator Obama. Experience, Shapiro announced, means good judgment. Barack Obama showed good judgment, he knew from day one the war in Iraq was a bad idea. Shapiro then introduced Senator Kennedy as a man who fights for those who cannot fight for themselves, and used Kennedy s own words, the dream shall never die. Hello Montgomery County, Kennedy began to raucous cheers from the crowd. Flanked by Barack Obama supporters County Clerk of Courts Ann Thornburg Weiss, State Senator LeAnna Washington, State Representatives Leach, Shapiro, and Rick Taylor, and civic activist Dan Wofford, he began humorously by pointing out that while the reception could have had Al Gore for $500 a ticket, MCDC could get Ted Kennedy to speak for only $100 a ticket. I have the best news of the evening, Kennedy proclaimed to a cheering crowd, nine months from today George W. Bush will not be president. He brought on stage Joyce Caplan, a delegate for Ted Kennedy in 1980 and thanked her for her support of Obama. Kennedy stressed the fundamental ideas that were central to Barack Obama s candidacy, discussing Obama s stance on the mortgage sub-prime meltdown, higher education, energy policy, jobs, the war in Iraq, and the health care crisis, recalling his own son s medical illness that resulted in the loss of a leg. Citing the outstanding medical coverage provided U.S. congressmen and women and their families, Kennedy said that he and Barack Obama would work for real equality in Amercontinued on page 9
Montgomery County Democratic Committee April 2008 page 9 continued from page 8 ica, where every one would have coverage similar to that of members of Congress. He said Obama was the candidate for president who could best alleviate the anxiety and uncertainty faced by parents throughout the country when they think of their childrens futures. Together, Kennedy asserted, we can bring America to a new prosperous stage. Candidates Speak at Reception King of Prussia, 3 April. The MCDC Spring Reception was a resounding success as nearly 600 Democrats packed the ballroom at the Crowne Plaza in King of Prussia last Thursday evening to hear keynote speakers Chelsea Clinton and Senator Ted Kennedy, as well as local and statewide candidates. Party Chairman Marcel Groen began the night with a nod to the strength of the party within Montgomery County. How does it feel to soon be the majority party in Montgomery County, Groen asked, receiving, in turn, resounding applause and shouts from the crowd. [editor s note: as of 9 April the state voter registration statistics put the edge to Democrats at just over 9,000 voters]. Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz also addressed the crowd, as did state treasurer candidate Rob McCord, and both took the opportunity to stress the importance of women in Montgomery County politics. It s an exciting moment for women in this country, as a whole, Schwartz emphasized. McCord also echoed those sentiments and added that no matter who voters were choosing on 22 April be sure to elect Rob McCord! Congressman Joe Sestak stated, we are incredibly lucky to have Marcel Groen as the chairman of our committee, and asserted, no matter who wins [the presidential primary race] all of us need to stay involved in the Democratic process. Lastly, candidate for state attorney general John Morganelli encouraged all Democrats to elect him and put a Democrat in that office for the first time in history. I will stop prosecutions for political purposes, he declared, and address the gun issue in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Marcel Groen introduced all of the local representatives and candidates, called them to the stage, and thanked them for attending: state treasurer candidate Rob McCord; state attorney general candidate John Morganelli; state representative candidates Tim Briggs, Frank Custer, Jack Hansen, James Prendergast, Lisa Romaniello, Kelbin Carolina, and Brendan Boyle; Sixth Congressional District candidate Bob Roggio; and State Representative and candidate for state senate Daylin Leach. Groen also acknowledged Governor Ed Rendell; Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz; Congressmen Joe Sestak; State Senators Connie Williams and LeAnna Washington; State Representatives Mike Gerber, Rick Taylor, and Josh Shapiro; Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue Tom Wolf; County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel; County Controller Diane Morgan; County Coroner Walter Hoffman, M.D.; County Prothonotary Mark Levy; County Register of Wills D. Bruce Hanes; County Clerk of Courts Ann Thornburg Weiss; Jury Commissioner Greg Holt; former County Commissioner Ruth Damsker; former city of Philadelphia Controller Jonathan Seidel; and numerous members of organized labor who were in attendance. Groen thanked everyone who attended and ended the night with a call to get out and vote on 22 April! Philadelphia, 7 April. Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz hosted a Women in Politics awards ceremony at the Radisson Plaza Warwick Hotel this past Monday night. Pictured above are (l-r) Montgomery County Controller Diane Morgan, former Montgomery County Commissioner Ruth Damsker, Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, Philadelphia Councilwomen Maria Quinones- Sanchez and Marian Tasco, and State Senator Connie Williams. Other notables in attendance were Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and former Secretary of State Madeline Albright. Photo Credit: Diane Morgan