Tonight I attended a debate in Jim Thorpe sponsored by the “9/12” group. The 9/12 group was inspired by Glenn Beck. Remember him? The debate included candidates for sheriff and county commissioner.
I would say the audience was about 3/4ths Republican and 1/4 Democratic. The Republican candidate for sheriff, Mr. Armbruster, said a number of times that he would not enforce illegal foreclosures. Mr. Nothstein, the Democratic candidate, pointed out that foreclosures are ordered by the courts under Pennsylvania law. I received the distinct impression that Mr. Armbruster would personally decide which laws are constitutional and which are not. I found him to be more ridiculous than scary.
Of the Commissioner candidates, the most knowledgeable and coolest under tough questioning was Democrat Bill O’Gurek. Each candidate was able to ask a question of one of the others. Republican candidate Gerhard asked Mr. O’Gurek if he was planning to vote for Obama in 2012. Mr. O’Gurek replied, “I am.” There was a brief silence, and then the moderator moved to the next question. It was one of the best and most effective answers I have ever heard in a debate.
There was a question about whether the Commissioners would raise taxes in the next four years, and all four candidates said it was impossible to answer that question. I thought that spoke highly of each of them.
I wore my “Chairman Meow” T-shirt. It’s a red shirt with a pussycat in a Mao Tse-Tung cap. My hat said “Liberal” and I carried a sign that said “Occupy Jim Thorpe.” I had a great time.
It seems to me that Mr. Gerhard knew that Mr. O'Gurek would be voting for the President and was trying to put Mr. O'Gurek on the spot. What does it matter who he was voting for. National politics should not be a factor in local elections.
ReplyDeleteThis is part of the problem in this country. Politicians need to focus on the job they are running for. Be honest and explain their intentions for the job. Mr. Gerhard obviously is a shallow minded candidate. I salute Mr O'Gurek on his reply.