Well the primary season is heating up here in the Pennsylvania 79th Legistlative District republican primary race. And Representative Rick Geist's campaign isn't wasting any time going after challenger John McGinnis.A letter that I received in the mail today written by Geist's Campaign Chairman, Patrick Fanelli, calls McGinnis a "Radical". The letter goes on to suggest that Representative Geist has been "targeted" by an unnamed Harrisburg-based political organization.
(A funny passage from the letter) A Harrisburg-based political organization has targeted the 79th Legislative District seat and Rick's consistent conservative voting record by recruiting a radical candidate to oppose him in the upcoming Primary Election on April 24, 2012Really?
The letter goes on to suggest that the 79th District is also going to be invaded by aliens like in the October 30, 1938 radio broadcast of War of the Worlds. O.K. I'm just kidding. But the letter has that kind of frightening tone to it. So be afraid. Be very afraid 79th district voters of the unnamed Harrisurg-based boogie men out to snatch the 79th legislative district. Oh and support Rick Geist's campaign.
The most interesting part of the letter is the assertion that Representative Geist has always adhered to three tenents of the Tea Party movement: 1. Lower Taxes, 2. Smaller Government, and 3. Return to the Constitution.
No he did not just pull the Tea Party card. I'm confused here.
How can a state legislator claim to be an advocate for a return to the "Constitution" when he voted for an unconstitutional pay raise and took the unconstitutional unvouchered expenses? Maybe the letter was referring to our U.S. Constitution instead of the Constitution that actually governs the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Geist's claims of being a staunch advocate for lower taxes and smaller government are not reflected in his record either according to the Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania . On their website post dated March 3rd 2011 , "CAP to Rep. Geist: Lead, Follow, or Retire", Geist was quoted saying that Governor Corbett's 2011 budget proposal to eliminate WAM's (Walking Around Money for state lawmakers) was "unrealistic". Geist even refused to sign the group's "No WAMs" Pledge. This is something a think a true Tea Party advocate would support don't you think?
Furthermore, Geist also voted for Ed Rendell's 2005-6 state budget that raised the state personal income tax by 15 percent and increased state spending 6.1 percent. In fact Geist voted in favor of the 2008-2009 budget that also increased state spending during the Rendell years.
All of this just doesn't add up. If Geist is a true Tea Party supporter than I'm the Easter Bunny!
Geist is the worst possible thing that can happen to the 79th district if re-elected.
ReplyDeleteRick Geist has been a drain on our Commonwealth for over 30 years.
ReplyDeleteBesides collecting a salary for doing little or nothing, except Chairing a bicycle race, which he wasn't able to keep in town, he now takes in excess of $25,000.00 to reimburse himself for each of the last 3 years. Way to be in touch with your constituents. By the way, he won't talk with you unless you offer to pay for his meal.
You are not a Tea Party person, you are a user!
Just keep in mind that one of your mentors is in jail, where you belong as well. By the way, with a number of your fellow representatives.
You call yourself fiscally responsible, give me a break. Raising taxes consistently, breaking Constitutional law, and constantly voting to increase the size of government. Your voting record is a matter of public record.
You are clearly anti-business and pro-Union. Just look at your voting record.
Thanks for the comment Mr. Katz. As one of the state's popular conservative bloggers, I just can't let Geist get away with this kind of stuff. Saying he was the Tea Party before the Tea Party movement is a little over the top. I remember the day he nominated former Speaker Perzel again for the position when he knew Perzel was under investigation by the Attorney General. That is not representing our values here in the 79th district.
ReplyDelete