27 Responses

1. Susan, I’ll reference what the good irishman below me mentioned: “Democrats fall in love, republicans fall in line.” If there’s one thing that’s true in politics, it’s as much as the Republican Endorsement controls the day, the democratic endorsement does not. Those committeepeople mean nothing. Let’s see what Shaughnessy does.

2. Although Santarsiero will be a very worthy opponent, he will be defeated! The last thing the 8th Congressional District needs is another Pat Murphy “Clone” sitting in OUR seat in Congress! Rest assured that the Tea Party is alive and well in the 8th Congressional District and we’ll work our butts off to make sure NO DEMOCRAT wins the 8th!

3. Sean Ryan best politicspa prognosticator is back! Don’t worry everyone else get ready for 2 years of comments where DiGirolamo is up by 15 then 20 then 25 then 30 then 25 then 20 then 15 again

4. Mike F,
   DiGirolamo is a farmer who connects with the rural central portion of the district. He has a huge pro-life rating. The NRA gives him a 100% rating. Most importantly, his strong relationships with the Labor unions will destroy any democrat challenger.

   He is by far the only person that can destroy Santarsero as easily as Fitzpatrick would.

   Let us also remember that it was Gene DiGirolamo who stood out as the opposition to Tom Corbett’s rightwing agenda.

   Instead of winning Bensalem by 2700 votes like Fitzpatrick, he would win it by 5000 votes. Areas of lower Bucks that have been historically democratic strongholds will vote for DiGirolamo and crush ant opponent. But the most important thing to remember, Democrats fall in love, Republicans Fall in line.

5. Robbie,

   Fitzpatrick disgraced Strouse and the only reason Strouse was able to climb above 35% of the electorate was Wolf carrying him.

6. Why does Shaughnessy’s voter registration list her as a resident of her parents’ house? Why does her campaign manager live there too?

   From what I’ve heard, she actually lives in Philly.

7. Well there should be some state senate races in 2016. Maybe Naughton can get offered one of those, refuse it and then after she loses in the primary she can demand that the democratically nominated candidate step aside.

   Doesn’t matter which district. She’s happy to change her voting address.

8. Any thoughts on what Shaughnessy will try to run for when she loses this primary? My bet is on State Rep or Mayor this time

9. Every voter wins by every challenged race, primary or general. I don’t live in 8, but I know both Naughton and Santarsiero to be true friends of the environment and working people. Dems win either way, and who knows? With this extremely rare thing known as “a challenged PA Primary” (yes, it does exist), perhaps issues might get addressed. Or, at least the voters have the chance. Imagine that.

10. When you have a long list of your opponent’s former supporters ready on the day she announces, I’d say that’s rather impressive.

11. The list might not be “impressive” to outsiders, but it shows Steve has already secured much of the committee support that is going to matter for the endorsement, and supporting him at the polls–which, in a primary, matters.

12. This is not an impressive list of names, by any stretch.

13. What a joke! Committee persons? Are you kidding me? Have you ever heard of QUALITY over quantity? This makes him look like a fool. Hey, forgot to list his neighbors and school teachers!

14. Gene is a nice man, but his strength as a candidate is being vastly overstated by some of the people commenting here (who are either not from Bucks or are scared Bucks Republicans). He has not had a real race in years — if ever — would not have the support of his party’s base and would lose support among Republican women in the center of the county on issues like choice and gun safety.

    As for Santarsiero, he’s the only Bucks Democrat who has consistently won Republican support, he has had a series of tough races that have boosted his name ID and he’s not afraid to hit back harder when he’s attacked. It’s why the BCRC is scared. Oh, and as to the reference to his loss when he ran for county commissioner, remember, he came close to winning in a municipal election year when Democrats don’t vote and before he had a real base. He has the base now and, I may be going out on a limb here, but I think Democrats will turn out in 2016.

15. 2010: Pike vs. Trivedi
    2014: Strouse v. Naughton

    Generally it seems when candidates are competing for and publicizing *committee people endorsements*, it isn’t a good sign for the viability of the winner in the fall.

16. Sean Ryan:

    You mean like you are at the top of “Who’s Who of Terrible Prognosticators”? (Yep, it’s “Who’s Who” rather than “Whose Who” – go back to elementary school to learn the difference)

    I remember a year ago when you predicted Tom Wolf was “wasting money and…will fizzle out in a few weeks, by late March” because McCord was strong due to PSEA support and a statewide support base.

    How did that work out for you? I’ll give you a hint: now we call him “Governor Wolf” (what a waste of money, huh?); Wolf beat McCord by more than 40% (that really is fizzling out, huh?); McCord came in 3rd place out of 4 candidates (McCord’s PSEA endorsement must have been worth a lot, huh?); Wolf won all 67 counties, beating McCord by a lot in each county (great statewide support base, huh?); and McCord will be lucky if he avoids spending the next few years in jail rather than the Governor’s mansion.

    So before you make predictions and mock others for having lost elections, maybe you should think about your own terrible track record on predictions.

17. Run Shaughnessy Run!

18. Gene DiGirolamo will beat Santarsero or Naughton by 15%.

    This list of “endorsements” is nothing more than puffery. It is smoke and mirrors and won’t bring in large sums of money like that of Ed Rendell.

    I would also point out that there is a “whose who” of failed countywide candidates.

19. Jerry S., if DiGirolamo is the candidate then Santarsiero, even in a presidential year, will lose by a good margin. Probably not as bad as Boockvar, but by enough that’s an embarrassment.

20. with presidential turnout, Santarsiero could win this race. Naughton has no chance no matter how good the turnout is for the dems.

21. 2012 PA -8 Democratic Nominee Kathy Boockvar

    2014 PA-8 Democratic Nominee Kevin Strouse

    Both of whom got beaten like a drum.

22. Republicrat-

    The next 2-year term for congress would start AFTER his current 2-year term as state rep was over. So, really not an issue.

23. Yes, let’s all take a page from Det’s example and remember what not to do, which is nearly destroy the party by over the top support for a loser like Naughton.

24. Nothing like announcing your candidacy for another office just minutes after being sworn in for the term that you were just ejected to!

25. And this is why they have elections.

26. These two shouldn’t count against her, as it was a foregone conclusion they would not support her:

    2014 PA-8 Democratic Nominee Kevin Strouse
    Doylestown Mayor Ron Strouse

    However, the list is very impressive. I applaud Det Ansinn for his respectful treatment of Naughton, unlike many of the others who are slamming her. He has “street cred” as strong supporter of her run last year, and he’s not saying anything bad about her now. He feels the Santarsiero is more experienced and stronger candidate. That is a fair/reasonable position.

    Det has been long rumored as a candidate for the seat himself, so he’s given the job some thought.

    Whether Dems support Santarsiero or Naughton, they should take a page from Det’s example.

27. Poor Steve. He’s trying so hard to lose in the primary to Gene DiGirolamo.