Did Kevin Boyle take a page out of Donald Trump’s playbook?
The Democratic candidate apparently needed a little help conjuring up “volunteers” for today’s State Senate primary in Northeast Philadelphia, hiring a King of Prussia casting company to help him fill the polls with Boyle “supporters.”
Mike Lemon Casting sent out an email Monday, offering $120 and lunch for 13 hours’ work at voting stations in PA’s 5th Senate District, Holly Otterbein of Citified reports.
The job even comes with a script, though it’s hard to imagine aspiring actors will include the one-day gig in their highlight reels.
Extras who accept Boyle’s odd job are also invited to an open-bar after-party, according to the casting email. It could be quite an awkward get-together if Sabatina comes out on top, full of “supporters” who don’t actually support Boyle.
“We all get bit work,” Otterbein’s source said. “It’s a sad day, though, when the people flagging you down on your way to vote are driven by nothing more than Stanislavski and the need to cover a portion of the rent.”
State Rep. Boyle is running against incumbent John Sabatina Jr. for the Democratic nomination in SD-5. Sabatina was chosen last year to finish now-Lt. Gov. Mike Stack’s term in the State Senate.
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Either the journalist is really naive or really biased against Boyle or really looking to sensationalize a non-story. Yes, candidates hire outside people to work the polls all the time. They tap into any group they can. Sabatina was paying people to leave their communities and sit at polls too. Sabatina was paying people per diems to go door to door far from their own homes. There’s nothing wrong, unusual or illegal about this, as long as the campaign finance reporting is honest. The acting angle is total BS. Why not tap into a group of people who are well-spoken, have experience speaking in public and are looking for work. Are they somehow less legitimate than the unemployed laborer or bartender or store clerk? Do you really think the non-professional hirees somehow have more knowledge and loyalty to the candidate. Again, a total BS article that was timed perfectly to compromise the election. If you are going to post that garbage to drum up some extra website hits, at least wait until after 8 p.m. But good old Holly posted it at the height of lunchtime. And she’s supposed to be a journalist? She readily admitted that someone called her to tip her off. Did she rush to post it on the web? Or did she hold it until the Sab camp gave her the go-ahead. She really should be reprimanded by her employer if they hope to preserve any thread of journalistic dignity.
I’ve heard of paying people to work the polls, but never of hiring actors to do it. More often than not, it seems to be a way to help dedicated volunteers who have to take time off from work and don’t always have paid time off. I’m not sure if this is clever or depressing or hilarious. Do the Boyles really have so little popular support?
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arthur holst-
Not that hard for a strong candidate, especially with so many people involved. He could have hired a Bernie activist to hand out his lit and Bernie’s.
I applaud their ingenuity–anyone who has worked a campaign knows how hard it is to get people to work a 13 hour shift at the polls.
This is the first I’ve ever heard of hiring from acting/casting firm (other than Trump’s initial campaign announcement). Usually it’s paid committee people and their kids/relatives/friends. Particularly for a well funded campaign.
The need for paid shills indicates a lack support.
We’ll see what the end results are.
These brothers aren’t thinking outside the box. The most notable thing is how hard he had to find some people to work the polls.
How is this news? Campaigns regularly do this…
Campaigns have been doing this forever, especially in Philadelphia and the collar counties.
This really isn’t news, especially during a primary when turnout or volunteer support is traditionally harder to acquire than general elections.
Is the primary really that slow of a news day?