Wagner Floats RNC Challenge Against Asher

A fight is brewing for the position of Pennsylvania’s Republican Party National Committeeman.

Bob Asher, who was unanimously reelected to the role along with Christine Toretti in May 2016, has filled the role since 1998, but a GOP source tells PoliticsPA that former state Senator and 2018 gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner is considering a run for the position. 

In an email to state Republican committee members on Nov. 18, Wagner shot out an email tiled, the “Asher Agenda” accusing the longtime national committeeman of orchestrating “dirty politics” within the state party, while the focus should remain on defending President Donald Trump during the impeachment hearings. 

“The purpose of my email to you is to inform you that dirty politics continue within our party, orchestrated by none other than Bob Asher,” the email penned by Wagner begins.

Wagner accuses Asher of furthering his own agenda by “pressuring” the GOP Congressional delegation to sign a letter of support for his reelection, set for May 30, 2020, as opposed to having their attention on impeachment. 

Wagner continues in the email to say that Asher, 82, is telling GOP state committee members that he is running unopposed for national committeeman again, but claims that will not be the case. 

“Worse yet, he is falsely informing our delegation that he’s running unopposed — a clear effort to secure their support prematurely,” Wagner writes in the email. “I can assure all of you that Bob Asher is going to have very stiff competition in May.”

PoliticsPA is seeking comment from both Asher and Wagner on this email. 

This email to state committee members is not the first time that Wagner has aired grievances out about Asher. During the recent race for state party chair in the summer between Lawrence Tabas and Bernie Comfort, Wagner emailed committee members accusing Asher of undermining his gubernatorial run against Wolf and that “Mr. Asher’s politics have left our party bitterly fractured and highly dysfunctional.” 

Asher, along with other Trump allies, endorsed Comfort in the race to succeed Val DiGiorgio. 

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported in July 2018 that “Wagner’s relationship with Robert Asher, the prolific Republican fundraiser from Montgomery County, is strained, according to multiple GOP sources.”

In the Nov. 18 email, Wagner continues to say that Asher hosted a fundraiser for Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) in Philadelphia, saying he was doing so, “just in case the Democrats are successful in impeaching or weakening our President.” Wagner makes this claim although Asher, known for his fundraising, is the chair for Trump’s finance committee in eastern PA.

Wagner also claimed that the contributions from the fundraiser for the Rubio event in Philadelphia were going to the Florida Republican Party, not the Pennsylvania GOP, which Asher has denied. 

Wagner ends the email by urging GOP state committee members to keep their focus on supporting Trump and not pledge support for Asher for national committeeman. 

“I am asking all of you to immediately reach out to your Congressman and tell them to focus on defending the President,” Wagner writes in the email.

“Tell them they should not sign the Asher letter or be manipulated into influencing a party election that will not take place until May of 2020,” Wagner continues. “At this critical moment in American history, it is imperative that our Pennsylvania Congressional delegation commit their full energies and attention to defending the President and our country.”

Asher seemingly fired back in an email to GOP state committee members about this, although he does not mention Wagner by name, in an attempt to reassure members he is working hard to help keep Pennsylvania in the win column for Trump and denies some of the claims Wagner made in the process.

Asher leads the email by saying that due to his role of being the Trump Finance Committee Chairman for Eastern Pennsylvania, he is tasked with raising “at least five million dollars through events or direct contributions” to the campaign and that they are “making steady progress towards this goal.”

He continues to say that he is committed to the Trump re-election effort and will not be “distracted” in this time and will “not engage in any discourse that will deter” himself or the party of winning in 2020.

“I have pledged to the Trump campaign that I am totally focused on re-electing the President in 2020,” Asher writes in the email. “I have also made it very clear that I will not be distracted by anyone who wishes to pursue any other kind of agenda.”

Asher also addresses the Rubio fundraiser, which he said his political action committee recently held. He said that fundraiser, which Sen. Pat Toomey also lent his name to, was held to ensure that Republicans keep a majority in the Senate, and denied Wagner’s claim that the money was going to the Florida Republican Party.

“As an aside, the money from this event did not go to the Florida Republican Party…despite what some uninformed individuals might say,” Asher writes in the email. “Again, in 2020, my focus is on re-electing President Trump and Vice-President Pence and raising the money necessary to help them Keep America Great by putting Pennsylvania in the win column again next year.”

This story was updated with the email from Asher to Republican state committee members. 

28 Responses

  1. reported human trafficking in Abington TWP had nothing to do with “police impersonation,” where there had never been any element of any crime

    had the federal judge been told the truth, he would have censured Montgomery County’s actions, not mine, through this second account, more damning than the first.
    ((lie)Webster: an intentional violation of truth; a falsehood uttered or acted for the purpose of deception;an untruth spoken with the intention to deceive; to utter falsehood with an intention to deceive; to say or do that which is intended to deceive another,when he had a right to know the truth,or when morality requires a just representation;it is willful deceit that makes a lie)

    [Weisberg Law] having been legally [with a fiduciary responsibility to me] and morally obligated to have told the federal judge the truth, in the absence of any element of any crime, other than “(defendant) had a ‘cover’ over his license plate, (*)” how had the judge, outside of [not] having been told the truth (the whole truth and nothing but the truth), determined their had been “probable cause.”
    ((*) “cover” attached (to the truck) – never “cited” in 20 years, 250 000 miles, in any state (PA MD DE NJ NY CT RI ME NH VT))

    Rather than having mitigated my damages (awakening today, close to 3000 days) having this Internet account associating me (1:1 correlation) with child abductors (some for the purposes of sex slavery), rapists, and murderers (“police impersonation” summaries attached), in having allowed for this Montgomery County deliberate disinformation to “continue,” this [account] has not only “justified” their illegal actions, but has make me out, if possible, to be a further, totally deranged individual.
    With each and every element of this crime being something only a sociopath – to “manufacture” and display a “false ID:” borders on a person with a personality disorder manifesting itself in extreme antisocial attitudes and behavior and a lack of conscience – would deliberate, until this lie is replaced on the Internet with the truth ( 1) no statement of having been a police officer, 2) no badge, 3) no ID, and 4) no ever having endeavored to have placed anybody under any alleged authority), so will, morally and legally, this pursuit “continue.”
    You [“officers of the court,” who are “sworn to the truth”] should all withdraw yourselves from the “legal profession,” as you have all abandoned the truth.
    Justice Seamus McCaffery, in a phone call to my house had told me (to the effect): “(Alfred) the first thing anybody does today when ‘meeting’ somebody (business, employment, social, ministry) is to perform a ‘Google name search’.”  His Honor (something the/es “officers of the court” I have met through this ordeal absolutely lack) Justice McCaffery had even adduced this through having discussed my earning since the arrest ($5 414 in 2015 and less-than $17 000 in 2017).

    Even though I believe, and have been preaching for the last 20 years, the “immanency of the Lord’s Return,” and believe Judgment upon the United States is pending, there is not a “reasonable man,” who would not empathize with the need to morally and legally “continue” seeking the Truth.
    Each e-mail – “raising this up the flagpole until somebody salutes it” – has a corresponding USPS mailing.

    Jesus the Christ, and His Truth – (and to those of the Abrahamic Covenant, not having “met” the Lord, Jesus, the Christ) “[f]or if ye believe not that I am [He], ye shall die in your sins” – “God’s Simple Plan of Salvation,” attached.  (you may visit my “American” church any Sunday evening, if you wish, to discuss this most eternally important matter concerning your soul’s everlasting abode)
    Honestly, how do [any of] you attend synagogue, church, or mass each week?

    In researching numerous cases of sexual assault and murder throughout the nation, we have found that police impersonation is not an uncommon theme.  As a criminal tactic, police impersonation is surprisingly versatile and extremely effective because it allows perpetrators to gain complete control over potential victims. In fact, a significant number of high profile serial rapists and murderers have experimented with, or successfully used police impersonation at one time or another.Equally as disturbing, police impersonation is a tactic used to assault and abduct children and teens. In addition to being linked to serious crimes like unlawful sexual contact, sexual assault,abduction and murder, police impersonation is a factor in other crimes such as identity thefts, assaults, robberies and home invasions. Finally, police impersonation presents a threat to state and national security, as it allows a criminal to have unlimited access to places and events that would normally be restricted (i.e., schools, government buildings, political events,etc.). (“summaries” attached)In truth, it is difficult to determine exactly how often this tactic is used. These cases are not always reported to law enforcement, some victims do not survive to tell their story and perpetrators may not admit to using this tactic when they are arrested. In addition, the news does not cover every reported incident of police impersonation and there is no established data collection and statistical reporting system for police impersonation cases. It is also difficult to find any formal research that has been conducted on the topic of police impersonation.

    [“Officers of the court,” who are “sworn to the truth”],as long as this Montgomery County lie continues, morally and legally this pursuit to correct this, continues.  Not only have you “offended” the very foundation of the court system, you continue to “transgress” the very Truth of the foundation of the Constitution.  So much “thundering” when lying about me, now, when time for the truth “thundering silence.”

    Unequivocally, had there ever been any (bona fide) probable cause initially, for any crime (or any infraction of any law or ordinance whatsoever) having been committed, then why, after having had me in the court system for roughly 20 weeks (NOV to APR), and especially after my having refused ARD, would not the prosecution have been obligated to have compelled for testimony to some “element” of any crime, other than “(defendant) had a ‘cover’ over his (vehicle) license plate,” to have been presented?
    – there had not been (any)!

    As per a former chief of police in Delaware County, in order to “Impersonate a Police Officer,” the following elements of the crime are necessary:

    1) statement of being “police officer,”
    2) a badge,
    3) the respective ID, and
    4) “placing somebody under your alleged authority;” (and)

    all of these elements are absolutely required; and in the absence of any, this charge cannot be substantiated; and most specifically, without any badge, there is not any “police impersonation.” (“undercover” vehicle attached)  The requirement of a “badge” had also been echoed by a police officer, who is with the security detail for the district attorney’s office of Philadelphia.  In the absence of this “badge,” as having been established by the Commonwealth/prosecution’s key witness, the hospital guard, during the preliminary hearing, where then had there  ever been any legal substantiation for having had me charged/arrested? (my first assistant public defender, Theodore Swan had noted this, as well)  It is having “continued” this action, which had caused for my name to have been posted to the Internet.
    Then, had the federal judge been told the truth, he would have censured Montgomery County’s actions, not mine, through this second account, more damning than the first.
    ((lie)Webster: an intentional violation of truth; a falsehood uttered or acted for the purpose of deception;an untruth spoken with the intention to deceive; to utter falsehood with an intention to deceive; to say or do that which is intended to deceive another,when he had a right to know the truth,or when morality requires a just representation;it is willful deceit that makes a lie)

    (per “Memorandum,” the “verdict” from the federal court, which had been based upon everything except the truth (and I had been most conveniently excluded from said hearing))
    Whether or not having inadvertently unveiled Chinese/Korean human trafficking
    in “center city” Abington
    and having reported this to Assistant United States Attorney Lunkenheimer
    (and then after his death, to the (Castor) District Attorney’s Office)
    had placed me “in the radar screen ” with the Abington Police Department,
    with regard to “Impersonating a Police Officer (‘False ID,’ other articles/dates),”
    there had never been any element of any crime ever.
    Knowing you truly care nothing about “truth,” this writing campaign will “continue” until somebody is found, who will be loyal to their “‘oath’ of office;”  and post to the Internet:
    1) no statement of being “police officer,”
    2) no badge,
    3) no ID (of any kind, whatsoever), and
    4) never having endeavored to have “placed somebody under your alleged authority.”
    how many defendants who had truly been “not guilty”had been demanded as I had (not once but twice)to have accepted ARD(and to have admitted guilt for a crime the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office had known, had not been committed?)!

    Dear Commissioner Sharkey:

    With regard to the documents, which should have been delivered to your in-house mail box at the township building, they outline how, for nothing other than, “(defendant) had a ‘cover’ over his (vehicle) license plate,” my name remains posted to the Internet for “Impersonating a Police Officer (‘False ID,’ other articles/dates),” associating me (1:1 correlation) with the most heinous of individuals, not fit to live in decent society (please note hard copy: “police impersonation” summaries). (and to those responsible persons in Abington, copied within this communication, the documents are the same) With multiple contacts (CERTIFIED MAIL, e-mail, etc.) to the various responsible persons/organizations having gone deliberately unanswered, because of the absolute need to correct this deliberate disinformation, leading to having further researched “responsible persons,” this [key-word search] had produced your name/positions (President, Eastern Association of Township Commissioners; President, Montgomery County Association  of Township Commissioners; Chairman,  Public Works Committee; Past Chairman, Public Affairs and Public Safety, etc.).  In having spoken with somebody, whom I trust inordinately (referenced in your envelope), about your integrity – and with them having affirmed you – I write. (they will, of course, be my reference, as well)
    Aside from “references,” in accordance with the “law,” which Montgomery County had accused me of having violated, as per a former chief of police in Delaware County, in order to “Impersonate a Police Officer,” the following elements of the crime are necessary:

    1) statement of being “police officer,”
    2) a badge,
    3) the respective ID, and
    4) “placing somebody under your alleged authority;” (and)

    all of these elements are absolutely required; and in the absence of any, this charge cannot be substantiated; and most specifically, without any badge, there is not any “police impersonation.” (“undercover” vehicle attached)  The requirement of a “badge” had also been echoed by a police officer, who is with the security detail for the district attorney’s office of Philadelphia.  In the absence of this “badge,” as having been established by the Commonwealth/prosecution’s key witness, the hospital guard, during the preliminary hearing, where then had there  ever been any legal substantiation for having had me charged/arrested? (my first assistant public defender, Theodore Swan had noted this, as well)  It is having “continued” this action, which had caused for my name to have been posted to the Internet. (then, had the federal judge been told the truth, he would have censured Montgomery County’s actions, not mine, through this second account, more damning than the first)

  2. Do you think Wagner and PA GOP State Committee members that supported Tabas will be surprised when Tabas ends up supporting Asher and works to get Wagner out of the race?

    I can’t wait for Donald Trump to tweet his support for Asher too. I think it will read something like “Ashemer makes the best chocolate! Pennsylvania GOP needs him to be RNC Delegateman!”

  3. Sounds like someone hasn’t gotten over their thumping in the Governor’s race yet, nor are willing to take any responsibility for an unsuccessful campaign.

  4. To Lib:

    Read my multiple op-eds decrying its illegality, and then swallow the loss of the individual mandate; then recognize that quality reform doesn’t require Big Government intervention, and instead join efforts to repeal the McCarran-Ferguson Act.

  5. The role of national committee person through the country is much different than how it is treated in PA. In most states, the national committee people have little if any real fundraising responsibilities. It’s Bob Asher who changed that dynamic because he could never retake his place as chairman after getting out of jail. He uses money as a weapon and does it like no one else. The fact that so many state chairs have allowed their national committee man to have his own private PAC to compete against the GOP money is ridiculous.

    There are so many people in the SE that have “Asher lied to me stories” that it is hard to keep them straight. Asher has made a career out of creating chaos and then living in it. Again the number of stories of him playing both sides of a primary or telling multiple candidates for office or party leader that he is with them is incredible. Even if a fraction of the stories are true, they are too many.

    The decades of infighting caused by Bob Asher has decimated the GOP in the SE.

    How many people does Bob Asher hate and has dragged the party to war with because they waved at Bruce Castor at a red light or let Frank Bartle go in front of them at the super market or wished Mike Meehan a happy birthday or told John McNichol that he had toilet paper on the bottom of his shoe? Now we have nothing left.

    Alan Novak should have cut him off when he had the chance. But he was addicted to Asher money like so many others.

    Scott Wagner? Really? This is the best we can do? We would only be trading one DB for another.

    The Republican Party is in deep trouble if these two are the best out there.

    1. There is much that is incorrect, pending provision of on-point documentation, of this broadside against Bob Asher; granted, I’m not an “insider” but, from what has been observed during three decades of following what has occurred within the MCRC [montgomery county republican committee], it seems that incompetence was more problematic than anything of which “The Candyman” has been accused.

      The essay starts with the smear-reminder that he’s a convicted felon who has paid his societal debt; that the initial charges were problematic need not be recouped for, suffice to write, this reference is intended to set the stage for impugning rather than enlightening.

      It is used to segue into the claim that “he could never retake his place as chairman,” despite the fact that he became the National Committeeman; it’s unclear why he would be precluded from doing the former [assuming he had sought the position] when he could function as the latter.

      *

      The major charge is that the “Pennsylvania Future Fund” constitutes how “He uses money as a weapon and does it like no one else. The fact that so many state chairs have allowed their national committee man to have his own private PAC to compete against the GOP money is ridiculous.” There is NO evidence that he competed against ORGANIZED distribution of GOP $$$, even as it is his right to support primary candidates c/w his ideals.

      The next section would be expected to have been composed by someone whom Asher had opposed, accusing him of being disingenuous in multiple fashions on multiple platforms in multiple fora; with myriad examples @ the author’s disposal, one would think that he/she could articulate a “best example” of this alleged misbehavior.

      The heart of the accusation presumably invokes the Bruce Castor civil-war of years ago [“The decades of infighting caused by Bob Asher has decimated the GOP in the SE”], despite the fact that the battlefield upon which it was waged was within the MCRC; for example, it’s unclear how he could be linked to the most recent problem with the immediate-past statewide GOP Chair [from CHESTER county, recalling how he had retained this leadership position concomitantly].

      *

      The coda attaches the movement of Dems from Philly into the collar counties to whatever Bob Asher may have [or may not have] done [“Now we have nothing left”] while tossing an accusation from left-field without explanation [“Alan Novak should have cut him off when he had the chance. But he was addicted to Asher money like so many others.”] Candidly, would not the PoliticsPA reader want to know what this entailed?

      I have no problem with Scott Wagner again expressing his frustration, notwithstanding the [probably admitted] campaign failures; although it’s unclear what a “DB” actually is [probably colorful], no voice should be silenced when strategizing as to what should be done to educating the populace as to what the GOP has accomplished nationally.

      Having resigned following a two-decade stint as a GOP Committeeman due to recognition of “problems” @ all levels thereof [a few years ago], I haven’t regretted the decision [noting, just for an example, how Abington has become an electoral disaster following the death of Former Congressman Jon David Fox]; nevertheless, this essay obviously is “informed” and, thus, cries for f/u elucidations.

  6. And they say the top tier of the Democratic Party are old. Nothing sadder than watching two successful senior citizens fighting over nothing.

  7. Hey guys! Where’s my spandex post at?? Remember me? Just wanted to say hi! Me and my geniuses at Cold Spark helped me get 6th in the recent commissioners race. I know, I know, not the outcome we wanted. But, it takes time to find another sugar daddy like WW (he moved West, young men). Keep cycling bros! Never stop pedaling!

    1. Asher was for Marty also bc WW and BA were close. Good call, you rich idiots! (sarcasm) They picked yet another loser. Asher gave us Corbett, supported Rubio, Steve Welsh, a bunch of justices that lost. His track record is terrible in picking winning candidates. Get him out!!!

  8. A convicted felon fighting with a guy from the carting industry. Grand Old Party indeed.

  9. I liked Scott Wagner in the primary; he had read my critiques here on PoliticsPA and responded thereto, eyeballs-to-eyeballs, by-name and by-topic.

    He then screwed-up the campaign, perhaps even more profoundly than did Corbett [were that possible]; the anger/violence seemed out-of-control and it drowned-out his message [that I still feel was more marketable than his primary component’s would have been, particularly noting that (again, eyeballs-to-eyeballs) Paul Mango endorsed ObamaDon’tCare].

    Meanwhile, win-or-lose, Bob Asher constantly is a player who is promoting GOP victory, even when facing tough odds [Supremes]; thus, would want to find a landing spot for Scott that doesn’t impede Asher.

    1. Pardon me, it’s called the ACA. As a doctor, you should be ashamed of yourself. Stick to testifying against your own colleagues.

  10. What causes Republicans to lose in PA is caused by Soros,Bloomberg, and the big bucks straight from NEW YORK CITY . SCOTT Wagner is a good man. He has our vote!

  11. Puppet Master…You must know a Wagner the State does not. Wagner singlehandedly gave the Dems a second term in the Gov race with one of the most hapless performances as a candidate for Gov in the Commonwealth’s 200 plus year history. And you have him as some political genius. Wow!

  12. Wagner’s the guy who brokered the deal that moved Asher-backed Bernie Comfort out of the way for Tabas to take over as Chair of PA GOP. Tabas has two R Superior Court victories under his belt. Wagner is the real one holding the strings. Asher is a has-been, tied to many losses for Rs.

    1. Tabas had one superior court win. Not sure which election results you were following.

      Also, mark my words: “Tabas will support Asher”.

  13. We need more people like Scott Wagner and Donald Trump in our party. Too Bad the establishment didnt support Scott….

  14. This guy embarrassed the state party and their endorsement of him for Guv! Everyone is gonna need a golf mask for his baseball spikes if he gets this.

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