Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Challenge this! Jag offs!

Ballot access is the worst sin of PA's political landscape and those that side with that cancer are clueless.

Bram, posted in another blog's comments, "I don't have the slightest problem with candidates trying to knock other candidates from the ballot."

Well, Bram, shame on you for that.

Court costs are part of the quagmire. So, when a candidate goes before the judge, rather than campaigning, to defend his/her right to challenge the status quo and appear on the ballot, the judge can slap a $1.5M fine onto the candidate as has happened in another courtroom same building when I was challenged.

Remember 2006 and the Green candidate for Governor. Remember Titus North too.

Talk about a dangerous, long walk on some very THIN ICE. That's why Pittsburgh seems to have its three choices for mayor brewing in this election. Sigh.

Most ballot challenges are UN-DEMOCRATIC. Here is an idea: Let the voters decide.

Of course this latest challenge to Dok Harris for Mayor is a "R" challenge. And, of course that doesn't matter if it is "R" or not, on the basis of the "R". But because it is from Kevin Acklin -- it sucks and smears Kevin Acklin.

Seems as if this challenge is from KEVIN ACKLIN's camp. Right? If that is the source, that is what matters. That's what sucks the most.

I did not sign anyone's nomination paper. I wasn't asked to do so.

Finally, the funding for the challenge does NOT need to be reported on campaign finance records. Court expenses are not to sway voters in a campaign. It can all be swept under the rug according to the old rules we must sadly follow.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Acklin supporters challenge Harris' nomination petitions
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Supporters of independent mayoral candidate Kevin Acklin are challenging the nomination petitions of fellow independent Franco Dok Harris, saying they are invalid and he should be thrown off the Nov. 3 ballot.

Four supporters of the Squirrel Hill attorney filed a complaint Monday alleging that only 825 of Mr. Harris's signatures are valid, short of the 1,119 necessary to challenge incumbent Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. It says many of the petition signers live outside the city, are not registered to vote or signed petitions for other candidates. Other campaign paperwork is also flawed, it says.

A hearing is set for Sept. 2 before Common Pleas Court Judge Joseph James.

Mr. Harris is a Shadyside businessman and son of Steelers Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris. His campaign manager, Michael Capozzoli, said he was confident the petitions will stand and criticized the complaint as a "divisive, diversionary tactic that distracts us from the important work of leading the city."

First published on August 12, 2009 at 12:00 am


Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09224/990165-53.stm#ixzz0OXfIX8Nu