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Schroder welcomes all PA-6 candidates… except Welch

Schroder welcomes all PA-6 candidates… except Welch

NEW YORK—It’s clear that state Representative Curt Schroder (R-Chester) will continue to make an issue of primary opponent Steven Welch’s residency, as he keeps up an attack line against the man seen by some as the candidate with the best chance of beating him.

In an interview with pa2010.com during Congressman Charlie Dent’s reception here Saturday afternoon, with Welch about 25 feet away, Schroder said he’s glad to see so many candidates running in the GOP primary to succeed Jim Gerlach—with one exception.

“I welcome anyone to the race who’s actually from the district, who has a history of serving the party,” Schroder said.

Schroder, seemingly a favored candidate of the conservative grassroots in the 6th Congressional District, never mentions Welch by name is such statements. But they echo previous comments he’s made, and the implication is clear. Welch lives just across the river from the gerrymandered district, and he was briefly a Democrat from 2006-2009. As if to make sure the point isn’t missed, Schroder emphasized again the exception to his words of welcome. But after all that, he won’t say Welch’s name.

“I’ll just leave it at that,” he said with a smile. “People will see my experiences and the principles I hold as the best fit for the district, but in the meantime, I welcome the energy the other candidates bring.”

December 12, 2009 at 9:50 pm

--Dan Hirschhorn

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  1. David Diano

    Dec 12th, 2009

    Meeoowww!

  2. Glorious

    Dec 12th, 2009

    That’s awesome. Much nastier than the back and forth of the dem candidates of PA-6.

  3. Karlub

    Dec 12th, 2009

    “Make an issue”, Dan? More a casual aside. Let’s be careful with implying things, mmm ‘kay?

    Be sure to say “Hi” at Curt’s event on Monday. I’m the one that looks like Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

  4. in6th

    Dec 13th, 2009

    Big surprise. Curt’s biggest attack dog (Karl) trying to come to his support. Karl is reason enough for me not to vote for Curt. Has Curt said anything of real substance since he has started his campaign? Him and his staff are like little girls!

  5. ChescoTom

    Dec 13th, 2009

    Looking forward to some substance from Curt. He’s a nice guy but he’s gotta offer more than just oblique shots. I have seen him at two events now and all I hear are these asides. I’d like to hear him talk about concrete ideas and be more substantive. Until then I don’t even know why he’s running… And I am a conservative so we should have similar views. Come on Curt, time to step it up and stop hiding behind churlish comments.

  6. Glorious

    Dec 13th, 2009

    Yea, but the average voter isn’t looking for too much substance and a staunch conservative who hears “democrat for last 3 years” “doesn’t live in district” will NOT vote for Welch. Come on, we know how simple most voters are, let’s grow up and realize this IS A BIG DEAL.

  7. ChescoTom

    Dec 13th, 2009

    Glorious, we cannot repeat the mistakes of ‘06 by not giving voters a reason to vote for our candidates. We must offer voters more than negativity. Also I would argue that certain conservatives respect the fact some folks do not stick with GOP orthodoxy. Look what it got us here in PA — a middle of the night legislative pay raise. (BTW, how did Curt vote on that? And what did he do with the pay raise proceeds?)

    I look forward to hearing Curt’s ideas. I hope he has some, because all candidates need a rationale for running. We need to nominate the candidate who can best articulate his reasons and the ideals of our party.

    Let’s put aside this silly harping and have a debate on ideas. Voters are too smart for petty backhands. Our party deserves more.

  8. [...] Schroder welcomes all PA-6 candidates… except Welch… [...]

  9. Sam I Am

    Dec 13th, 2009

    Curt Schroeder:

    Pension Grab, Check
    Midnight Pay Raise, Check
    Go Along To Get Along For Most of his legislative years, Check.
    Suddenly trying to reinvent himself as a conservative to run for higher office….I’m calling b/s on him.

  10. Terra Firma

    Dec 14th, 2009

    Let them all jump in. The real conservative will get the worm.

  11. karlub

    Dec 15th, 2009

    First time I’ve been called an attack dog! I’m generally perceived by disinterested observers as the good cop.

    At Curt’s event last night, which attracted well over 200 people, he offered lots of substance
    and did not mention– once– Welch’s residency or registration. So much for “making an issue” of it. The substance included:

    1) Recommendations regarding tax policy, and his track record thereon.
    2) A call to audit the fed.
    3) General support for the President’s surge in Afghanistan.
    4) Highlighting his track record in introducing legislative reforms to prevent things like the pay raise from happening again. Legislation, mind you, opposed by leaders in BOTH parties.
    5) Highlighting his track record regarding open space and fighting gas company pipeline plans and deep-well drilling.
    6) Noting his track record in opposing a corrupt GOP Speaker.
    7) Calling for the sale of insurance across state lines, tax breaks for individual purchases of insurance, and malpractice reform, noting on the latter his track record of introducing such reforms in Harrisburg.

    Seems to me you’re not paying attention if you’re missing the substance. Most candidates, in your defense, do not release a lot of that stuff in the holiday season.

    Please note in that above list there’s two words, I think, that are of particular note: “Track record.”

  12. ChescoTom

    Dec 15th, 2009

    Thanks for my morning laugh Karl(@disinterested observers comment).

    I wasn’t there so I cannot confirm that there were no shots at his primary opponents. I am glad to hear that Curt is offering some concrete ideas. When I see him at the next event, I hope he continues to expand on these ideas. You have to admit that these are fairly vanilla proposals when it comes to GOP orthodoxy. They read more like NRCC talking points that all of his primary opponents have already signed on to. I do not see any real innovative ideas there but I will give him the benefit of the doubt and wait to hear more.

    You do raise a good point regarding the track record. When the chips were down, he voted himself a raise. How does he reconcile his vote for the pay raise with his alleged conservatism? Maybe you could encourage him to acknowledge his mistake. Certainly conservatives could respect that.

  13. [...] friends at PA2010 wrote about Curt Schroder snubbing you at a banquet dinner. What was your reaction to [...]

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