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Hoeffel wants Dems to forgo endorsement
Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel said Monday that the state Democratic Party should refrain from endorsing a candidate for governor when its leaders meet this weekend in Lancaster, arguing that primary voters should make “the ultimate decision.”
It remains unclear if any candidate will muster the challenging two-thirds vote needed to win an endorsement from the Democratic State Committee. But with much of the establishment party support split between Auditor General Jack Wagner and Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, most Democratic insiders agree that Hoeffel has little chance of winning the endorsement himself—a political dynamic that almost certainly influenced his latest comments. Even if a candidate is endorsed, it doesn’t stop voters from choosing someone else in May; Bob Casey won the party’s endorsement in 2002, only to be bested by Ed Rendell when voters went to the polls.
“There are four excellent candidates that offer very different visions for Pennsylvania,” Hoeffel said in a statement Monday, in which he also called on his primary opponents to join him in discouraging a formal endorsement. “I sincerely believe that the Democratic voters in Pennsylvania should make the ultimate decision on who will be the party’s standard bearer in the general election.”
Hoeffel pointed to recent polls in making his argument.
“A recent poll showed that over 70 percent of Democratic voters are undecided on their choice of a candidate,” Hoeffel said. “The voters deserve to hear the candidates over the next three-plus months to make an informed decision on which person should represent them in the general election.”
February 1, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Tags: Joe Hoeffel
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David Diano
Feb 1st, 2010
No candidate is going to get two thirds. That’s a given. I’d be surprised if one of them crossed 50%.
I understand Joe’s concern. Onorato is considered the front runner, and the front runner never calls for an open primary if he’s going to win a vote.
My guess is
35% Onorato
25% to 30% Wagner-Hoeffel each too close to call
10% Doherty
It’s basically a three-way race. If Doherty drops out, (and doesn’t go with Onorato) Hoeffel picks up his votes. As long as Wagner stays in, he and Onorato split the western conservative vote. Either of them “might” still beat Hoeffel. But together two against one, they effectively become partners in a three-legged race against an unencumbered Hoeffel.
Dan’s got the most executive experience, Wagner understands where the numbers break down, but Hoeffel has the right values. Ideally, Joe as governor, with Dan and Jack as his left and right hands, implementing his policies.
Don
Feb 2nd, 2010
Hoeffel has the right values? Did you see the Inquirer piece recently? He is so far to the left, Nancy Pelosi seems like a Christian Conservative in comparison. No way, no how does Hoeffel win a General Election in this climate, though I agree that he has a shot at the nomination because of how our party is screwing up this race. Hoeffel is our worst shot at winning.
95 South
Feb 3rd, 2010
Hey Joe, how about you forgo the race for Governor???!!!
Ralph Adamo
Feb 9th, 2010
Joe Hoeffel is “far to the left”? Then you don’t know Joe Hoeffel. Hoeffel is just about perfectly balanced on all the important issue facing Pennsylvania. He also knows how to get things done, and is a great listener and reponds on a very personal level, showing great sensitivity. He is indeed a rare bird in American politics. He is so good at what he does, that many of leaders of the Democratic machine want to keep him where he is, which explains their lack of action to support him in his quest for the Governor post. But voters should not be swayed by the Democratic machine. Just look at their pick in the Massachussetts senatorial race: absolutely awful and ill-conceived from every perspective, making Brown, the Republican, a virtual shoe-in. I would hope that Democratic voters would pick the best candidate, and not be swayed by Party directives. Hoeffel would clearly be an outstanding Governor for all Pennsylvanians.