In my mind Allentown is officially lost. Pawlowski succeeded in having the minority majority knowingly elect a future indictee in a low turnout election. Understand that this constituency lived in Newark until two years ago, and still contributes to the litter on the streets. While Hamilton Street has new buildings, it's actually more depressing than ever.
Bernie O'Hare recently wrote; Allentown blogger Michael Molovinsky, whose blog is called Molovinsky on Allentown, spent the crucial week before that City's most important election in its history, talking abut(sp) anything but Allentown. Bernie writes poison like that, thinking that he is cleverly marginalizing me. But, if this was the most important election in Allentown's history, apparently the voters didn't know. You cannot blame the Morning Call, they pushed the election every day for months. Despite their effort, turnout was less than 15%.
We in local politics, either as a candidate, supporter or pundit, overestimate the public's interest.
On a positive note, congratulations to Brad Osborne, on his way to become Lehigh County Executive.
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| CHART FROM LEHIGH VALLEY LIVE |
Supposedly they gave an election and no one cared?
ReplyDeleteIt happened in Allentown PA on May 16th, 2017
dave@4:33, he mostly benefitted from the field being so crowded. if one of the other top four had dropped out, pawlowski would have lost.
ReplyDeleteIf Ed wins in November, he will be the first four consecutive term mayor in Allentown's history.
ReplyDeleteNo surprises here, low turnout, stubborn candidates refusing to drop out for the good of the city,and inept campaigns were all just more of the same sort of general incompetence and apathy that makes Allentown the corrupt mess it is.
ReplyDeleteRay O'Connell had a chance to win, but ignored good advice.
You keep saying "top 4" as if Bennett had any chance. After, what seems like 2 years of campaigning from her end, she barely squeaked out 700 votes. Even with low turnout, that's sad.
ReplyDeleteape@7:17, i believe in a two way race, with the exceptions of siegel and woodring, any of the other candidates, including bennett, would have won.
ReplyDeletei had decided not to make any recommendations for this election, except to say that i hoped that pawlowski would not prevail, although i predicted that he would. that said, i feel that bennett was well qualified as a candidate, and would have been glad to congratulate her this morning.
I would differ with you on just one point, though one probably beside the point.
ReplyDeleteYou mention the minority majority as being at the root of Pawlowski's victory. I really see no evidence of race being the determining factory. It would seem to me that it's the dependent class on welfare that has the most to gain from a Pawlowski victory, and Allentown has been made too attractive to them for that very purpose.
But, again, that's a fairly minor point in the scheme of things, Otherwise you're right on target...
Blaming this on people who "moved here from Newark.. who litter," is a pile of racist dogwhistle politics. Supervoters who are primarily white voted for the son of a bitch and most of them didn't even bother to come out.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, if there were an anti-Trump rally tomorrow led by Hillary Rodham Clinton, the lady who so nobly gave back Pawlowski's campaign donation to her way back when, probably every single last registered Democrat in the city would show up --- this being compared to what turnout was on primary election day, of course.
ReplyDeleteROLF OELER
Mike,
ReplyDeleteI think it is safe to assume Ed did fine in the west end as voter turnout was very low in the downtown precincts. It isn't just the gullible or lazy who voted for Ed Pawlwoski well educated and otherwise intelligent people in some of our best neighborhoods did as well. That is perhaps a reflection on the state of mind of today's Democratic voters.
unknown aka Jude-Laure Denis@9:15,
ReplyDeletescott@9:18
although the center city turnout was low along with the rest of the city, this is the area where the pawlowski votes came from. this is the demographic he targeted while campaigning. if Denis wants to paint this reality as racist, or scott wants to make a partisan issue of the result, it doesn't change the facts.
I wasn't trying to be anonymous. Thats how it posted though I used my google account. Not at all afraid to speak my mind and be known.
ReplyDeleteMike,
ReplyDeleteWhat is partisan about my post? We are discussing a Democratic primary, the mayor who is under investigation by the FBI for criminal corruption/pay to play came out on top. He got votes in our best districts. That is very telling. Is it partisan to point out the truth?
All this said, I will be the first to say I am a Republican partisan. I have become active because the actions of local Democratic voters and the people they elect have destroyed our city. Apparently they plan to continue to do the same. Is my position unreasonable?
Why is that only active Republicans are labeled "partisan"?
Now that the primary election is over I'll share my views on it. I don't live in Allentown any longer, my husband and I live in northern Montgomery County, but I grew up near West Park and my parents still live there.
ReplyDeleteDemocrats:
Ray O'Connell -- I believe was too old for the job. He's older than my dad actually, and was in the ASD for years. Then went into politics as a second career where he was a rubber-stamp for Pawlowski, at best he's an opportunist, but he's part of the baggage that Allentown needs to replace.
Charlie Thiel -- He was in the private sector then went to serve on the school board. I don't know if he had the executive experience to run Allentown, which is a $100 million dollar company really. I do think he was the best Democrat running.
Sam Bennett -- I just don't care for her. She says what she needs to say and sounds god to the voters, but in the end she will say and do anything to be elected. Her experience is questionable at best, and has been running for mayor for the past several years.
In the end I was glad that Thiel was ahead at first, but in the end both him and O'Connell faded to Pawlowski who knew where his support was and ran a campaign better than any of them. He also acted and sounded like a Mayor and I'm not really surprised he won, despite the cloud which hangs over the city. If he wasn't under suspicion of criminality, he would have handily won by a lot more.
Republicans:
Luiz Garcia -- Nice guy, liked what he wanted to say. Had big problems with his campaign organizationally, and did probably as good as he could. He is an up and comer in the GOP you'll see him again. He was the one I hoped to win, but he had little of a chance at least this first go-around. He did well though.
Nat Hyman -- This is where the traditional GOP was. He's kind of sleazy though with his low-end developments, kind of reminds me of a landlord for section-eight housing. But he had a lot of money and the big money Republicans were behind him. Not suprissed he won handily.
His biggest problem is that in order for him to win the general election, he's praying for indictments against Pawlowski. Hyman has a big hill to climb with 75% of Allentown voters being Democrat. Although if he runs against Pawlowski by running a negative campaign against him, he may attract many of the disaffected Democrats who supported O'Connell and Thiel. But that just may not be enough. He's probably got the Republican who has the best chance of winning since Heydt.
Cognitive Dissonance - When you realize that too many folks in your Country and Hometown are all stuck in this state of mind and being...
ReplyDelete- Alfonso Todd III
I would have loved to face Mr. Pawlowski head on. I was excited about that opportunity but hey we tried our best with no backing from any committee and limited funds. I was anticipating going every where to speak and show I was ready. I will say I have a brand new outlook on politics and certain entities. I pray for our city and hopefully we all wake up and start informing ourselves of each candidate. I truly believe I gave my party the best chance at victory in November and a new beginning but our fellow Rs chose differently. Thank you all for your kind words. Regards, Luiz www.luizgarciaformayor.com
ReplyDeleteI thought Sam Bennett was going to do much better, but when I read her focus for Allentown was to make it more hospitable to the artsy-fartsy crowd I knew she was done. The city's low income folks are not interested in more galleries, speakeasies and cutsie shops.
ReplyDeleteluiz@ 7:43, as i said on your Facebook page, you ran an honorable campaign. you, your family and supporters should be very proud.
ReplyDeletejosh@7:44, as i said elsewhere, i believe that o'connell, thiel or bennett could have beat pawlowski in a two person race.
eventually, allentown's hispanic mainstream community will gain the strength to elect a mayor of their choosing. however, pawlowski's victory was the result of a crowded field and the unaffiliated minorities, who discounted integrity with their support.
Thank you Michael!
DeleteHonorable does not win in Allentown. An effective campaign might.
ReplyDeleteThe math is simple anyways $30,000 got him 1400 votes, $2000 got us 650. Give us $10,000 more to tell our story and reach the voters...I know we would have had a better chance. Still shocking that a man with no message, gets beat in two debates, doesn't show up to the 3rd debate, doesn't go door to door as much as I did - because I asked everyone I met if they talked to anyone else and they said no. People skills are extremely lacking, website has no initiatives or in-depth policy write ups, looked completely uninterested throughout the campaign etc...can win let alone - by so much.Oh well as I told him he can defeat me because he has the money but in the general he better prepare for Ed in the Debate or he will get embarrassed. If he was afraid of me then I don't know what else to say. Now I know who I can and cannot trust. It was an eye-opening experience. The future is bright and we will have to re-evaluate who we are associated with because some entities did not stay neutral. Life long democrat vs life long proud republican yet we lost. I WAS READY FOR THE GENERAL and I offered our party the best chance at victory! Regards, Luiz
ReplyDelete