Vince Fumo Steps Down From Committee
Submitted by Sam Durso on Mon, 02/05/2007 - 4:01pm.
This just posted at philly.com:
In what he described as the most difficult speech he ever had to deliver, Sen. Fumo acknowledged minutes ago on the Senate floor that he would be indicted as part of a federal investigation this week and said he would temporarily step down as the ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee.
If you're wondering what that tremor was this afternoon, it may have been the electoral landscape shifting...
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Oops, attribution...
Above was posted by the Inquirer's Amy Worden on her Harrisburg blog at 1:59.
Supporting Damon K. Roberts, Marc Stier, Maria Quinones-Sanchez, Irv Ackelsburg, and Vern Anastasio (should he decide to run) for City Council. Supporting Michael Nutter for Mayor. Running out of room on the bumper for more stickers.
love your sig line. (you
love your sig line.
(you hippy! ;)
acm
Fumo and City Council
This obviously has huge implications for City Council.
Everyone knows that Frank DiCicco and Jim Kenney are close allies of the embattled state senator. Kenney is a little more independent, but DiCicco has repeatedly called himself a "Fumocrat" in press interviews. It's always bad news when your political patron goes down.
Of course, bad news for Frank DiCicco is good news for Vern Anstasio. I'm not quite as sure how this will impact the Council at Large race. I think it's probably good for Marc Stier, since he's talked about ethics from the beginning.
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http://benwaxman.com
The thing is, do you think
The thing is, do you think that there is anybody out there that trully doesn't believe that Fumo is a crook? I mean, this is almost a non story.
What I am wondering is is there going to be a special election, and if so, who do you think will win?
Special election for what?
Special election for what?
His seat if he has to step
His seat if he has to step down.
Article II Section 2 of the
Article II Section 2 of the State Constitution:
Whenever a vacancy shall occur in either House, the presiding officer thereof shall issue a writ of election to fill such vacancy for the remainder of the term.
Johnny Doc for State Senate.
Johnny Doc for State Senate. Noboby beats him in his home district.
I agree in part. If he
I agree in part. If he runs, it will be really (by really I mean extremely) tough to beat him.
Supporting Michael Nutter in 2007!
That is, assuming Fumo is
That is, assuming Fumo is found guilty and/or resigns his seat.
Supporting Michael Nutter in 2007!
Or otherwise
Isn't he sort of vulnerable regardless?
Maybe--but, this is Philly
Maybe--but, this is Philly politics we are talking about here--and in particular South Philadelphia. If he is just indicted but found not guilty, I do not think it matter for him. He is Vince.
Supporting Michael Nutter in 2007!
Do you want to know why,
Do you want to know why, short of conviction and/or resignation Fumo would beat just about any challenger head to head? Read this article.
Aside from allegations of corruption and sometimes questionable behavior towards other law makers, the man gets stuff done. I even have my own personal story related to his office's abilities in terms of constituent service, which I have told a number of people.
If you have been following Philly politics, and particularly South Philly politics for a long time, at least as long as as my 27 years, you know never to count this guy out.
Supporting Michael Nutter in 2007!
The man gets stuff done
It's interesting how frequently we hear this as a justification for the machine in Philly.
Campbell gets stuff done. Fumo gets stuff done. But as a city, where has this getting stuff done gotten us?
I'm not saying that you are supporting Fumo (you know that I'd never differ with your opinions), but how will things change as long as this is such a pervasive perspective?
I am writing a post on this
I am writing a post on this now, you cannot compare the legislative record of Fumo to anyone else in this town, even Fattah and Brady--let alone Carol Campbell. He is unique. And, perphaps the sole legislator that we should take pause and realize his career has, in fact, helped people.
I'm not an ardent Fumo supporter. But, I have voted for him in the past and would do so again (unless there was a better candidate). Why--because, yes, he, unlike all of the other machine politicians really does get things done in a BIG way. Honestly, unless you grew up a kid in his power base, you really have a much different perspective.
Supporting Michael Nutter in 2007!
Here is the irony.
*Under the assumption he is guilty*
Were you against the pay raise that went through Harrisburg a year ago? I am sure many people were on this forum. Many of those legislators did good for their community as well.
So, why is it wrong for legislators to vote themselves a pay raise, but it is justifiable to look the other way if a legislator illegally skims off the top of non-profit community groups?
All because he "does some good for the community"?
Whatever my friend, like I
Whatever my friend, like I said, there is no comparable legislator in Southeastern Pennsylvania, federal or state. I'm not defending his actions or gaming or the pay raise, I am saying that, there are other things that need to be considered. If guilty, he deserves to lose his seat and more. Never said he didn't.
Supporting Michael Nutter in 2007!
I don't think anyone has
I don't think anyone has said he hasn't gotten stuff done.
If it were up to Fumo...
Knox wouldn't have been able to rake in that cool $15-mil on the backs of poor Philadelphians. Is the man corrupt? Undoubtedly. Is he also an extremely complex figure who has done a lot of good for a lot of people? Undoubtedly as well.
So long as you keep your hand out of his troth, and away from his mouth, Fumo seems to be someone who can make good things happen for Philadelphia. The problem seems to me to be that his troth is very large, making it way to easy to get bitten...
And that is part of the
And that is part of the Problem with the Philly machine. Too many politicians buy votes. People are willing to overlook embezzlement as long as the guy fixed something for them. "I got mine and he got his" is not acceptable.
Keep in mind Fumo also sticks his hands where he shouldn't. The Barnes Tower reached an agreement with the neighborhood groups to make the tower 35 stories, but Fumo is holding it up because he wants it 32.
I wouldn’t go as far as to
I wouldn’t go as far as to say that it’s buying votes. I think it is more of a question of old school versus new school. Vince is all old school. He, unlike most politicians really understands that politics is about the people. Is it buying someone’s vote when you use your power to help them, or is it earning their vote?
I’m not saying that they guy isn’t a crook. I have always thought that he has done a lot for the city, but then always wanted to steal some for himself. It’s just a fact that if you take care of people, then they don’t care if you are a crook or not. We may not like it, but it is true.
Bingo!
Supporting Michael Nutter in 2007!
I consider it buying votes
I consider it buying votes if that is a justification for shady, illegal and/or unethical practices. You are paying people to look past the wrong doing.
If he (and other politicians) had a clean record, I would consider ti earnign their votes, yes.
State Penator J Doc
Come on you know he is next on the hit list. Why waist our time even mentioning the has been ?? Three little letters FBI
Anonymous Sniping
Carmen, why are you cowardly sniping from behind a pseudonym? Why not sign your posts with your real name - Jim Kenney, or is it Frank DiCicco? Or are you employed by one or both of them and simply post what they tell you to? Inquiring minds want to know.
Senator Vince
First of all Indicment does not mean conviction. The blessed Mother would be indicted if she were in front of a grand jury with no rights. Hold of until we see IF charges are brought. And who is Vern Anastasio never herd of him ? He couldn't win if DiCicco was Indicted.
Hold on!
Senator Fumo has been around for a long, long time. Let's see where the indictment goes. But let's not presume him guilty until later. He's been a very effective senator, and is very popular in his district. Make no assumptions that he won't continue being the senator!
No kidding? Another politician indicted in Philly?
It would have been nice to make it through three months in 2007 without a public official getting indicted. Regardless of party the public deserves better.
True...
You'd think with this climate in Philadelphia, that the Republican Party would put up some reformer clean governance candidates? Maybe it's time for the Republicans to come back in and have a real presence? A two party system would probably be a good thing.