Piling On Perzel

Since House Speaker John Perzel seems to be my whipping boy today so I may as well keep piling on. The guy just provides so much good material it's tough not to write about all of it. In a recent interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer Perzel said the following gems:

"My role in the pay-raise issue was always greatly overstated; however, in reality no single leader has the kind of power reported about me. But I am responsible for my own bad press; I know that. I didn't get the kind of visceral reaction from my constituents that other members and legislators got. It was never that kind of issue in my district. But I did make the mistake of not being sensitive to other regions of the state, and I certainly won't make that mistake again."

John, you're the Speaker of the House and everyone knows nothing comes to the floor unless you agree. You were one of the chief architects of the pay raise. As far as being sensitive to other regions of the state, go to Lancaster and milk some cows, that'll give you some perspective.

Q: Can you respond to the views of Mark Harris, who told KDKA TV the day after the primary: "John Perzel has to go. He is out of touch with the rest of the Republican Party. I think he is out of touch with the rest of the state of Pennsylvania."

A: I congratulate Mr. Harris for his primary victory. He ran a tough campaign, a good man lost, and a good man won. I welcome him onto the state-wide Republican team that will win in November. It's great to see energetic idealism coming into the party, and I'm certain Mr. Harris will vigorously represent the interests of the people of Southwestern Pennsylvania for years to come in the House. We are broadly based party in Pennsylvania. Any differences of opinions we may have, will be worked out when we welcome Rep. Harris into the House Caucus after the election."

Yes, we could sell pay per tickets for this performance. I'm afraid it would be rated R for the violence involved, though. Then there's this quote:

"Pay raise was what it was. Really that's a non-issue after this primary. We have moved beyond that issue now. "

He thinks the pay raise issue is over. Forgotten. Somehow I don't think so. Ask the voters if they've moved beyond it.