Jay Paisley – 10/9/06

This page was last updated on October 15, 2006.

Vote out Veon and Santorum; Jay Paisley; Beaver County Times; October 9, 2006.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“Isn’t it ironic that two well-known public officials, Sen. Rick Santorum, staunch Republican, and Rep. Mike Veon, staunch Democrat, make the same pitch to the voters about why they should be re-elected in November.

“They both say ‘vote for me, because I am a powerful leader and, because of my power, I deliver.’ It is my opinion that the voters should reject them both.

“Each of their supporters will say that their candidate’s situation is different, but despite their different political party affiliations, both Santorum and Veon have many characteristics in common: Both are arrogant, perhaps because they are isolated from non-politicians. Both are political water-carriers for special interest groups. Both are known for taking credit for everything good, including the sun coming up in the morning. If we voters reject these two officials this fall, the sun will still come up in the morning, and maybe, just maybe, we will be represented by individuals who can devote time to actually being concerned for the well-being of all their constituents, not only wealthy special interest groups.”

[RWC] Call me a cynic, but I doubt the sincerity of Mr. Paisley.

I believe it’s safe to say there’s no way a Republican will beat a Democrat in Beaver County, especially one who’s been in office as long as Mr. Veon, and Mr. Paisley knows it. Therefore, Mr. Paisley – a Democrat – can appear to be evenhanded by calling for the defeat of both a Democrat and a Republican.

On the other hand, it’s possible Mr. Paisley is sincere for personal reasons. Remember, Mr. Paisley ran against Mr. Veon in the Democrat primary and lost. That contest was pretty nasty and it’s possible Mr. Paisley doesn’t care who wins, as long as it’s not Mr. Veon.