Robyn Petrella-Tsudis – 1/11/09

This page was last updated on January 17, 2009.

Paper continues to victimize candidate; Robyn Petrella-Tsudis; Beaver County Times; January 11, 2009. An editor’s note asserts, “The writer is the sister of Jason Petrella, the Democratic candidate in the 47th Senatorial District race.”

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“I am writing in response to the recent articles pertaining to Jason Petrella.

“As far as I am aware, the election for the state Senate seat for the 47th District ended on Nov. 4.

“However, we continue to read week after week articles surrounding him and his campaign.

“I can only deduce from this media frenzy one of two things.”

[RWC] I have to admit I missed “this media frenzy” that has Ms. Tsudis wound up.

“First, that the right-wing paper you call The Times may be confused about its ill-conceived endorsement of its chosen candidate or, second, that The Times is having an extraordinarily slow news cycle.”

[RWC] The “right-wing paper you call The Times?” At least Ms. Tsudis has a sense of humor. For readers not familiar with the Beaver County Times, its editorials lobby for just about every leftist program that comes down the pike, endorsed Messrs. Kerry and Obama in the 2004 and 2008 elections, respectively, and when pressed (but not very hard) could probably figure out a reason to blame President Bush for increased/decreased sunspot activity.

Though I agreed with the Times “endorsement” of Elder Vogel over her brother, I can’t argue with Ms. Tsudis’ description of it. That endorsement (“Inside the numbers: Voters in 47th District have two options in state Senate race,” 10/22/08) read, “the editorial board is endorsing Elder Vogel for one reason and one reason only — to give Beaver County a voice in the state Senate. That chamber now has 29 Republicans and 21 Democrats. Because of gerrymandering and the power of incumbency, Republicans, barring some unforeseen political disaster, are going to control the Senate for the next four years.” An endorsement based solely on a cynical view of politics and not principles is indeed an “ill-conceived endorsement.”

“This considering he has received more news coverage after the election than he did during his campaign. The fact that he ran an honest campaign and continues to be victimized in the press is the real travesty.”

[RWC] I missed the articles that “victimized” Mr. Petrella.

“I would hope The Times would have better ways to utilize its time, resources and moles for more newsworthy articles concerning the incoming regime. The voters in the 47th District deserve as much.”

[RWC] I don’t recall Ms. Tsudis writing letters complaining about shabby treatment of other politicians.