Sunday, April 16, 2006
Pennsylvania Leadership Conference
Two weeks ago, I went to the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference in Harrisburg. I thought I'd learn about and get a better perspective on some key state issues, activists and politicians. It's taken me a while to sort out my impressions enough to discuss them here and in future posts.
The conference was a good gathering of (mostly) conservatives and some libertarians with an excellent agenda of speakers and panels. The key speakers were Sen. Rick Santorum, Mr. Lynn Swann, former Congressman Pat Toomey, former Congressman Joe Scarborough, and Mr. John Fund.
Joe Scarborough is a popular TV host and commentator; he is super-dynamic and clearly shows how good theater and presentation can arouse an audience and power a campaign. John Fund is one of my favorite Wall Street Journal columnists; his style is more restrained, but his points and perceptions were excellent. I enjoyed and learned.
This audience loves Pat Toomey and he comes across as a dynamic and seriously good political leader. He kept his word to serve only three terms in Congress, lost a cliff-hanger nomination battle against Sen. Specter. and then urged his followers to vote for his opponent. The Republican Party is lucky to have him and his new job as president of the Club for Growth gives him nationwide access to key conservatives and funding sources. I think he may return to the PA political scene and, if this crowd is any indication, he will be very welcome.
Lynn Swann has a great stage presence and personality; he reaches out and engages his audience. He's got the sports celebrity factor in his favor and knows how to use it to enhance his political points and speech. I liked him and his talk. But he and his team did not impress me with depth on the issues. He's got some good visions but must build a better campaign effort and get more specific on the what and how of his issues. His poll numbers are very good. If he shows he can organize his team and himself into a well-tuned campaign effort, he'll have demonstrated the executive talent he needs to be the Governor and he will win the job. I think he will do it.
Rick Santorum spoke about the war, the economy and family values. He clearly understands the issues, knows where he stands on them and is very articulate about both. He started discussing the war by asserting that it is an essential war against Islamic Fascists rather than using the ambiguous 'war on terror' terminology. That is the right way to frame the discussion on this issue. You can't fight an enemy if you don't clearly identify him.
Sen. Santorum convinced me that he knows the enemy and understands the importance of the war and how to conduct it on military, social and economic fronts. As an example, I know that he was instrumental in getting US unions to help support the Iranian unionized bus drivers who were striking against the regime. That's a good way to support the Iranian people who want to change their regime as much as we do. His poll numbers against Mr. Casey are still poor. But he is smart and sincere and right on most of the key issues. I think Mr.Casey will fare very poorly against him in any open debate on issues. The nation needs Rick Santorum in the Senate during this war.
The main things I got from the conference were the above impressions of Sen. Santorum and Mr. Swann. I had not seen them speak before. I believe they are both worth supporting. I think Lynn Swann will be a good and honest Governor. Rick Santorum has been a first class statesman and leader; we need to keep him in the Senate.
The conference was a good gathering of (mostly) conservatives and some libertarians with an excellent agenda of speakers and panels. The key speakers were Sen. Rick Santorum, Mr. Lynn Swann, former Congressman Pat Toomey, former Congressman Joe Scarborough, and Mr. John Fund.
Joe Scarborough is a popular TV host and commentator; he is super-dynamic and clearly shows how good theater and presentation can arouse an audience and power a campaign. John Fund is one of my favorite Wall Street Journal columnists; his style is more restrained, but his points and perceptions were excellent. I enjoyed and learned.
This audience loves Pat Toomey and he comes across as a dynamic and seriously good political leader. He kept his word to serve only three terms in Congress, lost a cliff-hanger nomination battle against Sen. Specter. and then urged his followers to vote for his opponent. The Republican Party is lucky to have him and his new job as president of the Club for Growth gives him nationwide access to key conservatives and funding sources. I think he may return to the PA political scene and, if this crowd is any indication, he will be very welcome.
Lynn Swann has a great stage presence and personality; he reaches out and engages his audience. He's got the sports celebrity factor in his favor and knows how to use it to enhance his political points and speech. I liked him and his talk. But he and his team did not impress me with depth on the issues. He's got some good visions but must build a better campaign effort and get more specific on the what and how of his issues. His poll numbers are very good. If he shows he can organize his team and himself into a well-tuned campaign effort, he'll have demonstrated the executive talent he needs to be the Governor and he will win the job. I think he will do it.
Rick Santorum spoke about the war, the economy and family values. He clearly understands the issues, knows where he stands on them and is very articulate about both. He started discussing the war by asserting that it is an essential war against Islamic Fascists rather than using the ambiguous 'war on terror' terminology. That is the right way to frame the discussion on this issue. You can't fight an enemy if you don't clearly identify him.
Sen. Santorum convinced me that he knows the enemy and understands the importance of the war and how to conduct it on military, social and economic fronts. As an example, I know that he was instrumental in getting US unions to help support the Iranian unionized bus drivers who were striking against the regime. That's a good way to support the Iranian people who want to change their regime as much as we do. His poll numbers against Mr. Casey are still poor. But he is smart and sincere and right on most of the key issues. I think Mr.Casey will fare very poorly against him in any open debate on issues. The nation needs Rick Santorum in the Senate during this war.
The main things I got from the conference were the above impressions of Sen. Santorum and Mr. Swann. I had not seen them speak before. I believe they are both worth supporting. I think Lynn Swann will be a good and honest Governor. Rick Santorum has been a first class statesman and leader; we need to keep him in the Senate.
