Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Matta v. Wagner Becomes High-Caliber Duel

The Early Returners -- and plenty of people along Grant Street -- are discussing the high-stakes duel concerning nomination petition challenges aimed at Allegheny County Controller candidates Chelsa Wagner and George Matta.

This isn't an Orie-Zappala War, but it also is not the usual jousting about whether the dead guy signed on February 13th or 14th, or whether "Correyopalliss" counts at line 17 of page 14.

Matta's colleagues focus on the back sides of Wagner's petitions (in particular the uncompleted candidate affidavits on many or most of them), while Matta's challengers object to the front of Matta's petitions (in particular the union "bug" added to Matta's reproductions of the official forms provided by the Elections Division).

This Matta v. Wagner heavyweight slug-out could generate substantial revenue for Allegheny County if anyone can arrange to sell tickets (next Wednesday, 9 a.m., Courtroom 707, City-County Building). Valerie McDonald Roberts will not be listed on the docket card, but she could be the one whose hand is held up by referee Joe James after the final bell.

At the InsolvenCity level, the Ravenstahl camp, demonstrating the lack of self-awareness that has become predictable and humorous, has objected to one of Darlene Harris' opponents (not the one they like) on the basis of [pause for comedic timing] . . . residence. Does this mean Luke Adam the Ravenstahls will campaign for Vince Pallus with the argument that Darlene Harris is unqualified?

Strengthening rumor: One campaign may take a new approach to petitions perceived to be defective, by taking the issues -- reported to include whether the candidate swore falsely with respect to personal circulation of petitions, and "laughably obvious" handwriting issues -- to law enforcement authorities. One observer's analysis: 'The thinking is, instead of investing $10,000 or $20,000 of your own money in attorneys and handwriting experts, why not let the other side spend at least that much to defend itself? Plus, it ought to keep them busy for a couple of months, and maybe it leaks to the papers. Unorthodox, could backfire, but there is a logic to it -- although the wild card is you gotta remember who the D.A. is.'

Infinonytune: Both Sides Now, Joni Mitchell
Infinonytune: Big Yellow Taxi, Joni Mitchell

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

I noted in a comment somewhere else that the judge would overlook simple errors, but not neglect. I learned from my experience filing petitions this year that petition formats are different depending on which office you're running for. For example, the notary has to sign and stamp twice for city council, but once for judicial. It looks like Wagner got caught in the difference between filing for a state versus a county office.

MH said...

For example, the notary has to sign and stamp twice for city council, but once for judicial.

That just seems like deliberate ass-hattery on the part of who ever made up the rules. Unless more stamps really makes things more truthful.

Conservative Mountaineer said...

@MH..

Desperately trying to work-up a "the 2nd stamp is a rubber stamp" angle, but coming up empty.

Oh, oh, here's one..

Only Democrat candidates need the 2nd (rubber) stamp.

Or, the 1st stamp is to acknowledge all the petition signers; the 2nd stamp is for the (Democrat) candidate spelling and writing his/her name correctly.

Thank you. I'll be here all week.

MH said...

All week until Saturday, or like a whole 'nother week until Wednesday comes again? Because I don't think I could take the later.

Infinonymous said...

Conservative Mountaineer:

To which of your deficiencies -- the conservative, or the Mountaineer -- do you ascribe the illiteracy that spawns usage such as "Democrat candidates?"

The confluence must be debilitating.

Conservative Mountaineer said...

@Infi..

They're "Democrats", not "Democratics", ergo they're "Democrat candidates", not "Democratic candidates". Stop trying to co-opt the English language.. like you leftists do re: "progressive".

MH said...

I thought people said "Democrat" instead of "Democratic" to annoy people.

MH said...

Wikipedia basically agrees with me.

Anonymous said...

Wikipedia is a Socialist(ic) plot.

MH said...

Speaking of suffixes, "Marxian" is the for somebody who studies the writings or life of Karl Marx but isn't a communist. I think "Sadian" works the same way with "Sadist."

MH said...

You should hear that NBC public service announcement chime in your head now.

Infinonymous said...

Conservative Mountaineer:

Your usage betrays (as Wikipedia suggests) a partisan dope, but it appears the elements of standard English needed to apprehend that meaning (such as a lesson on adjectives) either were not included in West Virginia's curricula or were to be encountered after the point at which your schooling concluded.

Anonymous said...

Don't be a bully Infy. This guy's a slug, but you don't want to start looking like Zappala on the Ories do you?

ChrisP said...

MH, thanks, seeing Titian carved into the Carnegie museum always baffled me....

Anonymous said...

What would Zap Do?


Crimes code title 18 section 6709 it is a Misdemeanor of the third degree for using a union label without authority.

MH said...

Bad puns. Hooray.