In one of the odder twists to today's proceedings, it seems that the union support for Senator Santorum, led chiefly by Electricians Local 98 leader and potentital mayoral candidate John Dougherty has caused some odd pieces of campaign literature to spring up around the city. According to bloggers at Young Philly Politics who have been out an about today, Local 98 is handing out "Rendell-Santorum" literature.
For those of you who don't know the background, Dougherty and Philly Building Trades President Pat Gillespie are throwing their personal support behind Santorum for his role in bringing construction jobs associated with the new IRS center and for his support of dredging the Delaware River.
Anyway, I'm heading out to see if I can grab some of this lit. Could make a nice souvenir.
UPDATE from Wendy: We've also heard there are lawn signs. And a tipster writes:
There are Rendell/Santorum signs all over the city. Doorhangers all over the NE tout that split, and say they're paid for by Local 98 (Johnny Doc). There were similar signs, yard-sign style, outside my polling place in Roxborough, with a union bug for Graphics union. We heard that the Dem ward leader got a CP court injunction to have them removed.
LATEST UPDATE: Daily News City Editor Gar Joseph brings this final report from the Famous Deli at lunchtime:
Democratic Party Chairman and Congressman Bob Brady says the Democrats did get an injunction against the Rendell/Santorum signs.
Gar had heard that unionized carpenters had been pulling out the lawn signs after the injunction was handed down. So he asked Brady.
Said Brady: "We don't need no injunction."
Comments (4)
The ILA, some Teamsters, some Laborers, the Cement Masons, Sprinkler Fitters, Plasterers, Machinists, Rod Setters, Pat Gillespie and some of the most prominent Jewish activists in our region are supporting Santorum, yet you assign credit/blame to Dougherty. What about credit for the over 7,000 people (more than anyone else in the region) he has working for Rendell’s campaign?
P.S. He was just spotted having lunch with his wife and kids in a South Philly restaurant (he’s wearing jeans, a blue button down shirt, a yellow sweater vest and a RENDELL baseball hat).
Posted by Anonymous | November 7, 2006 1:21 PM
Try paid for by Governor Rendell (the Ultimate Political Bear)—not Johnny Doc.
Posted by Anonymous | November 7, 2006 2:18 PM
The signs say paid for by Local 98.
Posted by Anonymous | November 7, 2006 3:41 PM
And... Rendell didn't give any money to Dougherty?
Posted by Anonymous | November 7, 2006 4:24 PM