Tribute to a great man: Mayor Kennedy
Meanwhile, Trump claims PA election will be ‘rigged’
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
In a week that we should be celebrating the legacy of a Chester County legend — James C. Kennedy, the long-time Mayor of South Coatesville who passed away Thursday at the age of 99 — we are forced to deal with the specter of a presidential candidate who claims the commonwealth’s elections are...
A tale of two candidates and Trump
Also, can the CC GOP make up for national shortcomings in organization?
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
As Charles Dickens put it, “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
Well, when it comes to politics and particularly those Republican candidates running down ballot of Donald J. Trump, it appears to be more of the latter.
I give you a tale of two candidates, both of whom I...
PA GOP builds brilliant GOTV plan — for Democrats
Attacking ‘Pre-Wal-Mart’ majors and abortion rights could lead Nov. disaster
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
There’s dumb and then there’s pour gasoline on yourself and dive into the barbecue dumb.
And it seems like Republicans in your beloved state legislature have stocked up on the Kingsford and are wearing loads of Eau de Sunoco in a brilliant attempt to pander to a small minority...
Carville and Matalin talk left & right at WCU
The married couple talk Trump, and a changing America
By Nathaniel Smith, Columnist, The Times
The prominent political strategists James Carville and Mary Matalin did a duo act on March 11 at West Chester University.
A large crowd came to hear the built-in drama of a Clinton person and a Cheney person happily married to each other (and who, we learned, started dating in Philadelphia 25 years ago). ...
Birthright citizen challenge is a slippery slope
Can citizenship be taken away by a whim?
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Much in line with the old Chinese curse, we live in interesting times.
Arguably, though, with more than one Republican presidential candidate arguing for repeal (or downright ignoring of) the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, suggesting that the children of illegal immigrants to the United States should be denied...
Pileggi out as Senate Majority Leader
GOP Senate votes him out in favor of Corman
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Sen. Dominic Pileggi
Chester County will no longer have representation in the leadership of either party’s leadership in the state legislature, after a shakeup Wednesday deposed Sen. Dominic Pileggi from his post as Majority Leader of the state Senate.
Pileggi (R-9), who represents a large portion of the eastern part...
A rush to bipartisanism amid a few intra-party battles
Is getting along to get ahead back in fashion?
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Let’s face it, bipartisanism is the new black.
If you listened to a lot of political types in Chester County this past week, candidates and elected officials across the political spectrum were working to show their ability to make nice with the other side.
But roiling below the surface are a handful of intra-party...
Politicians, just like everyone else, don’t fit easily in one category
In our ‘Us Versus Them’ environment, it’s too easy to miss the human element
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Politicians, despite reports to the contrary, are human beings.
With all of the invective being thrown around, it can be easy to forget, of course. As humans, we like to put things and people into boxes. But people being people, they are always more complicated.
A couple...
Residents push Pitts over ‘Fiscal Cliff’ vote
Largely collegial event features satirical carols, detailed talk about spending and taxes at Congressman’s district office
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Local residents gather to sing satirical Christmas carols and talk spending and taxes in the district office of U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts in Unionville, Monday evening. The local group, organized in part by MoveOn.com and the Kennett Area Democrats,...
Will HB 1077 impact statehouse races?
Will abortion politics motivate voters to vote for Democrats?
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
I hate the subject of abortion. With a deep, dark abiding passion.
But it’s possible I may have underestimated its impact on the 2012 elections when it comes to local state house races.
I spent the better part of my Saturday morning last week on the courthouse steps in West Chester listening to a rally...
