Manion aspires to live son’s motto: “If not me, then who?”
By GARY WECKSELBLATT
The Intelligencer
Tom Manion’s campaign for Congress is inextricably linked to his son’s fate in Iraq.
Without Travis Manion’s death near Fallujah in a sniper attack, Tom Manion likely would be sitting in his office at Johnson & Johnson, where he is vice president of information technology, instead of campaigning for Congress.
But with his son’s sacrifice driving him, Manion has taken on the best of his son’s legacy and aspires to live Travis’ motto: “If not me, then who?”
Manion’s candidacy didn’t begin Jan. 15 when he stood in the kitchen of his Doylestown Township home to announce his bid for the Republican nomination in Bucks County’s 8th District. It began Sunday, April 29, 2007, at 4:30 p.m. when two Marines rang the Manions’ doorbell with news of Travis’ death.
Janet Manion, Tom’s wife of 30 years, opened the door, saw who stood there, quickly slammed it shut and began to scream.
All hell broke loose in the Manion home much as it had on a battlefield in Iraq early that day where Travis, a Marine first lieutenant in a reconnaissance battalion embedded with the Iraqi soldiers, helping them prepare to take on full defense of their nation.
Nearly a year and a half later, the bottom hinge on the door is still broken.
Who is Tom Manion, the man challenging Democrat Patrick Murphy, a fellow veteran serving his first term, for a seat in Congress? Manion also faces Tom Lingenfelter, an independent, in the three-person race.
According to those who know him, you get Travis’ valor packaged in a seasoned, mature business executive who taught his son about the sense of service his parents had instilled in him.
Manion, 54, was one of 10 children raised by Jim and Gertrude Manion in Philadelphia. During World War II, his father was a navigator on B-17 bombers. Manion’s oldest brother, Jim, was a decorated Vietnam War veteran.
Following their influence, Manion served 11 years of active duty as a Marine, and another 19 in the Marine Reserves, retiring at the end of 2007 as a colonel.
Tom met Janet in 1977, and they married the following year. She had two brothers in the Army and was impressed that he planned to join the Marines. Their two children, Travis, who was 26 when he was killed, and older sister Ryan, now 29 and Manion’s finance director, were both born at Camp Lejeune, the Marine base in North Carolina.
After leaving active duty, Manion worked for a consulting firm of Naval Academy graduates for two years before accepting an offer from Johnson & Johnson. He’s been using vacation time and is about to take a leave of absence as the campaign hits the home stretch.
“Character and integrity”
On the wall in Manion’s modest campaign office on West Ashland Street in Doylestown hangs a picture of Ronald Reagan.
“I often think of where we were when he came on the scene,” Manion said of Reagan’s ascendancy to the presidency in 1980 following Jimmy Carter. “There didn’t seem to be a worse time in our nation’s history. There was a lot of talk about where we’d gone wrong as a nation.”
Manion said today’s challenges are the same, but “I don’t see the leadership with President Bush, with Congress” that Reagan provided.
Manion contends his background in the military and business, specifically the health care industry, would serve 8th District constituents well in Washington.
“I’ve run a business, led teams, built relationships and gotten results,” he said. “At the end of the day, my experience has been about working with people. There are a lot of inefficiencies in Washington where my background can help.
“I have life experiences. I’ve raised a family. I’m not a politician, but it strikes me politicians have not been getting it done.”
The people who know Manion all say the same thing: he’s honest and reliable, serious and low-key. Perhaps retired Marine Lt. Col. Corky Gardner, who served with Manion and was the officer in charge of Plebe summer when Travis entered the Naval Academy, said it best. “There’s character and integrity and Tom has them in spades.”
“I know it sounds like a cliche, but that’s the way he is,” said Barry Fitzsimmons, a vice president for new business development at Johnson & Johnson.
Fitzsimmons, who lives in Solebury, certainly has spent enough time with Manion. The two car-pooled together for years to J&J’s office in Piscataway, an hour ride each way. “It was a horrible commute, but riding with Tom made it bearable.
“The guy’s a rock,” Fitzsimmons said.
Mark McGillicuddy, director of information technology at J&J, has twice “jumped at the opportunity” to work with Manion. “He’s not a micro-manager. He gives you the tools and resources to get the job done, and expects you to do it. It comes from his Marine training.”
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“He’s very good at developing people,” Fitzsimmons said.
Gardner, one of two Marines at the door on the emotional day of Travis’ death, said the man he’s sat with at Phillies and Flyers games and competed in marathons “reflects the highest ideals of a citizen soldier. He understands business and has a sense of wanting to do more for the country.”
Mike Fitzpatrick, a former Bucks County commissioner and one-term congressman who lost a tight election to Murphy in 2006, has spoken to Manion about running for office.
“If you believe in family you can see why Tom is really so committed,” Fitzpatrick said. “Washington needs him a lot more than he needs Washington.”
Jerry Morgan, a “general consultant” to the Manion campaign, said his candidate reminds him of legendary actor John Wayne. “There is such a strength in his words,” Morgan said. “It took me a month to get used to him. He’s so straightforward, so honest.”
Morgan, who’s been in politics “a long time” and has run several campaigns, had no intention of working another one. “I was done,” he said.
But a friend asked him to talk to Manion. After meeting both Tom and Janet, Morgan drove back to Wayne County to do some hunting, believing he’d stay retired.
“It’s an ugly game,” he said of politics. “It’s so tough on a family. I remember asking Tom, “Are you sure you want to do this?’ He said, “I need to do it for my country.’ ”
“I left thinking I’m glad I met Tom and Janet Manion. They’re special people.”
While hunting, Morgan said, “I couldn’t get him off my mind.”
“The one word to describe Tom — refreshing.”
“Dad, you’ve got to do this’
Since Travis’ death there have been several visits to the Manion home by those he served with. And each one brought Tom Manion closer to the political realm.
Mustafa M. Jawad, an 18-year-old Iraqi interpreter, told the family that a week before Travis died he gave the teen a letter of recommendation Jawad had requested to become a U.S. citizen.
The young man spent New Year’s Eve in the Manion home. He gave his dog tags to Manion’s daughter.
The Manions point to this type of relationship as evidence of the success the U.S. military is having in Iraq.
Another visit was particularly potent.
Eric Greitens, a decorated U.S. Navy Seal and Rhodes Scholar, who now speaks about leadership, ethics and service, and Marine Maj. Joel Poudrier, told the Manions the Iraqi’s named their headquarters in honor of Travis, Combat Outpost Manion. Poudrier, who was wounded in Fallujah and able to be rescued when Travis exposed himself to enemy fire, lamented media coverage of the war, explaining that people don’t realize the good work being done by the U.S. military. It was a refrain often spoken about by Travis.
Greitens told Manion that people “don’t understand the evil out there. It’s as bad or worse than the Second World War.”
“They sat right out there,” Janet Manion said, pointing to the patio outside her kitchen, “talking about how the war had been politicized. They come home, turn on the news and it’s so false. They talk to war analysts. Why don’t they talk to us? They want to know why real soldiers are not being asked about the war.”
“That really stuck in my mind,” Tom Manion said. “You can argue whether we should be there in the first place, I can understand that. But we’re there now. You can’t walk away from it and let it fall apart and crumble.”
Each visit to the Manion home built on the other with similar themes: Travis’ bravery and the politicization of the war. The Manions ultimately decided something had to be done. The family considered writing a book, and may revisit that idea at a later date. They created the Travis Manion Foundation (travismanion.com) to help support families that have lost loved ones in the global war on terror.
But as Ryan Borek explained, Travis’ words keep tugging at his father. “He’d be saying, “Come on dad, you’ve got to do this.’ ”
“Travis is in my mind telling me what these guys are putting on the line for us,” Manion said. “There are so many others like him, and I wish the rest of the country understood about what these guys are doing and why they are doing it. That sticks with me.”
Tom Manion Endorsements
Murphy, Manion square off in wide-ranging debates
By GARY WECKSELBLATT
The Intelligencer
They discussed everything from the economy to energy, Social Security to abortion, the deficit to health care, and for good measure threw in the Iraq war and the Middle East.
Bucks County Democratic Congressman Patrick Murphy and Republican challenger Tom Manion went at it for three hours in two separate debates Sunday.
Murphy, in his first term, laid out two years of effort that included increased benefits for veterans and green energy jobs for Bucks County and several instances of bipartisanship.
Manion, a 30-year Marine and business executive with Johnson & Johnson for 18 years, railed against a “broken Washington” and a “do-nothing Congress.”
The candidates were part of a morning forum at Tifereth-Israel Synagogue in Bensalem that included Republican state Rep. Gene DiGirolamo and the challenger for his 18th District seat, Harris Martin, former head of the Bensalem Democratic Party.
Jeff Eiseman moderated the forum, where the candidates responded to his questions.
Later at Shir Ami Synagogue in Newtown, Kelly Green, president of the League of Women Voters of Philadelphia, questioned the candidates and gave each time for rebuttal, allowing for more of a lively give-and-take.
In his closing, Manion took Murphy to task for taking credit for the alternative energy companies in Lower Bucks “as they were here before the current representative even took office.”
He also kept up his attacks on Congress, saying it hasn’t acted on the big issues of Social Security, health care and national security.
“And where are we now on the economy?” he asked. “What did we do in 2006 when we knew we had problems with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac? And we’ve got the same people that are pulling together the solution … that were part of and responsible for the oversight of those groups.
“Nothing sickens me more than seeing Barney Frank and Chris Dodd at the front of the TV.”
Manion apparently struck a chord as the large crowd at Shir Ami broke into applause when he named Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, and Dodd, chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. The two have been among the top recipients of campaign cash from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Earlier in the day, Murphy said he was “ticked off” with the $700 billion bailout, describing it as “not a perfect piece of legislation” but voted for it to help free up money for small businesses and students needing college loans.
Referring to the two terms of President George Bush, Murphy said “the past eight years have been the Wild Wild West where greed has been the focus.”
Green, the moderator of the second debate, continually asked the candidates for specifics in a day of wide-ranging topics.
Her most compelling question might have been, “On 9/12/01, if you had the president’s ear, what advice would you have given him?”
Manion went first, saying he disagreed with Bush’s call for “going back to life as normal.”
“I would have asked not to do that. It isn’t normal anymore,” he said. “We need to feel the burden of that.
“We went back to normal when it was time for us to tighten our belts. … We needed more diplomacy and … work together with other countries.”
Said Murphy: “Just don’t tell the American people to go shopping. Don’t try and pass tax breaks for the wealthiest one percent of Americans at a time of war.
“We were united on 9/12. Make sure to use that spirit that we had in America to challenge us.”
Here’s where the candidates stood on other issues:
The war: Manion, who entered the race after his son Marine 1st Lt. Travis Manion was killed near Fallujah, said the U.S. must finish the job there and supports Gen. David Petraeus, the commanding general in Iraq. “The last thing my wife and I want to see is young men and woman having to go back there because it’s fallen apart. … We need to get behind these guys.”
Murphy, the only Iraq war veteran in Congress, said the U.S. has met its objectives and should refocus on Afghanistan, where “al-Qaida is as strong now as they were on 9/11.” He also wants Iraq, with a surplus of $79 billion, to begin paying its own way.
Israel: Both men support Israel, “our No. 1 ally in the Middle East,” and would allow it to attack Iran “as a last resort.”
Social Security: Citing Al Gore’s “lock box” idea during his 2000 presidential run, Murphy said both parties are at fault for “picking it apart.” He said seniors would be “in big trouble now” if Bush had his way to allow people to invest a portion of their retirement in the stock market.
“I voted twice against the budget because it didn’t take care of Social Security,” he said.
Manion said the system “isn’t sustainable” but must be protected for those nearing retirement age and our grandchildren. “Again, no action was taken with a do-nothing Congress.”
Taxes: Murphy said a nation at war needs “a shared sacrifice” and would raise taxes on those making more than $250,000 a year.
Manion said a tax increase “is the last thing we need to do.”
Health care: “More government intervention is not where we need to go,” Manion said.
Murphy said he’s “certainly not for a single-payer system” but blames Bush for vetoes of three bills that would have improved care for children.
Abortion: Murphy called himself a “pro-choice practicing Catholic.”
Manion said using “abortion as birth control is reckless” but favors stem cell research.
Immigration: Manion wants “the border closed now.”
Murphy said he doesn’t believe in amnesty but also wants to “crack down” on employers who pay illegal aliens under the table.
Quotes:
“The past eight years have been the Wild Wild West where greed has been the focus.”
-Patrick Murphy
“What did we do in 2006 when we knew we had problems with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac? And we’ve got the same people that are pulling together the solution … that were part of and responsible for the oversight of those groups.”
-Tom Manion
Manion Discusses ‘Victory’ With Vets
By Bradley Vasoli
The Bulletin
Philadelphia - Congressional candidate Tom Manion gathered with members of Vets for Freedom last night at Field House Sports Bar, arguing that success in Iraq can come only with a decisive military victory.
“You can’t really have success if you leave that country with no consideration of the consequences,” said Mr. Manion, who served 30 years in the Marine Corps and worked 18 years at Johnson & Johnson. He is running for the U.S. House of Representatives against freshman representative and Iraq War veteran U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-8th, of Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.
Capt. Pete Hegseth and Sgt. David Bellavia, who head the group Veterans for Freedom, joined Mr. Manion to discuss the import of backing a sustained presence in Iraq until the young democracy is stabilized. They said whatever one’s party affiliation or views on the wisdom of any military undertaking, the importance of success should take precedence when choosing political leadership.
“Nowhere on our dog tags does it say ‘Republican’ or ‘Democrat,’” Capt. Hegseth said. “Issues of war and peace should never be waged in the realm of politics.”
The two noted their organization endorses Democrats as well as Republicans, as long as the candidate commits to opposing withdrawal timetables and other war policies they say would imperil victory.
A third veteran, Captain Brian Stann, who knew Mr. Manion’s son Travis who died in combat in Iraq, also joined the candidate. He and the other veterans spoke of the Manion family as one that has known true patriotic sacrifice. Their message centered upon honoring the contributions of those who lost their lives but also staying mindful of the possible ramifications of losing in Iraq.
“That will play a factor in the next 50 years for this country,” Capt. Stann said, arguing al-Qaida will remain attentive to the success or failure of U.S. military efforts.
Looking ahead to the challenge of a potentially nuclear-armed Iran, Mr. Manion advocated exercising all diplomatic and punitive options including ramping up sanctions and engaging in multilateral talks with allies in the region. He said direct communications with Iran’s leadership should come “with preconditions, I might add,” a comment pointed at presidential candidate Barack Obama who argued for unconditional willingness to engage in diplomacy with Iran.
Mr. Manion also said his opponent’s position that U.S. forces should redeploy from Iraq to Afghanistan would mean neglect of a crucial component of the war on terror, a point Mr. Murphy disputed.
“Just this summer, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said we cannot send more troops to Afghanistan until we reduce our presence in Iraq,” Murphy spokesman Nat Binns said. “Our military leaders are saying we can’t do both, and strategically, Congressman Murphy believes that we need to refocus on Osama Bin-Laden and al-Qaida, where they are strongest, which is in Afghanistan.”
Get your questions answered
By ROSE MCIVER
Bucks County Courier Times
Do you have questions for the congressional candidates for the 8th District seat? Here’s your chance to get them answered.
The Bucks County Courier Times and The Intelligencer are hosting two debates featuring the three candidates, Democratic incumbent Patrick Murphy, Republican challenger Tom Manion and independent candidate Tom Lingenfelter. Each debate will run 90 minutes.
We’ll collect audience questions at the debates, but if you can’t attend, you can call in your questions to 215-949-4046 or e-mail them to debate@phillyBurbs.com.
The Courier Times debate, which will focus on domestic issues, is 2 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Bristol Riverside Theatre in Bristol. The Intelligencer debate, which will focus on international issues, is 7 p.m. Oct. 29 in the Central Bucks West High School auditorium in Doylestown.
The 8th Congressional District includes all of Bucks County, some districts of Abington, Upper Dublin and Upper Moreland in Montgomery County and two wards in Philadelphia.
In Bucks Co. congressional race, both sides get a boost from Penn
College Republicans work for Manion, Penn Dems for Murphy in contest with Iraq focus
Mara Wishingrad
While most of the campus is focusing on the upcoming presidential election, the College Republicans and the Penn Democrats are also focusing on another race - one in which most Penn students will not be able to vote.
U.S. Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.) is running for reelection against Republican challenger Tom Manion in the Philadelphia suburb of Bucks County. Though that race is not on the ballot in Philadelphia County, both the Penn Dems and College Republicans are campaigning for their respective candidates.
This is the “hottest election in Pennsylvania,” said College Republicans communications director and College junior Mike Tate.
“It’s a swing district we think we can win,” he added. In Bucks County, registered voters are nearly evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, with Democrats slightly ahead.
The race is a high-profile contest that centers on the Iraq War. Murphy, who won with just 50.3 percent of the vote in 2006, is the only Iraq veteran in Congress. Manion’s son was killed in Iraq in 2007.
The College Republicans, who primarily do phone banking and literature drops for Manion, contacted the campaign in the middle of the summer, according to Tate.
The group asked Manion to speak at its first meeting, according to David Borek, scheduler for the Manion campaign. Borek said Manion was available “and thought it was a good thing to do.”
“We have been working hand-in-hand since then,” he said.
The relationship benefits both groups, Borek said - the College Republicans get campaign experience, and “it helps us where we need extra muscle.”
The Penn Dems have had a relationship with the Murphy campaign since his first congressional race in 2006.
In the spring of 2006, the group got involved in a suburban congressional race “because none of the elections in Philly really mattered,” said Penn Dems president and College junior Lauren Burdette.
Penn Dems invited different candidates from nearby suburbs to come speak to the group and then voted to endorse Murphy, according to Burdette.
In the fall of 2006, “all our efforts were devoted to Bucks County,” Burdette said.
The group has continued to work for Murphy, making weekend trips to Bucks County to campaign for the congressman.
But this semester, Penn Dems has largely focused on voter registration on campus because most people in Bucks County are permanent residents and likely to already be registered, Burdette said.
In addition, Penn Dems has a few members interning for the campaign, according to Burdette, who was an intern there in 2006.
Nat Binns, press secretary for the Murphy campaign, said the Penn Dems “helped propel Patrick Murphy to victory” in 2006, and added that the campaign “is honored to again have the support of the Penn Dems - who have quickly become an influential political voice in Southeastern Pennsylvania.”
Newspapers set three 8th District debates
By GARY WECKSELBLATT
The Intelligencer
The three candidates for Bucks County’s 8th District congressional seat have agreed to a series of debates and forums, two of which will be hosted by the Courier Times and The Intelligencer.
Incumbent Democrat Patrick Murphy will meet with Republican challenger Tom Manion and independent candidate Tom Lingenfelter at eight events.
The Intelligencer debate is set to begin at 7 p.m. on Oct. 29 in the auditorium at Central Bucks West High School in Doylestown. The Courier Times debate is scheduled for 2 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Bristol Riverside Theatre in Bristol.
“We are fortunate that so many people in our area take a keen interest in politics,” said Lanny Morgnanesi, senior editor for The Intelligencer. “They want to meet the candidates and know their positions. They look toward the newspapers to help them with this, and that is why we have organized our two debates.
“We’ve been advised to expect a large turnout. That certainly was true for the congressional debates we held two years ago. Each house was packed, almost to the point where we could not accommodate everyone. The venues this year are somewhat larger and we don’t anticipate a problem.”
The 8th District includes all of Bucks County and portions of Montgomery County and Northeast Philadelphia.
The formats for the two 90-minute newspaper debates will be similar. Each candidate will have a two-minute opening statement. They’ll have 90 seconds to respond to questions and there will be one minute rebuttals by the other candidates. There will also be a one-minute closing statement for each candidate.
Audience members will be able to submit questions at the debate. Readers can leave their questions by calling 215-949-4161 or by e-mail at debate@phillyburbs.com.
The Courier Times debate will focus on domestic issues and be moderated by Guy Petroziello, the newspaper’s editorial page editor. Morgnanesi and political reporter Gary Weckselblatt will be the questioners. Darryl Berger, program director at WNPV radio in Lansdale, will moderate The Intelligencer debate, where the focus will switch to international issues.
The three candidates will meet in three forums prior to the newspaper debates. The first is 9:30 a.m. Sunday at Tifereth-Israel Synagogue in Bensalem. The second follows that afternoon at 2 in Shir Ami Synagogue in Newtown.
Have a question for the candidates?
You can leave questions by calling 215-949-4046 or by going to debate@phillyBurbs.com.
Rangel In PA Race
By Elizabeth Benjamin
The Republicans have taken their effort to slam Democratic congressional candidates for accepting campaign cash from embattled Rep. Charlie Rangel to the airwaves in the Keystone State.
This TV ad is being run by Republican Tom Manion, who is trying to unseat Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Patrick Murphy.
Manion tries tie the $14,000 in campaign contributions Murphy received from Rangel, who is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, to his “yes” vote on the $2 million earmark for the congressman’s self-named CCNY center.
That’s the first time I’ve seen anyone make that leap. So far, Republicans in Rangel’s home state have stuck to attacking Democrats via press release for refusing to return the cash they have received from the congressman and his PAC.
UPDATE: Here’s another Rangel ad, paid for by the NRCC, which seeks to make the same connection between the $16,000 the congressman contributed to Democratic Wisconsin Rep. Steve Kagen and Kagen’s “yes” vote on the CCNY center.
Murphy blasts lawmakers for failure
By GARY WECKSELBLATT
Bucks County Courier Times
Area lawmakers Patrick Murphy and Allyson Schwartz heeded the call of their Democratic Party leaders and President Bush to vote for a $700 billion financial rescue package Monday, but the bill went down and took the stock market with it.
More than $1 trillion was wiped off the value of the entire U.S. stock market Monday, as measured by the Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index.
“Let’s be clear — politicians voting against this bill today caused the biggest point drop the Dow has ever recorded,” said Congressman Patrick Murphy, D-8, referring to the 777-point decline in the Dow Jones Industrials. “This is what’s wrong with Washington — reckless partisan extremists just made it much harder for Pennsylvania families to keep their homes, seniors to protect their pensions and students to get loans.
“Blocking this bill has just made a bad economic situation far worse,” said Murphy, who represents the 8th District. “We need to come together and continue to work on this problem; there is simply too much at stake for us not to solve this crisis.”
More than two-thirds of Republicans and 40 percent of Democrats opposed the bill, whose final tally was 228 to 205. Democrats voted in favor, 140 to 95. Republicans voted against 133 to 65.
Schwartz, D-13, was surprised she was on the short side of the vote.
“The potential downside for everyday Americans is simply too great not to act,” she said.
Her spokeswoman, Rachel Magnuson, said, “We’re at an economic precipice right now.”
Republican Charlie Dent, whose 15th District includes parts of Montgomery and Lehigh counties, voted against the plan.
“This bailout plan would have exposed taxpayers to a risk of $700 billion to buy toxic assets at inflated prices. … Wall Street would benefit at the expense of the taxpayers. That is not acceptable.”
click here
Tom Manion, a Republican challenging Murphy, agreed with Dent.
“I wanted to see if this legislation was going to repair some of the problems that got us to this point,” Manion said. “I just am not convinced that it does so. I would have voted no.
“There are systemic problems this legislation doesn’t address. I don’t want taxpayers to bear the burden of these mistakes, but I am opposed to using huge sums of taxpayer dollars to support a free market economy. I think we need to take more time to react and balance both of these concerns. We need to go back to the drawing board and look for other options.”
Tom Lingenfelter, an independent challenging Murphy for his seat, said he would have voted against the bill.
“It’s throwing good money after bad. Government has caused the problem by interfering with market forces. The free market system works when we leave it alone.”
Marina Kats, a Republican running against Schwartz, said she would have voted for the measure.
“The bottom line is we do need the government to step up now and add liquidity to our markets,” said Kats, an attorney. “This is not a bailout. Government created this problem. But when (Treasury Secretary Henry) Paulson and (Federal Reserve Chairman Ben) Bernanke say there’s a problem, we need to take action.
“If something’s not done by tomorrow or the day after we might as well run for cover.”
In 8th District, another long shot has high hopes
Republican Tom Manion is fighting against time, money in effort to upset Murphy.
By Scott Kraus Of The Morning Call
September 30, 2008
At this time two years ago, Democrat Patrick Murphy found himself waging what most experts thought was a long-shot effort to unseat first-term Republican Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick in the Bucks County-centered 8th District.
In the end, Murphy was elected to Congress in a squeaker.
Now with just over a month to go, Republican challenger Tom Manion is in roughly the same spot, trying to introduce himself to voters in a district where he’s largely unknown.
John McCain’s selection of conservative Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate has helped by firing up the party’s base.
”We are getting a lot more recognition when we are out there,” said Manion, 54, of Doylestown Township. ”We are getting record crowds wherever we go. We started to see it pick up even before the convention.”
The serious, low-key Manion released his first television ad this week, stressing his credentials as a retired Marine, Johnson & Johnson vice president and parent of a son who was killed in Iraq.
Murphy is also on TV with an ad showcasing his work on local issues and giving his stances on the Iraq war and alternative energy.
The open question is whether Manion’s under-funded campaign will have enough time and money to persuade voters in the district, which has tilted Democratic in registration since Fitzpatrick’s narrow 2006 loss, to send Murphy packing.
At the end of June, Murphy’s campaign had $2.2 million in cash, compared with roughly $500,000 for Manion. The campaigns will report their third-quarter numbers in October.
To date, most independent evaluators of congressional races such as Congressional Quarterly and The Hill give Murphy, 34, of Bristol Township, an advantage and have not listed the Murphy-Manion race as one of the most competitive contests.
The two men have agreed to a series of debates starting in October.
The Manion camp thinks a case can be made that Murphy has failed to deliver the fiscal reforms he promised two years ago.
”The way we win is the mood of the country, the Congress’ 9 percent approval rating,” said Manion campaign consultant Jerry Morgan. ”I think Patrick Murphy has not done what the people of the 8th District are looking for, but is more a pawn of [House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi.”
Murphy campaign spokesman Nat Binns said 8th District voters will be hard-pressed to find a compelling reason to toss Murphy, Congress’ only Iraq war veteran, out of office.
”I think people here see Patrick, they see him working hard,” Binns said. ”He puts the families he represents first, and he votes with his conscience.”
Binns listed Murphy’s support of a national Veterans cemetery slated for Upper Makefield Township, his push to relieve victims of Delaware River flooding and advocacy of a green energy hub on the site of U.S. Steel’s former Fairless Hills plant as examples.
Manion plans to draw a contrast with Murphy on energy issues by stressing his support for expanded oil drilling rights, and to link Murphy to unpopular national Democrats like Pelosi and New York Rep. Charley Rangel, who faces an ethics committee investigation.
Rangel, whose leadership political action committee has given Murphy $15,000, has admitted, among other things, failing to pay taxes on rental income from a resort condo in the Caribbean.
Binns said Murphy is aware of Rangel’s problems but will wait until the House Ethics Committee rules on Rangel’s troubles before deciding to return any money.
”I think families in Bucks County and across America, they are struggling, and there are a lot of other things, more pressing issues — gas prices, the war in Iraq and the economy,” Binns said.
Philadelphia Democratic political consultant Larry Ceisler said Manion probably lacks the resources or a defining issue to dislodge Murphy.
In 2006, Murphy could use clear differences with the well-liked Fitzpatrick on stem cell research and Iraq to make a case to voters.
”I just don’t think linking him to Nancy Pelosi, a San Francisco liberal, in Bucks County is really going to hurt Murphy that much,” Ceisler said. ”You have smart voters in Bucks County, and I think they look at people as individuals.”
Don’t be so sure, said Republican consultant Charlie Gerow.
Manion will benefit from the GOP’s Palin-energized base, and Murphy could be hurt by Democrat Barack Obama’s poor showing in the April primary among blue-collar voters in Lower Bucks.
”I think that is the critical element. Will they have the financial resources to pull all those elements together?” Gerow said.
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