More finger-pointing in the 7th

Another day, another set of charges in the increasingly ugly 7th District Congressional Race.

The day after Republicans sought a federal review of Democrat Bryan Lentz’s ties to third-party candidate Jim Schneller, local Dems are now returning the favor, asking for a review of Meehan’s expenses.

In question now are expenses submitted by Meehan while he was U.S. attorney for attending the Pennsylvania Society dinner in New York City.

It’s the annual shindig in the Big Apple where Pennsylvania’s power elite – politicians, lobbyists and their posses - gather for a weekend of food, drink and talk. I’ve always wondered why the held this thing in New York City instead of Philly.

Now local Dems are wondering why Meehan submitted expenses totaling more than $4,547, over four years.

Upper Darby Democratic boss Ed Bradley fired off a letter to the feds asking for a review of the expenses.

The Meehan campaign sniffed at the claim, saying the expenses were proper and had been approved by the Department of Justice.

I’ll be honest here. I’ve never liked the idea of Pennsylvania politicians going to the Big Apple for a weekend of frivolity. There has always been something that struck me as wrong about it. I don’t mind them throwing a party. I’ve just always wished they’d throw it here, maybe alternating between Philly and Pittsburgh. I don’t like the idea of all that money being spent out of state.

I like the idea of the public being billed for the trip even less.

Still, I find it hard to see this as anything other than a response to the letter fired off earlier this week by Delco GOP Chairman Andy Reilly to the Federal Election Commission, asking for a probe of the connections between the Lentz camp and Schneller.

Lentz, in a session with the Daily Times editorial board, admitted he was aware that his supporters were helping gather signatures to get Schneller on the ballot. The idea was that Scnheller would siphon off votes from Meehan, bettering Lentz’s chances.

All’s fair in love and politics, right?

Specifically, the Republicans are questioning who paid the notary who validated the Schneller petitions.

The Lentz camp is denying anyone on the campaign had anything to do with the payments. Schneller is saying he paid the notary himself.

Wonder what kind of claim will come out today?

This election can’t come fast enough.

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