I was fairly certain that several things were going to happen yesterday.
I pretty much knew the story on Nick Miccarelli was going to blow up. It did.
I knew once it hit social media I was going to be condemned for another partisan attack by the "leftist rag" looking to take down a Republican. I was.
I guess most of those people did not see the front page coverage we afforded state Sen. Daylin Leach, who had some #Metoo problems of his own. Or the serious criminal charges filed against two other Radnor Democrats, Bill Spingler and former Commissioners President Phil Ahr. I know that didn't matter. This was just a case of the Daily Times picking on Republicans again.
Two women have accused of sexual misconduct. He denies it. Vehemently.
I figured I might hear from the representative. I did.
He came, accompanied by a lawyer, a publicist, his chief of staff and the head of the Ridley GOP. He wanted to offer some insight into his side of the story. That appears on today's front page.
He feels he has not been treated fairly, the victim of a rush to judgment. He pointed out that he doesn't even know how to respond because he has yet to see the complaint filed by the two women with House officials. He freely admitted having consensual sexual relationships with both women, but flatly denies their claims of any kind of abuse or forced sex.
"I'm not that monster," he said of the portrayal painted by the two women, one a state official, the other a political consultant in Harrisburg.
And of course I was pretty sure of much of the reaction, with seemingly every Democrat in the state calling for him to resign his seat. And yes, just as he did when questions were raised about the behavior of state Sen. Daylin Leach, that was Gov. Tom Wolf leading the charge calling for Miccarelli to step down.
There was only one thing I did not expect.
Just a couple of hours after Miccarelli left our office, I received an email that stopped me in my tracks.
It was from Steve Miskin, who represents the House Republican leaders. They also were calling for Miccarelli to step down.
That's right, his own party had now joined those calling for Miccarelli to step down.
Believe me when I tell you this is a rarity.
“The nature of the allegations raised against Rep. Nick Miccarelli are very serious and they should be thoroughly investigated by law enforcement," the statement said.
“The complainants deserve to have their allegations addressed by law enforcement and to see the legal process move forward. We recognize the right of every American to due process through our court system and to remain innocent until proven guilty.
“But, what we have in front of the House right now is about the integrity of the institution, the safety of its staff and members, and the best paths forward for the individuals involved – the accusers and accused, as well as their respective families.
“With that in mind, it would be in the best interest of all involved if Rep. Miccarelli would resign.”
All of which makes me wonder what the House Republicans know - of what perhaps they have seen in the complaint - that the rest of us have not.
The Miccarelli camp responded with another statement and again questioned the rush to judgment in this case, saying he is an
"innocent man" and has no plans to step down.
"Rep. Nick Miccarelli is an honorable man and a patriot who has served his district and our nation with honor and distinction," the statement issued by spokesman Frank Keel says. "A short time ago, the State Republican Caucus suggested to Rep. Miccarelli that he voluntarily resign his House seat rather than continue to fight to clear his name. Nick is currently not inclined to follow that suggestion.
"It needs to be said that the #MeToo movement is laudable, but what about the #NotMe movement? Nick Miccarelli is an innocent man. An unfortunate byproduct of the #MeToo movement has been a tendency by too many people to rush to judgment in the court of public opinion. Likewise, the suggestion that Nick resign is made before he's even seen the legal complaint, let alone been afforded the opportunity to defend himself. This entire process has been grossly unfair. Nick Miccarelli, like every other American citizen, has the right to due process. Nick fought in the Middle East to protect Americans' rights to due process. It's bitterly ironic that he's not being given the same right while he's fighting to save his reputation and career."
Before he left our office, I pressed Miccarelli on his intention to seek re-election. I asked him what he would do if Republicans asked him to step aside.
After some hesitation, he vowed "I am running for re-election. Come hell or high water."
As I look outside, the high water might be no the way.
Hell might not be far off.
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