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The GOP’s Giannoulias

By: Zach Oldham (Diary)  |  March 26th, 2010 at 08:45 AM  | 

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From the diaries by Erick

You may recall Alexi Giannoulias–Illinois’ Democrat US Senate candidate, friend of Barack Obama and Tony Rezko, and banker to the mob. The NRSC was quick to put out an effective YouTube spot highlighting his shady connections, which hopefully cast some doubts in the electorate about his suitability to serve (not that shady dealings prevented other Illinois politicians from winning high office).

Meet Tom Marino, who will certainly be in the DCCC’s crosshairs if he wins the GOP primary in Pennsylvania’s 10th to go up against Rep. Chris Carney (proud member of the Stupak Sellout crowd instrumental in voting ObamaCare into law last week). Marino, a former US Attorney, has his own shady dealings which will make for good campaign fodder in the general.

During Marino’s tenure as US Attorney, local businessman Louis DeNaples was under investigation by the US Attorney’s Office for his ties to William D’Elia, head of the Bufalino crime family. It seems DeNaples lied about his relationship with D’Elia to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board when applying for a licence for the Mount Airy Casino. Listed as a personal reference on that same application was none other than US Attorney Tom Marino, the very man running the office investigating DeNaples’ organized crime ties.

The Department of Justice got wind of the conflict of interest and ordered Marino off the investigation, and shortly after the media broke the story he resigned his post… and went to work for Louis DeNaples. (The charges were eventually dropped when DeNaples agreed to place the casino project in the name of a family member.)

The reality is just as bad as–if not worse than–the optics of this scandal. Do we really want someone like Marino representing the GOP in what will be a battleground district this fall? Rep. Carney, the Pelosi-enabling, abortion-funding “Blue Dog” Democrat from a conservative district in northeastern Pennsylvania will have a hay day with Marino’s record. I’ve spoken with people in the district who feel uneasy about Marino and will likely just stay at home rather than having to choose between him and Carney.

One of the keys to a Republican resurgence is not only ensuring we have credibly conservative candidates running for office, but also candidates with a personal and professional record we can be proud of and defend. Tom Marino doesn’t fit the bill.

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  • rfpzzzzz

    The smears against DeNaples are legendary while the reality is that he is a great, energetic, successful businessman. A lot of people have personal interactions with him and I only have heard positive things from those who know him. Russ Bufalino has been dead since the 70s, I believe, and Deleo has been trying to buy time off his current prison sentence by talking.
    I think you should hear from Marino before convicting him . Locals know a lot about this stuff and outsiders should be cautious about telling people who know these people what to think. People recuse themselves all the time from cases without there being any wrongdoing.
    Giannopolis on the other hand is involved in a failing bank and has been treasurer in Illinois when the state has been going bankrupt. I think you might need more research before drawing these types of conclusions.

    • http://twitter.com/redhk Zach Oldham

      The reality is that Carney’s people aren’t going to “hear from Marino before convicting him.” My whole point is we’d be rolling the dice with someone who has the perception of shady business in an otherwise-winnable race. Regardless, I’m not convinced DeNaples and Marino are “misunderstood,” and the Dems are going to exploit every tactic they can think of in PA-10 because they’re desperate.

      • rfpzzzzz

        You do not know DeNaples is a mafia guy and a lot of people are sick of hearing smears about someone many know to be a good guy.
        Carney is in a district where you literally could not even find a Dem political sign until Sherwood’s girlfriend problem. I think locals can put this stuff in perspective better than outsiders who talk like these guys are Soprano’s characters. I reiterate Marino himself should be given the opportunity to speak about this because I believe locals will hear him out rather than convict him on some third party innuendo. Santorum is supporting him, I believe , and I think that carries weight in that district. This one really reminds me of the importance of local knowledge in these things. Many people that can vote in this thing are offended by these type of drive-by insinuations. The DeNaples charges were dropped , I believe.

        • nepanyrush

          I do live in the area and DeNaples and the mafia gets common coverage in the main stream media. Yes, there are profiles of him as a very hard worker, early to rise, etc. and generous to his charities, but that does not dissuade from his known connections to the Bufalino crime family, as attested to by the boss of that family. Charges were dropped from DeNaples when he divested himself from the local casino he bought. At any rate, even causal voters in the area talk of DeNaples and the mob, so it has become part of the lore of the area.

          Marino has money, and already is running phone calls, as I received one. But as I checked on him, there definitely is a feeling among many that he is connected to shady dealings via DeNaples, I feel that he will either be harmed by such allegations in the general election, or, if elected, we may well have another person of dubious character in Congress.

  • nepanyrush

    Dr. David Madeira is a true, moral values candidate in the 10th. Marino is well-known among insiders for his shady dealings and will torpedo him in the general election. The 10th is a conservative area, largely pro-life, and threw out the previous Republican congressman only because he was involved in a public affair. Madeira nearly one his last election bid, at the state level, and has growing support.

    • rfpzzzzz

      I know people who helped me when my mother was dying in hospice that got dragged into this thing. If you read the newspapers they were like the Corleones . If you knew them in their real lives they were caring , very decent people. Judging from my personal experience with this situation over the years, I have personally seen people smeared. I would want to hear from Marino as well as Madeira personally before jumping to conclusions. What exactly has Marino done wrong other than being listed as a reference on an application? I do not know of anything. I am not pro/con Marino but I am definitely against unsubstantiated smears, especially related to this particular case. Frankly , I am more suspicious of the gaming commission in this one. As I said, the original charges on this whole issue were dropped.

  • writeblock

    …from what I hear.

    • JSobieski

      Libs aren’t always right about their own prospects. In fact, they totally buy into the RHINO’s are strong candidates meme

    • proudgop

      I always get a bit uncomfortable when people use mafia card just because someone happens to be Italian. Maybe as an Italian I am uneasy about that

      Marino was a US Attorney and was Lycoming County District Attorney so was there anything in his record to say he is shady? I mean he had to help put away a lot criminals too

      • 4liberty

        So much of politics is perception, and voter threshold for politicans with questionable character is at an all-time low.

        Even if Marino is innocent of the allegations,it seems there’s enough material here (if even just associations) for the Dems to skewer him and make enough voters wince.

        Hopefully, Madeira will win the primary, as Carney has got to go.

        A friend of mine from this district called Carney’s office on Monday to respectfully express disgust over his HC vote. The bold display of arrogance and utter disregard for the meaning of a “Republic”was a bit breathtaking, as she was told if she didn’t like it, she should move out of the country. Nice.

        He basically told her to stop talking and then started reading talking points from a paper she could hear crinkling in the background. When my friend said she didn’t have an interest in the prepared statements, most predictably, he rudely ended the call by hanging up on her.

        This arrogant behavior of Congressional staff no doubt trickles down from the top. They are all emboldened and high on power right now. Frankly, it’s dangerous and won’t change until they’re fired. Period.

        I pray that the people in this district rally for Madeira.

      • jeffreykmann

        I know Marino has argued the same thing, suggesting it is their last names which make people question their connections to organized crime. I agree, that alone would be despicable.

        However, I would like to hear Marino respond to the specific evidence that has been brought up about his conduct and relationships. How does he respond to these rather shocking particulars:
        http://truthaboutmarino.blogspot.com/

  • larryp

    named for a radio station in San Diego in the late 80;s. he’d jump up and dn on thesidelines and flap his wings and mimic the other-side’s players..

  • traceywashere

    The way I see it, Madeira is the 10th’s district only hope to defeating Carney. We’re sick of these good-ole-boy-insider-who-you-know games out here in the Wyoming Valley.

    I like Madeira because he’s NOT a career politician. AND He’s also NOT a lawyer! He’s a real person. Had a real career. Knows the issues of REAL PEOPLE. He’s dealt with insurance companies. He really understands all the issues. He’s not just another spinner of webs.

    Mr. Madeira really knows, loves, and is not ashamed of our constitution, our national history, and the American way.He’s got a great way of conveying in ‘real people terms’ the big issues going on in Washington.

    Good luck David!

  • scottwilson10thpa

    I had the opportunity to see all three candidates in person at the Susquehanna Valley Conservatives Forum recently. I went there not knowing any of the candidates. David Madeira distinguished himself by far as the leading candidate to beat Chris Carney in November. I am working on my own post about this race. But suffice to say for now, I was as unimpressed with Malcolm Derk, who mentioned getting money for the RT 11/15 Selinsgrove by-pass about four times and Tom Marino who was nearly late, did not seem like he wanted to be there, and stumbled over a very simple Constitutional query (he would consult his constituents before deciding how to vote on a bill he personally felt was unconstitutional but was being pressured by his party to vote yes), as I was impressed with David Madeira. David Madeira was articulate, had an excellent grasp of the issues, and clearly stands for limited Federal interference in our lives. I am now personally involved in his campaign….and I have never, ever done anything but vote in the past. This campaign is WINNABLE with the right candidate. This race needs national attention. Go to www.madeiraforcongress.com check out David’s awesome billboard. And, like many of us did for Scott Brown, send any donation you can afford, because this is one we can win!

  • josh-dallas,pa

    I’ve known Dave Madeira since his run for state Senate in 2006, and I’ve known his family for many years. You can’t find a more genuine Conservative. He not only lives out traditional, faith-based, family values, but he can articulate them as well as anyone in conservative media.

    If we can elect Dave Madeira and some other people like him to Congress this fall, then this country might just have a chance after all. If Marino is elected (or if Carney remains), it will just be more of the same…and I’m afraid we can’t survive much more of that.

    If Santorum is endorsing Marino, that’s a shame. I don’t question Santorum’s conservative credentials, but his support for RINOs is disappointing (i.e. Arlen Specter).

  • http://www.erickerickson.org Erick Erickson

    Exactly the stuff we’ve got to pay attention to on our side.

  • acat

    Yes, having a Giannoulias is a problem (and, if you don’t mind, I’ll keep calling Mr. Marino that – Mark Kirk needs all the help his RINO ass can get.

    There’s a number of ways to handle a Giannoulias – watch the Illinois Dem method in action over the next month or two, smoke-filled rooms will be involved.

    Much, much better to have some competition in the primary, and – while paying attention to Reagan’s 11th commandment – tell the truth about the Giannoulias’s shortcomings.

    So. Who else is in the race? Is the date to file in the past?

    Is the worst case to seat a Republican Giannoulias, or is it to seat a one-term Dem? Tough call.

    Mew

  • http://itsaboutfreedom.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=government raybryant

    http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/03/21/decide-health-care-victory-america/

    The leftists are trying to game this poll by pushing it on their lefty web sites.

  • http://twitter.com/redhk Zach Oldham

    There are other GOP candidates in the race: chiropractor and ’06 state Senate candidate David Madeira and Snyder County Commissioner Malcolm Derk. The filing deadline has passed, so those are the only two.

    http://www.madeiraforcongress.com/
    http://www.derkforcongress.com/

    Worth looking into. Carney is extremely vulnerable this cycle and we need to put someone in that seat that we’ll be happy with for the longer term.

  • rsexteriors

    I met Mr Madeira at a anti health care rally out in front of Carney’s Williamsport office. I gave him my business card and told him to contact me as I am willing to help his campaign.

    Marino is no good. He use to be a DA in Williamsport PA. He was no good then either.

    We need to help Madeira with his campaign. He needs to win the primary so we have somebody worthwhile go up against Carney. Carney has GOT TO GO. He told me and he told the Williamsport sun gazzette that he would vote NO on the Senate health care bill because it provided for abortion. Two days later he announced his support for the Senate health care bill and stated that he was satisfied that the bill did not provide money for abortion. What a sell out.

    http://www.madeiraforcongress.com/issues/243

    If you are in PA 10 contact him and help him out. If your not in PA10, but want a conservative in Congress then give him some money to help his campaign. He is trully GRASS ROOTS.

  • jeffreykmann

    If members of the 10th district are looking for a Republican candidate with

  • davidmadeira

    …this race. The Liberty agenda is here at Madeira for Congress – http://www.madeiraforcongress.com/issues

  • acat

    So, what’s the next step?

    Not interested in deciding between Derk and Madeira as it’s not my district and I don’t know the local issues but .. what do they need to get the word out that the Giannoulias need not be tolerated?

    Mew

  • http://www.libertytreehugger.com reverelth

    where I’d advocate a Republican hitting a fellow Republican a little harder than he might hit a Democrat. For now.

  • slumdog

    will certainly be in the DCCC

  • acat

    …but then, I don’t see many Republicans who are willing to throw a solid punch. McCain, for instance, prefers the knife in the back…

    Anyway, I’d be fine with hitting a Republican – with the truth about his shortcomings only – just as hard as hitting a Dem.

    Mew