PAtownhall.com
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
PAtownhall.com
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
by Chris Freind
The surprise resignation of U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan this week left many political observers scratching their heads. Questions abound surrounding Meehan' timing, especially since he is widely considered to be a GOP frontrunner in the 2010 race for Governor.
This political analysis will attempt to shed some light on the situation by dissecting Meehan's possible motives.
Background: Meehan was elected District Attorney of Delaware County in 1995, and garnered national headlines when his office successfully prosecuted John DuPont for the murder of Olympic wrestler Dave Schultz. He also handled the highly-charged case surrounding the Blue Route murder of 22 year old Aimee Willard.
President Bush appointed Meehan United States Attorney for the Eastern District, and he was sworn in a week after the September 11 terror attacks. His tenure was most noted for convictions in numerous public corruption cases, highlighted by City Treasurer Corey Kemp and Councilman Rick Mariano. An even bigger coup for Meehan would have been the successful prosecution of Democratic Senator Vince Fumo, one of the most powerful politicians in Pennsylvania over the last three decades. Fumo is facing a 139 count indictment centering on government corruption, with many insiders believing that Fumo's "nine lives" will finally come to a crashing end.
So why would Pat Meehan resign now, when he was on the cusp of what could have been the biggest prosecutorial victory in the nation? Why would he give up the positive publicity and headlines sure to be generated by the case, knowing that his chief Republican rival for governor, State Attorney General Tom Corbett, will get tremendous exposure with the indictments of big-name politicians in the "Bonus Gate" Scandal?
Let's examine several different scenarios:
Meehan isn't running for anything.
While dedicating a life to public service is extremely noble, it doesn't pay. For many public officials with college age children, such as Meehan, the desire for financial security often steers them into the private sector. Meehan would make exponentially more money with a law firm, and could lead a very comfortable life while still making a difference.
Of course, Meehan could also have other personal, family-related considerations that factored into his decision to resign. Either way, it serves no purpose to discourage speculation about a run for statewide office should Meehan change his mind at a later date. Shutting the door prematurely and taking your name out of political circles would be detrimental on multiple levels.
Converse thought: Why didn't he finish out his term, just 6 months away? Additionally, giving up the possibility of presiding over a Fumo conviction seems too good to pass up, even if running for office is not a consideration. What could be the downside?
The Fumo Case could crumble
While a Fumo conviction would seem to be a lock for positive PR, that might not be the case. There are many factors outside of Meehan's control, such as the what the actual sentence would be. If Fumo was found guilty of just a few charges, or received what could be perceived as a "light" sentence, Meehan's stock could fall in a "guilt by association" way. True justice for Vince Fumo will largely be determined by how the media reports the story. Perception is reality in politics, and if the public perceives that Fumo got a "deal", then Meehan could be pulled into the "they're all corrupt" mentality, knocking his star power down.
Converse thought: While there is an inherent risk that the Fumo case would not have the desired result (many believe it is a "slam dunk case, so expectations are high), the risk seems higher to walk away now. Meehan will not be able to effectively claim credit for a Fumo conviction if he is not U.S. Attorney, even if, as some observers speculate, Fumo cops a plea in the next several weeks.
Perhaps more perplexing is that Meehan is willingly ceding potential big-headline convictions to Corbett. While not a dynamic figure, Corbett nonetheless remains one of only two statewide Republicans, and nailing Democrats and Republicans alike for their role in doling out taxpayer money to staffers for campaign work would give him a huge lift heading into the 2010 contest, not to mention his re-election bid this November. By the nature of his position, Corbett and his initiatives will receive daily press coverage, while Meehan's public image will fade. Additionally, since Corbett is also engaged in a political campaign, he will also have access to the same political leaders and donors that Meehan will be courting.
Meehan Wants to travel with McCain
One of the more widespread rationales given for Meehan's departure is his desire to gain statewide exposure by traveling with John McCain, as McCain will be campaigning in Pennsylvania on a constant basis. In doing so, access to the political powerbrokers and big money people would be assured. While Meehan undoubtedly already knows many of these players in the Southeast, he is not nearly as well known throughout the rest of the state. Providing a comfort level to the large dollar donors and county chairmen would boost Meehan's chances of garnering their support in the 2010 primary and securing the GOP endorsement.
Additionally, many political pundits assume that one of the major reasons that Meehan resigned now is to get a jump on fundraising for a potential run for Governor.
Converse Thought: It is quite possible, and in fact likely, that raising exploratory money for a 2010 governors race in the midst of the 2008 campaign season will tremendously alienate many in the GOP establishment, since Republican candidates are currently engaged in the fight of their lives and the money pool is shrinking. The prevalent mentality would be one of Meehan stepping on the toes of those locked in battle. Given the extremely difficult political climate facing the Republicans, any additional roadblocks, especially from within the Party itself, would be viewed with significant disdain.
The "Bob Asher" factor
Bob Asher is a longtime GOP powerbroker from Montgomery County, and has been a Republican National Committeeman for a decade. He currently serves as McCain's Pennsylvania Chairman, and has expressed allegiance to Meehan. There is increased speculation that the Keystone State will be the most decisive battleground in the presidential campaign, and Asher is pulling out all the stops to ensure a McCain victory. There would be a double benefit to Meehan joining the McCain effort: Meehan's name lends credibility to McCain, and Asher would be introducing Meehan to the key powerbrokers around the state. Asher would be setting himself up for victory in both 2008 and 2010.
Converse Thought: It is no secret that Asher's Achilles heel is that he is a convicted felon, having been found guilty of public corruption in the 1980's. By the nature of Meehan's clean, law enforcement persona, will his association with Asher tarnish that image and substantially set back his efforts? Additionally, several political sources believe that the Democrats will make Asher's felon status a major issue in Pennsylvania, which could force the McCain camp to part ways with Asher. In such a scenario, Meehan could step in to fill the void, earning him a reputation as a political savior should McCain pull out a victory.
Conclusion: Pat Meehan isn't giving a reason for his resignation, so rumors and speculation will continue to fly, but one thing is certain. Meehan is, first and foremost, a seasoned and savvy political player. He has extensive campaign experience, successfully running statewide campaigns for Senators Arlen Specter in 1992 and Rick Santorum in 1994, and touts an impressive track record as DA and US Attorney. In leaving office at the eleventh hour, right before the Fumo case heads to trial in September, Meehan is taking a calculated risk, one that is viewed in many political circles as a fatalistic gamble, especially if Tom Corbett garners convictions of "big fish" politicians and wins resoundingly in November. But given Meehan's legendary intenseness and his political success, perhaps he will have the last laugh on the timing of his resignation.
Christopher Freind can be reached at CF@TheBulletin.us
