Campaign cookies-2012 (Maria Pouchnikova)
The Independence Hall Tea Party Association Political Action Committee is eagerly awaiting the court rulings on the state’s new voter identification law and vowing retribution at the polls if the law is struck down.
The PAC said it was “cowardly” for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to send the appeal back to Commonwealth Court.
Judge Robert Simpson, of Commonwealth Court, has already ruled in favor of the law. Opponents appealed that decision to the Supreme Court, which last week ordered Simpson to determine if state agencies are making the ID cards readily available for voters in advance of the Nov. 6 election.
PAC president Don Adams cited last week’s Inquirer Pennsylvania Poll, which showed nearly two-thirds of people in favor of the law. Ninety-four percent of people said it would not be difficult for them to get a photo ID card.
In addition, Adams argued that the Supreme Court should uphold the law out of deference to the legislature, which he said represents the will of the people.
Adams said that, if Simpson fails to uphold the law, the PAC will ask Gov. Tom Corbett to again appeal the case to the state Supreme Court.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Ron Castille, a Rhawnhurst resident, and Justice Max Baer are scheduled to be on the ballot in 2013 seeking additional 10-year terms.
“Bottom line, if this law is not upheld, we will hold Justices Castille and Baer accountable in their 2013 retention election — and, possibly, Gov. Corbett in his 2014 [re-election] primary contest,” Adams said.
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The Planned Parenthood Political Action Committee has endorsed William Dunbar, the Democratic challenger to state Rep. John Taylor (R-177th dist.).
“A woman should have the right to use birth control and choose whether or not she wants to have children without government involvement,” Dunbar said. “Those who vote for legislation that restricts a woman’s right to make decisions about her reproductive health seek to deny all women of their constitutional right to privacy.”
Maggie Groff, the southeastern Pennsylvania project director for the PAC, said Dunbar understands the importance of providing access to affordable, quality, preventive family planning services.
“We know Will respects the ability of women and their families to make their own personal health care decisions, and we know he will work to protect their right to do so,” she said.
Taylor is pro-life.
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There is one thing Democrats and Republicans can probably agree on — their love of cookies.
Now, voters can show support for their favorite candidates by buying cookies at Weinrich’s Bakery, at 55 Easton Road in Willow Grove.
The cookies come in small, medium and large sizes. The best sellers are the ones featuring the likenesses of President Barack Obama, challenger Mitt Romney, Vice President Joe Biden and Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan.
There are also cookies with pictures of U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. and his Republican opponent, Tom Smith; U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz and her GOP challenger, Joe Rooney; and state Rep. Tom Murt (R-152nd dist.) and his Democratic opponent, Ronald Kolla.
Followers of the presidential election might also be able to ignore the countless state and national polls on the race.
That’s because, since Weinrich’s Bakery began selling the political cookies in 1972, the candidate whose cookie was bought most often went on to win the race in every year except 1996. That year, Ross Perot’s cookie was the biggest seller.
Weinrich’s is open in the fall Thursdays through Sundays. ••
