Campaigning Philadelphia judges say Democrats sought $10,000 donations
The city's Democratic Party organization invited 27 Philadelphia judges to a buffet breakfast this week and asked them to pay $10,000 each to assure party support when they face yes-or-no retention votes in November, according to judges who attended.
The figure is double what the party asked from sitting judges two years ago ....And the request was reportedly delivered with a warning from the party treasurer, former State Rep. Frank Oliver, that Democratic ward leaders would "cut" - withhold support from - judges who failed to pay, according to several witnesses....
"It's Godfather II," one judge told The Inquirer, comparing the situation to the heavy-handed political pressure that convinced an Atlanta company to walk away from a multimillion-dollar contract with the Philadelphia School District this year......Like other judges interviewed Thursday, he asked that his name not be disclosed for fear of offending Democratic Party leaders.
U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, the party chairman, invited the 27 judges facing retention votes to the Wednesday-morning breakfast at Finnegan's Wake on Spring Garden Street......Brady intentionally left the room before Oliver's remarks, to comply with federal restrictions on Brady's fund-raising activities.
Complaints about Oliver's remarks reached him later that day, Brady said, and he tried to reassure judges that none of those facing retention votes would lose party support for not making the requested donation.http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20110930_Campaigning_Philadelphia_judges_say_Democrats_sought__10_000_donations.html?cmpid=124488469
