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Analysis: Is time running out for DeWeese?

BY CHARLES THOMPSON

/

Of The Patriot-News

, 11/16/07 6:18 PM EST

UPDATED: 11/19/07 9:40 AM EST

The surprise purge of top state House Democratic staffers and the subsequent arraignment onethics charges of a former Democratic lawmaker begged a question at the Capitol last week: Istime running out on Rep. H. William DeWeese’s tenure as the House Democratic leader?The consensus from a sampling of Democratic lawmakers is that DeWeese’s stock is down. Butmany feel he is owed a chance to ride out Attorney General Tom Corbett’s probe of legislativeoperations and take Democrats in a better direction.It was, without doubt, a horrid week for DeWeese, D-Greene.Because of information revealed in reviews of e-mail and other records sought by Corbett’sagents, DeWeese jettisoned seven House staffers Tuesday, including his longtime chief of staff,Mike Manzo.On Wednesday, Corbett announced charges against a longtime DeWeese ally, former Rep. Frank LaGrotta, D-Lawrence, who was accused of padding his district office payroll with “no-work” jobs for a sister and niece.DeWeese said Friday that he has no intention of stepping down and predicted that when Corbett’s probe has run its course, “my behavior will be seen as totally appropriate” by House members andothers.But Democrats who entered the fall with high hopes of enacting legislation on alternative energy,health care and open records have seen business on the House floor nearly stop.In its place, media across the state have seized on coverage of the bonus investigation.As a result, some lawmakers have begun carefully and quietly evaluating interest in replacingDeWeese as the caucus’s most prominent face.“Of course discussions are under way” about whether a change in leadership is needed, said oneDemocratic member, who, like all of those contacted for this story, spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the political sensitivity of the subject.“A lot of people are starting to think this situation isn’t going to go away ... as long as the statusquo is there,” another said.Others said they believed patience is in order.“The key test for me is whether or not we can get legislation and reforms done,” a third Democratsaid. “If these issues impact our ability to get stuff done, then we have a caucus problem. It’s justtoo soon to tell.”Still others said they simply needed more information: Will Corbett’s investigation implicateDeWeese? Can anyone else get enough support from the membership to mount a viablechallenge?Some analysts said last week’s forced resignations buttressed perceptions that some HouseDemocratic employees crossed the line between government and campaign work in 2006.

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