Area Republicans strategize for election day

In a dimly lit room in the basement of Cavanaugh's Restaurant, Matt Wolfe leans against the bar and surveys his troops, a rag-tag band of about 40 GOP faithful. They come here every year to raise money for the party, plan a final push to get out the vote and to commiserate. Wolfe, Republican leader of the 27th ward, which includes University City, knows that it is often frustrating to be a Republican in West Philadelphia. Democrats outnumber Republicans four to one here and a GOP win in local elections is almost impossible. But as the committee members sip their drinks and move about the room reminiscing with old friends, hope lingers in the air, replete with the scent of cigarette smoke and old beer. With less than a week before the election, both Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Ridge and Senatorial candidate Rick Santorum are ahead in the polls, and there is a good chance the Republicans will take over the state assembly as well as one or both houses of Congress. "We have a lot to be proud of in this election," Wolfe told his fellow Republicans at Cavanaugh's last night. "We have a good organization here in West Philadelphia and University City. We need to make sure our voters are energized and get to the polls on election day." To help reinforce his message and rally his committee members, Wolfe brought in State Representative John Perzel from Northeast Philadelphia's 172nd District. Perzel, currently minority whip in the State Assembly, will become majority leader if the Republicans take over the house. Perzel also stands a good chance of emerging as leader of the Philadelphia Republican Party, filling a void left by the recent death of long-time party boss Bill Meehan. "This election is about turnout," Perzel said as he began his inspirational speech. "Your goal has to be to bring out every one of your Republicans." Perzel waived a list of every registered Republican in the 27th ward and said it was up to the committee members to make phone calls and go door to door to make sure every person on the list goes to the polls and votes Republican. He said it was particularly important to discourage people from voting for Constitutional Party candidate Peg Luksik, who could cut into Ridge's constituency and give Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Singel the edge. "Maybe Ridge is up high enough, but I wouldn't count on it," Perzel said. "Luskik is a loser. If you vote for her, you are throwing your vote away." Perzel also talked about the need to change Pennsylvania's tax structure to promote economic growth, reform the welfare system and reduce the crime rate. Many of those at yesterday's meeting echoed Perzel's concerns. Anthony Meglio, an area lawyer and Republican state assembly candidate from the 186th District, also said tax reform was high on his agenda. And David Thomsen, a retired computer analyst and Republican running for 195th District state representative, has been leading the fight against registration fraud, another issue with particular salience in the 27th ward which has twice sued to remove names from the voter rolls. Thomsen also lashed out at his opponent, State Rep. Frank Oliver. "The only thing he has ever done is to propose a state song," Thomsen said. While many among the diverse crowd at yesterday's fundraiser said it was sometimes frustrating to be a Republican in University City, they also said they were proud to still have a viable party machine. Edward Howell, a consultant and lifelong GOP member, said it is especially hard to be a black Republican in an area where the vast majority of blacks vote democratic. "I get kidded a lot by my friends," Howell said. "We have a lot of similar concepts and while we do differ on a few issues, it is not as big a difference as most think."

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