Reply #4: Dems to rally against lawmaker's 'treason' [View All]

[Junkdrawer]

State Democrats, still hung over from Republican maneuvering that may continue Rep. John Perzel's hold on the House speaker's chair, will hold rallies today in Reading and tomorrow in Harrisburg to highlight what they're calling the "political treason" of one of their own.

The rallies are billed as a show of "support for the will of the voters" by state Democratic Party Chairman T.J. Rooney, who called on Rep. Tom Caltagirone, a Reading Democrat, to vote for Greene County Democrat H. William DeWeese as speaker or resign.

Mr. Caltagirone announced over the weekend that he will support Mr. Perzel, a Republican who has held the speaker's gavel since March 2003, instead of Mr. DeWeese, whom he characterized as "petty" and "vindictive" in a letter he sent to fellow House Democrats.

"Caltagirone sold out to Perzel and the House Republicans," Mr. Rooney said. "He now has two options: He should remain in the Democratic fold, or resign his seat immediately and switch his political affiliation to Republican -- which he in essence has done with this decision -- and run for the seat during a special election."

...

http://www.postgazette.com/pg/07001/750447-85.stm