John Callahan: Now He Wants to Be a #$@%-ing Congressman?

John Callahan: Now He Wants to Be a #$@%-ing Congressman?
When asked to Run in 2005, Callahan Used Some Colorful Language to Express His Disinterest in Representing Pennsylvania Voters in Congress

Washington- Pennsylvania Democrat John Callahan, who has been heavily recruited by Washington insiders, is already poised to cave to his party bosses. Callahan initially declined to run for a seat in Pennsylvania’s 15th district, but appears to be changing his mind after feeling pressure from his party’s higher-ups.

“With Lehigh Valley facing such tough times, how can middle-class families entrust John Callahan with representing them in Congress when he holds such disdain for the job in the first place?” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “After now caving to the powers that be in Washington, Pennsylvania voters are getting a glimpse of what the future holds if John Callahan is elected to Congress.”

In 2005, Callahan resisted a run for Congress after a phone call from Rahm Emmanuel:

“John Callahan, the attractive, up-and-coming mayor of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, had never spoken to Emanuel when he got his call.  ‘Are you tired of being ****ing mayor yet?’  Emanuel asked without a preface.  Callahan, who had no problem with salty language, was amused, and he responded in kind.  ‘It’s better than being a ****ing congressman,’ he said.” (Naftali Bendavid, The Thumpin’, Doubleday, 2007, p. 20)

But now, as his party bosses once again lean on him as a puppet-in-waiting, Callahan is singing a different tune:

“It appears Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan (D) might be interested in running against Rep. Charlie Dent (R) after all.”

“Callahan confirmed that he has met with several Democratic leaders about a bid in recent weeks, including Gov. Ed Rendell and Reps. Allyson Schwartz, Patrick Murphy and Robert Brady. Vice President Joseph Biden has even pitched in to help land the recruit.” (Shira Toeplitz, “Mayor Reconsidering Race Against Dent,” Roll Call, 06/29/09)

During these tough times, don’t Pennsylvania families deserve to know that they will have someone in Washington who answers to them instead of Democrat insiders?