Charlie Crystle (Dem PA Senate Candidate) called me

[jiacinto]

Anyway tonight I was out with my brother having dinner and I got a phone call from Charlie Crystle. He is running for the US Senate in PA as a Democrat. His primary opponent in PA is Joseph Hoeffel (D), who represents PA-13, located in the Philadelphia suburbs.

At first I was really freaked me out that he called me. But we had an interesting conversation. He explained his candidacy to me and I made it clear that my opposition to his effort was not personal in the least.

The impression I got is that his campaign is serious from talking to him. It was kind of strange that he would call me out of the blue because I never expected a candidate to do that. How many candidates for statewide office call people who aren't supportive out of the blue? But, because of the reasons I have said here, I am still inclined to support Hoeffel in this effort.

[CMT]

1. interesting to say the least

I wonder why he would call you. He must monitor DU.

[jiacinto]

2. I don't know

But it made me wonder if any other DUers got phone calls from him.

[rabid_nerd]

3. You might say that...

Charlie is a DUer...

You in the party structure jiacinto?

[jiacinto]

4. No

I've volunteered for a few campaigns, attended a conference or two; but, otherwise, I am just a regular/average person.

[rabid_nerd]

5. OK...

I wonder how he got your info then, lol...

If Charlie gets on and see's his name, I'm sure he'll post soon.. lol

[jiacinto]

6. Well

it was interesting to talk to him. I still support Hoeffel, but at least I am convinced that he is actually credible about running.

[jiacinto]

7. One other thing

It does mean a lot to me that he took the time to call me to discuss his campaign. I respect him for that a lot. And maybe I might change my mind.

The fact that he called me says a lot about his willingness to reach out to voters. I respect him for that a lot.

[w4rma]

8. Related links

A relative unknown throws his hat into the primary ring

Charlie Crystle is fed up with the way things are done in Washington, and he’d like to do something about it. But the Lancaster, Pa., businessman/millionaire views Rep. Joseph M. Hoeffel (D-District 13), a fellow Democrat, as part of the problem, instead of the solution.

So to the dismay of many in his own party, Crystle last week declared his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. Up until that point, Hoeffel, a three-term congressman from Abington, was the only Democrat running.

“There’s a series of things” that led Crystle to his decision, he revealed in an interview this week, but “the bottom line was these constant attacks on the middle class by irresponsible fiscal policies of this administration, and the failure of both Democrats and Republicans to stand against it.

“When you’re beholden to corporate interests, like the insider candidates are, it’s hard for them to act on behalf of the people on a consistent basis,” he said.

Besides being virulently anti-free trade, Crystle has cast himself as a human-rights crusader along the lines of former President Jimmy Carter. He serves as a technical adviser to Witness.org, a group that helps grass-roots movements across the world stand up to human-rights abuses, and has spent quite a bit of time addressing the issue of child exploitation in Central America.
…
more: http://www.jewishexponent.com/Zoom.asp?storyID=17955&szparent=569&pubID=221&
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=108&topic_id=20514&mesg_id=20514

Crystle & Meetup for everyone in Pennsylvania
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=108&topic_id=21387&mesg_id=21387

[Merlin]

9. Charlie is DUer srpantalonas. Here's his message from an earlier thread.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=52721&mesg_id=52721

srpantalonas (26 posts) Tue Aug-05-03 09:53 PM
Response to Original message

25. Message from Charlie Crystle


First, thank you for the range of opinions about this race. It's a very important race for the country, and your involvement regardless of your candidate choice will be crucial in winning the seat.

Second, let me address a few of the criticisms here.
1) I'm not running because of my ego. My ego tells me to stay in software, head to the shore to surf once a week, make money, and continue to work part-time helping people. My heart tells me to run. Whenever I notice myself getting negative about this campaign, I remind myself that I'm doing this to help people, to stand up where our leadership has failed to...and then the negativity goes away. Introduction of ego sparks the negativity. It's not about me; it never was. It's about helping people, catalyzing positive change, and leading a transformational, grass roots campaign that I hope inspires people across the state. I'm no hero, I'm no elitist, and I'm not the best possible candidate, but I'm the best running. I do believe I offer more than Joe and the same-old same-old. Give me a few months and see if you feel the same way. Come out and let's talk about it.

2) I considered running for local office earlier in the year. But the battle is at the national level. This cynical administration brought the battle to us--we didn't ask for this war against the American way of life. Specter is complicit in the dismantling of our social fabric, and I'm outraged about it.

I'd love to be mayor someday--I love my town and would love to serve here sometime. But I'm compelled to fight at the national level. If Joe wins, I'll likely back him. I don't believe in the "line of ascendency" argument though, that a candidate isn't qualified unless they've served in other offices first. I'm a sincere, competent, tenacious candidate. Give me a chance for a few months. Come out and meet me. I look forward to it!

3) I pledge to run a positive campaign. Sometimes it's tough to stay focused on the positive because of the meanspirited nature of politics, but I will try and I won't run attack ads. We will, however, point out differences between the candidates and make criticism where valid and fair. I'm hoping Joe joins me in this pledge.

4) Contested primaries are inherently more democratic. We'll debate, we'll challenge each other's positions, solutions, ideas, and leadership. Both of us will be better for it. The winner will be able to raise enough funds because the primary will have drawn so much attention to the winner. Rendell vs. Casey, for instance.

5) Like trickle-down economics, trickle-down democracy just doesn't work. Democracy should be from the ground up. Rendell endorsed Hoeffel without meeting me and without consulting a large part of the Democratic leadership across the state. It was political, of course, but it wasn't a judgment call. The idea of "clearing the decks" just to save a few bucks and create yet another unknown candidate offends my democratic sensibilities. And it's soooo Republican! btw--I like Rendell's ideas about Education and really hope he's able to implement his plans. I hope he does great things for Pennsylvania and I look forward to working with him.

6) This is going to be a fun election. Guaranteed. Balloons, donkey rides, go-karts...the whole 9. Oh, and cupcakes too.

Thanks for listening. Sadly I'm not able to post a great deal--I'm on the road ALL the time, but I'll try to drop in now and again. The blog will be up soon, plus there's a Crystle For Senate meetup and a CrystleForSenate group at Yahoo. I encourage you to help me and the rest of the state inject participatory democracy into this election

www.charliecrystle.com

Cheers,

--Charlie Crystle