We Love Ya Sam, But No Dice

pa2010.com is reporting that Sam Rohrer is going to throw his hat into the GOP primary for Governor. I am a big fan of Rep. Rohrer. He is the sponsor of the Pennsylvania Firearms Freedom Act, and stands up for the 10th Amendment. I can’t help but admire a state rep willing to give the proverbial middle finger toward Washington, even if it’s a relatively symbolic one.

But as much as I might want to see him make the big leap someday, trying it from State Representative is a bit too ambitious, historically, for I have to go back to 1858 before I can find someone who went from State Representative to Governor, and he was a Speaker of the House at that.

So I want to encourage Rep. Rohrer to think about a better position from which to make the great leap:

  • State Senator
  • US Congressman
  • Federal Appointed High Office
  • Civil War General

We regret that the last option is likely closed to Representative Rohrer, but Pennsylvania elected no less than three consecutive Civil War Generals to that high office, one of which later went on to become a territorial Governor of Kansas, and then the first Mayor of San Francisco. Talk about an eclectic political career.

Of course, if Civil War general is a great ticket to the Governor’s Mansion, it makes me question how serious Rohrer is about State Sovereignty and the Tenth Amendment. You know, Sam, we could always have another go at it. How would you look in epaulets?

I suppose State Senate, or even Congress, is probably an easier path to executive state office, but if you want to think about raising up a Grand Army of the Susquehanna, and storming down to the Potomac, give me a call. We’ll do lunch. Congress is an overrated stepping stone anyway.

12 thoughts on “We Love Ya Sam, But No Dice”

  1. Thank goodness we have the right to bear arms against politicians who vote themselves unconstitutional pay raises and pension increases.

  2. Wow, Sebastian, your posts have been a bit sarcastic as of late, bordering on vitriolic. While some of Rohrer’s initiatives have been a bit of a stretch given the environment in Harrisburg, I have found him to be a competent politician who stands up not only for his own constituency, but for all citizens of the Commonwealth. He has either supported, co-sponsored, or co-authored just about every piece of pro-gun legislation in the last few years, and is a firm believer in actually making sure government adheres to it laws and Constitution. God forbid it!

    Although it’s been awhile since a state rep has been elected to Governor, IMHO that doesn’t mean that it should be discouraged in any way. There were many in the Continental Congress who initially believed that independence was foolhardy, suicidal, and impossible, and used all their influence to convince the rest to reconcile with an enemy who cared nothing of such agreements. After all, it had never been done before. Good thing those people didn’t win out.

    The more competent and upstanding individuals we have running, the better chance we all have of getting a Governor that actually cares about our concerns. Especially in this case, as it’s not a “split the vote” issue. If Rohrer’s dog won’t hunt, he’ll get eliminated in the primary.

    1. ChamberedRound, you’re reading far too much into this. The fact that Sebastian went through all those years of Governors – reading through all of their job histories going back 150 years – should be the first clue that he was seriously considering Rohrer as a candidate. Considering the viability of candidates is usually a sign that you’re giving them a fair shake. I should also point out that Sebastian has had very favorable coverage of Rep. Rohrer for the last few years, including his solid pro-gun credentials. Not to mention, he has put his money where his mouth is and donated to Rohrer. In fact, the conversation last night and today was about him likely finally changing his voter registration so he can vote for Rohrer should he run. At this point, I think you’re looking for something to be outraged about on this post. Do the research, the backgrounds of our Governors are actually really funny. There are definitely trends and those trends don’t bode well for other candidates on either side of the aisle, either. But we didn’t really care because before Rohrer, those candidates didn’t strike our interest nearly as much.

  3. Not to mention, we’ve got a president now who has precious little executive experience, certainly not as much as a former Naval officer.

  4. Bitter,

    Not looking for anything at all to be outraged about, nor am I looking to pick a fight. There’s been enough drama here over the last few days. It just strikes me odd that one would publicly state that a representative they like shouldn’t run for Governor. We’ll never know if Rohrer can be an underdog winner if he never tries. Unless he’s surrounded by a gaggle of “yes men (and/or women)”, then there must be something there for him and his staff to consider a run.

    1. Where did he say that Rohrer should not run at all? The closest I can find is “…trying it from State Representative is a bit too ambitious, historically…” Historically speaking, it is beyond an uphill battle. Do you have evidence to the contrary? I don’t think Sebastian reviewed the colonial leaders, so maybe you’ve got examples there.

      The other relevant passage might be “…I want to encourage Rep. Rohrer to think about a better position from which to make the great leap.” Yes, he does encourage Rohrer to run from a better office, but that’s hardly a condemnation. In this case, it’s merely a statement of history. In fact, that would indicate that Sebastian would like to see him have an even better shot. If this is an example of your definition of “vitriolic,” then I do fear you are defining it down – very, very, very low down. I mean if the new definition of trying to derail a candidate is saying that history doesn’t bode well for this particular leap, but giving money and likely votes anyway, then damn, most candidates would love to be derailed.

  5. I wasn’t saying he shouldn’t run, just that he doesn’t stand much of a chance. I’d like to see him run for a higher office, but not that high, first, which would give him a better chance of making the leap.

    I like Rohrer. I’d probably vote for him in the primary, but I don’t think his candidacy stands much of a chance because I’m not sure he has the name recognition he needs to win.

  6. IMHO, opining that a politician you like should try running for a different office because they likely won’t win a gubernatorial election, infers they shouldn’t run.

    What I found sarcastic (and BORDERLINE vitriolic, if you re-read my original post) was this:

    “Of course, if Civil War general is a great ticket to the Governor’s Mansion, it makes me question how serious Rohrer is about State Sovereignty and the Tenth Amendment. You know, Sam, we could always have another go at it. How would you look in epaulets?”

    “…if you want to think about raising up a Grand Army of the Susquehanna, and storming down to the Potomac, give me a call. We’ll do lunch. Congress is an overrated stepping stone anyway.”

    I guess I don’t have a sense of humor these days when it comes to finding a governor that can actually GOVERN, instead of putting up with clowns like the one we have now simply because “he can win”.

    Flame on.

    1. Good to know that you checked your sense of humor at the door. No one for one second took that as remotely serious. I even sent this link on to a top political blogger and he seems to have found at least some amusement in it. You seem to be the only one who cannot laugh about the history of Pennsylvania’s Governors. In that case, I strongly suggest you avoid the barnstorming sausage post comments. I’m sure you will be rightly offended.

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