Capitol Police Visit Santorum's Penn Hills Home

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/9269616/detail.html

PENN HILLS, Pa. -- On Wednesday, Capitol Police agent dispatched from Washington spent nearly 90 minutes doing a security check on Sen. Rick Santorum's Penn Hill's house.

"Why would he call Capitol Police when we have Penn Hills police right here? If he's a resident of Penn Hills, why didn't he call the Penn Hills police? And for his kids to be in danger? That's a big joke because his kids are never in this house," Santorum critic Erin Vecchio said.

This is the latest twist in Santorum's long-running clash with a local Democratic couple that Santorum accuses of trespassing and peeking into windows in a bid to prove he doesn't really live there.

"The fact is, that we never stepped foot on that property. I put a challenge out to Rick, saying that I would take a lie detector test if he would take a lie detector test if he ever lived in that house," Vecchio said.

Be sure to watch the video at the site link.

[liberalnurse]

1. Is that where he stashed

the fetus? Randi Rhodes was talking about Santorum having a fetus for his kids to play with....:scared:

[sfdiva]

5. the fetus

was taken back to the hospital after while .. I thought originally from the Pittsburgh Area that is what my friends have told me

[stepnw1f]

38. Yup..Another GOP Head Case in a Position of Power (nt)

[w4rma]

2. Santorum is bonkers. (nt)

[Rose Siding]

3. Do the Cap police even have jurisdiction there?

snip>
Santorum's staff said the Capitol Police visit was to ensure the safety and security of the Santorum family home. They said, "It is extremely disappointing that because of hardball politics, we have come to this."
=====

Never once have I heard Santorum rebut the facts the facts of the charge that the house is empty, just this hyper-indignation about anyone noticing!

[Penndems]

16. I was asking myself that very same question

It was always my understanding that the authority of the Capitol Police was limited to The Hill and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Unless that's changed . . .

[Historic NY]

20. They do have jurisdiction according to their mission statement....

apparently it was changed at some point over the years. I have noticed that within the last 15 yrs or so they have become more & more professional and well equipped.

[dmr]

21. Here's a little more info

I went Googling today to find more information on Constitutional Separation of Powers - I came across this about the USCP:

http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?dsid=2222&dekey=United+States+Capitol+Police&linktext=United%20States%20Capitol%20Police

Today's United States Capitol Police officer has the primary responsibility for protecting life and property; preventing, detecting, and investigating criminal acts; and enforcing traffic regulations throughout a large complex of congressional buildings, parks, and thoroughfares. The USCP has exclusive jurisdiction within the United States Capitol Grounds and has concurrent jurisdiction with other police agencies in an area of approximately 200 blocks around the complex. Additionally, they are charged with the protection of Members of Congress, Officers of Congress, and their families throughout the entire United States, its territories and possessions, and the District of Columbia.

[Divernan]

24. Cap. Hill police have NO jurisdiction over real property in PA

"Additionally,they are charged with the protection of Members of Congress, Officers of Congress and their families THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES.

In that neither Santorum or his family are living in or even visiting this property, the answer is NO! the Capitol Hill Police do NOT have concurrent jurisdiction on this Penn Hills property.

Real estate is referred to as real property by the law, and is not mentioned in this definition of the US Capitol Police's powers.

[dmr]

32. It's pretty clear to me he's pulling a scam by trying to be a victim

of the meany Democrats. I'm not sure if he's trying to act high and mighty by throwing his weight around involving the CHPD, or if it's because he can't pull a scam over on the local cops - or maybe both.

I'm sick of these Washington types who use a district as a stepping stone to sit in Congress where they are sort of pre-interviewing for that ultimate, high paying lobbying/advisory/consultant/whatever career move once they leave Congress.

Santorum will never live in that little house. If he were to lose his seat in November, he won't live there. He's a hypocritical cheating ass.

[maxrandb]

37. Nobody! and I mean NOOOO-BODY does fake outrage like Ricky

He's got a gift. I've never seen such snivelling, or false righteous indignation than when I see Ricky on the floor of the Senate.

I sent an e-mail to Casey's campaign which I thought was the perfect responce:

"Dear Ricky,

We weren't trespassing. We simply came over to your Penn Hills address with some pastries, in the hope that we could sit down over a cup of coffee and talk about what's best for the taxpayers of Pennsylvania. When no one answered the door, we looked inside to make sure you and your family were OK.

Since it appears that your "home" in Penn Hills does not even have a coffee maker in it, the next time we want to visit...well...we'll just visit your mansion in Virginia.

Sincerely,

Bill Casey (a real PA resident)

PS: It's not very gentlemanly to enlist your wife and children in your battles."

(snip)
Poor Ricky is outraged? So am I. I've never wanted to throw a brick at my TV until I caught Santorum on C-SPAN.

"Republican politicians fake outrage better than their wives and mistresses fake orgasm" - Me

[LynneSin]

45. I appreciate the Capitol Police want to protect Rick & his family but.....

RICK AND HIS FAMILY LIVE IN FRICKING LEESBURG VIRGINIA

What a waste of fricking tax dollars protecting an EMPTY house

[AndyA]

4. What a waste of taxpayer money. Something Santorum does very

well from the looks of things.

[DavidMS]

6. You don't have to peak in windows ot determine if he lives there.

all you need to do watch the comming and going of cars. Somthing that can be easily observed from public property.

[rodeodance]

7. what a bunch of crapola!

[rodeodance]

8. i think it is disgusting that Santorium brings his family/kids into this.

...The Casey campaign said Santorum's accusations lack any credibility and that he should repay Penn Hills taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars for not living in the district.

Channel 4 Action News heard neighbors take both sides of the fight.

Mark Hawkins, a family friend, said. "When Rick's in, not doing his job … this is where is family is. I mean, this is where he is."

Neighbor Don Gingery said, "The place has been empty for three or four months."

"Empty? How do you know?" asked Channel 4 Action News reporter Bob Mayo.

"I live right here," Gingery said.

[shain from kane]

9. Depends on what the definition of "is" is. Empty house,

empty handed, empty headed. Family values, but where's the family? Under the steeple, for sure? A house is not a home.

[splat@14]

10. Did they find the "Jeff Gannon" room replete with ass-chaps?

[Kingofalldems]

11. Well, he's exactly what he looks like....

A big baby. Imagine that.

[trudyco]

12. Maybe they were just picking up some stuff from the freezer -nt

[JVS]

13. Pay us the fucking money Santorum!

PH for life!

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

14. OK, who else saw a juicy double entendre in there? -nt

[FreeStateDemocrat]

15. Are Capitol Police the enforcement arm of the RNC dirty tricks committee?

[brentspeak]

19. I don't know about the cops, but I agree that this sounds like

dirty tricks. Reminiscent of when Rove lied about discovering a hidden listening-device in his campaign office during the White-Clements Texas gubernatorial race.

[AlinPA]

17. This goddam story is not going away. Santorum will push this until the

election. Its all the bastard has. Local news is eating it up and will definely take Santorum's side. It will be similar to the case a few years ago when Santorum's consultant worked for an rpig (Turzai) and they were buzzing a helicopter over the Democrat's house. Thats all the local media talked about for 4 months. Too bad. Casey doesn't know how to fight back and play rough.

[annabanana]

18. I don't see how this is being given a pro-santorum spin....

He thinks his political enemies are tresspassing, and he gets DC police to check out his property instead of local Pa cops?

Do people think he lives there, or is there a general knowledge that he doesn't?

[AlinPA]

22. When it plays out east, it will sound bad. That goddam Brabender will

stay with this in the Philly area news market. In W. PA, most people know whats going on and that Santorum lives in DC, milked the Penn Hills school district, that the house is too small for his big family and that he is never there, etc.

[Divernan]

26. Everyone in SW PA who accesses TV, radio or the papers knows

Santorum does not live in that house.

[LiberalFighter]

27. Mrs. Santorum's niece and husband

Cyberschool

The Santorums have six children. Their house of residency in Pennsylvania is Penn Hills in a two bedroom house they bought in 1997 for $87,000. The Santorums spend most of their time in a house they purchased in Leesburg, VA., several years ago for $643,000. At the Pennsylvania residence listed as the home address for Rick Santorum, Mrs. Santorum's niece and husband are listed on the voter rolls as residing there, along with the Senator and his wife. In 2004, it was estimated that the property tax on the home in Pennsylvania came to approximately $2,000.

It was discovered in the fall of 2004 that Senator Santorum was having his children cyberschooled in his Virginia home at the expense of the Penn Hills School district.

Penn Hills School District records show bills paid with local taxpayers' money for U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum's children to attend a cyber charter school total more than $100,000.

"Since the 2001-2002 school year, at least three Santorum children have been attending a cyber charter school.

This year, the school district has to pay $38,000 for Elizabeth, 13, Richard, 11, Daniel, 9, Sarah, 6, and Peter Santorum, 5, to attend Western Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, which is based in Beaver County.

State law requires local school districts to pay the tuition of charter school students who live in the school district."

[Coexist]

34. Eight of them live in a 2 bedroom house??

That is just silly. No way. That is one bedroom for the parents, and one bedroom for six children.

Please.

[MADem]

41. Cue "The Waltons" theme!!!!

Actually, they had MORE room!

[LiberalFighter]

44. That's right... it is a scam by Santorum

[msanthrope]

39. And everyone here in Philly, too.....this is not being given a

Pro-Santorum spin....

[sfdiva]

31. there is a general knowledge that he doesnt ..

there was an article last year in the post gazette about santorum not paying taxes in the penn hills school district

I cannot find the artile myslef but if you go to the site and search for it I am sure you will find it

[leesa]

23. Are they searching for Jeff Gannon again?

Can't imagine this would make the locals too happy.

[AlCzervik]

25. Santorum imo is trying to paint himself as a victim.

[corporatemedia]

46. GREAT clip! LISTEN to Tricky Ricky SQUIRM - AUDIO interview

It has a friendly (to T-Ricky) interviewer getting on his case over the attack ads.

Visit 2 Political Junkies

http://2politicaljunkies.blogspot.com/2006/05/santorum-story-view-from-both-sides-of.html

The link to the audio is located in the third "paragraph" from the end of the post.

"Fennick also has a link to an excerpt of the Griffin interview here."

Click on the "here"

Maria gives credit for the link to Tom Ferrick. I could not find the link at his blog, but be sure to visit Ferrick's PoliBlog 2006-

http://go.philly.com/poliblog2006



Did the attack dog bite his own tail???

[corporatemedia]

28. When we said T-Ricky had no RUG....

we were talking about a TOUPEE!

http://santorumcybergate.blogspot.com/

[LiberalFighter]

29. Is this house big enough?

111 Stephens Lane
Penn Hills PA
Source

[corporatemedia]

30. No, and it doesn't have to be, because he actually lives here....

http://santorumcybergate.blogspot.com/2005/01/where-does-tricky-ricky-really-live.html

[Coexist]

35. LTTE from a NUN re: Santorum

A great letter-to-the-editor in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from a CATHOLIC NUN:


"Sen. Rick Santorum and his wife have taught their children a powerful lesson on civic responsibility by refusing to pay any tuition money to the Penn Hills School District for their children who attended the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School ... Released from that payment on a technicality shows that even an upstanding, moral gentleman like Sen. Santorum teaches his children the following lessons:

1) Take advantage of the system whenever you can.
2) The little guy pays while the rich and powerful guy gets away with it.
3) As a Catholic, you have no obligation to pay your share to the common good in spite of Catholic social doctrine. "

[corporatemedia]

43. Link for the entire LTTE at

http://santorumcybergate.blogspot.com/2005/07/you-got-that-right-sister.html

[TheCowsCameHome]

33. Cops looking to get some kinky sex, maybe?

[Canuckistanian]

36. This is good news either way

The more energy and time Santorum spends on this issue, the better. It's not likely to score him any political points and will only generate local opposition.

I'd love to see Santorum tarred with the eptithet "carpetbagger", just as Hillary was.

[RamboLiberal]

40. Great local Pittsburgh column today on this

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06145/692949-155.stm

Santorum: Hoisted on his own back yard
Thursday, May 25, 2006

What goes around, comes around.

Sixteen years ago, Republican Rick Santorum went after a longtime Washington lawmaker in a vigorous campaign that rested on two pillars.

One was a call to make seasoned politicians illegal. Congressman Doug Walgren had been in office for 14 years, and Mr. Santorum proposed a constitutional amendment to limit U.S. senators and House members to 12 years.

Mr. Santorum also said Mr. Walgren did not live in his district, and pledged "my primary residence will be in suburban Pittsburgh -- unlike the incumbent, who lives full-time in Virginia and maintains no residence in Allegheny County.''

Funny how what sounds good as a challenger can come back and bite you after you become a big-time Washington power broker.

[Orsino]

42. Was anyone at home? n/t