Seems like the same general talking points as ever.

If someone wants to actually win an election they need to state their own cases instead of referring people to a website because anyone can pay someone to put up a website with generic party lines and tell people to go there. That is not real communication and that is why it is frustrating to just see attacks in places that could be forums for ideas (exchanging ideas is typically the best way to come up with the best plans). Most campaigns that are run on the idea that the other candidate is terrible don't do well (see John Kerry v. George Bush- Kerry would only talk about the bad Bush did and then refer people to his website for his ideas... nobody did, nobody cared, and he lost).

He is the candidate. He needs to get his message out (hopefully by being more specific than what you wrote as I could have written such generics and assumed that he would be for them). He needs to do some real communication about his plans instead of just bashing Schwartz.

Hello Joe: You can email me a question at joe@joerooneyforcongress.com, you can stop by our office at 4 Shady Lane in Rockeldge, you can give us a call at the office 215-806-4808. I live in Ardsley, look me up in the phone book and stop by my house, or call. I don't know how to be more accessible. I knock on doors nearly every day, I make phone calls and go to every event I can. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks for reading the Patch, but at the end of the day I don't understand why pointing out how Ms Schwartz votes and what she does is bashing her. I hope you will join with me and call on Ms Schwartz to join me in six debates across the district so people like you can get a chance to ask the hard questions and evaluate our responses. Cordially, JR

Mr. Rooney,

First, promote yourself! Instead of posting on Patch everything you think is wrong, post what you will do to make it right and be specific as to how you will be able to accomplish these goals because just saying you will do something does not make it happen because a lot of politicians don't play so nice as to let others have their way. Then bring up Schwartz so you can contrast what she has done (again, be specific as to how she did things). This would make me see you in a better light. I, like most people, don't want to be referred to another website when you are making outreach here. If you are principled enough to want a series of debates (during which I am sure you wouldn't say, "please visit my website to see what I will do for you..."), I assume you are principled enough to create posts here that are positive instead of just more general attacks.

I have no specific questions. I just have commentary so that hopefully a better, more informed campaign will evolve.

Thank you for responding.

Hi Marc:
It seems like your comments are bit off the subject of our Nat'l Debt at $16 Trillion. I guess we agree on that. You are right on your observation about our trip, but missed a few points.
1. Our sailboat was our home. We sold our house, our cars, all our stuff and went on this trip as a family. How could I afford it? Honestly I couldn't afford not to go. The time we spent together as a family ... PRICELESS!!
2. You forgot to mention that when I took my leave of absence, Delta was laying off several thousand pilots. I volunteered to leave so another guy could save his job. I stayed out until they recalled all the pilots. I am proud of that. You can think what you like.
3. I live in the same house I grew up in, my kids go to the same schools I went to and two of them have volunteered to serve just like my wife and me. If you want to admire someone for their service do me a favor and tell them. It was my honor to serve our great country. It was my Privilege.
4. The main thing we learned from our travels is how exceptional America is. There truly is no place like home... folks, I have been blessed to see much of the world, but I came home and am working here to hand off to our kids the wonderful country that I know.

There is a great saying from a Viet Nam POW:
To be born free is an accident
To live free is a privilege
To die free is an obligation.

Semper Fi,
JR

PS How about joining me and calling on Ms Schwartz to debate?

Mr Rooney: First of all, thank you for responding. I think you've already surpassed Ms. Schwartz in terms of answering constituents on Patch, so that's admirable. In regards to my comment, it was actually directed towards the comments that Laura Freed made about you...maybe not on your behalf but in your favor. Regarding your points that you have numbered:
1) & 3) (RELATED) You sold your home to buy a boat? Is this the same childhood home you grew up in? I know it's none of my business but -- you sold the home, went on a worldwide boat trip, came back and re-purchased the same home? Am I understanding that correctly? Not that there's anything wrong with what you did if that's the case, I'm just trying to understand the logistics of leaving the country for 5 years and sailing the globe and then coming back home as if nothing changed. I love travelling & would love to consider something like this.

2) That's quite admirable. Again -- not my business bue I would assume that there was a decent severance package included in such a deal with Delta?

4) We agree whole-heartedly on this.

Regarding the P.S. - I agree -- there SHOULD be a debate. I'd love to see that debate include Nathan Kleinman as well, as I think he should have been on the Democratic ballot and he's the person I'm voting for in November.

Again, I appreciate your communicating via Patch so far, but like Joseph F. would like to see more about what you WILL do & not what Schwartz DIDN'T do.

Marc:
Don't forget, we still have to pay back that $16 TRILLION! That is my point! I just got back from door knocking in 58th Ward and meeting people at the Bustleton Bengals practice.
1. You need to call me if you want to know the details of our home sale. I don't see how it is relevant to your post, and why you care, but I am glad to explain.
Here are the rough details: we had our own home. We sold it, moved onto our boat sailed from under the Ben Franklin Bridge to Penang, MY over 4 years. When we came back, we bought my parents home (where I was raised) and they moved to Annes Choice. Does that make sense? While underway our kids were home/boat schooled by my wife and me!!!
2. Severance, you couldn't be more wrong and I don't know why you would even suggest it. Not one dime, no access to any Delta benefits. ZERO. I voluntarily left the job and the last guy on the payroll kept his/hers.
3. Finally, why don't you just call me and ask if you have a question? Why launch unsubstantiated speculation? (and it seems always to be a put down.) Why be wrong in print when you could just call and get the facts right? Marc, I am glad to tell you all about our trip and help you plan yours.
You have me confused with Ms. Schwartz, ask me a question and I will do my best to answer it. I look forward to your call and/or visit.
Cheers.
JR

PS Will you help me set up a series of debates with AS? Everyone in PA13 will benefit from that.

Before I help you, Mr. Rooney, could you kindly answer a few questions for the readers on Patch:

1) If elected to Congress, would you work to repeal "Obamacare" and support any legislation that overturns the Act?
2) What is your stance on Gay Marriage?
3) What is your stance on Abortion? Would you vote in favor of repealing Roe v. Wade?
4) Do you support the idea of tougher gun legislation, or do you think that the current laws involving such weapons are adequate?
5) Do you consider yourself a member of the Tea Party?
6) What was your opinion on the failed merger between Abington Hospital and Holy Redeemer?

Your answers to those six questions would help me to determine if you should receive my support and the reason I posted them is because I think other Patch readers would be interested in your response. You have been extremely forthcoming on here and I can tell you with 100% honesty that I respect and appreciate your willingness to contribute here in such a grassroots manner. You have already far surpassed Ms. Schwartz in my mind in that regard.

Additionally, you have mentioned a few times how you would like to go up against Allyson Schwartz in a series of six debates. Why six debates? And where would these debates take place?

Marc: The economy and jobs are where this election will be won or lost. I am spending 80% of my time on those issues. I am a veteran and have 2 kids in the military, I will spend 15% of my time there (I'd like to spend more.) I'll give 5% to the rest. If you want to argue hot button social issues, we have to do that when we have the luxury of time. My effort is to find common ground with as many people as possible, work on the 80% we have in common and get something done, then we can carefully touch on things that everyone likes to fight about.

Here is an issues page where I compare myself with AS
http://www.joerooneyforcongress.com/compare.html
you have some responsibility to do your homework. I find it hard to believe that you don't already know the answers to what you asked.

I will run out of characters on this post before I can address your questions.
Please call me, stop by. Cheers, JR

Mr. Rooney: I have read your website and I have to be honest -- the comparison you offer there is very vague and (of course) paints everything you stand for in a positive light & everything A.S. stands for in a negative light. It's a bit disingenuous and that's why I was giving you the opportunity to clarify your stance on a few hot button issues.

While the economy may be 80% of your focus during your campaign, if you win you're going to be dealing with a lot more than just the economy. And frankly some of those items I mentioned will affect the economy.

You may choose to run this election on talking about the economy, but if you are going to win this election it will be when you talk about the details. Broad generalizations that fall along party lines won't cut it. Not in Montgomery County and in Abington in particular where we know our stuff.

I'm sorry that my questions are not something that you'd like to answer in this forum. I was genuinely looking forwards to learning more about your campaign and not more about what you think Allyson Schwartz is doing wrong. Good luck with the election.

Marc:
Thanks for the comments. You already told me that you aren't voting for me. I take you at your word.

I did forget to address one good question you raised:

Why six debates and where? I have broken the district into six areas. I plan on 3 debates in Phila: one in Wards 58/66, one in Wards along Cottman Ave, one in wards 35 - 23
In Montco we should have one in the Conshy/Norristown area, one in Mont Twp/Upper Moreland and one in Abington. That would give people the chance to see at least one close to their home and another if they so desire. Six also will give a full airing to the issues and the chance to have different moderators.
Even though you aren't going to vote for me, I thought you would be interested in advancing the process and giving the most people the most access to the candidates.
What say you?
Have a good weekend and we should communicate by some other means that the Patch comment page.
Cheers, JR
joe@joerooneyforcongress.com

Mr. Rooney: I appreciate that "Why six debates and where will they take place" is among the 5% wildcard questions you're willing to answer.

I did indeed mention that I was planning to vote for Nathan Kleinman in November. But for you to dismiss my vote is very shortsighted on your part. After all, you are projected to lose right now (according to electionprojection.com - http://www.electionprojection.com/2012elections/statepages/pa12.php) and in order for you to win you are going to need to convince people currently not voting for you to change their minds.

Sending people to websites and asking individuals to call you on their own time is not going to make that happen. You need to put the facts out there. Specifics. Not generalized complaints about the person you're running against that are the same complaints every single other GOP nominee is using against his/her Democratic counterpart, hoping to lump them in with the Presidential election and the talk of the economy.

Once more, I offer this advice: you can keep harping on the economy all you want, but only when you start giving SPECIFIC information on what you plan to do to turn things around and why you think they will do just that is when you're going to get people to listen to your side and, quite possibly, put them in your favor.

1) If elected to Congress, would you work to repeal "Obamacare" and support any legislation that overturns the Act?
Yes
2) What is your stance on Gay Marriage? Homosexuals need jobs too!
If 20 people in a room call a brick a duck, is doesn't mean it is a duck, it just means they are crazy.
3) What is your stance on Abortion?
Abortion is awful, it is ALWAYS a tragedy. The amazing thing to me is the total lack of compassion exhibited by Abortionists and their supporters. Abortion is bad for women, bad for babies and bad for out society. When the history books are written this will be a point of national shame and an American tragedy.
Would you vote in favor of repealing Roe v. Wade?
Have you read Roe v Wade? Repealing Roe v Wade is an issue for the Supreme Court, not congress. I thought you would know this
4) Do you support the idea of tougher gun legislation, or do you think that the current laws involving such weapons are adequate?
What Federal legislation are you talking about?
5) Do you consider yourself a member of the Tea Party?
I am a Republican. Marc, I have visited 5 Occupy sites (Cincy, St L, Portland, OKC, Harrisburg) and talked with people at each to see what they are about. I would recommend you expand your horizons and visit a couple Tea Party meeting and talk with them about their concerns.
6) What was your opinion on the failed merger between Abington Hospital and Holy Redeemer?
Private businesses, they are free to make their own decisions.

I'm not quite sure I understand your answer to number 2, but I really appreciate you going into more details on my questions. While I may not agree with your responses I certainly do appreciate your candor and your willingness to respond to direct questions. You may not have my vote, but you certainly have my respect -- and for this day and age in partisan politics I think that's pretty great.

Hello John Kerry, and all the leading liberals are wealthy as Mitt. Yet they made their money from having connections in gov and gosh only knows what insider trading riches and then magnificent lobbyist jobs after they leave congress, senate

Joe Rooney is not wealthy and lives in Ardsley. Allyson Schwartz is extremely wealthy and a native of NYC. He has a natural vested interest in small town PA. She could live anywhere going forward, no pun intended, and has her eyes set on DC, we're a stepping stone. Watch.

Joe: If you can visit the Patch URL, then you can visit my website
www.joerooneyforcongress.com
I believe many of your questions can be answered there.

I am working every day to sell myself. Please call me and tell me what Ms Schwartz's plan(s) is/are. She has already been in office 8 years.

Surely, you must expect something from her. Is she responsible for anything?

I hope you hold her to the same standard as me.

Have a nice weekend. JR

I have gone to your website (though I continue to tell you that that is a bad strategy) and I can tell you that your website still just has broad outlines with no specific plans (again, bad strategy).

I do hold Ms. Schwartz to the same standard as you, which is why my vote is up for grabs, but that response was much more of the same defensive, generalized blame others speak that I dislike. Please, give me specifics and don't bother mentioning Ms. Schwartz because I am interested in your plan. You have my interest by responding to me (again, that is the absolute best thing you are doing), now do something with it.

Joe: I get it, you don't like what I have written and think I am defensive. Of all the things I have been accused of in this world, believe me defensive isn't one of them! My wife will laugh at that observation when she sees it!
Call me and ask me a specific question. How about reading through my twitter feeds, how about what I have written on Facebook, how about looking at the Flickr pictures and seeing where I have been and who I have met.
I can't please everyone and you are one of those folks. You should try talking with me.
I am off for a couple days flying. This weekend is Parents Weekend at USAFA and I layover tomorrow in Denver and will visit my son on the layover. Send me an email and I will be glad to reply with my cell phone number.
Joe Rooney
joe@joerooneyforcongress.com
215-806-4808

Joe, it seems like you are a good guy, but I have asked specific questions on here, really asking you to get specific. I don't want to do any more work. You asked me to read your website, I have I have read your posts on Patch. Now you want me to subscribe to your Twitter (a form of social media I hate more than Facebook) and call you when you could have just responded with your specific economic plan. I noticed you did the same thing with Marc's questions.

I won't call, but that you for the option. I do hope you get those debates because then maybe you would share specifics with us who are still undecided. I do mean it that if your economic plans make sense to me (as long as they are specific!) I will sersiously consider voting for you.