State Representative Metcalfe On Gov. Corbett: 'I Don't Think He Knows How To Lead Behind A Microphone, Which He's Proven'
By Chris Stigall
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Chris Stigall talked with State Representative Daryl Metcalfe, from Pennsylvania's 12th Legislative District, about tensions among Republicans in the legislature and Governor Tom Corbett's chances for re-election in November.
Metcalfe addressed the tensions that exist between Republicans in Harrisburg and pinned most of the blame on the influence of unions.
"How do we pass a two dollar per cigarette pack tax and, at the same time, not get liquor privatization done and not reduce spending of the welfare budget and not ensure that kids have more choice in their education opportunities? We really had a push during the first session of the Corbett administration trying to expand school choice, that didn't happen. Most of the policies that become very controversial and the public is really behind but the efforts end up being blocked, are being blocked by the unions."
He said that part of the reason Governor Corbett is so far behind his challenger, Tom Wolf, is the poor leadership he demonstrated throughout his first term.
"The Governor took two years before he even came in and talked with the House Republicans in a caucus format. He would've been welcomed to come in the first week of his term. I think he does very well behind a desk. I think he was a good Attorney General. I don't think he knows how to lead behind a microphone, which he's proven."
Metcalfe also disapproved of Attorney General Kathleen Kane's handling of the release of information regarding some pornographic emails shared among some high ranking state officials.
"It looks very partisan in nature. This Attorney General ran on being a prosecutor, not a politician. Her actions, over and over and over, have show that she's not a prosecutor, she is a politician. She dropped those prosecutions, she wouldn't prosecute the alleged bribes that had been put out there to some Democratic lawmakers that had allegedly taken bribes. She would not prosecute that. Her twin sister gets a promotion to Deputy Attorney General; she claims she had nothing to do with it. She changes our reciprocity laws with carry/conceal permits, which I don't think she has the authority to do under statute. It's been one issue after another with the Attorney General and she's shown a pattern of misbehavior in office and I think this is a continuation of it."