Russ Diamond hits a Home Run
You’ve got to give Russ Diamond credit - He’s made it a possibility that more judges will be non-retained on election day. Russ is a great example of what entrepreneurism is all about. How you ask? Think about what an entrepreneur does - takes an idea that others think is impossible and finds a way to make it reality.
What Russ is doing is a great lesson in marketing as well. Having taken on and beaten incumbents before, I can say that the most important thing for an underdog candidate to do is to get the incumbent to respond to your candidate. Russ is making this part look easy. Take a look at just the past couple of days. He appears on SmartTalk on WITF to debate the head of the PA Lawyers Association, and wins that debate. Why do I say he won - Russ is a walking encyclopedia on the constitution, legislative process, and judicial history. The other guy attempted to argue points but came up short on each occasion - Russ just embarassed a lawyer on TV. The lawyer had to resort to saying that Russ’ message was irresponsible, more of an insult than a logical arguement.
Then today I read GOP State Chairman Rob Gleason is criticizing Russ for wanting to non-retain all but one judge. His argument is based on political necessity - “we don’t want to lose all those Republican judges.” Russ is now a threat to not only lawyers who have an interest in the status quo, but also the political parties who have an interest in the status quo.
The big win for Russ is the criticism by former Gov. Tom Ridge. Talk about snagging a huge credibility boost. About the only way to gain more credibility is if the President came out and criticized Russ for something.
Here’s the effect - what is everyone talking about? The possibility of not retaining 67 judges. Who’s message is that? Russ Diamond and PACleanSweep’s that’s who. Guess whose winning?
And don’t worry that I’m giving the establishment any kind of advice on how to deal with Russ by not responding - they wouldn’t lower themselves to read this blog anyway. 
Great job Russ!