PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER: …[Milton J.] Shapp, a Democrat shunned by the party organization, spent most of the fortune he amassed as a pioneer in cable television to become governor. First elected in 1970, he was the first incumbent permitted under the new state constitution of 1968 to seek a second term. He was re-elected in 1974.
Mr. Shapp overcame their determined opposition by using his millions to smother the state with television advertising. The marriage of television and politics is so complete today, it’s hard to recall that once they were nearly strangers. For better or worse, Shapp changed that with one of nation’s first modern media campaigns, in 1966.
In 1970, after a failed try for governor four years earlier, Pennsylvania was ready for the change Shapp promised. The state was near financial ruin. It was living off future tax revenues, but both parties were paralyzed by extreme partisanship. The Republican candidate, Lt. Gov. Raymond Broderick, vowed never to raise taxes. Shapp said he might, and suggested an income tax… (more)
EDITOR: There were two big differences that immediately come to mind:
1) As a very successful CABLE TV pioneer, Shapp had big money and did not undertake heavy personal debt to fund his campaigns. So no one had to wonder from where the funds would come to repay his loans.
2) As a former candidate for governor and a liberal in the FDR / Lyndon Johnson mode, the public was forewarned that he would bring about a state income tax and would use the money to funds an era of growth in state government with on improving education.
For what does Tom Wolf stand?
