Baldwin and McGeehan Spar over Voter Fraud

Candidate Baldwin plans to win with ideas
Reynolds Baldwin calls himself a "man of service." Now he wants to serve in the state House as the representative from the 173 district.
Born in Frankford, Baldwin, a Republican from the 6600 block of Tulip St., is an adjunct professor of American History at Bucks County Community College. His family owns the Baldwin Frankford Dairies and he has served Fishtown as a Minister at Siloam Methodist Church. He has sold real estate in Tacony and Frankford, while co-founding the Aramingo Development Co. And now, he challenges state Rep. Michael McGeehan (D) for the 173rd legislative district.
"I'm a little disgusted about the condition of the community," he said, about his decision to run for office. "I didn't see anyone doing a good job. Other areas are doing it better and I think the 173rd can do it better."
Baldwin admits that he has no easy answers. And, as he goes door-to-door, he sees the frustration on people's faces. His most "radical" idea: "Hhow about enforcing the laws we have.""
Gambling was legalized," he said, "because they said it was going towards property tax relief."
More than a year after the slot machines bill passed, the state legislature has yet to decide has how to use the gambling revenue.
"I'm not sure if I was in the legislature I would have voted for gambling," he said. "It's a tax on the poor.
"While Baldwin understands that it's "not smart" for Pennsylvania to lose money due to New Jersey and Delaware's legalized gambling, he questions whether it will remain honest.
"Anytime you have something generating that kind of money," he said, "the temptation for corruption is overwhelming."
As for the other hot topic the legislature is debating, Baldwin believes voter identification is absolutely necessary.
"I don't see how it is a burden on the voters because most people have some piece of identification," he said. "I don't see how it's an attempt to disenfranchise people. And it's well known that there is voter fraud in Philadelphia."
Meanwhile, his opponent says it will not only hurt voter turnout, but it will also make it more difficult to find people willing to work the polls.
"We want to encourage more people to vote, not less," McGeehan said. "This will suppress people from participating in the voting process. We have a problem recruiting people now. This will further exacerbate the problem of recruiting poll workers."
But Baldwin doesn't think making voting easier will increase voter turn out. As for the polling workers, he says they are "serious about their responsibility" and believes them to be "capable" of asking for identification.
Although he is running as a Republican in a heavily Democratic area, Baldwin feels confident about his chances to win.
"I'm just going to be myself and be sincere," he said. "I think the voters will pick up on that."