Former U.S. Rep. John Peterson announced his candidacy for
Pennsylvania governor on Thursday. However, a few of the details
did not add up.

Peterson’s contact person was Ms. Sloof Lirpa and she could only
be reached via e-mail. Also, his “longtime friend and finance
director Reid Sentence” again would serve in that position. Reid
Sentence again?

A closer examination of the media contact’s name reveals the
truth: Sloof Lirpa is April Fools spelled backwards.

Both Pagovwatch.blogspot.com and
Grassrootspa.com published
the entire “press release,” which had Peterson running on a
pro-business, anti-tolling, anti-corruption platform. It does sound
just a bit too good to be true, doesn’t it?

Peterson, a Republican, was quoted as saying, “Having served the
people of Pennsylvania for over 38 years at the local, state and
federal level, I could no longer sit on the sideline and watch
Harrisburg mortgage Pennsylvania’s future on ill-advised policy.
After careful consultation with my wife and family, I have decided
to put my name forward as an Independent candidate for
governor.”

Peterson’s plans also were reported to include immediately
dissolving the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission; restoring the
“fiscal discipline in Harrisburg” and creating a “lean, thoughtful
budget will be the toughest assignment anyone in government could
face.”

For those who didn’t catch the clues in the press release, calls
to current U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa.’s, office
immediately found the answer. Those who fell for the joke were
directed to read the contact’s name in reverse.

Peterson also played along with the ruse for some time on
Thursday. When contacted by Pa2010.com via cell phone, Peterson said he
was indeed running but would be releasing details at a later
time.