Albert J. Neri
Encyclopedia
Albert J. "Al" Neri was a Pennsylvania
political news correspondent, pundit, and political analyst.
At the beginning of his career, Neri worked as a journalist following state and local government and politics for a variety of publications, including Erie Times-News
, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
, the Philadelphia Bulletin
, the Philadelphia Business Journal
, and the Bucks County Courier-Times. He has received a number of Keystone Press Awards, an award presented from the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association.
He was quoted on the subject of Pennsylvania politics in the New York Times, U.S. News & World Report
, the Philadelphia Daily News
and CNN
. He has appeared as a guest on a variety of state-wide news television programs, including the Journalists' Roundtable, the state-syndicated Newsmakers program, and live call-in shows on the Pennsylvania Cable Network
. He is also a frequent guest lecturer on Pennsylvania politics to trade associations and political organizations.
During the 2000 presidential election
, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge
was known to be under consideration as the running mate
for Republican George W. Bush
. Neri and fellow journalist Pete DeCoursey
began planning a book about Ridge and contracted with an agent to pursue a book deal in the event that he was selected. After Ridge withdrew his name from consideration, both Neri and DeCoursey wrote columns blasting Ridge, since he had withdrawn his name from consideration three weeks before announcing it. Tim Reeves, Ridge's press secretary
said that the situation was a "journalistic conflict of interest." Veteran Philadelphia Inquirer editor and journalism professor at Pennsylvania State University
Gene Foreman agreed, noting that the book deal was not disclosed and that the two columns seemed "particularly personal" and contained "pretty extraordinary" language. In return, the editors of both newspapers that had carried the columns noted that they were aware of the book deal and took steps to remove any impropriety. The incident was covered in the American Journalism Review
.
In 2001, Neri and political operative John Verbanac
founded NeriVerbanac Public Affairs, a Harrisburg-based political and media consulting organization. The two also founded The Insider
, a subscription-based newsletter reporting on Pennsylvania politics. Verbanac left the organization in 2005 and Neri continued with a new consulting firm, Envoi Communications. The firm counts corporations and non-profit institutions as clients.
Neri also worked as a consultant and columnist for GovNetPA, which hosts a searchable index of The Insider, and as managing director of Capitolwire
after its purchase by GovNetPA.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
political news correspondent, pundit, and political analyst.
At the beginning of his career, Neri worked as a journalist following state and local government and politics for a variety of publications, including Erie Times-News
Erie Times-News
The Erie Times-News is a daily morning newspaper in Erie, Pennsylvania. It has a daily circulation of about 56,124 and a Sunday circulation of about 75,680...
, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, also known simply as the "PG," is the largest daily newspaper serving metropolitan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.-Early history:...
, the Philadelphia Bulletin
Philadelphia Bulletin
For the 2004 resurrection of the Bulletin, see The Bulletin .The Philadelphia Bulletin was a daily evening newspaper published from 1847 to 1982 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was the largest circulation newspaper in Philadelphia for 76 years and was once the largest evening newspaper in the...
, the Philadelphia Business Journal
Philadelphia Business Journal
The Philadelphia Business Journal is a weekly business-oriented newspaper published in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is published by the American City Business Journals....
, and the Bucks County Courier-Times. He has received a number of Keystone Press Awards, an award presented from the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association.
He was quoted on the subject of Pennsylvania politics in the New York Times, U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is an American news magazine published from Washington, D.C. Along with Time and Newsweek it was for many years a leading news weekly, focusing more than its counterparts on political, economic, health and education stories...
, the Philadelphia Daily News
Philadelphia Daily News
The Philadelphia Daily News is a tabloid newspaper that serves Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The newspaper is owned by Philadelphia Media Holdings which also owns Philadelphia's other major newspaper The Philadelphia Inquirer. The Daily News began publishing on March 31, 1925, under...
and CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
. He has appeared as a guest on a variety of state-wide news television programs, including the Journalists' Roundtable, the state-syndicated Newsmakers program, and live call-in shows on the Pennsylvania Cable Network
Pennsylvania Cable Network
PCN is a Government-access television cable television network dedicated to 24-hour coverage of government and public affairs in the commonwealth...
. He is also a frequent guest lecturer on Pennsylvania politics to trade associations and political organizations.
During the 2000 presidential election
United States presidential election, 2000
The United States presidential election of 2000 was a contest between Republican candidate George W. Bush, then-governor of Texas and son of former president George H. W. Bush , and Democratic candidate Al Gore, then-Vice President....
, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge
Tom Ridge
Thomas Joseph "Tom" Ridge is an American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives , the 43rd Governor of Pennsylvania , Assistant to the President for Homeland Security , and the first United States Secretary of Homeland Security...
was known to be under consideration as the running mate
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
for Republican George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
. Neri and fellow journalist Pete DeCoursey
Pete DeCoursey
Peter L. DeCoursey is a prominent reporter of political news in Pennsylvania.DeCoursey worked as a press secretary for U.S. Rep. Bob Borski, D-Philadelphia, from late 1987 to late 1990, and for Philadelphia City Council for most of 1987...
began planning a book about Ridge and contracted with an agent to pursue a book deal in the event that he was selected. After Ridge withdrew his name from consideration, both Neri and DeCoursey wrote columns blasting Ridge, since he had withdrawn his name from consideration three weeks before announcing it. Tim Reeves, Ridge's press secretary
Press secretary
A press secretary or press officer is a senior advisor who provides advice on how to deal with the news media and, using news management techniques, helps their employer to maintain a positive public image and avoid negative media coverage....
said that the situation was a "journalistic conflict of interest." Veteran Philadelphia Inquirer editor and journalism professor at Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
Gene Foreman agreed, noting that the book deal was not disclosed and that the two columns seemed "particularly personal" and contained "pretty extraordinary" language. In return, the editors of both newspapers that had carried the columns noted that they were aware of the book deal and took steps to remove any impropriety. The incident was covered in the American Journalism Review
American Journalism Review
The American Journalism Review is a U.S. magazine covering topics in journalism. It is published six times a year by the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, College Park. The AJR has been owned since the late 1980s by a foundation of the university...
.
In 2001, Neri and political operative John Verbanac
John Verbanac
John Verbanac is a businessman and prominent political operative in Pennsylvania.Verbanic earned a B.A. degree from the University of Pittsburgh College of General Studies in 1990. He worked in government and politics in Washington, DC as a senior aide and political strategist for two U.S...
founded NeriVerbanac Public Affairs, a Harrisburg-based political and media consulting organization. The two also founded The Insider
The Insider (newspaper)
The Insider is a prominent subscription-based newsletter reporting on Pennsylvania politics.-Reach:It is the "state’s most widely read newsletter devoted to state politics and government." With an audience of both the "hard-core state political junkie and the casual political observer," The Insider...
, a subscription-based newsletter reporting on Pennsylvania politics. Verbanac left the organization in 2005 and Neri continued with a new consulting firm, Envoi Communications. The firm counts corporations and non-profit institutions as clients.
Neri also worked as a consultant and columnist for GovNetPA, which hosts a searchable index of The Insider, and as managing director of Capitolwire
Capitolwire
Capitolwire is a prominent online subscription-based news service focusing on issues relating to politics and government in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives hold a contract with GovNetPA to supply access to Capitolwire for $600 per year for over 40 selected staff...
after its purchase by GovNetPA.