11th Congressional District

“I’m so glad that I’m not going to D.C. to be a chiropractor, because there are no spines down there.”- Joe Leonardi

The 2 local papers have had the editorial board meetings with Rep. Paul Kanjorski and Republican challenger Dr. Joseph Leonardi.

Some highlights.

WILKES-BARRE – U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski foresees the day when sailboats will glide on the Susquehanna thanks to an inflatable dam. Floating trains propelled by electromagnets will speed cargo and freight between Northeastern Pennsylvania and New York City at 200 mph. Wall Street firms seeking satellite offices that can keep money moving after a terror attack will help create hundreds of thousands of high-paying jobs in the region.

We all know about the dam but the floating train is new to me. The Wall Street West iniative is worth exploring.

“We’re talking about billions in investment and hundreds of thousands of jobs. If you don’t want that, don’t vote for me.”

Maybe. The last time I talked with Leonardi he asked a good question. "Why would you advertise your backup? It's like putting a bullseye on Stroudsburg."

Kanjo still refuses to debate his opponent and even insulted him.

“That’s like taking some guy off the street who wants to call me names for an hour,” Kanjorski said.

As a voter I find that insulting. He's not some guy off the street, he's the Republican nominee for the 11th CD. What the hell Congressman, you like to toot your own horn so defend your record in a debate. I think the voters deserve that.

In Leonardi's interview he hit hard on ethics. And not just his opponents:

TL: And he was scathing in his criticism of House Speaker Dennis Hastert’s initial reaction to reports that GOP Congressman Mark Foley had inappropriate Internet communications with a former House page. Hastert blamed Democrats, alleging they had leaked the communications that led to Foley’s resignation.
“I was offended by the way the Speaker of the House came out,” Leonardi said. “The speaker should have taken responsibility the day it happened.

He has little money but that can be a virtue.

CV: Leonardi said one benefit of not having a big war chest is that he can’t be accused of doing things for people who supported him financially.

The Kanjo family business suffered another setback this week.

WILKES-BARRE – After receiving millions of dollars in federal contracts, a research and development firm headed by the nephews of U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski has just $14,100 in assets compared with $1.34 million in debt, according to bankruptcy court records.
Cornerstone Technologies LLC owes money to a wide variety of creditors, including the Office of Naval Research for a contract the firm did not complete. The federal agency had been a key source of revenue for Cornerstone, awarding it four contracts worth $9.3 million from 1999 to 2002.

Leonardi said: “I don’t think you go into public services to benefit your family or yourself. It’s to benefit the community.”