President Clinton coming to Wilkes-Barre

Former President Bill Clinton will visit W-B on Wednesday, 3:45-6:45pm at the Coughlin High School, 80 N Washington St.

Pennsylvania 10th CD debate tonight

The Susquehanna University College Republicans will host the 10th Congressional District Debate between candidates Chris Hackett and Dan Meuser tonight at 7:30pm.

If you can't make it to Selinsgrove you can still listen. Just click on WKOK.

Patrick Murphy for O'Bama

I read your blog.-Congressman Patrick Murphy

Chants of "Obama-08, Be part of something great" filled the air outside the Wilkes-Barre HQ of the Barrack Obama Presidential campaign before yesterday's St. Patrick's Day parade. At least 100 volunteers buzzed in and out of the building handing out balloons and green O'Bama stickers to passers by. U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy made a short speech pointing out that nobody gave him a chance of winning his seat in 2006 and many felt the same way about Obama last summer which inspired the crowd to respond with a round of "yes we can."

He spoke of his time in Iraq as an Army Captain.

TL: He is an Iraq War veteran who served in Iraq often patrolling an area in Baghdad known as “Ambush Alley.”
“As a former captain in the 82nd Airborne Division, I know that he has what it takes to be our commander-in-chief. As a congressman, I know he has the legislative chops to make the positive change that we need in our country, both at home and abroad.”

He challenged the Wilkes students in the room to catch up with the turnout from Kings College. He's a Kings alumnus and brother of W-B City administrator J.J. Murphy. He said that this is the year that is proving the old lament that young people don't vote wrong.

When I introduced myself as a local blogger he asked what site? When I told him he replied "I read your blog. It keeps me up to date on what is going on in Luzerne County." I guess I'm more popular than I thought.

The cardboard cutout of Obama was popular with picture takers. Here's one with Obama delegates Steve Rothstein and Rita Boyle.

There was much smaller contingent of Hillary supports and they were just as enthusiastic

I've posted more photos on my Facebook page.

YouTube weekend

Chaos Theory

Bob Patterson over at the Smirking Chimp has a suggestion for Limbaugh’s “Operation Chaos,” It doesn’t have a theme song, our disk jockey will make his suggestion by playing the Beatle’s “Helter Skelter” (dedicated to a guy named Charlie). While he’s doing that, we’ll head out and go searching for romantic adventures to describe in the next column. Have an “Indiana Jones” type week.



the beatles - HELTER SKELTER

Capitalist Pig

I've been very leery of putting ads on the site. I have a few objections to it including pleas for money from one candidate or another which won't work. I think you're are just as cheap as I am. Ever since I started to read newspapers and magazines I trained myself to ignore the propaganda on the side of the page and the same goes for websites.


What my fellow bloggers tell me that do it is they get a check every 6 months for 10 or 12 dollars. A new outfit has come along promising a better return that is not based on a click thru just space and traffic. They promise a good return based on the fact that 300-500 people drop by each day. I don't know. The thing I like about the pitch is I get to approve anything before it appears on Gort42.

A few bucks will help offset the cost of gasoline (soon to to be $4 a gallon) as I travel around covering various political events.

Tell me what you think.

YouTube weekend

Happy St Pat's

Dropkick Murphys- The Spicy McHaggis Jig

Wilkes-Barre Obama HQ opens tomorrow

TL: U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Bucks County, will be in Wilkes-Barre around 1 p.m. Sunday to speak at the official grand opening of the Obama’s Wilkes-Barre office, 41 S. Main St. Murphy also will appear in Wilkes-Barre’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday. He will sign copies of his book, “Taking the Hill: from Philly to Baghdad to United States Congress” at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore on Public Square.

The first and only Iraq War veteran serving in Congress, Murphy is the brother of Wilkes-Barre Administrator J.J. Murphy.

Hillary was in Scranton for the parade today and O'Bama will be speaking to Society of Irish Women dinner at the Radisson in downtown Scranton at 7 p.m. Monday and will appear at an event sponsored by MTV News at Whistle’s Pub & Eatery on Franklin Avenue before that. Both events are by invitation only. WTF? Note to Obama campaign; rent the Wachovia Arena in W-B Twp. because I'm sure you can fill it.

YouTube weekend

The Bishop of Scranton has been in the news this week and some local bloggers have writing about the teachers union controversy. Zen wonders why the coverage has been one sided and Right Winger is reminded of a game show on MTV called Beat the Bishop.

A new NEPA blog has more. The Rockin' Traddy

RW's post brought this Monty Python sketch to mind.


The Bishop

Lou Barletta has an Attention Deficit

Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta has been out of the news since he announced he was running for Congress against Paul Kanjorski. No Lou Dobbs or Hannity GOPTV appearances, it must be killing him. So with the eyes of the nation on the Pennsylvania Primary he is trying get in on the act. He sent a letter to the three presidential candidates inviting them to come to Hazleton to discuss illegal immigration. I doubt if Hillary, Obama or McCain will even bother to read it or even know it was sent. A snowball in July has a better chance than any of the Prez candidates getting anywhere near this guy and he knows it. Lou is very good at self publicity but I don't know how that will translate into being a good minority back bench Congressman.

Here is the the Letter:

Estimados Senadores Clinton, McCain y Obama:

En nombre de los ciudadanos y los representantes políticos de Hazleton, Pennsylvania, respetuosamente le invitamos a venir a nuestra gran ciudad para debatir la cuestión de la inmigración ilegal en los Estados Unidos.

Hazleton ha estado en la primera línea de esta cuestión. Hemos pasado algunas de las más duras leyes de inmigración ilegal en el país. Nuestra lucha para proteger a nuestros ciudadanos ha hecho su camino en el primer plano nacional y en los tribunales federales. No importa cuál sea su posición o voto acta sobre la inmigración ilegal, queremos que se vienen a Hazleton para reunirse con los ciudadanos y hablar con nuestros primeros en responder, la aplicación de la ley, profesionales de la medicina y de los funcionarios electos.

La cuestión de la inmigración ilegal afecta casi todos los aspectos de nuestras vidas: la seguridad nacional y local, el costo de la asistencia sanitaria, la disminución de los salarios de nuestros trabajadores, añadió sobre nuestros sistemas educativos y de nuestra calidad de vida en general.

Y, de acuerdo a los 60 minutos, "La verdadera batalla sobre la inmigración ilegal no está en la frontera con México, es en las pequeñas ciudades como Hazleton, PA." (Nov. 17, 2006)

Hazleton congratula de los inmigrantes legales con los brazos abiertos. Esta ciudad y esta región se construyeron sobre la espalda de la trabajadora, temerosos de Dios y respetuosos de la ley los inmigrantes, sin embargo esta ciudad ha hecho de una posición contra la inmigración ilegal y los problemas relacionados con la cuestión.

Si usted está interesado en la solución del problema de la inmigración ilegal entonces usted debe venir a nuestra ciudad para escuchar nuestras historias y aprender cómo la cooperación y el liderazgo eficaz puede trabajar para corregir el problema y cómo fuerzas externas - principalmente en Washington, DC - seguir trabajando contra Nuestros ciudadanos.

Le damos la bienvenida a un debate, una reunión de la ciudad, un paseo de nuestra ciudad o algún otro formato que desees. Ven como grupo o como individuo Senadores. Espero que se le gasto un poco de tiempo en esta maravillosa Comunidad en los próximos seis semanas. Les imploro que dejar de lado la política partidista y elecciones primarias y venir visite nuestra gran ciudad.

Si se toma en serio la relación con la cuestión de la inmigración ilegal y me gustaría tener en mi oferta, póngase en contacto conmigo directamente en mi teléfono celular personal. El número es 570-XXX-XXXX.

Atentamente,

Lou (s) Alcalde Lou Barletta

The latest outrage in Luzerne County

But nobody seems to pay attention. No wonder why Tim gave up.

Two commissioners urge probe into whether bidding laws were violated

Prison violated state law in grocery purchases, according to records

Adding to a long list and nothing will change. I don't know why I even post it anymore.

Shimkus bounced from ballot

TT: Saying he intended to deceive voters about his address, a Commonwealth Court judge threw state Rep. Frank Shimkus off the Democratic ballot for state representative in the April 22 primary election.
'The decision leaves former City Councilman Kevin Murphy as the only candidate on the Democratic ballot for the post, and gives him a leg up on winning the job in the November election. Mr. Shimkus said he would appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court.

I don't know if this will end his chances for reelection. Remember Bob Cordaro was on and off the ballot last year like a yo-yo.

Pennsylvania Club for Growth backs James May

Before a crowd of business leaders and supporters PA Club for Growth President Kathryn English said that this is the first time the group has ever endorsed a candidate from Northeastern PA and only will back a few candidates this year.

The Club's priorities are lower taxes, less spending, right to work and school choice. They are also pushing the Taxpayer Protection Act that wants to limit the growth of state government using a formula involving inflation and population growth.

She said that many Republican candidates sound good but get "Susquehanna Fever" and forget what they ran on once elected. She said that Gov. Ed Rendell once called her an "imbecile." She sounded proud of that.

When May took the podium he shared some of his experiences as an Army Chaplin in Iraq, Walter Reed and presiding at funerals at Arlington National Cemetery. Then he stated that he thought that the government should just get out of the way of business. He pointed out that you can't cut taxes unless you first reign in spending and advocates school choice alleging some districts spend $14K per pupil. Someone in the audience said you could send a kid to Wyoming Seminary for that kind of money. He railed against the $6 million a year that the legislature spends on nice glossy mailers to inform constituents of their activities as an example of government waste. May wants PA to become a Right to Work state objecting workers being "forced" into joining a union. He finished with his opposition to teacher's strikes making an analogy to some occupations that are too important to allow to strike such as the Army, Police and Doctors.

He started with a quote of Ronald Reagan from 1976 telling the crowd he will be a Republican“in bold, unmistakable colors, rather than pastel shades.” And finished by saying “I love teachers – I married a teacher.”

.

Bill O'Boyle of the TL was there and has this write up and GrassrootsPA has the press release. I also posted some pictures of the event on Facebook.

Meet the candidate

Tonight you can find 118th State Rep Candidate PJ Best at the Hughestown Hose Company, 30 Center St., Hughestown, PA 18640.

10th CD Republican candidate Chris Hackett is busy the next few days. Tonight at 7PM he will be at Grotto's Pizza at Harveys Lake on Rte 415. Tomorrow he will attend the Lycoming Grange Candidate Forum 5:30pm – 7:30pm at the Lycova Grange Hall . (map) On Saturday you can find him at the Sayre VFW Post #1536, 932 West Lockhart Street. 3pm-6pm.

Pennsylvania 10th CD debates set

On March 17, 2008, the Susquehanna University College Republicans will host the 10th Congressional District Debate between candidates Chris Hackett and Dan Meuser. The debate will be moderated by a representative from WKOK, the Daily Item, and the SU College Republicans. The debate will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Isaacs Auditorium located in Seibert Hall.


Other scheduled debates are:

March 26 at 7 p.m., Tunkhannock Area Middle School, Wyoming County.

April 15 at 8 p.m., WVIA-TV, Jenkins Township.

New radio ads.

Hackett has been running an ad the last few days attacking Chris Carney's fundraiser with Charlie Rangel and inviting people to Grotto Pizza tonight for free. The tag line is amusing "and it won't cost you 5 thousand bucks either."

Meuser's ad has Rick Santorum on what sounds like a cell phone endorsing him. When my dog heard Santorum's voice he ran and hid behind the couch.

Also, they each have new TV spots up.

Hackett's new spot is called "Best" and features a picture of Hillary Clinton with voice over using liberal as a pejorative. Jennifer found this a little odd. "Why is there a picture of Hillary Clinton there?" Last time I checked, Hackett wasn't running for president and Clinton wasn't running for a congressional seat in PA.

It seems that Hillary has replaced Ted Kennedy as the favorite Republican boogeyman.





The Meuser campaign new entry is "Reagan & The Pledge" . There must be a rule that says any Republican running for office has to invoke the memory of Saint Ronny. It has the usual shots of him walking through Pride claiming he has the knowledge to create "good paying jobs." It closes with him saying he signed the pledge never to vote for a tax increase. Why raise taxes to pay for a war or rebuild a major city wiped out in a hurricane when you can borrow the money from China?






I notice that Meuser's Securing Our Borders ad has stopped airing and the PA Democratic Party weighs in with this bit of mischief:

WILL LOU BARLETTA RESCIND HIS ENDORSEMENT OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT EMPLOYER DAN MEUSER?

HARRISBURG: On Friday, March 14, the Scranton Times reported that the Republican candidate for Congress, Dan Meuser’s company had hired multiple illegal immigrants and was fined $23,000 for having broken the law.

This news came out just days after he aired a misleading and hypocritical television ad touting a strong positing on immigration. In January, Lou Barletta announced his endorsement of Dan Meuser stating “Dan Meuser will fight to secure our borders, and will oppose any and all attempts at amnesty” [release, 1/10/08].

“Will Lou Barletta rescind his endorsement of illegal immigrant employer Dan Mesuer or will he flip flop on the one issue he says matters the most to Americans?” asked Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman T.J. Rooney. “This is the true test, if Lou Barletta refuses to renounce his support of Dan Mesuer, how can we trust anything he says?

“Perhaps Lou Barletta believes the he and his friends are above the law.”

The Independent, Conservative, Common Sense Oasis points out:

From President Nixon to Congressman Sherwood the lesson that no one in politics ever seems to learn is — that the cover-up is worse than either an actual or perceived scandal. Right now the perception is that Dan Meuser, while not actively covering it up, hoped that no one would have learned about this — which again reeks of amateurism.


If you are going to claim the mantle of immigration enforcer, common sense would have told you this was going to come out.

Who is advising Mr. Meuser? Dan, whoever it is — fire them.

Tim Grier drops bond challenge

From a press release:

As of this morning, I have contacted Attorney Cowger and asked that he file the appropriate paperwork to withdraw my appeal of the DCED's decision.

My reasoning is as follows:

First and foremost, the efforts by Commissioner Skrepenak, Mr. Moses and others to discredit or defame me with their disparaging remarks is more than I and my family should have to endure. While they have clearly shown a penchant for abusing the system we entrusted them to protect, I have only attempted to hold them accountable, something they obviously are unused to and unwilling to accept. Their comments about me and my actions have only served to confuse the community and damage my reputation - an interesting tactic considering the recent notorious behavior of Commissioner Skrepenak and his associates at the courthouse.

Second, other than my attorney, I have absolutely no faith in the Pennsylvania courts or its officers. Pennsylvania courts, from Luzerne County to Harrisburg, have a history of making political decisions on behalf of those in power rather than just decisions on behalf of those whose grievances are legitimate.

Additionally, this effort to right some egregious wrongs has taken away from my time to study and also be with my family. While I can't get back the time that I have spent on this effort to stop the wanton and wasteful spending, I can certainly budget my time better in the future to ensure future success.

I have always said that I try to act not just in my own best interests, but also with the best interests of the community in mind as well. That is exactly how I approached this matter from the beginning, and it is how I approach it today. It is important though that I maintain a proper balance. Continuing this fight while so many in the community, through their silence, have made it clear they do not support it would not, in my opinion, be the right thing to do. Thousands have spoken up in support of my actions, but hundreds of thousands have said and done nothing. I interpret the silence of the majority to mean that they were fine with the current state of affairs. I have no doubt that by withdrawing this appeal Luzerne County will quickly return to such a state, and that a new PR consultant will let us all know what a fabulous state it is.

Obama wins Mississippi

From MSNBC:

Obama 251,204 61% 15 delegates
Clinton 154,373 37% 12 delegates

According to the Mississippi exit polls he scores across the board again and adds to his delegate lead.

But all eyes are on Pennsylvania. The Clinton campaign has done a good job in this area so far with her visit to Scranton stressing her local connections. She likes Old Forge pizza like the rest of us.

The latest poll from SurveyUSA shows Hillary up 55% to 36% in PA and they have been the most accurate of the primary season. But the trend in every previous contest has had Hillary starting with a big lead then Obama coming on strong as election day nears. Right now I don't think Barry can win PA, that could change, but if he keeps it close he goes on to North Carolina with a bunch of delegates up for grabs and the other remaining states and wins most of them it will be hard to deny him the nomination.

I haven't been this excited about a PA Presidential primary since 1976 and my fellow Pennsylvania's agree.

From KP: Pennsylvania Democrats have added more than 65,000 voters to their rolls since last fall, a reflection of the high level of interest in the contested race for the party’s presidential nomination and the state’s April 22 primary.

Jane points out a new online poll at the state Democratic party website. Like the last one Obama is winning big. That's interesting since just about every elected/party official has come out for Hillary.



On the local front the Obama campaign has opened an office in Wilkes-Barre at 41 S. Main St. in the Midtown Village and will have its grand opening on Sunday. Chelsea Clinton was in Scranton yesterday and will be at Wilkes U today at 10:15AM at the Henry Student Center, 1st floor, 84 W. South St. in Wilkes-Barre. Yesterday she had the pleasure of meeting Another Monkey at the office in Scranton.




The Clinton campaign has done a great job of Blogger outreach but I have yet to hear from Obama's people. Get on the stick Barrack.

The Presidential race is drowning out the contests for Congress and State Rep along with Treasurer, Attorney General and Auditor General. The fawning coverage of Hillary in the local media is starting to get annoying. The Corbett show on WILK has turned into a 4 hour Hillary infomercial.

Chelsea Clinton in Scranton today

The Clinton campaign today announced Chelsea Clinton will campaign in Scranton , Pennsylvania , today, March 11, meeting and thanking volunteers at the campaign’s Scranton office opening.

Tuesday, March 11
Scranton, PA

5:30 p.m. EDT
Scranton Office Opening
Clinton Campaign Scranton Office
222 Wyoming Avenue
Scranton, PA

.

Hillary and Rapid Edward will be back in the Electric City on Saturday for the St Patrick's Day Parade. Remember the bars don't open until 9AM this year so make sure you get your supplies the night before.

..

.

Presidential Candidates schedules from the Post-Gazette via GrassrootsPA:

Tuesday, March 11

Hillary Clinton attends a rally at noon The Forum Corner of 5th and Walnut Harrisburg, PA

Hillary Clinton attends a rally at 6 p.m. Temple University McGonigle Arena 1800 Broad Street Philadelphia, PA

President Clinton attends an event at 12:30 p.m. Washington and Jefferson College, Henry Gymnasium 60 South Lincoln Street (on the corner of Chestnut)Washington, PA

President Clinton meets with voters at 2 p.m. Canonsburg Area Senior Center 30 East Pike Street Canonsburg, PA

President Clinton attends an event at 4:45 p.m.Center High School 160 Baker Road Center Township, PA

Barack Obama tours Games a Wind Turbines at 1:30 p.m. Keystone Industrial Port Complex Fairless Hills The tour is for pooled press only.

Barack Obama holds a town meeting at 2 p.m. with workers at the Games a Wind Turbines. Event is by invitation only.

Wednesday, March 12

President Clinton will be at a rally at East High School, 1001 Atkins Street, Erie, at 11:30 a.m.

President Clinton will be at a rally at Greater Johnstown Senior High School, 222 Central Ave., Johnstown at 3 p.m.

Grier Applies For Luzerne County job

Grier’s PR job application takes jab


Wilkes-Barre activist Tim Grier has facetiously applied for a Luzerne County public relations consultant position. In a lengthy application submitted to Chief Clerk/Manager Doug Pape, Grier outlined his experience monitoring government and working on campaigns.


“You seek assistance in message strategy – rather than wait for you to hire me, I will give you my trade secret -- BE HONEST AND FORTHRIGHT WITH THE CITIZENS OF LUZERNE COUNTY,” Grier wrote in his application. “In all honesty, I believe that is exactly what the county needs to get back on track.”

Big Dan has the entire letter.


Of course he is wasting his time but it might be a good idea to give him the job. As Lyndon Johnson once said: Better to have him inside the tent pissing out, than outside pissing in.

But as usual the fix is in. My sources in the courthouse inform me that this guy has been promised the position.

Meet the candidate

From the CV: Friends of Karen Boback are sponsoring a breakfast on Saturday, March 15, starting at 10 a.m. in the dining room of Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club, 260 Country Club Drive, Mountain Top. State Rep. Karen Boback, R-Harveys Lake, will be present.

Your Humble Narrator has been asking the Boback campaign (and others) for her public schedule for months. At least I can read it in the papers.

Her opponent in the 117th District Republican primary James May has a heavy hitter coming to town on Thursday. From a press release:

Kathryn English, President of the PA Club for Growth, will be appearing for him at:


Irem Temple Country Club
397 Country Club Road, Dallas
Thursday, March 13, 2008
11:00 AM -12:30 PM, Press Conference will be held at 12:30 PM

In the 10th CD race I still don't know where to find Dan Meuser (see above) but Chris Hackett is having a free event at the Grotto's Pizza in Harveys Lake 7PM on Thursday, March 13th. He also pokes fun at Chris Carney for having a big bucks shindig with Charlie Rangel in Washington on the same day. I'm shocked that a Republican would criticize another candidate for having a high priced fundraiser.

On the plus side we have all agreed in the comments that the Grotto at the lake is a great place for pizza and beer. Bottoms up.

Hillary in Scranton tomorrow

She will probably win the Pennsylvania primary and kicking off the campaign in Scranton is a good move. Her dad was born and buried here.

The Clinton campaign has done a great job of reaching out to us bloggers. I was offered Press Credentials for this event and I have yet to hear from the Obama people.

Right now I think Hillary will win PA big.