Barletta campaign indicted for attempted humor

I have seen a lot of terrible campaign ads over the years and this is one of the worst. It tries to be funny but comes across as just stupid. I'm sure the actors could use the work but the writers and the media consultants who dreamed it up deserve to be unemployed.




The Kanjorski camp sent out an unnecessary press release picking it apart. In my opinion if your opponent stumbles just leave it alone or respond with ridicule.


HEY LOU BARLETTA, PAUL KANJORSKI IS NO COUCH POTATO

WILKES-BARRE — The Kanjorski campaign said today that Lou Barletta’s latest TV ad is insulting to Northeastern Pennsylvanians and the message subtly suggests that people in their jobs for a while “should get out of the way” for younger ones in the workforce.

“It’s so insulting to seniors Barletta should pull that ad off the air right away,” Ed Mitchell, Kanjorski campaign spokesman said.

“The Barletta ad sends an offensive message to the thousands of area seniors: ‘Get out of the way because your time may have passed.’

“It says that if you work for a company for 25 years, you should just go away because you have nothing more to offer. Or if you lose your job at age 50, don’t even look for something new. We have to make way for younger people.

“Truth is, many of our older residents work at jobs well beyond retirement, or even age 50. They also live active lives enjoying their children and grandchildren and are not ready to just go away and hide because ambitious, younger people want their place in society,” Mitchell said.

The ad shows on screen a guy on a couch, who overstays his welcome, and his host, while the announcer lists a litany of supposed Kanjorski mistakes and concludes the couch potato has been around, “Simply long enough.”

“Is the best way Barletta can depict people around here as a bunch of fat couch potatoes?” Mitchell asked. “We have an active, vibrant population and they take advantage of the work, church, social and entertainment opportunities of the area as opposed to staying home sitting on a couch.”

“Nobody is less a couch potato than Paul Kanjorski. He works in Washington all week and drives several hundred miles home and back every weekend to meet with constituents. His tenure is and has been very productive and achievement laden. He’s always on the go and hasn’t slowed down. He has much more to offer, as his recent accomplishments show,“ Mitchell said.

He also asked if the talent in the ad were actors and whether they lived in the congressional district. Mitchell said, “Barletta would probably have a hard time finding real, everyday constituents willing to play the roles in the ad. If he used actors, the ad is only more phony.”


Mayor Lou's media people should take lessons from this outfit that produced a clever satirical spot.


via GrassrootsPA

DINOs endorse Barletta

Most endorsements are good for a press release and not much more so I'll play along.

Lou Barletta held a press conference yesterday at Genetti's in Wilkes-Barre to unveil a new Web site-www.DemocratsForBarletta.com. Unfortunately he didn't bring along any Democrats to bolster his argument. The two people who appeared with him were Scranton City Councilman Pat Rogan and primary candidate Brian Kelly and that was it. These guys may be registered Democrats but it is hard to take them seriously as they both had previously endorsed Barletta.

According to NEPArtisan Rogan supported Barletta actively in 2002 and 2006 against Kanjorski. He ran for city council as a Republican in 2007 and lost so he switched his registration but still campaigned on an illegal immigration platform. Tom thinks he won his seat because he was part of the Janet Evans slate.

Brian Kelly got votes in the primary because his name wasn't Kanjorski or O'Brien but if you look at his platform (his site won't load) he is no Democrat. From a previous post:


He says he has been influenced by the writings of Allan Keyes saying that they think alike.
Abortion is "prohibited" in Declaration of Independence , Public display of the Ten Commandments is a state’s right, This is a Christian Nation, Sex education if it exists at all, should be abstinence-based, Drill here, Drill now, No U.S. citizenship for “anchor babies” of non-citizens, Repeal the Sixteenth Amendment, Constitution does not require separation of church and state

He also had imaginary conversations with the ghost of Dan Flood.

Both of them are frauds and I expect better from Lou.

I also expect better from the Times-Leader after seeing this headline



2 leading Dems jump ship, back Barletta

Bill O'Boyle's reporting was solid as always and I'm sure an editor wrote the headline. Leading Dems my ass.

Local veteran finds Barletta's response to be lacking

My friend NEPAsarge Veteran Voice recently asked Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta about his positions on veterans issues. He got a cut and paste response.

I recently received a letter in the mail from Lou Barletta’s campaign. I have attached what he sent me which can be seen on his website, www.loubarletta.com.


VA Hospital

I know the Veterans’ Administration medical center in Wilkes-Barre Township plays a critical role in the health care of thousands more veterans across Northeastern Pennsylvania. The local VA hospital serves one of the largest populations of veterans in the nation. It is critical that the VA hospital not only remain open, but that it provides the best possible care with the most modern equipment. If I am fortunate enough to represent you in Washington as your Congressman, I give you my word that I will fight to protect the VA Medical Center. I will prevent it from being closed. I will make sure that veterans are never shortchanged when it comes to medical care here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

NEPAsarge: Thanks to Rep. Kanjorski, it stayed open when the Republicans controlled congress tried to close it. So in this statement didn’t Rep. Kanjorski already do this?

The rest of his response came from his website promising to help homeless vets and fund programs for PTSD, brain injuries and fund the latest version of the GI Bill. Programs the Republicans didn't want to fund when they were in charge or in some cases wouldn't even acknowledge the problem. Remember that the 2008 Republican platform called for dismantling the VA heath care system replacing it with a system that would give our vets a voucher to go out and find help.

NEPAsarge was not impressed with Mr. Barletta's response:


Paul Kanjorski has led the charge of veterans rights ever since he took the oath of office 15 years ago, for the people of NEPA. The current servicemen and women, their families, and veterans are well protected by Paul Kanjorski duties to server our area. He has not posted it on the internet he proved it with actions. How can a freshmen congressman honestly promise to protect our vets as well as Paul had done?
All of the veteran’s positions Lou Barletta writes of here are indeed great positions to have. I only wish his colleagues on the right side of the house would agree with him.

Kanjo keeps up the attack on Barletta in his latest TV spot

Roy Halladay's no hitter

When a pitcher throws a gem like this one the catcher deserves a lot of the credit. I think Carlos Ruiz has been the MVP of the Phillies this year. He has handled the pitching staff well and is one of the best hitting catchers in the game. And I nominate Charlie Manuel for NL Manager of the Year. The Phillies had 18 players spend time on the disabled list (some more than once) this year and the team had a 3 week stretch when it seemed like everybody forgot how to hit the ball. Despite that they finished with the season with the best record in Baseball. I think we all can agree that Roy Halladay will win the Cy Young Award.

Vice President Biden in town Monday

Borys: Vice President Joseph R. Biden will return to Scranton on Monday for a breakfast fundraiser for Democratic U.S. Rep. Chris Carney...The fundraiser will be at the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center.


Thanks for the heads up Josh

New features

Blogger has come a long way in the last 5 years. It has become so easy to use.

I added 2 page elements tonight to the blog and didn't have to screw around with the template or HTML code. I deleted a few dead links from the blogroll and added my friend David Madeira's great site with ease.

Dave and I agree on........nothing.

He's a radio big shot now with a Saturday 8AM time slot that must have dozens of listeners.

The Dave Madeira Show

Another Republican friend has also entered the blogging world.


MayDayPA

One of these days I will add them to NEPA Blogs. Maybe DB or Michelle will take care of it.


Back to the new features. You could always search Gort42 if you knew how but now it is easier. I also added Popular Posts to the left sidebar.

Sarah Palin wants to meet me

I'm honored that I received this personal invitation from the quittah from Wasilla. She must have heard that I will be in California next week.


Dear Gort,

Sarah Palin wants to meet you.

You are invited to join Sarah Palin and our conservative candidates running at all levels at a rally to kickoff our Party's final push to victory in Anaheim, CA, on Saturday, October 16th or Orlando, FL, on Saturday, October 23rd...You also have the unique opportunity to attend a special reception with Sarah Palin at either location for a gift of $950.

And I get to have my picture taken with her!

I'm just as mesmerized as Rich Lowry:

I’m sure I’m not the only male in America who, when Palin dropped her first wink, sat up a little straighter on the couch and said, “Hey, I think she just winked at me.” And her smile. By the end, when she clearly knew she was doing well, it was so sparkling it was almost mesmerizing. It sent little starbursts through the screen and ricocheting around the living rooms of America.

Republican budget cutters

If my tea Party friends think this bunch will cut spending I have a bridge in Alaska to sell you.

Via Think Progress:


Republicans have been remarkably vague on what they would actually cut.

In interview after interview, journalists have pushed, and even begged, GOP leaders for specifics, always to no avail. When pressed, they hem and haw, often appearing uncomfortable — and in the case of Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH), visibly angry — but can offer nothing more than cop-out answers like repealing unsent stimulus money or an “across the board” cut on all spending. ThinkProgress has compiled some of the more embarrassing of these moments:





The video features, respectively, Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ), California GOP Senate nominee Carly Fiorina, Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA), House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Rep. John Boozman (R-AR), Gregg, and Sen. John Cornyn (R-AZ). This represents a large portion of the GOP leadership, but there are countless other examples as well.


NRO: Empty Promise


Beltway Beast: Pledge to America Sparks Tea Party Backlash


REDSTATE: Perhaps the Most Ridiculous Thing to Come Out of Washington Since George McClellan

Watch this before Disney has it taken down

10th CD candidate Tom Marino

What a slow motion train wreck the Tom Marino campaign continues to be.

There is no reason to doubt the latest report that he resigned as the US Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania while he was under investigating for unethical conduct. He previously claimed that he had permission from the DOJ to give Louis DeNaples a reference for his casino license and turns out that is not true.


Report: Marino resigned during review


Former U.S. Attorney Tom Marino resigned from office in 2007 amid an internal Justice Department probe into his role as a personal reference for Dunmore businessman and convicted felon Louis DeNaples, according to a report published Saturday on the website of the Allentown Morning Call.

The Morning Call, citing a "person familiar with the matter," reported the department's Office of Professional Responsibility was investigating Marino for unspecified violations of department policy but that the department ended the investigation once Marino left office in October 2007.

So the question for my Republican friends is will you vote for this serial liar ?

I put up an early poll on this race on the left sidebar.

117th candidates news

The TL contrasted the positions of 117th State Rep Karen Boback (R) and her Democratic challenger Richard Shermanski over the recently passed gas drilling severance tax.

They both favor the tax but differ about how the proceeds should be distributed. Boback wants more money coming home to the local municipalities while Shermanski wants to fund the Department of Environmental Protection.

Shermanski sent me a double barrelled press release:

SHERMANSKI ASKS: WHAT IS KAREN HIDING?
Who represents you in the PA State House? We hoped to have the opportunity to learn a little more about our state representative at a debate on October 21 – at least we wanted to, until Representative Karen Boback refused to meet Richard in a debate on October 21st.
Richard began reaching out to the Boback campaign back in August to schedule this debate. After the League of Women Voters began to make the event a reality, Karen decided that she had a prior commitment that night – waiting weeks to declare that she was unable to appear.
The families of the 117th deserve a fair shot at meeting their representative – and finding out why Richard would make a better Representative. Boback’s record in the House has often left voters wondering, “What was she thinking?” But, now, they’re forced to think “What is she hiding?” Why is she so afraid to face her constituents in a forum where her views might be challenged by an opponent?
A few things that Karen might be hiding...
• Why did she vote to support large gas extraction corporations over the safety of families in the district?
• Why does she continue to receive campaign donations from major corporations from outside the region?
• While she’s been in office, the PA House has repeatedly failed to pass a budget on time – and then, when they were set to do so, she voted against it.

Want to know even more about what Karen isn’t doing for the families in the 117th? Want to know what Richard plans to do to help our families and communities? Give us a call at 570-592-4766.



SHERMANSKI APPLAUDS PA HOUSE FOR VOTE PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT
In the course of this campaign, we’ve always put the constituents of the 117th first. We’re not about supporting companies that aren’t based in the area and protecting them when they don’t even employ workers in our area. That’s why we’re so pleased the State House stood up to outside interests, even though Representative Boback caved to pressure from her friends in the corporate world.
What’s worse is that Karen and the party leaders she supports tried to deceive the people of Pennsylvania by offering up a frightening argument about jobs. The Republican argument about job loss is ludicrous. There’s no way oil and gas companies will abandon the state and give up these profits – not when we’re sitting on top of what’s been called the Saudi Arabia of natural gas.
Representative Boback and her party bosses that she takes her marching orders from were perfectly willing to sacrifice the quality of life – everything from the roads we drive on to the water we drink – of the families that live and work in the 117th. It’s incomprehensible that Karen voted against providing the counties and municipalities impacted by these drillers with the tens of millions of dollars they will need to repair their roads and protect their water supplies. She once again put special interests ahead of the interests of Pennsylvanians.
We are at a crucial juncture in the birth of the nature gas extraction industry. After seeing the problems of our fellow Pennsylvanians in Clearfield County with the well accident and the polluted water supply in Susquehanna County, we know how important it is for us to make sure this industry grows responsibly. The recent actions taken by the state house are an excellent step in that direction.
With questions or for more information on my view on the Natural Gas extraction, please give us a call at 570-592-4766.


The have been reports of cows drinking frack water so by popular demand I will repost this pic of Boback discussing dairy and water issues with a constituent.

11th CD endorsements

Congressman Paul Kanjorski was endorsed by the National Rifle Association

Fairfax, Va. -- The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) is endorsing Paul Kanjorski for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District.

"The NRA-PVF is endorsing Paul Kanjorski because he has defended the Second Amendment freedoms of law-abiding gun owners, hunters and sportsmen in Pennsylvania and across America," said Chris W. Cox, chairman of the NRA-PVF.


Lou Barletta got an also ran

HAZLETON – Congressional candidate Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta received the highest rating possible from the National Rifle Association and the endorsements of two other leading national pro-Second Amendment groups.

Vet group likes Kanjo


WILKES-BARRE, PA - Congressman Paul Kanjorski today received the endorsement of the VFW Political Action Committee (VFW-PAC).

In a letter to Congressman Kanjorski, VFW-PAC Director Salvatore J. Capirchio wrote, "This endorsement is based on your strong support for veterans, national security & defense, and military personnel issues."

The letter states that the VFW-PAC is the nation's only major Veterans Service Organization PAC.

Abortion hotheads like Barletta

Hazleton, PA – Lou Barletta, candidate for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 11th District, accepted the endorsement of the National Right to Life Committee, one of the nation’s leading pro-life groups.

“Recently your opponent, Congressman Paul Kanjorski, voted to enact President Obama’s health care legislation, which will provide government funding for health plans that pay for abortion on demand, and promote the rationing of lifesaving medical treatments."

The health care reform law does no such thing. I think this group has an agenda that goes beyond abortion.

I usually provide links but tonight I'm having intertubes problems, sorry.

It's a gas,tax

The PA House of Representatives finally got around to passing a Severance tax on the Marcellus Shale drillers that are in the process of creating a slow motion environmental disaster in Pennsylvania.


TL: The Pennsylvania House on Wednesday approved a bill that would impose the state’s first-ever tax on natural gas extraction, advancing a plan to split the proceeds among the state’s general fund, environmental programs and local governments....The 104-94 vote was a major step toward collecting revenue from the drilling boom in a wide swath of the state that overlays the Marcellus Shale gas formation.

What Does Severance Tax Mean?
A tax imposed on the removal of nonrenewable resources such as crude oil, condensate and natural gas, coalbed methane and carbon dioxide.

But they came up with a convoluted formula on how to use the proceeds as this chart from the Commonwealth Foundation documents. This should be a lot simpler with money going into the general fund and the remainder being dedicated to the DEP to deal with the inspection, regulation and inevitable clean up operations from this activity. But just like the slots money that was sold as a way to reduce property taxes our salons in Harrisburg look on this as another pot of gold to be spread around.

Predictably, Republicans are objecting as their world view seems to be there should not be any taxes on businesses of any kind. Nobody likes paying taxes but as a wise man once said "Taxes are the price we pay for civilization." I think the Yonk would agree with that.

The industry has no problem spreading around campaign cash instead of paying taxes. Since 2001 they have dropped $3 million into political campaigns and spent another $5 million for lobbying.

According to the website Marcellus Money, the top recipients of driller campaign cash during the past decade include: Attorney General and GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett ($372,000), Lt. Gov./Senate GOP leader Joseph Scarnati ($117,000), Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell ($84,000), Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dan Onorato ($74,000).

Local lawmakers receiving contributions include Senate Minority Leader Robert Mellow, D-Peckville ($7,000), Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township ($1,500), Sen. John Gordner, R-Berwick ($1,300), House Majority Leader Todd Eachus, D-Butler Township ($1,250), Rep. Ed Staback, D-Archbald ($500), Rep. John Yudichak, D-Nanticoke ($250) and Rep. Karen Boback, R-Harveys Lake ($250)

Boback gave back the money. Good for her.

The production of gas from the Marcellus Shale has exceeded the expectations of the industry itself so these warnings that a tax on them will drive them out of the state is nonsense. The gas is under our feet and if they want it they will pay a fair premium to the people of Pennsylvania.

Another milestone

I just noticed that I have written over 3,000 posts. Thanks for hanging around with me for these last 5 plus years.

Tom Marino admits he's been lying for months

Marino changes story


Tom Marino, Republican candidate for Congress, has changed his story six months after he told a Wilkes-Barre talk radio reporter that he had gotten permission from his superiors in the U.S. Department of Justice before lending his name as a reference for a convicted felon who was seeking a casino license...He also denied that he had ever claimed that he received, or could provide, written authorization from the Justice Department allowing him to give a personal reference to former casino operator Louis DeNaples.

Two weeks ago his campaign sent out a press release saying he had written authorization from the DOJ that the department refuted.

Digging his hole deeper he then said that WILK loudmouth Steve Corbett was a liar:

“The radio personality made it up. There is no letter,” Marino said.

Listen to the radio interview at this link.

Before this broke yesterday the CV Politics Blog reporter Mike Sisak had this exchange with the Marino camp about the spokesperson for the Justice Department saying there is no record of any letter giving Marino the OK to give Louis DeNaples a reference.

Marino's press flack actually said: You have our statements, this is a non-story.

The response from Sisak: Actually, for some reason at this point in the race, this IS the story, and these questions are still unanswered:

DID MR. MARINO HAVE PERMISSION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO SERVE AS A PERSONAL REFERENCE ON MR. LOUIS DeNAPLES’ STATE GAMING LICENSE APPLICATION IN DECEMBER 2005?

WHO SPECIFICALLY GRANTED THIS PERMISSION? HOW WAS THIS PERMISSION TRANSMITTED TO MR. MARINO (letter? telephone call? fax? e-mail, etc.)?

IS THERE ANY EVIDENCE (documents, notes, telephone records, e-mails, anything at all) TO CORROBORATE THAT PERMISSION WAS GRANTED?

DOES MR. MARINO HAVE POSSESSION OF THAT EVIDENCE? DOES THE DOJ?

Carney's mouthpiece put out out a statement that I think was unnecessary but I'll publish it anyway just to be fair and balanced. If your opponent is imploding you should sit back and watch.



CLARKS SUMMIT -- Five months after Tom Marino told a radio host that he had received authorization from Justice Department superiors to serve as a reference for a felon under investigation by Marino's own office, Marino now says that he never asked for permission from the agency. The Sunbury Daily Item, which reported the news today, also reported that Marino now says "there is no letter" to prove he received permission and he claims WILK radio host Steve Corbett "made it up."

Marino's latest statements contradict what he told Corbett in a live interview on April 28. It also reverses his own statement to the Associated Press Sept. 17, when Marino said he had been in touch with DOJ about releasing "documents that would end this matter" but was not authorized to make them public.

A full timeline of statements and events is provided below.

"Another day, another lie from Tom Marino," said Josh Drobnyk, Carney for Congress campaign spokesman. "Tom Marino is spinning a tale of lies to the public and it has become clear he will say anything to get elected. He said live on the radio in April that he went to his Justice Department superiors before providing the personal reference for a felon under investigation by his office and was satisfied with their response. Now he says he never sought their permission. He said just days ago that there were agency 'documents' that would end this matter. Now he says 'there is no letter.' How can the public trust Tom Marino when he continues to insult them with so many lies?"

TIMELINE OF STATEMENTS AND ACTIONS

Sept. 28, 2010: Marino says he never asked DOJ anything, accuses Steve Corbett of lying

Marino tells the Sunbury Daily Item that he never asked for permission from DOJ to provide reference to felon under investigation by Marino’s office and that WILK's Steve Corbett lied about having been promised a letter.

Marino on Monday said he never asked for permission from the federal agency because it was understood he would be allowed to provide personal references to anyone as long as he didn’t use his job title or attempt to promote individuals on his staff.

He also denied that he had ever claimed that he received, or could provide, written authorization from theJustice Department allowing him to give a personal reference to former casino operator Louis DeNaples.

“I did it all the time,” he said, of providing personal references. ....

In that interview, Corbett asks:“Did you have to tell any of your supervisors that you were acting as a reference?” “Yes,” Marino said.

“And did you?” “Yes,” Marino said.

Corbett then asked Marino what the response was from the Department of Justice, and Marino replied that “it was nothing out of the ordinary.”

Following that exchange, Corbett said he followed up the interview by asking Marino’s staff for written documentation that Marino had received permission to serve as a reference. Corbett said a Marino staffer promised to get him that documentation but never did.

On Monday, Marino said there was never written authorization from the Department of Justice.

“The radio personality made it up. There is no letter,” Marino said.

Corbett stands behind his reporting.

Sept. 23, 2010: Marino campaign says Marino never referred to specific document


Marino’s spokesman tells the Wilkes-Barre Citizens Voice that Marino never referred to a specific document.


He never refers to a specific document regarding a specific issue.

Sept. 18, 2010: Marino campaign says it doesn't recall referring to specific document


Marino’s spokesman is reported telling the Williamsport Sun-Gazette that “it's unclear there was any single document regarding authorization to serve as a reference” in the first place.


Now, Marino spokesman Jason Fitzgerald said it's unclear there was any single document regarding authorization to serve as a reference for DeNaples in the first place.

"I don't recall Mr. Marino ever referring specifically to a document from the Department of Justice that gave him permission to give a reference," he said.

Sept. 17, 2010: Marino says he's contacted DOJ about documents

Marino says he’s contacted DOJ about releasing documents “that would end this matter” but been informed they “are confidential and are the property of the Department.”

Marino statement: “I have been in communication with the Department of Justice concerning the release of documents related to my service as United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The Department of Justice General Council has informed me that these documents are confidential and are the property of the Department. The Department of Justice General Council explained that even though I am a former U.S. Attorney, I am bound by security and ethics provisions of federal law associated with my past service. While I am confident that the release of certain documents would end this matter, I understand the sensitive nature of these documents and the important role that the Department of Justice has in keeping us safe. As a former U.S. Attorney, I will abide by the laws of this land and the polices of the Department of Justice, without question.”

Sept. 16, 2010: Marino says he can't release documents

Marino says he has not been given approval by DOJ to release documents.

Marino statement: I have not been given approval by the Department of Justice to release documents regarding my tenure in the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Aug. 25, 2010: Corbett says he's been waiting four months for promised letter from Marino

Steve Corbett writes on his blog that he’s been waiting four months for a supposed letter that Marino promised him after his appearance on the program that Marino says will prove that he had permission from DOJ to serve as a reference for a felon who was under investigation by Marino’s office.

May 2010: Marino campaign tells Corbett he has letter

Tom Marino's campaign tells WILK's Steve Corbett that Marino has a letter for him from DOJ that will prove he got permission. Marino never gives it to Corbett.


April 28, 2010: Marino tells Corbett he vetted reference and got all clear from DOJ

Tom Marino tells WILK’s Steve Corbett that he “vetted” the reference with DOJ and got the all clear

Corbett: "Did you have to tell any of your supervisors that you were acting as a reference?"

Marino: "Yes."

Corbett: "And did you?"

Marino: "Yes."

Corbett: "And what was their reaction?"

Marino: "It was nothing out of the ordinary."

Corbett: "So are you saying that it is not extraordinary for a United States Attorney to act as a personal reference on a gambling application for an admitted federal felon?"

Marino: "The way you are putting it, you are putting it in the most negative terms."

Corbett: "Did you have any pangs of conscience that that might not be ethical?"

Marino: "No, because I checked it out, vetted it and was satisfied with the vetting process."

Jan. 2008: Marino goes to work for felon

Marino works for the felon for whom he provided a personal reference, making $249,999.96 a year.

Oct. 2007: Marino resigns

Marino leaves office.

Sept. 21, 2007: Marino announces resignation

Marino announces resignation, which takes effect Oct. 12, 2007.

Aug. 24, 2007: News breaks that Marino will resign, Marino denies that he'll step down

The Allentown Morning Call reports that Marino will resign, three days after story breaks about his withdrawal from probe and the reference he provided.

Aug. 21, 2007: News breaks that Marino served as reference for felon under investigation by his office

The Allentown Morning Call breaks news that Marino had served as reference on felon’s casino application and was forced to withdraw from probe.

Jan. 2007: Marino discloses to DOJ he gave reference

Marino discloses relationship with felon to the Justice Department and is ordered to withdraw from the investigation into felon.

Nov. 2006: Marino's name on list of prosecutors to be fired

Sampson places Marino's name on another list of targeted prosecutors.

Sept. 13, 2006: Marino on firing line at DOJ


D. Kyle Sampson, the chief of staff to then-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, places Marino's name on a list of U.S. Attorneys the department "should consider pushing out."

Jan. 2006: Marino "problem" attorney, according to DOJ

A Justice Department official includes Marino on a list of "problem" prosecutors and tells a colleague she is "not sure about" him.

Dec. 2005: Marino writes reference letter

Marino writes personal reference for the casino application of a felon who is under investigation by his office.

2004: Federal investigation into felon begins.

2002: Tom Marino sworn in as U.S. attorney for Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Tom Marino has been unavailable for press interviews since this story broke and even his website is down. He is not only a liar but a coward who will not face the press. Expect him to show up on FOX News to tell us Nancy Pelosi is a liberal in the near future.

There is a newer Carney attack ad up but it's not on YouTube yet. This one is playing defense:




Love the Foster Grants

Malcolm is not in the middle

Middleburg, Pennsylvania – Snyder County Commissioner and former U.S. Congressional candidate Malcolm Derk formally endorsed Tom Marino for U.S. Congress today at a press conference in front of the Snyder County Courthouse. Derk was surrounded by several area residents and elected officials.

"I am proud to endorse Tom Marino for Congress. Throughout the Primary Election, Tom Marino and I became close friends. We share the same core principals of lower taxes, fewer government regulations, less government spending, and a strong national defense. I am confident that he will take those common sense conservative values to Washington D.C. as our next United States Congressman. I have no doubt that he will make us proud" said Derk.

"Commissioner Malcolm Derk is a fine public servant. I am proud to call him a friend and am honored to have his endorsement. As Snyder County Commissioner, he has been a tireless advocate for lower taxes and smaller government. I rely on his advise and greatly appreciate his support" stated Marino.

"As your next United States Congressman, I will help the private sector create family sustaining jobs, reduce government spending, eliminate excessive regulations, cut taxes, support an national energy plan, and work to repeal the Obama/Pelosi/Carney Healthcare Bill" added Marino.

PA-10th and 11th Congressional District polls

On Sunday the Times-Leader published polls of the 10th and 11th CD races that they paid for from some oufit in Maine that I never have heard of that has a track record of consumer research but as far as I can tell is new to the political arena. The thing that jump out at me was the small sample size, only 221 voters in the 1th and 197 in the 10th with an margin of error (MOE) of about 7%. With that small number of responses I think the MOE should be much higher. The methodology is suspect as it was a push button telephone poll.

The results

11th CD

Respondents said that if the election were held now, 43 percent would favor Republican Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta and 32 percent would vote for Kanjorski, the 13-term incumbent Democrat. Undecided voters were reported at 25 percent.

I have a really hard time believing that 25% of likely voters haven't made up their minds in this race.

In the 11th District, 221 voters were polled – 42 percent Democrats and 42 percent Republicans. Even though the 11th District has a 57 percent to 31 percent Democratic edge!

My friends over at Pure Bunkum pick over the quotes from Ed Mitchell in the TL. I like this one.

“Last week, The Times Leader polled in the lieutenant governor’s race even though Pennsylvanians don’t vote for lieutenant governor separately. He or she runs with the governor candidate as part of a team. The TL hasn’t any credibility in the polling business and should just stick to printing papers.”


10th CD

This one is even more suspect.

Of the 197 registered and likely voters polled in the 10th District, 51 percent are registered Republicans, 33 percent are registered Democrats and 14 percent said they were a member of a third party or unaffil

The last time I checked the district was 49% Republican, 41% Democrats.

Forty percent chose Tom Marino, a former U.S. Attorney from Lycoming County; 36 percent said Chris Carney, a two-term representative from Susquehanna County; and 24 percent were undecided.

Reading all these TL polling stories in Sunday's newspaper a couple of things came to mind. First of all I want to say that Richard Conner is a local hero for rescuing the Times-Leader and keeping the 2 newspaper market alive in Wilkes-Barre (unlike most of the country) but I think you got your pocket picked, Rich. Next time hire a more experienced company. The second thing is the TL reporters that had to write up this poll in a bunch of different stories had to bite their tongues (fingertips) or the editors clipped it to death. They are pro's.

Another poll from a more experienced firm came out today. More on that soon.

Imelda

This is just a small part of Mrs. G's shoe collection.

New Barletta ad

I like it. Before you all faint because I said something nice about El alcalde Lou Barletta or his campaign let me explain.

I've been watching these things since 1972 and I think I have an idea on what works. This one works because Lou is looking right into the camera and states his case. Very few politicians can do that without "coming across as shifty eyed"- to steal a line from the movie The Candidate

I certainly disagree with his assertion that we will never get out of this mess while Paul Kanjorski is still in office. We are in this mess because the actions of the previous administration with the help of a Republican Congress that cut taxes more than they should have and couldn't say no to a new spending program or fund the wars. They ignored the laws of this country regarding the regulation of Wall Street, Oil and Gas Companies, Agriculture and many other industries.

They never cut spending and will not in the future despite what they say.

Do you really want to go back to that?

Meet the candidate

Republican US Senate candidate Pat Toomey will make an appearance Saturday at the
Luzerne County GOP Headquarters, 41 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre at 4:30 PM. Sorry, the Penn State game starts at 3:30 so I will be occupied.

If you answer a knock on the door in Avoca or Duryea tomorow morning it just might be Congresman Paul Kanjorski. He has been doing more of these type of events lately.