Toohil tormenter

I gave him a chance to respond

Youth in Politics dinner

A big congratulations to Bob Zaruta and Jen Rinehimer along with the rest of the Young Republicans of Luzerne County for putting together such a successful event. Getting such a big crowd for a YR gathering  in a historically Democratic County is a credit to their hard work.

Many moons ago I was an officer in the Young Democrats of Luzerne County and I'm a big supporter of both the YR's and YD's. They are our future leaders. Everybody involved in political campaigns think they are the grand strategist like David Axlerod or Karl Rove but first you have to understand the nuts and bolts of a campaign like making the phone calls and knocking on doors. Young Dems and Reps are the training ground.

Now for commentary on the event with a minimum of snark.


Bob Zaruta took on the "myth" that young people are all Obama liberals. The old joke is there is no such thing as a young Republican because they are all born middle aged.

Luz County YR Prez Bob Zaruta

The best part of the night was th PJ Stebbins award. PJ was a regular commenter on Gort42 and many other places even announcing his run for State Rep on this site. PJ was the hard working foot soldier for many campaigns that all political types can learn from. Aaron Kaufer  received the plaque from Suzie Stebbins.

Aaron Kaufer and Suzie Stebbins

The Young Republican of the year baton was passed from Tarah Toohil to Stefanie Salavantis. I asked Toohil some questions and it was interesting what she didn't say or deny. Read between the lines. More on that later. A reporter asked me a few days ago for the name of her campaign manager and didn't know. She told me tonight she doesn't have one. Bad move.

Feel free to add this pic to your binder of women.

Tarah Toolhill and Stefanie Salaventis

I can't make the LWV forum with Aaron Kaufer and Phyllis Mundy at Wyoming Sem on Tuesday because Mrs G. would rather to see the Aussie Pink Floyd Show at the Kirby that night. I recruited John Lombardo to be the Special Gort42 correspondent that night. He has been a regular contributor to PittstonPolitics.com and has made his English teachers proud. He is a an articulate young man.

John Lombardo and Sara Czernaikowski

More pics on my Facebook page

Joe Peters said something about being on TV.

Gort42 and Joe Peters

Kaufer hands out hotdogs in a parking lot

Tens of people turned out for the Aaron Kaufer hot dog giveaway in a supermarket parking lot  in Shavertown Saturday afternoon. Getting there was frustrating because of the construction on 309.
He skipped the prayerfest that was going on in Hazleton at the same time. Wrong religion or something.

A gaggle of local elected officials showed up to support him.

I may get this wrong or skip someone.

L to R.

Kurt Santayana Luzerne Council, Mike Bearish Prez Pringle Council, Sandy Case Kingston Council, Jack Schumacher Kingston Council, Aaron Kaufer, James Keller Mayor of Luzerne, Jim Raino Kinston Twp super , Shirley Moyer Kingston Twp super, Nancy Cooper Kingston Council and  Mayor Jim Haggerty of Kingston.

Kaufer was endorsed by the.  PA Taxpayers Cyber Coalition for his support of HB 1776 that proposes to eliminate property taxes. Good idea but the problem with that bill is that it leaves a $1.5 Billion hole in the budget. Republicans are not good with arithmetic. As I always say endorsements are good for a press release and not much else.

Kaufer teased that some Democrats will be endorsing him. There was one.

Pringle Council President Mike Bearish (D) said he supported Aaron Kaufer

YouTube weekend

The Australian Pink Floyd Show will return to the FM Kirby Center on Tuesday. This is as close to real thing that you can get.

 I'm very disappointed with the LWV for scheduling the Mundy/Kaufer forum that night. 

Guess which event I'm going to? 

 

 

Upcoming events

Today 120th HD Republican candidate Aaron Kaufer is having a meet and greet or cookout depending if you read his PR or Facebook page at the Shavertown Shopping Center parking lot

148 N. Memorial Highway, Shavertown, Pa. 18708 2-4PM

 Free hot dogs and soda will be provided. Republican and Democrat elected officials in support of Aaron will be in attendance to show support for him. All are invited to attend.

I can't wait to see what Democratic elected officials will risk the wrath of Phyllis by showing up for this. 

A big chunk of what passes as the Republican 'establishment' around here will be elsewhere at the same time. Bad move by the Kaufer camp on scheduling. 

It competes with this gathering.

Conservative Voter Rally  

Saturday, October 20, 2012  11:30am until 3:30pm

 

 

Genetti Ballrooms Inn & Suites

1341 N Church St, Hazleton, Pennsylvania

 

Special guest speakers include: Lou Barletta (U.S. Congressman), Sam Rohrer (Pres., PA Pastors Network), Tarah Toohil (PA House of Representatives), David Madeira (The David Madeira Show), Bob Zaruta (Pres., Luzerne Co. Young Republicans), and Laureen Cummings (Candidate for U.S. Congress).

Sunday is

Youth in Politics  at 

The Appletree Terrace

4 Newberry Estate, Dallas, Pennsylvania 18612

 

5-8PM

This year we will present the Young Republican of the Year Award to District Attorney, Stefanie Salavantis. The award will be presented by last year's winner, State Rep. Tarah Toohil.

We will also be presenting the first annual P.J. Stebbins Award. ... This year's award will be given to fellow Young Republican, Aaron Kaufer. 

 

With all the controversy swirling around Tarah Toohil right now we will see if she shows up for these events or catches a cold. I was invited by YR Prez Bob Zaruta  to the dinner and plan to ask her some questions.  

 

On Monday there is the PA Attorney General Date on PCN 

Legislative Correspondents’ Association Candidate Debate for the Attorney General with Democratic candidate Kathleen Kane and Republican candidate David Freed 7-8PM

And a feedbag for Senator Bob Casey

Monday, October 22, 2012
5:30-7:30 PM

Colarusso’s La Palazzo
4500 Birney Avenue
Moosic, PA 18507

 

On Facebook

 

Tuesday there are 2 events I would like to go to but we will be at the Kirby Center for the Australian Pink Floyd show. Mrs. G said that politics is music to my ears but that is not true. 

In the 120th HD the League of Women's voters will host a forum with incumbent Phyllis Mundy (D) and her challenger Aaron Kaufer (R) at 7 p.m. Oct. 23 at Wyoming Seminary's Buckingham Performing Arts Center.

 

 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY:


Tuesday Oct. 23rd 7pm - 9pm


*111th HD  Representative Sandra Major and her opponent Mr. Jeffrey Dahlander.

YouTube Weekend

I was on WILK yesterday with the Lovely and Talented Mrs. Sue Henry. (back off Joe) We discussed Blogfest, the Toohil video, Aaron Kaufer and writing in David Yonki for State Rep.

The Tom Marino  almost Macaca moment with a tracker also came up and much to my surprise Steve Corbett sent me an email inviting me to call into his show to discuss it. Unfortunately I had another commitment and wasn't able to chat with him. Is Corbett mellowing out on bloggers? 

Sue is also the GM of Kings College radio station WRKC 88.5FM and has a show every Saturday 3-6PM. She asked me if I had a request for this week's show.

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised - Gil Scott-Heron

 

 

WVIA debates set

2012 Congressional Debates to be Broadcast Live on WVIA 


PITTSTON, PA  - The 2012 WVIA Citizens' Voice Times-Tribune Congressional Debates will broadcast live from the Sordoni High-Definition Theater at the WVIA Studios on Tuesday, Oct. 30, Wednesday, Oct. 31, and Thursday, Nov. 1 starting at 7 p.m. each night on WVIA TV. The Debates will also be simulcast live on WVIA FM.

The live debate for the 10th Congressional District between Congressman Tom Marino (R) and Phil Scollo (D) will air on Tuesday, Oct. 30, while the 17th Congressional District live debate between Matt Cartwright (D) and Laureen Cummings (R) will be broadcast Wednesday, Oct. 31. Then on Thursday, Nov. 1 Congressman Lou Barletta (R) and Gene Stilp (D) will debate live for the 11th Congressional District.

The moderator for all 3 debates will be WVIA President Bill Kelly.

Video: Tom Marino town hall

This is a video of Congressman Tom  Marino (PA-10) at his recent McDonald's town-hall in Honesdale talking to a voter about the Grover Norquist no-tax pledge and Keystone XL pipeline. He can't handle the voter's questions so he turns to the person filming and starts questioning him asking for ID and then abruptly walks away. Marino says that his no-tax pledge does not lock him in. Apparently he is withdrawing his pledge.





Reminds me of Paul Kanjorski saying  " I’m not going to set myself up for, you know, nuts to hit me with a camera."

There was a story in the Wayne Independent that quotes Marino saying he would be open to a tax increase  but it's not available for some reason.

I want to remind you of what that left wing rag RedState said about Marino in 2010:

Marino, a former US Attorney, has his own shady dealings which will make for good campaign fodder in the general.
During Marino’s tenure as US Attorney, local businessman Louis DeNaples was under investigation by the US Attorney’s Office for his ties to William D’Elia, head of the Bufalino crime family. It seems DeNaples lied about his relationship with D’Elia to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board when applying for a licence for the Mount Airy Casino. Listed as a personal reference on that same application was none other than US Attorney Tom Marino, the very man running the office investigating DeNaples’ organized crime ties.
The Department of Justice got wind of the conflict of interest and ordered Marino off the investigation, and shortly after the media broke the story he resigned his post… and went to work for Louis DeNaples. (The charges were eventually dropped when DeNaples agreed to place the casino project in the name of a family member.)
The reality is just as bad as–if not worse than–the optics of this scandal. Do we really want someone like Marino representing the GOP in what will be a battleground district this fall....

This is not the first time Marino has been testy when being filmed. Love the Foster Grants.

Tom Marino yelled at this guy

Not only was I offended by Tom Marino's questioning if I had a job or if I was on welfare, I am offended by his campaign manager's response and the lies that were told about the event. Tom Marino's words regarding veterans has been offensive. His words regarding Carney hiding behind his wife's illness is offensive as someone who's mother dealt with cancer.

Tarah Toohil Pizza Party Video

This video dropped into my inbox a few days ago but I decide not to post it and be accused of being an irresponsible blogger. Now it shows up on the Times Leader , WILK and other media outlets so I missed a scoop. I actually saw the pictures a few months ago but didn't think much of them. The video is being shopped around by the same person that left comments on a post I did in May accusing Toohil of having an inappropriate relationship with another House member that I deleted because I didn't think what she did in her personal life was anybody's business. Of course I saved those comments.

Some speculation on my FB page: Her disgruntled ex-boyfriend promised to blackmail her as part of his continued mistreatment of her and women in general. Those pictures mean absolutely nothing in this election. The person attacking her is a House member. And women should rise up against the way he wants to treat women.

More in the comments on YouTube.  It's just a matter of time before we figure out who posted this video and I have a good idea who it is.


Here is the video with the bong, bag of weed and the close proximity of lips:



Her response:



 Good for her .

The Luzerne County Democratic Party and her opponent deny having anything to do with this


Herself had this reaction on PoliticsPA:

 
“Dear Young People of Pennsylvania:

I’ll admit that some years ago I smoked marijuana. I did not get caught. But I’ve since decided that it’s not cool, and I think that if YOU get caught, you should still face criminal charges. Sorry, as we say in NEPA, dem’s da breaks suckers.

Also, if a marriage equality bill ever comes up for a vote before the legislature, of which I am now an esteemed member, I will of course follow the orders of my socially conservative male Republican leaders and vote against it, because I think it is right for society to deny full civil rights to same sex couples in committed relationships; also, the idea of two women enjoying each other’s company in a committed monogamous relationship is offensive to me as a traditional, family values oriented practicing Catholic and frankly grosses me out, but hey, if you want to tie one on and sloppily make out with another chick in a drunken stupor, that’s just fine. Nothing wrong with that at all, it happens, ya know?”

What a hypocritical disgrace of a woman

President Obama wins the debate

Vote in the poll on the sidebar.

Mitt Romney came across as energetic and sometimes desperate to be the only person heard. At times he was rude to the moderator Candy Crowley and the President. Barack Obama was assertive but at the same time cool. The President won on style and substance.

My play by play on Facebook

Presidential Debate Polls

I'll be putting up a poll on the sidebar after the debate.

120th HD update

The PA House Republican Campaign Committee  dropped a hit piece in the mailboxes of the residents of the 120th House District.

Phyllis Mundy was not amused.


TL: “Spreading false information because you don’t know the facts is a mistake. Continuing to spread false information when you know the truth is lying.” This statement from a recent Philadelphia Inquirer editorial hit home with me as I hear from constituents who have received mail from the House Republican Campaign Committee.
A multipage mailing called “Pennsylvania Watch, Spotlight on Phyllis Mundy” sent on behalf of my opponent in the race for state representative in the 120th District is jam-packed with spin, misrepresentation and outright lies about my policy positions and votes in the state House. Either my opponent is unaware of the truth or he knows the truth and has turned a blind eye.
I never have allowed my party to demonize my opponents on my behalf as a candidate. And I never will. It is inherently dishonest to allow others to do your political dirty work and proclaim your own innocence.
Anyone who has received one of these mailings and is interested in the facts should feel free to ask me about anything written there. I will be happy to respond with my side of the story.

 I asked Aaron Kaufer about it and he denied any prior knowledge of the mailer and sent along this response.

I'm very well aware that Phyllis Mundy took the taxpayer paid 50% pension increase just after voting against it.  I have attached a PDF of the pension opt-in form that shows she couldn't sign-up quick enough for the higher pension just after telling the voters she was against it.  This is just more hypocrisy from a 22 year incumbent who is playing political games with the truth.  I've also copied an article that mentions Rep. Mundy as one of several Members taking the pension after voting against it.

While working families struggle and seniors continue to lose their pensions, Phyllis Mundy will collect $52,792 a year for life off the taxpayers because she took the 50% increase and voted in increase her own pay two times!  This includes the midnight pay raise and illegal unvouchered expenses she took and never gave back.  Even after the Supreme Court ruled they were illegal.  I think that is a slap in the face to all taxpayers and that's why I will refuse to take a taxpayer paid pension if elected!  And I will never vote to increase my own pay.

In regard to the HRCC mailer, you will need to talk to them because it is there mail and nothing I was involved in.  I've always been clear that she took a 50% pension increase right after voting against it - thus being a typical career politician.

Mundy riffs on Bill Clinton: It takes some brass to call me a "career politician" when my opponent has never had any career other than "politician".

Actually Kaufer is a recent college graduate and has yet to have a career. 

It's a pity this is getting personal as both candidates are my friends.  But I'm sure that they have both seen the Godfather and understand that this is business (politics) , not personal.


Mundy won big in 2010 gathering 53% of the vote against an established Republican and a spirited Libertarian in a very Republican year.

Kaufer has an HQ near Kingston corners with office space donated by a relative and has been phone banking and will be tying up traffic (loitering) from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of Thomas' Family Market in the Shavertown Shopping Center on Route 309. He promises a hot dog and some surprise endorsements.

 The League of Women Voters is sponsoring a debate between incumbent state Rep. Phyllis Mundy, D-Kingston, and her Republican challenger, Aaron Kaufer of Kingston, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. in Buckingham Performance Arts Center at Wyoming Seminary, North Sprague Avenue, Kingston.

RIP Arlen Specter

I never voted for the guy but I always respected him. The Yonk has a great tribute

Specter's passing comes at a time when both political parties and the nation are divided straight down the middle. Long gone are the days when a Republican like Specter could reach across the aisle and enact legislation without being pilloried as a pariah. In the next few days, many editorial writers in referencing Specter’s life and career, “You shall not see his like again” Sadly for our country that will also apply to an era when compromise and working together was not a political mortal sin punishable by banishment from Capitol Hill.

Idiot watch

The flamboyant mayor of Laflin, Dorothy Yazurlo,  plowed into a couple of parked cars and acted somewhat erratic afterward. She admitted to drinking one Manhattan.

 Laflin, Luzerne County-...."Mary," who had been at a party along Laflin Road on Saturday night, said Yazrulo told people at least a dozen times she was mayor.

"They said where are you going, and she said I can't go. They said put your flashers on, you're in the middle of the road. Put your flashers on, and she put her windshield wipers on. And then she said, I'm the mayor of Laflin," according to an eyewitness....Eyewitnesses claimed only at their urging did investigators initiate a field sobriety test, which Chief Flannagan said Yazurlo passed....When asked about the allegations she boasted about her position as mayor, Yazurlo claimed she had never mentioned who she was. ...On the count of boasting, eyewitnesses claimed the mayor was being less than truthful.


Road rage is bad enough now we have drive thru rage

TL:  A Scranton woman stabbed a city man early Sunday, ultimately because of how impatient he had grown sitting behind her car in the drive-thru lane at McDonald's.

Mariah Hill, 20, 809 Alder St., did not start the fight outside the restaurant on South Washington Avenue at about 5:15 a.m. Sunday. Her victim did, according to a criminal complaint.

 The driver of the Taurus, Tarsean Neal, 21, of Linden Street, then got out of the car and either walked back to the van to explain that the wait was not his fault or began yelling profanities at its occupants, according to his account to police and that of Virgilios Arias, 20, of Hickory Street, who was in the van with Almota.

Either way, Almota got out of the van at that point, walked up to Neal and a fight ensued between them, the compliant states.

That is when Hill got out of the Taurus as well, ran over to the two men fighting and allegedly stabbed Almota in the back - which still did not end the fight.

You deserve a break today

Barry Manilow wrote that diddy and many other commercial jingles including State Farm, Pepsi, Dr Pepper and KFC.

 


Thanks to Michelle for the McD story and Pope George Ringo for pointing out the happenings in the Peoples Republic of Laflin.

DB Echo sends this classic:

McDonald's is your kind of place

throw french fries in your face

hamburgers up your nose

onion rings between your toes

and don't forget those special shakes

they're made from poisoned lakes

McDonald's is your kind of place!

(Or something like that.)

Bridge to Nowhere

James May and PennDOT are off the hook.

I'm not the only one frustrated by the lack of progress on the 1st Street bridge in Plains Twp.

This is what it looked like 2 weeks ago.

Today the only difference is some orange spray paint. Although the road on both sides of it has been paved.

Plains Twp. Commissioner says don't blame us.

PLAINS TWP. -- Board of Commissioners Chairman Ronald Filippini announced Thursday night that the First Street Bridge, in the Hudson section, is scheduled to reopen on Oct. 30.
The bridge, which crosses over Mill Creek on one of the main streets that connects the township with Wilkes-Barre, has been closed for more than a month, despite initial Luzerne County engineering estimates that the bridge would be closed for only one week.
Several residents complained about the paving and repair project at the township’s regular September meeting. Filippini acknowledged their frustration and said the township has little control over the county project.

So if this a county project how do you explain this sign?

YouTube weekend

Listening to Sue Henry on WRKC. I asked her to play this song.




Lyrics 


I got bored so I'm making my millions
When you're conservative you get a better break
You're always on the right side
When you're conservative

Upcoming events

Tonight is the Wilkes-Barre Township Fall Picnic at the American Legion, 54 Chestnut St, W-B Twp from 6-10PM.

Tomorrow you can catch Joe Valenti of Pittston Politics on Joe Holden's Sunday morning show along with Kristen Cook, Editor of the Wilkes University Newspaper, The Beacon and Sue Henry of WILK. It'll air Sunday morning on WBRE at 11:00AM and WYOU at 11:30.




Blogcon was a big success and the Fearsome Foursome are planning next year's event join them on Wednesday at

Rodano's

53 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania starting at 6PM.

NEPA Blogcon Meetup 2: Electric Boogaloo


It's a meet up! Hang out, have some drinks, network, tweet about stuff, maybe even some hugs!!  pants required. Squirrels with light sabers will be there.

We can discuss NEPA BlogCon 2012, what we liked, disliked, and what we hope to see next year.


Conservative Voter Rally  

Saturday, October 20, 2012  11:30am until 3:30pm

 

 

Genetti Ballrooms Inn & Suites

1341 N Church St, Hazleton, Pennsylvania

 

Special guest speakers include: Lou Barletta (U.S. Congressman), Sam Rohrer (Pres., PA Pastors Network), Tarah Toohil (PA House of Representatives), David Madeira (The David Madeira Show), Bob Zaruta (Pres., Luzerne Co. Young Republicans), and Laureen Cummings (Candidate for U.S. Congress).

Organizations supporting & participating in the event: God in Government, Luzerne County Young Republicans, PA Pastors Network, 94.3FM "The Talker," First District Republicans, Victory Bible Church, The Voice of John (pro-life movie), Citizens Alliance of PA, and Tea Party Patriots.

Tiffany Cloud (Host of Storm Politics on WYLN-TV) will serve as Emcee for the event. Pastor Ron Radtke (Victory Bible Church) will lead the gathering in prayer.

 

Youth in Politics Sunday October 21st 5-8PM

The Luzerne County Young Republicans will be hosting our second annual Youth in Politics event! Youth in Politics is a celebration of the accomplishments of young people in politics. Last year's event was a huge success and we anticipate this year being bigger and better.

This year we will present the Young Republican of the Year Award to District Attorney, Stefanie Salavantis. The award will be presented by last year's winner, State Rep. Tarah Toohil.

We will also be presenting the first annual P.J. Stebbins Award. P.J. Stebbins was one of the founding members of Luzerne County Young Republicans. He passed away earlier this year and the YRs plan to honor him on a yearly basis by presenting an award in his name to a young person who has shown dedication not only in the political arena, but also in his or her community. This year's award will be given to fellow Young Republican, Aaron Kaufer.

 

S

 

 

 

Biden wins the debate and stops the bleeding

After the President's poor debate performance Joe Biden had to step up and he did. He had command of the facts and rebutted Paul Ryan at every turn. Once he said that  Ryan spews a bunch of malarkey you knew he was on. Now the Republicans are attacking the moderator and Biden's facial expressions. The Dems panned Jim Lerher last time. 

I'm not going to recap it because my readers surely watched it.

At least Sullivan didn't have another nervous breakdown. 

Vote in the poll on the left sidebar.

Vice Presidential Debate Poll

I'll be putting up a poll on the sidebar later tonight.

If you want to watch the debate with some political junkies:

The Luzerne County Republican Party is hosting a Vice-Presidential Debate Watch Party at Rodano's on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre. Large screen tv, pizza, cash bar. The event open to the public and admission is FREE! Please join us! Starts at 8PM.

2 weeks ago the Republicans were saying the polls were skewed because they showed Obama opening up a lead. Now they point to the polls because they show Romney catching up. If Obama wins the election get ready for more ACORN stole the election type nonsense. 

I think this poll result is interesting via Taegan Goddard:


A new Esquire/Yahoo! News poll finds that Americans would trust President Obama more to look after their dog when they're out of town than Mitt Romney, 52% to 27%.

I ride inside

Dogs Against Romney

17th Congressional District Debate recap

17th CD candidates Laureen Cummings (R) and Matt Cartwright (D) met at Wilkes University for the first  of at least 3 scheduled meetings.

Cartwight is an accomplished speaker and Cummings not so much and it showed. Right out of the gate Cartwright went after her Tea Party ideas and she latter told me she was not ready for it. He proudly said he was a lawyer that stands up for working families and the middle class. He blasted the Tea Party for being the "party of no".' Cummings said that she was offended as a woman by the treatment of Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin in 2008 and objected to the TARP and stimulus.

The first question was about to help small business. Laureen said stop regulating them then went off about cap and trade and said $4 gas was a war on women. Matt brought up something she posted to her Facebook wall in May 2010 that I can't find. She has posted so many nutty memes to her wall it's hard to pick out just one. Cartwright said we need to rebuild our infrastructure and have a fair trade policy. Then he defended regulations because they insure the the health and safety of workers then finished by saying we should be the Nation of YES!

When asked what has has prepared you for office Matt said the usual platitudes then added "I will bring home the bacon." Laureen missed this and defended her Facebook post saying prior to 2010 it was OK to oppose everything because the Dem's ran the show. She then attacked Cartwright because lawyers write bad laws and  contended that being a lawyer is not good training for being a legislator.

On Defense spending and Tobyhanna Cummings said this Administration gave $90 Billion to Solyandra and other green energy projects. Then said peace through strength, Israel and superior firepower.. Cartwright noted that our local GOP Reps (Barletta and Marino) voted to cut spending for Tobyhanna.

Fracking came up and Carwright said you can't stop it (too much money involved) so do it right. Protect the environment and stop the mad rush to frack. Close the Halliburton loophole and tax the extraction. Cummings said drill baby drill. Repeated a lie about giving Brazil $2 Billion to drill offshore and the nonsense about a war on coal.

Poverty was the 5th question and Cummings told a personal story about her kids were kicked off the free/reduced lunch program because she was working 2 jobs that put her over the income limit. Screw the income test, give every kid lunch.

Cartwright said there was a climate of contempt when Republicans talk about poor people and brought up Romney's 47% remark.

On Transportation Cummings won't increase the the gas tax to fix our roads. She says the tax code is a failure ( I agree) and wants to replace it with a Value Added Tax . She contends that that would make under the table workers and illegal immigrants pay taxes . Then spewed off about some prebate program that sounds complicated. Cartwright said that wouldn't work and would result in a 23% Sales tax. He want's more rail and a big investment in infrastructure.

Common denominators in the district. Cummings had a clever answer For Rent, Foreclosure, For Sale. Cartwright had a sober answer. People count on federal programs such as  Social Security, Medicare, Veterans Benefits, the FAA, the FBI, NOAA, the Border Patrol, National Institute of Health,  Centers for Disease Control, etc.

They both oppose term limits and want transparency in campaign finance.

Cummings approach to the national debt is to repeal Obamacare and regulations and stop over spending. Cartwright wants a balanced approach citing President Clinton raising taxes in 1993 that led to a surplus. He blasted the Tea Party House members for holding the debt ceiling hostage.

When asked about the Middle East Cartwright sang the praises of Israel and said Iran should never get nuclear weapons.  Cummings said he stole her answer then said the administration has weak policies.

Cummings touted the Fair Tax and said Cartwright has been watching too much MSNBC. She stated the Tea Party never forced anybody to sign any tax pledge.  She was right about that, it was Grover Norquist who demands that GOP candidates kiss his ring.

In closing Cummings said the choice was between limited government or big government . She blamed the Obama administration for the 2008 housing crises. Cartwright said his opponent wants to turn the clock back to the time when Wall Street was the wild west and insurance companies could drop your coverage if you get sick. He said he would stand up to the Tea Party and stand up for Social Security, Medicare and Veterans benefits.