The LuLac Edition #17-May 30th, 2006

NEWS OF THE DAY...........Lynn Swann, GOP candidate for Governor starts a tour of the northeast today with former Governor Tom Ridge. The duo begins in Scranton. Swann is charging that Rendell campaign operatives are keeping his (Swann's) fundraising efforts down by telling his would be contributors that state contracts would not be awarded to them if they crossed onto the GOP turf. Now this is tough to prove and a few political observers say this smacks of desperation politics. Swann will comment on these charges. He will also be joined by Lt. Governor candidate Jim Matthews.

KANJORSKI LISTS TOWN MEETINGS....from a Kanjorski e mail:
Many issues are on our minds today - the war in Iraq, the rising cost of gas, increased health care costs - and I want to hear from you. Please join me for a conversation at one of my upcoming regional town halls:
Wednesday, May 31, 2006 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Hillside Inn and Resort Frutchey Drive off Route 209, Smithfield Township
Thursday, June 1, 2006 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tripp Park Community Building 2000 Dorothy St., ScrantonSaturday,
June 3, 2006 10 a.m. to noon Wilkes University's Henry Student Center Second Floor 84 West South St., Wilkes-Barre
Anyone with disabilities or who needs special accommodations should call Congressman Kanjorski's Wilkes-Barre Office at (570) 825-2200 or his Scranton Office at (570) 496-1011 as soon as possible prior to the town hall.

COMMENTARIES...........Lynn Swann's latest salvo in the campaign, saying that his potential contributors are being squeezed by Rendell operatives just doesn't make sense. Rendell is a fundraising machine who routinely raised mega bucks for the Democratic National Commttee when he was Chairman, and when he ran for Governor in 2002 raised tons of money without breaking a sweat. To charge that Rendell's people are pressuring others not to give is saying that Rendell is a political novice and doesn't know any better, (I can't believe the politically astute Governor acquired a case of "stupid" all of a sudden) and that as a former District Attorney, Rendell would even allow a hint of that type of political play. This is the latest in a series of questionable Swann statements that are entertaining to the press but makes a dubious impression with the public. By the way, Mr. Swann, welcome to "Casey Country".

MEDIA WATCH...............Much thanks to Joe Valenti of the Sunday Dispatch for giving us a hit in his weekly column regarding the race for state representative in the 118th district. Joe writes a great informational column and we appreciated his references to us................Also regarding the recent primary election, I found some disparaging comments about the coverage WILK Radio offered on a Radio Message board recently. Now I used to post on that board but because of major technical difficulties, can't get access to their site with my old password, new password or even Amelia Earhart's password. Anyway, WILK did a super job in covering all of the races and filled in a gap for political coverage that local TV and the rest of the radio market has yet to fill. The station not only provided good commentary but also got "breaking hard news" on developments during the election night coverage. To throw brickbats at the fine coverage is just really puzzling to me. I would have posted this on that message board but the powers that be are making it difficult to participate as I once did. But to WILK, great job. Sorry for the belated defense to the unwarranted criticism.................as if you needed defense for your actions from me or anyone else.