The LuLac Edition #44, July 26th, 2006

THE RIZZO FACTOR...............This past week saw the 15th anniversary of the death of former Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo. Rizzo served as Mayor from 1972 to 1980 in the city of Brotherly love. Rizzo ran many times as a candidate for Mayor of that city, 5 times in fact. Twice as a Democrat, and 3 times as a Republican. The last time was in 1991 when he won the Republican primary against two very formidable candidates, Sam Katz and District Attorney Ron Castille. His success was attributed to constituent service but also from a strong undercurrent of supporters who flew under the radar. In every election, Rizzo had a group of people who either never told the truth to the exit poll people or never expressed their outward support for the Mayor. This was dubbed the Rizzo factor. You might be seeing that same thing happening in the Pennsylvania Senate race. While the latest poll has Senator Rick Santorum trailing State Treasurer Robert Casey by 11 points, many political pros are cautioning that (1) Those numbers will tighten up and (2) That voters should consider the "Rizzo Factor" in people who are being polled on the Senate race and might not be telling the truth. As the campaign progresses for the U.S. Senate race, we will watch those polls carefully.

CONGRESSIONAL RACE NEWS..............Did you notice that Chris Carney sign for Congress in Wilkes Barre in front of the Murray Complex on Penna. Blvd the last few weeks? Chris Carney is a candidate for Congress in the 10th District running as a Democrat against GOP incumbent Don Sherwood. His signs, huge ones, are in the wrong district. (Now as a matter of full disclosure when I worked in broadcast advertising, I once put a sign up in my yard for a District Magistrate candidate not in my voting area. I can only attribute that to the pressure of trying to make my advertising goal in that cut throat business. ) The signs are big and well placed and most likely there to gain attention to all the Wilkes Barre workers who live in the 10th. (If there are that many). Anyway, attempts to reach the good people at Murray's were not successful but we'll keep trying.
But as a recap, so there's no confusion, here the Congressional line up for this fall.
11th District/Wilkes Barre/Luzerne County, city of Scranton/
DEMOCRAT/Paul Kanjorski
REPUBLICAN/Dr. Joseph Leonardi.
10th District/Wyoming, part of Luzerne, Lackawanna, Susquehanna and Bradford Counties/
DEMOCRAT/Chris Carney.
REPUBLICAN/Don Sherwood.

THE LEONARDI CAMPAIGN......................Speaking of Dr. Joseph Leonardi, he is running very hard in the 11th Congressional race. His website address is chock full of campaign photos and position issues and papers. His picture is featured on this edition with Lt. Governor candidate Jim Matthews running on the Republican slate. You can go to his web address at http://www.leonardiforcongress.com/. Leonardi recently wrote a letter regarding the immigration issue in Hazleton. Here is a copy of that letter in its entirety.

Dear Editor, I would like to take this opportunity to applaud Hazelton Mayor, Lou Barletta, for stepping up to the plate on the illegal immigration issue. He has taken the initiative at a time when others have ignored blatant violations of U.S. law, specifically those who enter this country illegally and those Americans who hire illegal aliens. Most recently, the mayor stepped up to the plate again, ensuring that Hazletons police department will have additional training to properly enforce the city's new ordinance as certified immigration enforcement agents. A section of Hazelton's new ordinance requires city business to be conducted in English only, it has provoked some critics of Mayor Barletta to use insulting and inflammatory terminology in an unjust effort to degrade his character. Their efforts, I feel, are intended to bolster their own political agenda. There is a side benefit arising from the English only provision these same critics have failed to mention--- a benefit that will directly affect those that have legally entered our country. At a town meeting in Hazleton, as reported in one of the local newspapers Luzerne County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak said English classes would be made available for everyone. It seems that Mayor Barletta'scourage has sparked Luzerne County to take positive action for our hard working, deserving, legal immigrant community. I have always been concerned about people who enter this country then choose not to learn the English language. My father, at the age of 30, in 1963, immigrated to this country from Italy. Over time, he learned his new country's language. While his proficiency wasn't such that he could have written the great American novel,
he ably functioned in society, and eventually earned his U.S. citizenship. The fact that government documents were not translated into my Dad's native tongue did not hamper his ability to earn a living, raise a family, develop his own business and exercise his right to vote. Violation of our borders is a genuine cause for concern. It is a problem that has not been adequately addressed at any governmental level. Consequently, mayors are being forced to protect their citizens from criminal violations that compromise U.S. Sovereignty. For this reason, since announcing my candidacy for the U.S. House last August, I am extremely outspoken on strengthening all of our borders, not just our southern border. The problems that accompany illegal immigration demand re-enforced border security. I pledge that I am, and will remain, wholeheartedly committed to this cause. I am a strong believer in legal immigration into the United States. Obviously, had it not been for legal immigration I would not be in the position I am in now--- running for the office of U.S. Representative to represent all citizens in the Pennsylvania 11th district.
Respectfully,
Dr. Joseph F. LeonardiCandidate U.S. House of RepresentativePA-11

MEDIA WATCH..............Dr. Leonardi will be on the Sue Henry Show on WILK NewsRadio Thursday July 27th in the 11AM hour. Rob Nyehard hosts while the radio goddess is on vacation.........................Best birthday wishes to pal Rusty Fender from Entercom Communications on the occasion of his 50th birthday. Having reached that milestone a few years back, all I can say is, "it's really downhill, rapid downhill, after your 50th!!!"..............L.A. Tarone's TV show on WLYN TV 35 debuts Thursday on Channel 21 in Wilkes Barre at 530PM on the Service Electric Channel. L.A. is a long time Hazleton area reporter for the Standard Speaker, various radio stations in that city, a panelist on PCN's "Journlists Roundtable", an editorialist (remember them????) on WLYN News and the author of "We Were Once Here", a history of Hazleton. I, for one, hope Service Electric airs this show frequently and wish him the best of luck.

DRAFT GORE LINK...............A reminder, here's that very important link and letter. Remember, 2008 is a short time away.

Dear Friends: After a two-year hiatus, Draft Gore is returning to the political fray. Please join us as we renew our effort to draft Al Gore for president by being one the first people to sign this national online petition asking him to be our candidate in 2008. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/algore2008/In recent months we have witnessed a groundswell of public opinion in favor of a Gore candidacy. Let’s build on this movement with the largest petition of its kind.Draft Gore (www.draftgore.com) was founded in 2002 by grassroots Democrats from across the country who believe Al Gore is the true voice of our party and the only visionary leader and statesman who can return the White House back to the American people. We still believe that’s true –- now more than ever. Please sign this petition and encourage your friends to do the same. If you post on any blogs, lists, boards, or otherwise know of any ways to promote this petition, please help us get the word out today. Together we can make a difference!http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/algore2008/
Thank you,
Draft Gore 2008www.draftgore.com


PERSONAL NOTE: We've been a little dark for a while due to computer issues, the good old summertime laziness, and blood transfusions due to impending and current health issues. But we'll try to keep you posted on issues of political import.