The LuLac Edition #126, Jan. 10, 2007

PHOTO INDEX: WILK'S
SUE HENRY, FORMER
SENATOR RICK SANTORUM
AND FORMER SPEAKER OF
THE HOUSE, NEWT GINGRICH.

THE RETURN OF RICK

Former Senator Rick Santorum returned to the airwaves of Northeastern Pennsylvania today. He was interviewed by Sue Henry on her radio program on WILK. Santorum is working for a conservative think tank with his heavy concentration and responsibilities being on terrorism. Santorum who had hoped to make national security an issue in his losing Senate campaign is well versed on the subject and will most likely carve out a niche for himself in Conservative Republcan circles with this exposure. You can be sure the Henry show is just the first of many Santorum appearances in the media. Telegenic, articulate and animated, you'll be seeing a great deal of the former Senator from the Keystone State.

NEWT ON THE RISE

While many GOP leaders thought Rick Santorum might be a good Presidential candidate in '08 for the nomination carrying the conservative banner, there seems to be an underground swell for another Conservative with Pennsylvania roots. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has been making the rounds of the talk shows, he has not been shy about speculating about his own chances in a crowded GOP field and can crystalize issues in simple terms for many voters. With Senator John McCain the presumptive front runner, tagged along by moderate Rudy Guiliani in second place, conservatives are casting around for a candidate to get behind. Mitt Romney so far has not gotten much traction and Sam Brownback, Duncan Hunter and Mike Huckaby have not yet made it to the radar screen. Gingrich might be a formidable candidate for the right and if nominated might even give the Democratic nominee, whoever that might be a run for their money. Gingrich plans to make an announcement later in the year. The funniest line on the GOP campaign trail came regarding Gingrich's and Guiliani's three marriages. A party wag said, "The Mormon, Romney is the only one who was married once.

LOCAL RACES

JUDGESHIPS

Atty. Tom Marsilio has entered the race for Judge on the Common Pleas Court in Luzerne County. The barrister has been on the Crestwood School Board as well as having made a race for D.A a few times as a Republican. Marsilio, cross filing and running as a Republican and DEmocrat will most likely face current D.A. Dave Lupus, set to announce for Judge Thursday the 11th, Atty. Conrad Falvello from Hazleton, or Atty. Tom O'Connor from Kingston. O'Connor is a member of the Murray-O'onnor political dynasty. Marsilio, having run for DA twice as a registered Republican is now a card carrying Democrat having changed his registration because of differences with the Bush administration on the war in Iraq.

CONTEST IN HAZLETON

It appears Mayor Lou Barletta may have opposition if he decides to run in the GOP primary for Mayor of Hazleton.
Dee Deakos, a frequent attendee at city council, commission and authority meetings for more than a decade, said she will run on the Republican ticket, assuming she collects enough signatures on nominating petitions.
If Mayor Lou Barletta seeks re-election, he will face Deakos in the primary. Barletta wouldn’t say whether he plans to run for a third term. He said he will announce his decision on Jan. 15, after further discussion with his family.