The Lulac Edition #138, Jan. 23rd, 2007

PICTURE INDEX: FORMER SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE NEWT GINGRICH, GOVERNOR ED "MY RESUME IS JUST FINE THANK YOU" RENDELL AND SENATOR ROBERT P. CASEY, JUNIOR WITH HIS FAMILY.

PRAYING FOR BOBBY

The pro-lifers of Northeastern Pennsylvania went on their annual trek to Washington, D.C. on the 22nd to mark the 34th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision allowing for abortions, Roe vs. Wade. Casey, a Pro-Life Senator still was chided for not being 100% supportive of the Pro-Life agenda. (He's about 97% there but apparently that's not enough). The group told the Senator they'd pray for him. I'm sure he appreciates that gesture.

NEWT THE GAMBLING MAN

Newt Gingrich, a former House speaker and a possible presidential contender, jump-started his new political group with a check for $1 million from a source many in his conservative base would shun -- the gambling industry.
Gingrich's American Solutions for Winning the Future reported to the Internal Revenue Service that it collected a $1 million check from Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman Sheldon G. Adelson shortly after the November elections. The IRS reported the donation in recent days.
Newt Gingrich, a former House speaker and a possible presidential contender, jump-started his new political group with a check for $1 million from a source many in his conservative base would shun.
The contribution dwarfed the other checks, totaling just $60,000, gathered for the group's start-up. Gingrich announced the group late last fall, setting it up as a "527" organization, a type of political nonprofit that can collect and spend donations of unlimited size.
Though Gingrich says his group is seeking bipartisan ideas, his movement is clearly courting conservatives with a new "Contract With America for the 21st Century" that proposes private savings accounts for Social Security, "patriotic education" in public schools and the appointment of judges who understand the "centrality of God in American history."
A decade after $100,000 checks to political parties and groups were the jaw-dropping phenomenon, Adelson's donation marks a new frontier in political fundraising -- a seven-figure check to a group associated with a single politician whose aspirations may include the White House. Gingrich has said that he will decide by the fall whether to enter the crowded race for the Republican Party's presidential nomination.
Kent Cooper, a former Federal Election Commission official, said: "A check of this size could either bankroll the start of a new organization or underwrite the exploration, traveling and contacts of a potential presidential candidate."
Gingrich's spokesman, said last night that the former speaker was traveling and unavailable to comment. Adelson's office in Las Vegas also declined to comment.
Adelson's check underscores the uncomfortable position that Republicans face on the issue of gambling. The party rose to power under Gingrich in the early 1990s on the strength of social and religious conservatives, and many of the latter oppose gambling on moral grounds.
Conservatives were stung during the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal when it was revealed that one of their champions, political strategist Ralph Reed, made money from Indian gambling sources and that many GOP lawmakers wrote letters or intervened on behalf of Abramoff's casino-operating tribes and received donations from them.

QUOTE OF THE YEAR

I know it's early but Governor Ed Rendell's quote last week on PCN was a classic. When asked if he wanted to run for President, Rendell said that undertaking such a venture would be a tremendous task. He did indicate that he would be willing to serve a President in a designated role. Rendell did not rule out the Vice Presidency or a Cabineyt position expressing enthusiasm for a Cabinet level position centering on energy issues. The Governor said, "I've been District Attorney for 8 years, Mayor of Philadelphia for 8 years, God willing Governor of Pennsylvania for 8 years, I really don't need the title of President to improve my resume". What candor! If he keeps that up, it may get him to Washington sooner than later.

NIPPER ON THE LOOSE

George “Nipper” Nowakowski said he will definitely run as a Democrat for Luzerne County sheriff in the May Primary.
The county Democratic executive committee last week endorsed Democratic contender, Michael Savokinas.
Republican incumbent Barry Stankus has said that he will seek re-election. Stankus will be seeking his third term.
No word yet if "Nippper" is going to trot out the "Melody of Love" polka commercials.