The LuLac Edition #153, Feb. 13, 2007

FOR WASHO:

HERE'S THE KICKER!!!!





Minority commissioner Mike Washo finally has a running mate. He is former Penn State kicker Chris Clauss, who was endorsed by the Democratic executive committee Monday night. Mr. Clauss, from South Abington was tabbed after a marathon closed-door session. Six candidate were interviewed, including Mr. Washo on the campus of Lackawanna County Junior College.A political novice, Mr. Clauss said a desire "to right the ship" cemented his interest in the endorsement.
Here are some thoughts:
1. The athletic factor. The County Dems seem to be mirroring the same thing the GOP did in 2003 when the Cordaro/Munchak ticket used Mr. Munchak’s past athletic affiliations as well as his relationship with NFL Hall of Famer Mike Munchak. Greg Skrepenak in Luzerne County has also scored political success as have other former athletes in the region.
2. Let’s look at the people not endorsed. One has to wonder why the party did not endorse Corey O’Brien who was known to have Senator Mellow’s blessing. O’Brien brings charisma, youth and name recognition to the ticket with his association with Fox TV. Mr. O’Brien can also raise a lot of money. Another person not chosen was Evie Refalko McNulty. Mrs. McNulty is a force in her own right, being a county row officer as well as having major leadership connections to various women’s and business associations in the county. You add all that up to her husband’s political skill in framing an advertising message and you have a great candidate. And let’s face this fact, Lackawanna County has never elected a female Commissioner in its history. Mrs. McNulty can be that person. Another curious factor is the Mid Valley connection. While Mr. Clauss has a business in the Mid Valley, he doesn’t live there. The Democrats for the last 24 years have had a candidate on their ticket from the Mid Valley. It seems to me that the Democratic committee has turned down the youth and charisma of O’Brien, the gender possibilities of an Evie McNulty candidacy and the entire Mid Valley political equation with this move.
3. Ticket balances. On the GOP side you have Bob Cordaro, Attorney, 8 years in office, confident, intelligent but confrontational. His partner is Mr. Munchak, a hail fellow well met who rebuilds the bridges that Cordaro burns down. They are opposed by Mr. Washo, an interim mid term appointee and Mr. Clauss, a political newcomer. One can make the case that the GOP might have a leg up in touting their experience vs. the inexperience of the Democratic team.
4. If anything, Cordaro and Munchak are going to have to take special heed in winning their GOP primary. Only a Northeastern Pennsylvania GOP committee would allow primary opposition against an elected team that swept out the opposition party after two decades! Amazing.
5. Mr. Washo also was interviewed during the process. Was there ever a possibility he’d not be chosen and did he or did he not have a favorite?
6. For all I know this might be a stroke of genius on the part of the Democratic committee. And it is early so things might shake out sooner than later. But the committee made some curious selections for its ticket. Only time will tell on this one.