The LuLac Edition #384, Jan. 2nd, 2008
PHOTO INDEX: FORMER WEATHERCASTER VINCE SWEENEY AND FORMER COUNCIL CANDIDATE PETE GAGLIARDI.
SWEENEY? IN? OUT?
Furious political speculation in the 10th Congressional district race is occuring and it all centers on former TV weatherman Vince Sweeney. Sweeney has been mentioned for various offices but the one most talked about is a run against incumbent Chris Carney. Carney, a Democrat has built a bipartisan following in the District and many Republicans feel 2008 will be make or break in defeating him. If Carney survives 2008, it is thought that it will be tough to take him down, even in a district filled with GOP registrants. The Sweeney boomlet is confounding experts because many feel that he is starting way too late, if in fact he does decide to run. But people are tired of non stop campaigning, and there have been aspirants angling for support on the day after Carney beat Don Sherwood. The name recognition factor of Mr. Swiderski and Mr. Muesser is nothing compared to Sweeney's so a late start might not impede his progress and just might be looked upon as a refreshing change of pace. Sweeney addressed his plans or non plans on his own blog which is a joy to read. Here's the link and see for yourself what Sweeney himself is saying about the speculation of his plans. http://vincesweeney.com/.
IOWA
If you ask me, the Iowa caucus selection process on both sides is a crock. How any major party can trust their destiny to about 100,000 people in that large of state is beyond me. The caucus system is not democratic at all, it eliminates the sick, elderly and military. The caucus got its reputation when Jimmy Carter showed very well there in the 1976 race. What people forget is that "undecided" finished ahead of Carter. All that energy, all the ass kissing to a bunch of white, conservative meat and corn eaters who are not representative of the demographics of this country is a joke. As a political junkie I'll watch. But after meeting a few Iowans in my time, believe, I won't be impressed. The shame is that Iowa will eliminate some great candidates who have a lot to say. And that's sad. Regional national primaries where people actually vote in polling places and not living rooms, barns and silos is a long overdue commodity in Presidential politics.
PETE SPEAKS
Former City Council candidate Pete Gagliardi, defeated by Kathy Kane in District C Wilkes Barre has not lost his grasp on the issues or his desire to express new ideas that can change the city. Here's his latest letter to the local paper:
Although my campaign for Wilkes-Barre City Council fell short, it was a clean election with plenty of ideas and policy initiatives. I would like to thank everyone who voted for me and congratulate Councilwoman Kane on her victory.
I have a few initiatives that I would like to see the mayor, city council and other community leaders take the ball and run with.
Unfortunately, the city has a reactive relationship with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. We tend to react to problems after they are serious and difficult to solve. I would like to develop a proactive relationship in which we solve problems early, nip them in the bud when they are small and easy to deal with. We should keep the lines of communication open, and leaders in the NAACP should address the mayor and city council at least two or three times a year. The NAACP should be invited to address the mayor and council during the public input portion of city council meetings.
During “Meet the Candidates Day” with the NAACP, we met many outstanding citizens who would like to play a bigger role in the city and contribute more. They told us the best way to recruit members is to send job announcements to their P.O. Box in Wilkes-Barre. Then, qualified candidates will emerge and apply for these positions. I hope recruiters in government and private industry will routinely mail job announcements to the NAACP.
Second, I would like to see more of an effort to get our young people interested in our democracy and local government. When young people are interested in local government and democracy they will not be interested in drugs and crime, and they will not tolerate drug dealers hanging around our schools. I believe Councilwoman Kane has made a great start with the Junior Council. I would like to see an effort to include our colleges as well. I recommend that members of the student government at King’s College and Wilkes University address the mayor and city council at least two or three times a year during the public input portion of our city council meetings.
Parking for students has been a problem for generations. Perhaps the city could issue student parking permits so the students could park at reduced rates. During “Meet the Candidates Night” at King’s College we discovered that the parking garage needs to be repaired. Perhaps we could get a grant to help repair the garage.
I have a few initiatives that I would like to see the mayor, city council and other community leaders take the ball and run with.
Unfortunately, the city has a reactive relationship with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. We tend to react to problems after they are serious and difficult to solve. I would like to develop a proactive relationship in which we solve problems early, nip them in the bud when they are small and easy to deal with. We should keep the lines of communication open, and leaders in the NAACP should address the mayor and city council at least two or three times a year. The NAACP should be invited to address the mayor and council during the public input portion of city council meetings.
During “Meet the Candidates Day” with the NAACP, we met many outstanding citizens who would like to play a bigger role in the city and contribute more. They told us the best way to recruit members is to send job announcements to their P.O. Box in Wilkes-Barre. Then, qualified candidates will emerge and apply for these positions. I hope recruiters in government and private industry will routinely mail job announcements to the NAACP.
Second, I would like to see more of an effort to get our young people interested in our democracy and local government. When young people are interested in local government and democracy they will not be interested in drugs and crime, and they will not tolerate drug dealers hanging around our schools. I believe Councilwoman Kane has made a great start with the Junior Council. I would like to see an effort to include our colleges as well. I recommend that members of the student government at King’s College and Wilkes University address the mayor and city council at least two or three times a year during the public input portion of our city council meetings.
Parking for students has been a problem for generations. Perhaps the city could issue student parking permits so the students could park at reduced rates. During “Meet the Candidates Night” at King’s College we discovered that the parking garage needs to be repaired. Perhaps we could get a grant to help repair the garage.
Peter Gagliardi
MONEY TALKS!!!
Hey, how about the list of contributors released in the newspapers for Presidential candidates. Surprsingly John Edwards won the Luzerne County primary with a umber of local barristers adding to his coffers. The question remains will the Edwards campaign make it to the Pennsylvania presidential primary? Hey boys, your money is in the hands of Iowa. Good luck!
posted by David Yonki @ 7:27 PM
8 comments
8 Comments:
Scranton Priest makes national news."Bless me Father for I have lied to a Grand Jury." Another red letter day for the Catholic Church.
Whats next? And what else will come out of these investigations?
Good LORD!
Once again, some visonary and insightful thoughts from Peter Gaglairdi. If only the voters could have appreciated this man's wisdom and superb leadership.
Vince was a clown on the air and he is being a clown now. He is an intellectual lightweight and has no business getting in any political race. He has no concept of government, politics nor the legislative process.
This is being floated and fostered by the county republican chair.
He is not running and if he does he will get trounced.
Robes said it would be like this.
I hear Sweeney has requested nominating petitions. He needs 1,000 valid signatures to get on the ballot. He could do that in Williamsport alone, where some people are itching to see him run.
Hey Robes, Sweeney's blog is insightful and intelligent. Just like he is. The guy has the personal touch. He can connect with people and most likely become the next Congressman. Take that to the circus and sit in the cheap seats.
Trousers
Hi Trousers
Took your advise and checked out his blog. I was going to leave a comment, but no way to personally connect on his blog. I guess he only wants to talk at people not with people.
He is a democrat who is only going to change his party to run. Not for ideas, ideals or policies, just
because he thinks he might be able to win as a republican.
His blog contains neither insight, nor intelligence. I see a phoney who is being pushed by a county chair looking to hold on to one's status.
If he is such a great candidate why doesn't he run in the party he has been affiliated with. Why not show how in touch he is an run ans a dem and see if his name recognition, b.s. insight and psuedo-intelligence can win a seat for the party he has been a member of.
O wait that would take conviction.
He doesn't even have the conviction to tell people what he wants to do let alone espouse any real political ethos.
Perhaps, he should use his name recognition to help his wife's boss keep her job or just go back home and read his fishing magazines and leave running for office to genuine leaders.
If he ran against the incumbent in the primary as a democrat he'd flatten him. Carney is the accidental congressman. If Woody could have kept his woody in his pants, he'd have been a congressman forever. Republicans fear this guy because he could completely scramble their eggs. I think it'd be pretty funny if he did. What's psuedo-intelligence? You're intelligent or you are not. That sounds like double-speak. You kinda sound like you wrestled with him and you lost.
I worked both with and for Vince. He can be kind of noisy, moody, and demanding, but he's smart. Someone told me he's a mensa member.
First off, Vince Sweeney would make a great candidate. People are tired of the same old, same old, especially in the local GOP. Let them come at you Vinnie, it says more about their sorry asses than you. Don't forget, the people running you down are the people who most likely backed the car dealer. And how'd that work out?
Post a Comment
<< Home