The LuLac Edition #607, Oct. 19th, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: OUR TOP 40 LOGO AND COLIN POWELL, CIRCA 1990.

SIGN WARS

A Presidential race sometimes does not generate a sign war like a local primary would. But there seems to be enough Obama and McCain signs to go round. LOU signs have been up for a while touting the candidacy of Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta in his race against Congressman Kanjorski. Kanjorski has stuck by his old red and white signs and they seem to be popping up everywhere in the district. In the 10th, Carney and Hackett signs dot the landscape with about even distribution. Not many signs for statewide races but that can happen any day. In 2004 there was a plethora of signs for state caandidates but then again, there was a Senate race that year pitting Specter against Hoeffel getting the statewide organizations in gear.

POWELL ENDORSES

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama for President today on “Meet the Press”. Effusive in his praise of John McCain, Powell nonetheless gave the nod to Obama. Powell was the first effective cross over black political personality in the country serving as Bush 41’s National Security Advisor and architect of the Gulf War in the early 90s. His endorsement is seen as by some as a passing of the torch from one generation to another, and to boot, it crossed party lines.

PALIN ON SNL

Sarah Palin’s appearance on SNL was handled quite deftly last night. There was fear that the show would diminish her standing in the public but the skits were appropriate and funny. The satire was directly mostly at the expense of the show and its penchant for parody.

THE LAC LAYOFFS

There was news this week about possible layoffs in budget strapped Luzerne County but it appears that the Lackawanna County Commissioners have made progress in reducing their debt through layoffs and departmental restructuring. Earlier in the year the majority commissioners fired 34 employees, either replacing them or eliminating positions altogether. Washo and O’Brien added deputy directors to county government departments. The county cut a total of 95 jobs since January — 76 employees were fired, while the rest of the jobs were vacant positions that remained unfilled. The county has 1,428 full-time employees. As one of the Commissioners said, the layoffs were painful but necessary. Luzerne County officials: take note.

ELECTION TOP 40

RACE #13

McCAIN

McCain has done everything he could to avoid race in the Presidential contest. He has taken the high road, chastising people at his own rallies for misrepresenting Obama as an Arab (as if that would matter). Still, if there is a bias, McCain would have the advantage of gaining votes. So his understating of race is a smart thing politically.

OBAMA

The candidacy of Senator Obama has always had an undercurrent of race. Would America vote for a black man as President? Would the word “inexperienced” be taken as code for “not ready for a black man?” The Obama campaign has taken pains to address the issue showing the candidate as a person reaching out to everyone in the country. And not many have admitted publicly they would not vote for a black man as President. But no one, including the pollsters and the people themselves know in their heart of hearts, how race will factor in their decision. The issue of race is something rarely mentioned in this campaign. However after the election if Obama wins or loses, it will be a central topic of discussion among pundits, the media and the American people. Win or lose, let’s hope it’s a positive discussion.