The LuLac Edition #965, Oct. 5th, 2009

PHOTO INDEX: COREY O'BRIEN HARD AT WORK ON HIS MINI BUS AS HE CAMPAIGNS IN THE 11TH DISTRICT AND GOP LOGO.

THE GOP FIRST

The First District Republican Committee representing Lower Luzerne County announces the launch of their new website, www.firstdistrictrepublicans.com. This website shall serve as a resource for Republican activity in the district, inclusive of meetings, fundraisers and events; Republican candidate website links; an area for contributions; details on First District open committee positions; and information regarding how to get involved in Republican Party activity specific to Lower Luzerne County. The launch of this website occurs within a week The First District Republican Committees’ major fundraiser, The 1st Annual Red Party Cocktail Bash, at Valley Country Club, Sugarloaf, PA October 8th 6:45-9:00PM. For more information on this event, email stormpolitics@gmail.com or contact First District Committee Chairman, Sean Shamany. The cost to attend is $85 per person/$150 per couple. RSVP’s must be received no later than Tuesday, October 4th. Checks can be made out to: The First District Republican Committee and mailed to PO Box 182 Hazleton, PA 18201. Red and/or elephant-inspired cocktail attire is encouraged, and Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta will be honored by The First District Republican Committee at the event. The First District Republican Committee meets the last Wednesday of each month on the 2nd Floor above Mea’s Restaurant, Broad Street, Hazleton and meetings are open to all interested parties. The next meeting is 7PM, October 28th.

BLOWBACK IN THE 11TH

The announcement of Corey O’Brien to take on Congressman Paul Kanjorski has more than tongues wagging. It has people talking out loud about the audacity of O’Brien to even make such a challenge. Seems like people are saying that O’Brien should stay put, pay his dues and wait his turn. People are also saying that O’Brien is abandoning his responsibilities as County Commissioner to run for higher office. Gee, can’t think of anyone who ever did that before can you? Only John and Robert Kennedy, Nelson Rockefeller, William Warren Scranton, Robert Casey Senior and Junior and even Milton Shapp! I see nothing wrong with shooting for a higher office if you are doing it for the greater good. O’Brien is sounding some of the same notes he did when he took on the establishment in 2008 and backed Barack Obama over hometown favorite Hillary Clinton. Take a look at this You Tube video from 2008 and see the comments he makes about change and the need for it. Interesting paralells.

From the Political web blog “Swing State Project” this tidbit about the Congressional race in the 11th.
Everyone here is familiar with Paul Kanjorski, the past-his-prime northeastern PA rep who just barely surived his re-election campaign last year, and only after a barrage of Democratic support. I don't know a whole lot about Lackawanna County Commissioner Corey O'Brien, meanwhile, but as an up-and-coming 35-year-old elected official, right off the bat he's a lot of things Kanjorski isn't. I do know that he had the courage to come out for Obama last year in an area where Clinton was wildly popular (she took over 70% of the vote in Lackawanna) - and he took his lumps for it. If O'Brien can stand up to the establishment like that, then maybe he really is capable of taking on Kanjorski (or perhaps pushing him into retirement).