The LuLac Edition #1008, Nov. 15th, 2009

PHOTO INDEX: SARAH PALIN NEWSWEEK COVER.

FACING THE MUSIC

If you were in a time warp, you would think that John Perzel was attending a high power meeting at the State Capitol as he has done hundreds of times. Not so on Friday the 13th when those charged with big time crimes took the trek to Capitol city to meet the magistrates. But there was one distinct style difference. Arriving at District Judge William Wenner’s office with state agents, former House Speaker John Perzel wore a pair of handcuffs with his dark suit. Perzel, his longtime chief of staff Brian Preski, former state Rep. Brett Feese, and seven other defendants in the latest state Capitol corruption case formally answered to the district judge Friday morning on a barrage of theft, conspiracy and other charges. Most defiantly declared their innocence, and some let their anger show at what they perceived as a carefully planned media show for Attorney General Tom Corbett, who is running for governor. Perzel, who still holds a seat in the state House, was the only defendant to speak to reporters. “This [investigation] has been going on for quite some time,” said Perzel, R-Philadelphia. “There’s hundreds of allegations that have been made, and I’m looking for an opportunity to prove my innocence in court.” Then, as he often does at the Capitol, he plowed through a phalanx of reporters, ignoring questions. Corbett has accused Perzel and the others of leading a seven-year conspiracy to use more than $10 million in taxpayer money to buy computer technologies to help the House Republican caucus retain and possibly expand its slender majority. Several in the group are also accused of taking steps to block the investigation. The charges are the second stage in a multi year investigation into legislative operations. Last year, Corbett’s office filed charges against former House Democratic Whip Mike Veon and 11 others affiliated with the House Democrats. Corbett's campaign cannot be hurt by this especially since he went after members of his own party. Perzel's problems actually predate Corbett's ambitions because even his fellow GOPers in the House were afraid of him.

SARAH SMILES

Sargant Shriver, Edmund Muskie, William Miller. All 4 were former Vice President candidates who were men of stature and standing in American politics. But I venture to guess that not many people remember them, their names or their careers. Shriver was the first head of the Peace Corps, Muskie was a Senator and then Secretary of State, and William Miller served multiple terms in Congress. Then there’s a one term Governor from Alaska that did not finish her tenure. She didn’t get along with her Presidential nominee’s staff nor his family. Instead of being banished by her party, she is celebrated. She is Sarah Palin and as reported here in July she is going to make a run for the White House in 2012. Sarah Palin did not believe her 2008 interview with CBS News Anchor Katie Couric would be a defining moment in the presidential election, she tells Oprah Winfrey in an upcoming interview -- but she knew it was bad. The McCain campaign, however, thought the interview went well, Palin tells Winfrey in an interview that will broadcast Monday. "The campaign said, right on. Good. You're showing your independence," Palin said, according to an excerpt from the interview. "And of course I'm thinking, if you thought that was a good interview, I don't know what a bad interview is because I knew it was a bad interview." Palin was lampooned by Saturday Night Live for the interview, which some called a "turning point" in the campaign. Palin’s book has already sold a gazillion copies and the way she handles the publicity, the notoriety and the press, adverse and positive from, this launch, will determine whether she is a serious candidate. However, in my opinion the cover though on Newsweek this week doesn’t help that cause.