The LuLac Edition #1176, May 8th, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: 11th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CANDIDATE COREY O'BRIEN AND HIS FAMILY, ATTORNEY AND JUDICIAL ASPIRANT JENNIFER ROGERS AND HER MOM.

A LETTER AND A HOUSE

Elections have defining moments. Usually those are never defined in a campaign but prior to the race. Whether it was a pardon issued by a Michael Dukakis or Mark Singel or a phrase uttered by a candidate like George Allen. Edmund Muskie crying in New Hampshire we can go on and on. The recent race for the State Senate in the 14th district has a lot of dynamics. You have two candidates in the form of tom Leighton and John Yudichak who are formidable. Leighton is a two term Mayor that has an aura of invincibility about his candidacy. When I was in Abe’s one day I heard a few Wilkes barre residents talking about the “new Mayor”. It was assumed Leighton would not fill out his term. Yudichak on the other hand is just as strong with relationships among union members and rank and file party members that revere his Kennedy-esque looks and down home mannerisms. Plus Yudichak has an uncanny ability to convert voters once they meet him. Some Democrats have told me they wish they could vote for both. Both have an adequate supply of money and pockets of strength. Leighton can come out of Wilkes Barre with a solid majority, but Yudichak can tap into the Democratic strongholds of Nanticoke, Pittston and Exeter. It is my belief that Exeter might be an important factor in this race. But what will determine this race are two vital questions. Will Tom Leighton be damaged by his admission that he wrote a letter on behalf of Bill Brace who was charged with a felony? Leighton argues that he was standing by a friend and that to me is admirable. I’d most likely do the same thing. Where the damage comes in that that Leighton didn’t answer the question until the debate. Yudichak’s issue is the property in Harrisburg he uses with per deim money. Yudichak has been vocal in his demands that the Legislature police itself more but critics say he might be coming to that realization too late. With all the money, ads, posturing, whispers in the ear, media confrontations this race will boil down to one basic tenant. Will voters be bothered more by Leighton’s letter or Yudichak’s house? Political decisions in this state’s history have turned on a lot less.

THE TL SPEAKS

In an earth shattering political development, the Times Leader has endorsed Corey O’Brien for the 11th District nomination for Congress. O’Brien has been running a confident shoe leather campaign beating a path to every voter he can in the district. O’Brien is also using some very sophisticated voting methodology that elected one B. Obama two years ago. The Times Leader said: The Moosic resident, 36, impressed our endorsement panel as an earnest, energetic candidate who, if elected, will push for needed government reforms and work for the betterment of the entire region, not merely his turf. On the campaign trail, O’Brien also touts an economic development plan he devised, “Project Main Street,” which he believes would foster job growth. Our panel wasn’t fully sold on the concept, but agreed it demonstrated O’Brien’s commitment to bringing resources to the district, improving employment prospects and thinking “big picture.” He offers the district’s Democratic voters an option they haven’t seen much lately: fresh ideas and a fresh face.
O’Brien can use this endorsement to generate last minute revenue and excitement for his under dog campaign. All that said, political endorsements by newspapers no longer have the clout they once did. Just ask Luzerne County Common Pleas Court Judges Michael Blazick and Richard Hughes.

THE 22nd RACE

The race for Bob Mellow’s Senate seat is also heating up. WVIA TV had a cdebate the other night and the 7 candidates squared off in a mild showdown. Chris Phillips, Chuck Volpe, Jim Wansacz, John Blake and Joe Corcoran have to divvy up the Democratic pie in Lackawanna County. Volpe in another time and place might have run away with this but his ties to politicians and his contributions over the years muddies his independent message. State Representative Jim Wansacz has a hard core group of supporters but he has per diem problems and might have trouble living down hos “Red Roof Inn” remark. Former County Commissioner Joe Corcoran is said to be the favorite of the old line etablishment Democrats but one wonders if his time has passed. The track record for former County Commissioners winning higher office once they are gone in LuLac land is not good. John Blake has the most government service and most likely can give a primer on the inner workings of state and local government but he has never faced personally the rough and tumble of a campaign where he was personally at stake. Chris Doherty the Mayor of Scranton is trying to do what he’s done best, develop a juggernaut and not only win the Democratic nomination but the GOP one too. Doherty has a machine that is loyal only to him. There are no second choices for Doherty voters, it’s him or nobody. GOPer Frank Scavo’s challenge and it will be a huge one is to make sure Doherty doesn’t walk away with the GOP nomination. Can you imagine this scenario: Doherty places second or third as a Democrat and wins the GOP nomination. The county GOP is trying very hard to reestablish itself and Scavo has to know that fact. Last but not least is Chris Phillips. Phillips is young, earnest and tenacious. Plus he is the only one to call out Senator Bob Mellow, a risky strategy in a Democratic primary. The bottom line on this race is simply the fact that these 5 candidates on the Democratic side will bunch up. Don’t be surprised if the winner squeaks by with less than 100 votes. There are pockets of voters for all five viable candidates. Who gets the most voters turning out on Election Day will win on the Democratic side. On the GOP side, Scavo under normal circumstances should win but the reach of Chris Doherty transcends party lines. This might be the most compelling and exciting race in the primary.

MOTHER'S DAY

Attorney Jennifer Rogers had a beautiful sentiment on her FaceBook page regarding her mom. I asked her permission to republish it here.

On this Mother's Day, I thank you, Mom. Thank you for having the courage to not be my friend, but my mother. Thank you for not telling me what I want to hear if you do not believe it to be so. Thank you for expectations and standards and not allowing the easy way out. . . .thank you for loving me to the point of exhaustion. . . .thank you, thank you, thank you for showing me the value of who I am.

Well put and applicable to all of us. It just happens to fall under the category of "Wish I wrote that".

TOP POLITICAL MOMS

During the 2009 Judicial race in Luzerne County I met Jennifer's mom at numerous debates and forums. And the pleasure was all mine. It got me to thinking though of political moms who stumped for their kids. Here's a few mothers that did good things for their kids on the campaign trail.

Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy: She was relentless in boosting the political careers of all of her children. And her faith in destiny and God was unshakable.

Ellen Casey: The former First Lady of the Commonwealth was an influence on all of her children but certainly on the ones that threw their hats into the ring.

Roberta McCain: She was tart, well put together, articulate and rallied hard for her son in the 2008 campaign. I sometimes wonder judging by her body language what she really thought of Sarah Palin.

Jean Biden: The scrappy kid from Scranton/Delaware was not shy about bringing to the forefront his mom who opined on the Veep candidate's stutter, her jousts with his teachers and growing up in the Electric City. The late Mrs. Biden was a Democratic crowd favorite.

Lillian Carter: Miss Lillian was steadfast in her iron willed support of her son in the 1976 Presidential contest. She was a media darling and was apparently stunned when she found her delightful just for speaking her mind.

Barbara Bush: Mrs. Bush has visited the area a few times and campaigned long and hard for her two sons Jeb and George. You kind of got the feeling that if both got out of line, she'd be there with a smack to the side of the head.