The LuLac Edition #1180, May 14th, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: THE GOP AND DEMOCRATIC PARTY LOGOS, OUR 1966 LOGO, ONE OF THE THOUSANDS OF ADS MILTON SHAPP RAN IN NEWSPAPERS TO ADVERTISE HIS 1/2 POLITICAL DOCUMENTARY "THE MAIN AGAINST THE MACHINE" AND AN OLD AD FROM THEN SENATOR HAROLD FLACK.

RING RING

The pollsters are calling, the campaigns are ringing too. I made the day of one Specter caller when I told them I was with Arlen all the way. Not much in the way of Robo calls……….yet. The old fashioned phone banks were things of beauty. In my wasted youth I worked many of them for both Presidential and local campaigns. The big thing was the Democrats could always rely on unions especially the ILGWU to make those calls. What is off putting to most people is the fact that the calls being made now are not local and have no connection to the community they are calling. But that’s progress. I guess.

STATE COMMITTEE

I have a new nickname for Leonard Piazza the head of Voter Services in Luzerne County. Since “Sir Speedy” is already taken I’m going to call him “Mr. Instant”. I e mailed Len last night about how many State Committee people you could vote for. In less than 5 minutes I had an answer. For Democratic State Committee the vote for is 7 ... the 3 females and the 3 males with the highest number are elected, and the next highest vote getter is also elected.For Republican State Committee the vote for is 6 ... the 3 females and the 3 males with the highest number are elected.
So as a Democrat, I’m voting for Tom Shubilla, (he came to my house) Dave Popiak from Hazleton (met him once)and Mike Cefalo (because he’s a good dancer and used to buy advertising from me). Also Cefalo would be a veteran if many of my first timers got the nod and he could show them the ropes. I’m also pulling levers for Sabrina McLaughlin, Cassandra Coleman and Michelle Mahovich. (I love Lucille Maziarz and she has been a party warrior for over 4 decades. But it is time for some young, new blood on the State Committee.) My 7th pick is John Bolin from Wyoming.
If I could vote on the GOP side I’d vote for Dave Baloga (who I disagree with 100% on virtually everything politically but that has never stopped us from having several friendly encounters at various events in the area) Harry Haas (who is the future of the party in terms of his passion and dedication) and Art Bobbouine (who ran a very gutsy campaign with my old neighbor Chuck Simalchik in the 90s to turn Pittston City around. I’d also pull a lever for Linda Urban (who is a credible and articulate member of the GOP), Renita Fennick (ditto) and Kathy Dobash from Hazleton who I also disagree with on many, many things but have no doubrt that she would be a tireless advocate for her party.

JOIN ARLEN

Event: Senator Arlen Specter Pre-Election State Tour
Start Time: Monday, May 17 at 1:30pm
End Time: Monday, May 17 at 2:00pm
Where: Holiday Inn Express (Near the SWB Airport)

PCN’S ELECTION COVERAGE

The Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) has announced its state primary election coverage for Tuesday, May 18. The network’s LIVE coverage will begin at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18. PCN will be at various locations throughout the state. The network will once again be partnering with the PA Business Council for election results. Several political experts will provide in-studio commentary and analysis of election numbers. A list of guests scheduled to appear at the PCN studio during the network’s coverage is as follows:
Tuesday, May 18:
PCN Primary Election Night
8:00 p.m.: Berwood Yost, Director of Center for Opinion Research at Franklin &
Marshall College and Jim Lee, President, Susquehanna Polling and Research
9:00 p.m.: Mark Singel, The Winter Group and David LaTorre, LaTorre
Communications
10:00 p.m.: Tony May, Triad Strategies and Charlie Gerow, Quantum Communications
11:00 p.m.: Don Cunningham, Lehigh County Executive and Alan Novak, Novak
Strategic Advisors
For more information about the candidates as well as the latest appearances, debates and forums along the campaign trail, visit the network’s Election Central page at http://www.pcntv.com/election2010/index.html.
State primary results will be discussed during the LIVE PCN Call-In program at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 19. Viewers can join the discussion by
dialing 1-877-PA6-5001 to speak directly to the scheduled political experts.

LOU’S THE GUY

This interesting release came from the Barletta campaign and I have to give them credit on an interesting but very, very accurate spin. Regardless of the outcome of Tuesday’s primary election, 11th Congressional District candidate Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta will win in November. Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what the campaigns of Paul Kanjorski and Corey O’Brien said about Lou’s chances in the fall: “There is zero chance Paul Kanjorski defeats Lou Barletta. Zero. Paul Kanjorski doesn’t have Barack Obama [on the ballot] and without Barack Obama and the way the country is swinging with Massachusetts, at the end of the day, this is an easy pickup for the Republican Party.” Corey O’Brien, Politico, February 3, 2010 "Our polling data not only shows Kanjorski crushing O'Brien in the primary, but Barletta crushing O'Brien in the general." Kanjorski campaign spokesman Ed Mitchell, Scranton Times, March 4, 2010. And here’s what Kanjorski himself said about his re-election chances this fall: “If the election is decided as a referendum on the last 14 months, this coming November, the Democrats are going to lose.” (Hazleton Standard-Speaker, Feb. 18, 2010) “We’re grateful for the endorsements of both the Kanjorski and O’Brien campaigns. Lou Barletta is gaining momentum every single day, and Lou will be ready to take on the winner of Tuesday’s primary,” said Vince Galko, campaign spokesman for Mayor Barletta. “Of course, there’s much work yet to be done, and Lou Barletta will be out meeting with voters, talking about issues, raising money, and criss-crossing the 11th Congressional District. Lou will work hard for every vote. “We’d like to wish all candidates luck, and we encourage everyone to get out and vote on Tuesday.”

WILLIAMS PITCH

Here’s a pitch from Democrat Tony Williams in the Governor’s race. We are the only campaign with momentum. Our opponents have flat-lined. Your support is going to be a crucial part of how we cross the finish line ahead of the pack.

ARNOLD SPEAKS

Rick Arnold is the only GOP candidate in the primary race for State Representative in the 119th. He had some interesting things to say in this video. Take a look.


MORGAN SAYS HE SCORES

Monday night in the 119th District State Representative Debate sponsored by the South Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Newport Township Community Organization at Luzerne County Community College in Nanticoke, a leader in the race emerged, Bob Morgan, as the clear front runner for the House seat. During the debate Morgan took attacks from all three opponents, Gerald Mullery, Gary Zingaretti, and Rick Arnold, vying for the District Seat and despite Republican Rick Arnold attempts to group the 4 candidates into one group Morgan came out the man to beat. Morgan showed the fortitude of an experienced State Legislator by standing up for himself, his ideas, and most importantly the people of the 119th District. When asked about the work force in the region, Gerald Mullery called the people of the region lazy, saying their work ethic was not like their parents or grandparents and were simply living off their reputation of being hard workers. Morgan stood up for the working families, offended by the insult to their work ethic saying “our students are able to achieve success all over the country, which is a credit to our talent, educational system, and our work ethic.” Morgan reinforced his commitment to in the people in the 119th District by promising to fight for jobs, and education when elected.Mullery also said that he did not see a Health Care crisis in America, yet even the registered Republican in the race, Rick Arnold, saw a need for health care reform. Morgan, again, stood up for working families in the debate by supporting Adult Basic Care, and the CHIP (Children Health Insurance Program). In his closing Mullery calmed to be a “new Democrat,” yet his policies and ideas “look like an old recycled of Republican ideas,” said Morgan. Morgan's tax plan was attacked by Morgan's other primary opponent, Gary Zingaretti. Morgan's tax plan favors reducing property tax and unfair personal income taxes on students and seniors. One candidate has consistently provided ideas to meet the challenges that we are facing in the region by finding realistic ways to enact solutions and investing in the rebirth of Main Street, not simply offering empty slogans or simplistic pledges on the back of campaign literature. That candidate is Bob Morgan.

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT


1966

Tens of thousands of anti-war demonstrators again picket the White House, then rally at the Washington Monument………The legendary album Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys is released…..

In Pennsylvania the final weekend of the campaign for Governor winds down with Democrats Milton Shapp, Robert Casey, and Representative Erwin Murray battling it out for the nomination. On the GOP side Lt. Governor Ray Shaffer is opposed by former Presidential candidate Harold Stassen and Dr. George Brett for the Republican nod……..in the 20th Senatorial district a real barn burner ensues with incumbent Senator Harold Flack opposed by the man who previously held the seat T. Newell Wood. Wood accuses Flack of not doing enough in his two terms. Flack calls Wood a “quitter” who left politics to “enjoy his cars and horses". It turned into one of the nastiest campaigns of the year……and 44 years ago this week the number 1 song in America and LuLac land was ‘Good Lovin” by the Young Rascals.