The LuLac Edition #1358, Nov. 3rd, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: 2010 FACES OF CHANGE, PRESUMED HOUSE SPEAKER JOHN BOEHNER, NEWLY ELECTED STATE REPRESENTATIVE TARRAH TOOHIL AND CONGRESSMAN ELECT LOU BARLETTA.

ELECTION RECAP

THE FACE OF CHANGE/2010

If you can sum up the 2010 mid term elections you can say that it wasn’t a revolution but a rejection. It was a rejection, reasonable or not against a Democratic Congress and administration that passed more than 200 bills. It was a rejection against a President that took bold initiative but who might have been better served taking smaller bites of the Legislative apple. It is a demonstration that if you say no loud enough, people will follow you. Now the Republicans have to produce. But I’m afraid with a more conservative Congress and the erasure of many blue dog Democrats, the lines are going to be closely drawn and divided.

RECAP

CONGRESS

For the first time in over 60 years, the 10th and 11th Congressional Districts will be represented by two Republicans. The election of Lou Barletta and Tom Marino signals a new beginning for both districts. And the margins of victory were overwhelming. Not close at all. It is evident that both Barletta and Marino got huge mandates. They go to a Congress controlled by the GOP. They go to Washington with high hopes and no seniority. We wish them the best.

THE VANQUISHED

Paul Kanjorski and Chris Carney were as gracious in defeat as they have been in their terms of office. Kanjorski said he was proud to be a member of Congress, calling it the opportunity of a lifetime. Even in losing, he referred to it as a life experience. Chris Carney, unlike Marino was gracious, thankful and flanked by his wife who is recovering from an illness. There was no reference made to his opponent’s classless remarks about Carney missing one vote because of his wife’s cancer.

LEGISLATIVE RACES

The biggest news was the defeat of Todd Eachus in the 116th. Tarah Toohill ran a tough, slick campaign and the statewide GOP were licking their chops to try and knock off a leader. Toohill almost ran as a Democrat against Eachus but was persuaded to change party affiliation by some of the Barletta people. When the vote totals foer Hazle Twp. Came in with Eachus trailing, it became apparent that his run was over. Eachus made a statement in his concession speech about fixing the statewide pension system. He made reference to the fact that he will serve out his term working full time. Will we see any lame duck maneuvers?

THE OTHERS

Change didn’t extend to the other Legislative races were Ken Smith prevailed in the 112th against Lee Morgan. It proved the weakness of the Lackawanna County GOP when you can’t even beat a guy who hasn’t paid his taxes.
In the 113th Kevin Murphy won another term against Republican Mike LaPolla. The 114th District, in a seat held by Jim Wansacz will be held by Democrat Sid Michaels Kavulich who won against Dan Naylor.
Ed Staback turned back new comer Thersea Kane in the 115th. We talked about the 116th with Eachus being retired. In the 117th Karen Boback wins big over newcomer Richard Shermanski.
In the 118th Mike Carroll wins over Terrence O’Connor. Carroll won a big plurality in Luzerne County. In the 119th, Gerald Mullery beats Rick Arnold to take over John Yudichak’s seat. In the 120th, Phyllis Mundy breezes to another term beating West Pittston Mayor Bill Goldsworthy and Libertarian Tim Mullen who polled a respectable 15%. In the 121rst, Eddie Day Pashinski won big in the heavily dominated district of Democrats against Jim O’Meara.

THE SENATE

It was John Yudichak in the 14th defeating Steve Urban and Betsy Sommers, in the 22nd John Blake turned back Frank Scavo. In the 20th Lisa Baker ran unopposed. The make up of the Senate at least in the LuLac region did not change even with the retirements of Bob Mellow and Ray Musto.

THE CYCLE

The eight year cycle continues in Pennsylvania government.Tom Corbett defeats Dan Onorato and continues the party switch of the top job in Pa. that has gone on since 1954.

TOOMEY WINS

Joe Sestak loses to Pat Toomey. I thought Arlen Specter would have run a better race. Toomey is more right wing than Rick Santorum. If we survived him, I giuess we can survive Toomey.

HOME RULE WINS

Much to my surprise, Home Rule Yes won in Luzerne County. Commissioner Mary Anne Petrilla said once Home Rule is enacted, residents will see the changes made in Luzerne County government the last three years. The crafting of a new government will be a civics lesson everyone needs to pay attention to.

NAME CHANGE

Abington Twp. Has changed their name to Waverly. I bet that torks off the people with the huge houses in Waverly and thrills the former residents of Abington and their humble abodes.

JERRY IS BACK!

Jerry Brown won election as Governor of California. Again. He’ll make governing that state very interesting.

THE FUTURE?

Whether you want to believe it or not, the race for 2012 is on. Right now. The national GOP is thinking of a way to derail the President, the Democrats are trying to pick up the pieces and see what they can save of the Obama Presidency. And in diners and coffee shops in Lulac land this morning, you can bet there are meetings in the 10th and 11th Congressional district going on plotting how to make Lou Barletta and Tom Marino one term Congressman.