The LuLac Edition #1905, January 17th, 2012

Debates.

SOUTH CAROLINA GOP DEBATE #1

Last night’s Republican presidential debate found front-runner Mitt Romney defending his record as a capitalist, saying he bears no responsibility for attack ads aired by his allies. He also said he might release his tax returns by spring"I have nothing in them that suggests there's any problem and I'm happy to do so," he said. "I sort of feel like we're showing a lot of exposure at this point," he added in an apparent reference to the campaign to come against Democratic President Barack Obama.
Romney came under fire from the opening moments of the debate, the first of two in the run-up to this weekend's first-in-the-South primary in South Carolina. The former Massachusetts governor won the first two events of the campaign, the Iowa caucuses and last week's New Hampshire primary, and leads in the pre-primary polls in South Carolina.
One of his rivals, Newt Gingrich, stated that a victory for Romney in South Carolina would assure his nomination as Obama's Republican rival in the fall, and none of the other remaining contenders has challenged that idea.
That only raised the stakes for Monday night's debate, feisty from the outset as Gingrich, Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum sought to knock Romney off stride while generally being careful to wrap their criticism in anti-Obama rhetoric.
"We need to satisfy the country that whoever we nominate has a record that can stand up to Barack Obama in a very effective way," said Gingrich.
The five men on stage also sought to outdo one another in calling for lower taxes.
Paul won that competition handily, saying he thought the top rate should be zero.
And in a state with a heavy military presence, the tone seemed more aggressive than in earlier debates.
Gingrich drew strong applause when he said: "Andrew Jackson had a pretty clear idea about America's enemies. Kill them."
The debate began hours after Romney received an endorsement from former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who suspended his own candidacy and urged the remaining contenders to stop attacking one another for fear it might benefit Obama in November.
There is a second debate this week leading up to the important primary on Saturday. It looks like Romney has a commanding lead. He may win it not because people are clamoring for him but because the conservative wing of the party is still fragmented. Gingrich is spending a few million and Rick Santorum has received the endorsement of religious leaders. Perry keeps chipping away and though weakened still divides up the vote. Then of course there is Ron Paul. Unless something drastic happens this week, look for Romney to cement the lead for the nomination on Saturday night.
Source: AOL, LuLac

SAM SORBER

The greater Wilkes Barre area and Hanover Township lost a long time politicval icon on Saturday. Sam Sorber died this past weekend. Sorber died Saturday. He was born April 27, 1921, in Lower Askam and was the son of the late Samuel H. and Marie Davison Sorber. He attended Hanover schools, graduated from Hanover Township Memorial High School and attended Bloomsburg University. Samuel owned and operated Sorber's Service Center in Lee Park for over 50 years. In his political career, he served first as tax collector for 16 years and later as township commissioner for 22 years. In addition to serving his constituents for almost 40 years, he was Second Legislative District Chairman for 12 years. Although he had a stellar run in politics, the love of his life was his business. He supported area youth by hosting car washes and sponsoring/advertising at football games. His civic affiliations consisted of the Hanover Township Lions Club, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Mr. Sorber served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. Legend had it that if you wanted any kind of a favor in Hanover Township, you had better be a Sam Sorber Republican. He was old school but a straight shooter. He is survived by his daughter Ruth.