The LuLac Edition #2224, October 11th, 2012

Vice President Joe Biden and Paul Ryan with moderator Martha Radiz at tonight's debate.
 

BIDEN AND  RYAN DEBATE 

Tonight Vice President Joe Biden faced off against Cong4ressman Paul Ryan in the Vice Presidential debate. Both men were relaxed and prepared. For all the talk about the jitters that Paul Ryan was supposed to have, well I just didn’t see it. Biden showed the skills and passion that he has had throughout his 40 year career. This debate just might be a mixed blessing though for the Obama/Biden ticket. Biden was so good that it is going to be a constant reminder about just how bad the President was last week. There are many people who have portrayed Biden as a clown and buffoon. But the man has command of the facts and has something that many candidates in this modern era (especially Obama, Romney and even Ryan) unabashed joy and passion for what he does. This helpe4d him argue the facts. But more importantly this debate starkly separated the ideology of both men. Look at the abortion issue. Ryan made it clear that there would be a pro life administration. Biden retorted that it is important that Supreme Court judges be picked by a President that wants to give women a choice. There was talk about Libya at the top of the debate and I thought Biden would be put on the defensive given the hearings on Capitol Hill. But Biden played the Bin Laden and terror card outlining what the President did since taking office to fight terrorism. The most important contrast was when both men were asked about the economy and tax cuts. It was crystal clear that Ryan wanted to cut taxes for those who have already “got theirs.” He carried the water for the rich and powerful who keep on getting rich and powerful. Biden spoke about the across the board tax cuts for middle class Americans. He declared that there was a war on the middle class and that a continued Obama administration would give those Americans a break. A break they deserve. Biden and Ryan differed on the definition of what a small business was all about. On women’s issues, Ryan made it clear that any health care plan was going to be harmful to women’s reproductive rights. Because of this stance, Ryan contrasted his strong position against Romney who has been all over the map on this. Biden has been consistent on this issue. Stylistically both men looked into the camera when they had to make their points. Biden when reaffirming his facts on Social Security and Ryan when he was making his closing remarks. Tonight Ryan needed to cross a threshold that Sarah Palin couldn’t. And that was that he could be President if need be. He did that with his demeanor and the way he comported himself. You might not agree with ideology but at least he had one that he could explain and defend. Tonight Biden needed to do the heavy lifting for the Democratic party. He was passionate, he defended those 47% that Romney identified as freeloaders and even came after the Republicans who kneel at the altar of Grover Norquist regarding taxes. Biden declared that there should be a pledge to help the middle class get tax relief. It was a good night for both men and parties. Neither hurt their cause.  It will keep things even which is all you can ask for in a Vice Presidential debate. The Obama people hope this will blunt the Romney surge. The Romney people hope it will keep it going. 

FLASH POLL 

CBS News ran a flash poll. 50% felt Biden won, 33% thought Ryan won. But as they say the only poll that counts is the one on Election Day. The polls to watch will be the ones in the crucial battle ground states.

Our "Your Survey, Your Say" logo.  

YOUR SURVEY, YOUR SAY

Here’s the latest news from the LuLac poll we took this week on the 2012 Presidential race. This poll is from LuLaC readers. . Here are the results on the question 
If the 2012 presidential election were held today, whom would you vote for? 
ROMNEY: 45%. 
OBAMA 48.%. 
NO ONE 4%. 
NOT SURE 3%.

Matt Cartwright and Laureen Cummings at the big debate Wednesday night with the Times Leader’s Mark Jones. 

CARTWRIGHT/CUMMINGS DEBATE RECAP 

Last night the 17th Congressional District candidates for Congress had their chance. Before 100 people at the Stark Learning Center at Wilkes College, the Times Leader and Service Electric TV hosted a debate. It was broadcast live on WYLN TV 35. Republican Tea Party activist Laureen Cummings faced off with Attorney Matt Cartwright. Both are from Lackawanna County and gave ssark choices between a dyed in the wool Democrat and a dyed in the wool conservative. Both answered, ahem, “13” questions posed by moderator Mark Jones of the Times Leader. Cartwright stressed the fact that the Tea Party has done nothing but say no to any type of meaningful change in Washington, D.C. He declared the Tea Party caucus as well the GOP as the party of “no”. Cummings said that there should be people in Congress to say no to the big debt and spending. Both were civil and even cordial to each other when making points. Cummings chided Cartwright and his profession saying that lack of tort reform was the big part of the problem in Washington. Cartwright hammered his theme that you have to be for something, not against everything. They did agree on standing up to Iran to protect Israel, a key, long time American ally as well as term limits. But on a few issues, the differences were apparent. On Tobyhanna Army Depot, Cartwright said he’d fight for its existence and importance to the district. In a bizarre comment, Cummings referenced the Middle East problem in Libya and said cuts shouldn’t be coming from defense. On Health Care, Cartwright said he was steadfastly in favor of the Affordable Care Act even if it wasn’t perfect. Cummings said as a nurse she’d favor repeal of Obama care but as a nurse would know where to cut costs in Congress where no one would get hurt. Cartwright is heavily favored after beating 20 year incumbent Tim Holden in a largely Democratic district. Cummings who first had contemplated a run for U.S. Senate is the underdog. The two however acquitted themselves well in their presentation and fielding of the Times Leader’s, ahem, “13 Questions”. 

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT 

 

MELLOW IN THE DOCK 

Finally a federal judge has scheduled former state Sen. Robert Mellow’s sentencing on mail fraud and tax evasion charges for Nov. 30. Former Senate Leader Mellow, plead guilty in May to charges related to his illegal use of senate staff to perform campaign work for himself and his political allies. He also admitted to under reporting his income on his 2008 tax return. Sal Cognetti, one of Mellow’s ;lawyers had asked U.S. District Judge Joel Slomsky to schedule sentencing for some time in December due to a month-long vacation Cognetti is or was polann8injg to take. The U.S. Attorney’s office objected, requesting a d ate some time in November.

Libertarian Presidential candidate Gary Johnson. 

LIBS STILL STAYING 

The Libertarian Party’s candidates will stay on Pennsylvania’s ballot. A state judge ruled in favor of the party the other day ending a nearly eight-week review of petition signatures that was forced by a challenge backed by the state Republican Party. The ruling keeps Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson on the Pennsylvania ballot, as well as its candidates for U.S. Senate candidate Betsy Summers on the ballot. Summers lost a three way race for Mayor of Wilkes Barre last year to incumbent Tom Leighton. (More on this story this weekend). 

MEDIA MATTERS 

SUNDAY MAGAZINE 

This Week on Sunday Magazine Brian Hughes speaks with Carol Crane about a big fundraiser for the Pittston Memorial Library at the Kirby Center in November, featuring Pittston's own Shaun Klush. This Week in Harrisburg examines the statewide PSSA student test results, October is both Domestic Violence and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Commonwealth Court's recent ruling on Pennsylvania's voter ID law. And Brian speaks with nutrition expert Doug Ingoldsby, who discusses whether name brand children's vitamins are really providing children with what they need. Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5am on Great Country 93.7, 5:30am on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X, 6:25am on Magic 93, and 7am on True Oldies 590, WARM. 

ECTV 

Scranton's history will take center stage on ECTV Live during the week of October 15th as hosts Tom Munley and David DeCosmo welcome Margo Azzarelli to the program. Ms. Azzarelli will discuss a new walking tour of the city's Green Ridge historic neighborhood which is scheduled later this month. ECTV Live is seen on Comcaast Ch19 everyday at Noon and Midnight. Additional showings are offered on selected weekdays at 6pm. 

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE 

This week Shadoe Steele presents “Saturday Night Live” at the Oldies on WILK AM and FM. Tune in from 7pm to midnight with ABC News on the top of the hour. Shadoe’s special feature this week is a 2003 interview with the late Andy Williams.

Our "1967" logo.  

1967 

Students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison protest over recruitment by Dow Chemical on the University campus. 76 are injured in the resulting riot. o Walt Disney's 19th full-length animated feature The Jungle Book, the last animated film personally supervised by Disney, is released and becomes an enormous box-office and critical success. On a double bill with the film is the (now) much less well-known true-life adventure, Charlie the Lonesome Cougar…….Senator Joseph Clark, Pennsylvania’s Democratic Senator enrages the White House with his opposition to the Vietnam War. In public statements, Clark says that the Gulf of Tonkin resolution was a false pretense for starting a war he fears we would not get out of in anytime soon. The Johnson administration’s policies on Vietnam are a big bone of contention between the second term Senator and the White House…..in Luzerne County, GOP Commissioner candidates Ethel Price and Jim Post travel throughout the county. Price is well received but Democrats point to Post’ backing of the property reassessment in his term as County Commissioner Chair……and 45 years ago this week the number 1 song in LuLac land and America was “Soul Man” by Sam and Dave.