The LuLac Edition #4,613, November 4th, 2011

 

REPUBLICANS VOTED;

DEMOCRATS DIDN'T

GOP Chair Justin Behrens and Vice Chair P.J. Pribula (Photos: LuLac archives)  

 

If you want to sum up the election of 2021 in elevator pitch form, the title of today’s edition would be it. The night before I was on the phone with my usual political suspects and essentially said that the Republicans had as real shot of at least two to three people winning County Council seats. We also discussed the Judicial race for Common Pleas Court of Luzerne County and agreed that Tara Toohil had a puncher’s chance to narrowly win the nomination. Watching TV news on Tuesday night, our Monday night beliefs were confirmed.  On WNEP 2 when it was announced from the Toohil camp  that no press would be invited to The Brass Buckle  Corey O’Brien opined that this was an indication that Toohil’s people were expecting to trail badly. On the screen there was a disparity between Kokura Kravitz and Toohil. For most of the broadcast, (at least from what I saw) they never changed the graphic. An hour later WBRE/WYOU’s Andy Mehalshick was interviewing Kokura Kravitz and calling her Judge Elect. When 11:37pm rolled around, I got a text message from my Republican buddy who wrote, “Wow we were both wrong!"

When morning came, I like everyone else was stunned that the media’s write off Toohil was wrong. The County Council went from a purple prediction to all red. It was agreed by most political observers that no one, including some top Republicans didn’t see this coming. If the Grand Old Party was surprised, the local Democratic organization had to be shell shocked.  There appears to be a role reversal of the two parties concerning priorities in elections. Back in the 80s and early 90s the county Democrats had a great ground game and pretty much controlled the local offices. The county GOP was content to thump their chests with Reagan landslides and Bush 41’s first term that included a successful outcome in the first Iraq War. I grant you that this was when there was a Commissioner form of government. When the County had the corrupt purge and the Charter was developed, things started to change.

The Democrats in the county focused on national races of Obama, Clinton and Biden. The party was energized but not necessarily at the local level. The canary in the coal mine should have been the 2019 county council race when the Democratic County Council ticket was not unanimous in victory. The addition of Walter Griffith, Steve Urban Junior, Kendra Radle and Lee Ann McDermott  should have been a wake-up call to seriously look at why Democrats did so poorly. But along came 2020, COVID and then the national news coverage that seemed to pit the Dems as Ali and the GOP as Frazier when in effect the results read like Ali vs. Wepner in the case of the 2019 result for the Dems. .

After a Trump win in the County and a Cartwright scare, there should have been an awareness that having carried the state in 2020 didn’t fix the cracks in the local Democratic party facade. For the last 8 years, the Dems had three party chairs and we had a Democratic State Senator who became an Independent. That didn’t scream solidarity.  Meanwhile the Republican party here has been rebuilt in the ways that would make Democratic legends like Joe Tirpak and Dorothy Drugan blush. You not only had to be Republican you had to be the right kind of Republican. A few years back, tt was enough to have an R next to your name but now you couldn’t be a Republican maybe or a Republican "yeah but"....... you had to be a REPUBLI CAN with emphasis on the CAN. I can believe, I CAN vote turned into I will Believe and I will vote.

The GOP is more energized than the Dems. The numbers don’t lie.

Plus the GOP has been very strategic in the way it has methodically made itself into a force. Chairman Justin Berhins has been in the trenches twice as a candidate. His chairmanship of the party aided by the established political backers has been a record of growth and success. Before the election Berhins outlined the strategy detailing money being spent of  messaging and  advertising.  There was no word of national issues just local messaging of what affects people here. In terms of turnout Berhins indicated that for his party, there was no lack of passion or disunity. They were going to show up no matter what and no matter who the opponent was. Berhins  himself came to the fold by recruitment of P.J. Pribula who now serves as Vice Chair of the party. Pribula once a Democrat from a Democratic family felt his party left him. For over a decade and a half he has been a major force in recruitment and messaging. However his biggest claim is fundraising which through various events that included people showing up at said event (and not  just sending a check) and becoming part of the organized party. The growth in registration and funding gives the GOP a great base.

But then there is loyalty. The Democrats are certainly loyal to the principles they hold dear.  Come to a Dem rally and you’ll see that. But the difference in this election is that the GOP relentlessly followed through on their efforts. And they broached no dissension in the ranks.

They say past is prologue and it applies here. I’m not saying here that the Dems did anything wrong in terms of their belief system but there is a disconnect here of messaging that has enabled  the Republicans to  have duplicated the success of the Democratic party machine that dethroned  the GOP establishment in 1967. That election the Dems spoke to the people in Lyzerne County that moved them to make the donkeys the dominant force for generations. It appears that the current generation of GOP leaders have tapped into the psyche of voters who live in Luzerne County. The Dems have to ask, is our message wrong or is our delivery?

Politics is the art of persuasion. It appears that the GOP has won locally the persuasion contest. Plus they have convinced a large part of the population that you vote straight ticket. Period. No nuances. Straight down the line.

Somewhere the late Martin Murray is muttering to himself “Damn Republicans. They stole my line” which was “strona dźwignia”   Polish for straight lever. When NBC comes a calling in 2022 and ask whether this is becoming Trump country, the answer is yes. To find out why they better ask Berhins and Pribula for the recipe of their secret sauce of success.

I suspect though before they give an answer, they’ll hit up those out of town jaspers for a donation or a couple of registrations forms with the letter R on them. 

 

HAZLETON AREA 1-PITTSTON AREA-0

 The Judicial battle between Alexandra Kokura Kravitz and Tara Toohil was a tug of war between two cities at the opposite end of the county. Both towns have had representation on the Luzerne County bench. In Pittston then District Justice Mike Augello ascended to the court. His successor Fred Pierantoni acquired a seat in 2011 and this year was retained by the public. Hazleton had District Justice Michael Conahan whose tenure as we all know had a dubious outcome. Then there was Corey Stevens who was a State Representative, who then moved to the DA’s office and then the Court of Common Pleas. Stevens made it all the way to the Supreme Court of the state.

So when Tara Toohil tossed her hoodie into the ring it was not a surprise. Right from the start she was underrated by politicos but they forgot she has ad 6 campaigns under her belt. Further she has a support system of women and men her age who were loyal to her through the years.

Both cities did well in turnout but Toohil’s margin was more because of the fact that Hazleton and the GOP stood united in her cause.

Kokura Kravitz said in her ads she presided over 40,000 cases. It’s a great record to run on but at some point there had to be a few rulings she made out of the 40,000 that made her an enemy. Fair or not, the Legislative record of Toohil might have been more benign than a sitting Magistrate.  That difference plus this from an area that since the county had Common Pleas Court elections began by popular vote  has had 6 Pittston Area Judges (Dallasandro, Burke and Augello previously and currently Pierantni,  Rogers and Vough.

Hazleton most likely wanted to get back in the game and Toohil was the vehicle to have  them return as a community on the Luzerne County bench.

As time goes on, there will be more battles between these two cities sandwiched in between Wilkes-Barre. Tip O’Neil said that “all politics is local” and that saying has greater meaning in both Pittston and Hazleton. There will be fights for another day where Pittston will best the southern end of the county.

But this year the solidarity showed Toohil and the pitfalls of a candidacy by Kokura Kravitz won in the primary with her beating two challengers in close geographic proximity had an undeniable impact.

This year, it was Hazleton Area 1, Pittston Area 0. These are two towns that compete and keep score. 

 

 IT WAS THE MEDIA

When Corey O’Brien declared Tara Toohil' s candidacy out of reach and Andy Mehalshick interviewed Alexandra Kokura Kravitz on TV addressing her as “Judge elect” her campaign thought that she was in fact the winner. When it became evident that she lost to Tara Toohil, the question was who told the media that Kokura Kravitz was the winner? Was it sabotage from another campaign? Was it done deliberately  to make Kokura Kravitz look bad? Was it done to make the otherwise well-oiled campaign look awful at what it appears to be its lower point?  

There is enough intrigue in Luzerne County politics  without this thing hanging in the air.

The bottom line here is that the broadcast outlets got it wrong. It started on WNEP and then proceeded to WBRE/WYOU where quite frankly the most embarrassing thing took place. Andy was doing his job with the information he was given and Alexandra was being open with the media as she has done her entire career. 

All of this was compounded by the fact that they shared it with the Kokura Kravitz campaign. Trusted media sources tell you that you won and you’re going to turn down for an  interview?

The Kokura Kravitz campaign deserved better than this. If they had lost, they should have been given the opportunity to go out with the facts.

Next time before broadcast outlets  start opining  on races that aren’t even over by deadline time, they should check with the pols in the wards who know when there is a trend. Kokura Kravitz was winning communities she was slated to but not in the margins she should have received. Toohil while not winning these areas, was doing better than expected.

There is a plethora of nerdy bean counters out there on election night who will gladly share that information. Better to check with them first before turning on the TV lights and putting information out there that will need to be retracted in about an hour.

The audience doesn’t deserve that and neither do the candidates, winner and loser. 

 

 

A TAKE FROM AN OLD FRIEND ON 2021 

James O'Meara with Stefanie Salavantis in 2015 (Photo: LuLac archives)  

James O’Meara has been a lifelong Republican. He has been  friend of this site as well as a district chair for the party in two separate localities. He also ran for the State House in the 121rst district, Wilkes-Barre Area School Board and has managed a few campaigns. We agree on some, disagree on other things but our friendship never suffered. Here is his take on Tuesday night.

 Wow.

So many take-aways from this election; I’m not even sure where to start!

In our county, it was a bloodbath for Democrats on many levels. Only two  Democrats will be on Council next year, as it was a sweep for my old party. Walter is back. He’s a friend of mine, but Michelle Bednar (who I met years ago and have a lot of respect for) was pretty much on the wrong end of trickle down politics. There is a dissatisfaction with Washington that has gone all the way downstream. I saw this from the other direction years ago when the GOP took a pasting locally in the same fashion. I think it after GW’s last term, but I’m old and they all run together.

 I knew Virginia was in peril for the Democrats. What surprised me was New Jersey (still in doubt as of this writing).

I didn’t have an emotional investment in this race like I did when I was part of it all.  I am once again and forever shall remain unaffiliated. I’ll always vote, only now it’s on a case by case basis.  I’d hoped to stay Republican to vote against any extremist candidates in the Primary Elections, but abandoned that strategy. There came a point where I simply had to walk away; the party I served no longer exists.

 I toyed with the idea of going ‘D’ but the slow motion catastrophe going on over there (plus their own far-left folks) reaffirmed my choice to say a pox upon both houses.

 I do think it was a major mistake for the President to leave the country for a summit when his Party’s agenda was (and remains) in peril. He didn’t do the ask. He hopped the jet and flew overseas. Would he have been hammered in Europe for sending a surrogate? Sure. But the answer to that was to simply say that unless he got his ducks in a row at home, he wasn’t going to get anything done overseas.

 That’s it. I’m done. You might agree with none, some, or all of it. What’s great about our friendship is that we can wholeheartedly agree to disagree and then tear into the wings or dogs and figure out between us how to solve things. (You’re better at that than I am).

 All the best, my friend.

Jimbo

 

 REPS. CARTWRIGHT, LARSON INTRODUCE LANDMARK SOCIAL SECURITY BILL TO BOOST BENEFITS AND STRENGTHEN TRUST FUN

 Congressman Matt Cartwright (Photo: LuLac archives)

 This week, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright joined House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman John B. Larson (CT-01) to introduce Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust.

 “After a lifetime of work, every American deserves the dignity of a secure and fulfilling retirement. But Social Security hasn’t been improved in 50 years, and as a result millions of seniors receive poverty-level checks each month. It’s unacceptable,” said Rep. Cartwright. “Social Security 2100 will boost social security benefits, update the cost-of-living adjustment that has failed to keep pace with seniors’ expenses, and ensure benefits can be paid for years to come.”

 “Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust combines the best of the previous year’s Social Security 2100 Act with President Biden’s proposals to expand benefits and strengthen Social Security. The pandemic has only underscored what we already knew and has exacerbated systemic inequities – current benefits are not enough! Five million seniors are living in poverty due to longstanding discrimination in the labor force that affects mostly people of color and women. These are our mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, and neighbors. For too long, Congress has forsaken its duty to enhance benefits. It’s time that we act now,” said House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman John B. Larson (CT-01).

 Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust Increases Benefits

 Benefit bump for current and new beneficiaries – Provides an increase for all beneficiaries that is the equivalent to about 2 percent of the average benefit. The U.S. faces a retirement crisis and a modest boost in benefits strengthens the one leg of the retirement system that is universal and the most reliable.

Protection against inflation – Improves the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) formula to better reflect the costs incurred by seniors through adopting a CPI-E formula. This provision will help seniors who spend a greater portion of their income on health care and other necessities. Improved inflation protection will especially help older retirees and widows who are more likely to rely on Social Security benefits as they age.

Protects low-income workers – No one who paid into the system over a lifetime should retire into poverty. The new minimum benefit will be set at 25 percent above the poverty line and would be tied to wage levels to ensure that the minimum benefit does not fall behind.

Improves benefits for widows and widowers in two income household.

 Repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) that currently penalize many public servants.

Ends the 5-month waiting period to receive disability benefits.

Provides caregiver credits to ensure that caregivers are not penalized in retirement for taking time out of the workforce to care for children or other dependents.

Extends dependent benefits for students through age 26 and includes part-time students.

Increases access to benefits for children who live with grandparents or other relatives.Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust Strengthens the Trust Fund

 Have millionaires and billionaires pay the same rate as everyone else – Presently, payroll taxes are not collected on wages over $142,800. This legislation would apply the payroll tax to wages above $400,000. This provision would only affect the top 0.4% of wage earners.

Extends the depletion date (when a 20% cut to benefits would occur) to 2038 – Giving Congress more time to ensure long term solvency of the Trust Funds.

Social Security Trust Fund Established – Social Security provides all-in-one retirement, survivor, and disability benefits funded through the dedicated FICA contribution paid by workers. There are technically two trust funds, Old-Age and Survivors (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI), that are usually referred to as the Social Security Trust Fund. This provision combines the OASI & DI trust funds into one Social Security Trust Fund, to ensure that all benefits will be paid.

 

CASEY STATEMENT ON SCRANTON TEACHERS’ UNION STRIKE

 Senator Bob Casey (Photo: LuLac archives)

 

Senator Bob Casey released a statement regarding the Scranton teachers’ union strike:

 “Educators in the Scranton teachers’ union have been working without a contract and without a raise for five years. I urge both sides to stay at the negotiating table to try to come to a fair agreement for our kids, our teachers, other school professionals, taxpayers and the district. All parties need to keep working until the issues are resolved. Especially after the pandemic disrupted their education, we need to redouble our efforts to ensure that our kids can learn and thrive,” said Senator Casey.

  

GOV. WOLF: STATE INSURANCE EXCHANGE OPENS TODAY FOR 2022 HEALTH CARE COVERAGE

Governor Tom Wolf (Photo: LuLac archives)

 

Governor Tom Wolf announced that today begins the 2022 Open Enrollment Period for health care coverage through Pennie, Pennsylvania’s state-based health insurance marketplace.

“Pennie is the one-stop shop for Pennsylvanians’ health care needs,” Gov. Wolf said. “With Pennie, Pennsylvanians have access to a variety of resources to help them understand how to apply, shop, and enroll in health coverage including access to people who can help them right in their community. Pennie also provides financial assistance for those who qualify, which means health care coverage is more affordable for Pennsylvanians. Now, more Pennsylvanians can access the care they deserve, ultimately giving more people the opportunity to live healthier lives.”

 Gov. Wolf was joined by Philadelphia Mayor James Kenney, Pennsylvania Health Accs Network Executive Director Antoinette Kraus, Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman, and Pennie Executive Director Zachary W. Sherman at the Mayor’s Reception Room in Philadelphia to make the announcement.

 In July 2019, Gov. Wolf signed legislation establishing the state-based marketplace. Pennie replaces healthcare.gov as Pennsylvania’s official destination for shopping for quality health insurance plans and the only source for financial assistance to help with the cost of coverage and care. Currently there are nearly 344,000 Pennie customers throughout the commonwealth.

 “Now is the time to sign up for low-cost, quality coverage through Pennie.  As a result of the American Rescue Plan premium savings, coverage has never been more in reach for so many Pennsylvanians,” said Zachary Sherman. “Nine out of 10 Pennie customers qualify for savings which have increased in value for low-income individuals, working families and near-retirees. Open Enrollment is the opportunity for Pennsylvanians to protect their health and their budgets by getting the coverage they need to ensure access to care. We encourage the uninsured and anyone exploring their coverage options to visit pennie.com to enroll by Dec 15 for coverage that starts New Year’s Day.”

 “As Open Enrollment begins for 2022 plans, it’s an important time to celebrate just how far we’ve come on access to affordable, high-quality healthcare in Pennsylvania,” said Antoinette Kraus. “In the past year and a half, Medicaid and the ACA marketplace proved themselves to be a lifeline for Pennsylvanians by ensuring people maintained access to healthcare during a public health crisis; almost a million Pennsylvanians are now covered by Medicaid Expansion, and over 340,000 buy their insurance through Pennie.com.”

 In addition to Pennie, Gov. Wolf expanded Medicaid in 2015, ensuring more Pennsylvanians have access to Medical Assistance in Pennsylvania. Today, more than 3,300,000 Pennsylvanians are covered by Medical Assistance including almost 1 million people through the expansion. By expanding access to health care, the commonwealth realized the lowest uninsured rate in Pennsylvania history during the Wolf Administration and insurance rates are now the most stable year over year that they’ve ever been.

“We’re all better off when affordable health care is accessible to all,” said Gov. Wolf. “There’s more we need to do to ensure health equity in the commonwealth and my administration will continue to fight for true equity but expanding access to health care through Medicaid and ensuring affordable coverage is available through Pennie are both important steps. I encourage all Pennsylvanians who need health insurance coverage to go to www.pennie.com to explore your options. Open Enrollment begins today, and the Pennie team is standing by to serve you.”

 Individuals should visit www.pennie.com to learn more about Pennie or call Pennie customer care at 1-844-844-8040.

 

MEDIA MATTERS

 

WALN TV

 

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

 

 

This week's guest will be Teri Brechtel, Community Education Director for United Neighborhood Centers, discussing the RISE program.  You'll hear the program Sunday at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on 1400 am The Mothership and 7:30 am on 105 The River.

BOBBY V’S DOO WOP SOCK HOP

SUNDAY NIGHTS!

 

1987

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New York City Marathon: Ibrahim Hussein of Kenya wins men's race, 2:11:01; English runner Priscilla Welch women's champion, 2:30:17……..New York Jets retire Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Don Maynard's jersey #13…….Brazilian Williams driver Nelson Piquet finishes 15th in the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka but clinches his 3rd Formula 1 World Drivers Championship…….New Zealand All Blacks create a rugby union international world record score when they beat Japan, 106-4 at the National Stadium in Tokyo………Entertainer Lola Falona is diagnosed with multiple schlerosis….. George Harrison releases "Cloud 9" & Paul McCartney releases "All the Best"….. Oakland A's first baseman Mark McGwire wins American League Rookie of the Year with 49 home runs, 118 RBI; second to win AL award unanimously; first Carlton Fisk 1972…. Gordon Gould issued US patent US4704583 for the laser, ending his 30-year battle to be credited as the inventor of the laser….. NBA announces 4 new franchises; Charlotte & Miami for 1988 & Minneapolis & Orlando for 1989…..and in 1987 the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Should Have Known Better” by Richard Marx.