An Interesting Collection of Updates in Pa 11th Congressional District

PA-11 CLIPS
20-21-22 Sep 2008

WITH BARLETTA OR KANJORSKI MENTIONED
The Hill
Realtors PAC continues to spend big, adds two GOPers
The political action committee for the National Association of Realtors continues to have a big early presence in individual congressional races, spending more than $1.3 million last week on two Republicans and one Democrat.
…
The PAC also spent another $60,000 on radio ads and $220,000 on direct mail for Kanjorski, who is one of the most vulnerable Democrats in the House in his matchup against Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta (R).
The Realtors have now spent $890,000 total on Kanjorski. That investment is second only to the $990,000 the PAC spent in April and May on failed New Mexico GOP congressional candidate Monty Newman, who is a realtor.
…
http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/realtors-pac-continues-to-spend-big-adds-two-gopers-2008-09-21.html


Scranton Times
Kanjorski defends financial oversight record
As a member of a key House banking subcommittee, Democratic U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski had a ringside seat as the nation’s banking system cascaded into a crisis that’s threatening the American economy.Lou Barletta, the Republican Hazleton mayor challenging Mr. Kanjorski for his 10th District seat, charges the congressman sat idly by while it all unraveled because of $2.7 million in campaign contributions from banking, real estate and insurance industry political action committees and executives.“This is the classic case of the fox watching the henhouse, Paul Kanjorski watching over the henhouse,” Mr. Barletta said.
http://scrantontimes.com/articles/2008/09/21/news/sc_times_trib.20080921.a.pg10.tt21kanjorski_s1.1959105_top3.txt

Also in the Citizens’ Voice
Barletta accuses Kanjorski of sitting idly while problem unfolded
http://citizensvoice.com/articles/2008/09/21/news/wb_voice.20080921.a.pg1.cv21cdkanjorski_s1.1961078_top3.txt

And here
Here is a partial list of legislation and actions that U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski has taken to ensure the health of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, combat predatory lending and improve mortgage markets, according to his office.
http://citizensvoice.com/articles/2008/09/21/news/wb_voice.20080921.a.pg15.cv21cdkanjorski2_s1.1961105_loc.txt

And in the Standard-Speaker
Barletta calls Kanjorski’s role into question
http://standardspeaker.com/articles/2008/09/22/news/hz_standspeak.20080921.a.pg1.hz21_ttkanjorski_s1.1961205_top5.txt


FINANCIAL FALLOUT
The financial earthquake that shook Wall Street last week has created an aftermath in Northeast Pennsylvania, impacting a project to draw New York and New Jersey financial firms to the region.Before officials at large financial firms such as Bear Sterns and Lehman Brothers were drowning in red ink, they probably heard a pitch from Wall Street West officials. U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-11, used his position on a powerful House committee to get audiences with key financial world players and urged them to consider locating operations to Northeast Pennsylvania.
http://scrantontimes.com/articles/2008/09/21/business/sc_times_trib.20080921.h.pg1.tt21wallstreet_s1.1955987_bus.txt

Wall Street West gained, then lost, steam
The Wall Street West movement has involved everyone from on-the-ground economic developers to state and federal officials.If the project’s birth could be traced to a single moment it would probably be the April 2003 phone call U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-11, made to James Cummings of Penn’s Northeast.Mr. Kanjorski was the ranking Democrat on a key financial subcommittee, and Mr. Cummings was the top economic development marketer for the five-county region.
http://scrantontimes.com/articles/2008/09/21/business/sc_times_trib.20080921.h.pg2.tt21history_s1.1956324_bus.txt

Vast corruption dilutes pressure
(Editorial)
Rep. Charles Rangel of New York recently came under substantial public pressure to resign his position as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. Mr. Rangel acknowledged, after several news stories reported, that he had failed to pay about $75,000 in taxes on revenue from an offshore income property that he owns, and that he has potentially inappropriate stakes in a number of rent-controlled apartments in his Harlem district.The tax issue is particularly troublesome because the Ways and Means Committee is Congress’ chief tax-writing committee. Citizens reasonably should be able to expect that the chairman of that committee pays his own taxes in full.Mr. Rangel decided not to resign, however, because he came under virtually no pressure from his congressional colleagues on either side of the aisle. The reason — pervasive corruption makes Mr. Rangel difficult to isolate as a target.Given that this is a congressional and presidential election year, one would think that Mr. Rangel’s situation would inspire a rollicking political debate about congressional ethics. But it has not developed because the ethical quagmire is so broad and deep.
House Republicans grumbled but did not express outrage because several of their own former committee chairmen and veteran representatives are under ethics or criminal investigations.The reach is very long. As reported by The New York Times, Rep. Paul Kanjorski planned to go ahead with a Washington fundraiser with Mr. Rangel as the featured guest. Mr. Kanjorski isn’t worried about his political ties to Mr. Rangel. Instead, he has pointed out that his Republican opponent, Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta, accepted a contribution in the past from Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska, who is under indictment for allegedly failing to report substantial gifts from political supporters.So, on it goes. It is difficult to drive reform when pervasive corruption denies either party a platform to produce it.
http://scrantontimes.com/articles/2008/09/21/editorial/sc_times_trib.20080921.d.pg3.tt21edit2_s1.1957420_edi.txt

Barletta upset of Kanjorski could force Doherty’s hand
(Roderick Random column)
We might find out in just a few months how much Chris Doherty loves being mayor.With a long-rumored interest in running for Congress, Scranton’s top dog might have a tough decision if U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski loses his re-election bid.Congress or mayor?The possibility of Mr. Kanjorski losing was reinforced this week with the release of a Franklin & Marshall College/Times-Shamrock Newspapers poll showing he trailed Republican challenger Lou Barletta 44 to 35 percent among 547 registered voters.
http://scrantontimes.com/articles/2008/09/20/editorial/roderick/sc_times_trib.20080920.a.pg13.tt20roderick_s1.1942036_rod.txt


Citizens’ Voice
Kanjorski: ‘This is meltdown’
The cost of a proposed federal bailout of the nation’s lending system could be as much as $1 trillion, U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski said, even greater than the “hundreds of billions of dollars” estimate that Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson issued Friday.
http://citizensvoice.com/articles/2008/09/20/news/wb_voice.20080920.t.pg4.cv20cdbailout_s1.1959752_top4.txt


Times Leader
Kanjo changes support of oil drilling bills
U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski Tuesday night voted against an energy bill he co-sponsored and praised earlier this summer. He then voted for a bill that includes provisions he had opposed.
Kanjorski signed on as a co-sponsor of House Resolution 6709, a bipartisan bill called the National Conservation, Environment, and Energy Independence Act, on July 3. The bill, which would have lifted the ban on offshore drilling, had broad bipartisan support and Kanjorski was one of its 138 co-sponsors.
http://www.timesleader.com/news/Kanjo_changes_support_of_oil_drilling_bills_09-20-2008.html

Kanjo 7th in money received
U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, has received $96,000 in campaign donations from mortgage buyers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac since 1989 – ranking him seventh among all members of Congress who received donations from the two firms.
The rankings were compiled by Capital Eye, a division of OpenSecrets.org, which describes itself as nonpartisan, independent and nonprofit, and “the nation’s premier research group tracking money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy.”
The U.S. government recently took control of the two government-sponsored enterprises that have donated $4.8 million to current members of Congress – 57 percent of the recipients being Democrats.
http://www.timesleader.com/news/Kanjo_7th_in_money_received_09-21-2008.html

PRIDE & TEARS
HAZLETON – Children could be heard screaming “I want my daddy” through their tears. But they weren’t the only ones crying.
Moms, sisters, girlfriends and wives also broke into sobs Saturday morning as 83 soldiers from the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 2nd Squadron of the 104th Regiment boarded two charter buses to travel to Fort Indiantown Gap to begin training in preparation for a January deployment to Iraq.
…
Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta was on hand to meet with soldiers before their departure.
“We are so proud of them and that they are going to serve in the manner that they are. To see their families here I felt it was important to let them know that the people of Hazleton will be with them while they are gone,” said Barletta, a Republican, who will be facing Democratic U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski of Nanticoke in the November election for the 11th District seat.
Kanjorski, who is chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee, stayed in Washington D.C. over the weekend to help draft legislation during the nation’s economic crisis. But he did commend the troops for their service. “As they leave today to fulfill their military duties, they have mine and the American people’s full support. I hope that our mission in Iraq will soon come to an end and that our troops come home safely to their families.”
http://www.timesleader.com/news/PRIDE__amp__TEARS_09-21-2008.html


Standard-Speaker
‘Prepared to serve’
Pvt. Matthew Williams was one of the first Pennsylvania Army National guardsmen in line to pick up his military-issued weapon Saturday morning.Like others from the 88-member National Guard unit based at the Hazleton Armory, Williams signed in, picked up his rifle, and thus began the first leg of a deployment that will eventually take him to Iraq.
…
Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta spoke during a deployment ceremony held in the troop’s honor. He told guardsmen that the area will continue to offer both its support and prayers.“For generations, great men and women from the Greater Hazleton area have stood up and proudly served in the United States military. They served with distinction, bringing honor to themselves and their community,” he said. “Today, you join their ranks — and we couldn’t be more proud of you.”
…
http://standardspeaker.com/articles/2008/09/22/news/hz_standspeak.20080921.a.pg1.hz21_deployment_s1.1960932_top2.txt


Press Enterprise
30 Seconds
There are seven council members in Shickshinny Borough six are elected Democrats. Where is Kanjorski. Where is Bigus. Why no campaign signs. All you see are Boback signs in the Borough. The Chairman for the Democrat party is not doing the job on this.
Lower Luzerne County
Man, e-mail

Dear Editor, Can you tell me why there has been so little (or no) media coverage of the Kanjorski scandal? I saw a NBC program about a month ago where he funneled 10.1 Million dollars to a sham company run by his family. They declared bankruptcy 2 years after they opened their doors. No product. I would love to see who was on the payroll How can that be legal? Why isn't Barletta and company running ads on that subject? Why isn't the local media after Kanjorski for an explanation? Mr Sachetti ... will you breach this subject with Kanjorski? Is there any hope? This election - the only real change that can happen is by throwing out everyone who is currently in office.
SadnMad, e-mail
Salem Township Man
(Most newspapers in Kanjorski's district have been writing about the Cornerstone scandal since 2002. We were doing our job; you apparently were not paying attention.)

I am a supporter of Lou Barletta. Kanjorski's supporters must really be feeling the pressure from Lou when they feel the need to remove Lou's signs from the side of Route 11. This makes them a crook, just like Kanjorski himself.
Salem Township man


LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Scranton Times
Losing groundEditor: I read with great amazement about the decision of Scranton Zoning Board to deny an exception for a Latino dance studio. We still divide and prohibit the joining of cultures in this city.It is a great master plan that community leaders undertook years ago to get rid of the Afro-American community by clearing away all that involved their neighborhood and promising a safer, cleaner and well-constructed area. Now that is to be purchased and done away with eventually. It is an end of black and biracial historical culture — all in the name of education. Not one political and/or community leader spoke up on behalf of the neighborhood; those of us who do fight to hang on to this area are labeled anti-education. I wonder who will fight for the old Scranton Tech High School when it is sold behind closed doors, as was the field next to it.Perhaps part of the funds raised by the sales should be invested in the teaching of respect for all cultural communities in this city.Political leaders across this city and county should keep in mind that the number of Latino residents is growing rapidly and they may need their votes some day. What can you tell them you have done for them and their neighborhood except to insult and belittle them?The 1960s are over. It is time to grow up and catch up with the rest of the world. Let the Barletta Syndrome end in Scranton. Perhaps that is why we are noted as a “dying city,” because we have not yet learned how to live!REV. KATHRYN SIMMONSFLORENCE-MIDTOWN CRIME WATCHSCRANTON


Times Leader
Look what GOP has done for nation
Remember when the Republicans controlled every branch of federal government from 2000 to 2006?
They controlled the U.S. House, the Senate, the White House (with President Bush), and seven of nine Supreme Court justices were Republican-chosen. They controlled every federal committee, department and agency.
I vividly remember how they took advantage of this first-time, 100 percent, total control for those six consecutive years. They came through like they always promised they would if they had the majority, and they banned abortion, overturned Roe vs. Wade, outlawed gay marriage, outlawed flag-burning, balanced the budget, opened up offshore drilling, initiated school vouchers and stopped illegal immigration.
God bless the Republicans for having that six-year period to do what they always promised Republican voters. But it gets better!
We can do all these things again. With Republicans John McCain, Chris Hackett and Lou Barletta.
Dan Spak Yatesville


Pocono Record
Kanjorski ought to debate in Monroe
Editor, the Record:
Kudos to the Pocono Record for bringing to light the fact that Congressman Kanjorski refuses to debate Mayor Barletta here in Monroe County. Kanjorski claims he is too busy, yet he has time to walk around Stroud Fest for several hours looking for friendly faces. Where is the outrage from other area institutions such as the League of Women Voters, WNEP TV and East Stroudsburg University, to name a few? Monroe County with its population of 165,000 people deserves better. To Congressman Kanjorski, I say, "Debate here. Debate now."
TOM GEFFERS
Canadensis


BLOGS
Could Republicans take a House seat?
21 hours ago by Austin Cassidy The survey, conducted by Franklin & Marshall College, shows Hazleton Mayor and Republican nominee Lou Barletta with 44% to Congressman Kanjorski’s 35%. Unfortunately, Barletta’s gain won’t be nearly enough to off-set the 20 or 30 House ...Conservative Pulse - http://conservativepulse.com/home

Paul Kanjorski supported Predatory Lending
21 Sep 2008 by McGruff The Hazleton Standard Speaker features an article in its Sunday edition- Barletta calls Kanjorski’s role into question . Paul Kanjorski's congressional office issued an eight page timeline of the congressman's record "to regulate Fannie ...Sights on Pennsylvania - http://sightsonpennsylvania.blogspot.com/[ More results from Sights on Pennsylvania ]

Vote a Conservative Congress - Lou Bartletta (R PA-11)
20 Sep 2008 by gregjaye Lou Barletta is one of the key candidates for Congress this year. He will fight to secure the nation's borders. This is especially important, since Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) is retiring from Congress after this year. Lou Barletta, is the ...A Good Choice . . . - http://agoodchoice.blogspot.com/

Pa-11: Kanjorski Trails In Yet Another Poll
20 Sep 2008 by admin Still, with three polls showing Barletta leading (albeit, two of them were Barletta internals) and no other polls to inform us otherwise, it’s getting increasingly difficult to give Kanjorski the benefit of the doubt here. ...Politics - Sharpy News - http://sharpynews.com/politics

House Race Tracker
20 Sep 2008 by jonathangodfrey Barletta 47. 4.9, -5. PA-15 D+2, Sam Bennett (D). $354000. Work What Dent Seems to Want. Charlie Dent (R-Inc). $687000. Broken Promises. Polling Unavailable. TX-07 R+16, Michael Skelly (D). $1050000. Keeping Faith On Top ...House Race Polling - http://houseracepolling.wordpress.com

Lou Barletta endorsed by NRA
19 Sep 2008 by Zen HAZLETON – US Congressional candidate Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta will receive the endorsement of at least two national gun rights groups at 12:30 pm on Sunday, Sept. 21, at the Mainville Sportsman Club, Fire Hall Lane (just off Route ...Political Rants - http://zenspoliticalrants.blogspot.com/

Source of the Financial Crisis: Government Interference on Behalf ...
5 hours ago by John Kanjorski of Pennsylvania, said they will oppose any attempt to make the regulator less independent from Treasury or to move business oversight out of HUD. Kanjorski said he was surprised by the White House position, given that the bill ...Verum Serum - http://www.verumserum.com

Independent Expenditure Round-up: 9/15-21
13 hours ago by James L. PA-11, Kanjorski, DCCC, $22583, $281503. PA-11, Kanjorski, NARPAC, $272276, $847308. TX-23, Rodriguez, DCCC, $13014, $37336. VA-11, Open, DCCC, $47796, $151399. Total Blue, $3042193, $6594734. Total Red, $1039430, $1039430 ...Swing State Project - http://www.swingstateproject.com/ - References

We Must Stop This
21 hours ago by Sensei Schutte The PAC also spent another $60000 on radio ads and $220000 on direct mail for Kanjorski, who is one of the most vulnerable Democrats in the House in his matchup against Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta (R). ...BORN ANGRY - http://senseitim.blogspot.com/

Sorry, wrong number
19 Sep 2008 by D.B. Echo Do you plan to vote for Lou Barletta or Paul Kanjorski? Me: Kanjorski. Her: OK, in the upcoming election, which of these subjects will influence your decision? (I don't remember all the items, but it was a list of five, including the ...Another Monkey - http://anothermonkey.blogspot.com/

Obama's Love Affair with Fannie Mae
19 Sep 2008 by George Dienhart The short answer is Obama, Clinton, Dodd, Kanjorski and Kerry. These powerful Washington insiders acted to protect their own interests- and the interests of a major campaign contributor. The Bush plan never came to be. ...illinoisreview - http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/

QUOTES OF THE DAY
“This is meltdown. Even in 1929 we never had a meltdown. This could actually cause the failure of the republic. How do we know how people would respond to this?”
Paul Kanjorski, speaking in the Citizens’ Voice. He mentions “republic” so many times, he might actually be a republican!


GO MAYOR LOU!!!!!!!