Barletta ‘Confident’ of Victory
October 5, 2010
| WILKES-BARRE TWP. – Lou Barletta looked and talked like a different candidate than the one who lost in 2002 and 2008. He said Tuesday he’s confident there will be one more major difference – the result. Barletta, 54, the Republican mayor of Hazleton, is running against 13-term Democratic incumbent, U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski of Nanticoke, in the Nov. 2 general election. Barletta held the first of five planned town hall meetings Tuesday night – this one at the Wilkes-Barre Township Fire Hall. More than 150 people showed up to hear and shake the hand of Barletta, who bashed his opponent and answered questions. Barletta has criticized Kanjorski for not having open town hall meetings, despite Kanjorski’s contention that he has met routinely with constituents. Barletta thanked the people for coming out in the rain and urged them to spread the word – to talk to family and friends, to make phone calls and, most importantly, he asked them for their vote. “This isn’t campaign talk,” Barletta said after the 90-minute session. “These meetings don’t end after this campaign is over. When I’m congressman, I will continue to hold town hall meetings throughout the 11th District.” Barletta said he became a grandfather since the 2008 election when he lost to Kanjorski by more than 9,000 votes. The 11th Congressional District holds a decisive registration edge for Democrats. “I do feel more confident this time,” Barletta said. “I think I get that from listening to the people and their concerns. I’m more determined this time, too. I want my grandson, Gabriel, to have a bright future.” Barletta said this election is about changing Washington, not changing America. The Republican candidate fielded questions about Social Security, the economy, jobs, health care, illegal immigration, term limits, veterans’ benefits and taxes. “The first thing I will do when I get to Washington is vote to de-fund the health care bill,” he said as the crowd applauded. “The government can’t fix America. The stimulus bill passed and unemployment went up. And they’re not done. If the people are happy with the way things are going, then Paul Kanjorski is their guy.” Barletta said he realizes it’s always difficult to beat an incumbent, but he said he has a sense that this election – which he called the most important election of his lifetime – will show how frustrated the American public actually is. “I’ve been listening to all the concerns,” he said. “This election isn’t about Republicans and Democrats – it’s about two very different visions of America.” Barletta noted that Kanjorski has voted with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi 97 percent of the time. Ed Mitchell, spokesman for the Kanjorski campaign, issued a statement on behalf of the congressman. “Instead of talking about Pelosi, tax cuts for the wealthiest 2 percent of the country and national deficits, did Barletta explain the mess he created in Hazleton?” Mitchell asked. “Did he say how he doubled the deficit? How about his 70 percent increase in property taxes and 20 percent hike of the earned income tax? Why does Hazleton have the highest jobless rate in Pennsylvania? “This is what’s on people’s minds. He was a bad mayor and would be a worse congressman.” Barletta said he favors term limits and said 10 years in Congress is long enough. “If you’re there too long, you become beholding to Washington and not the people back home,” he said. Barletta talked about illegal immigration and how the volatile issue changed his life and changed Hazleton. He said the U.S. immigration policy is “broken” and needs to be strengthened. “We can’t be afraid to talk about this issue,” Barletta said. “This issue needs leadership.” Barletta was asked his stance on Social Security. He said he has opposed privatization of Social Security since 2002. “Those ads my opponent is running are just designed to scare senior citizens,” he said. “I’m not afraid to stand up for what I believe in,” he said. “And I’m not afraid to stand alone.” A man told Barletta that he lost his job Monday and said he was supporting Barletta because he believes he can make a difference in Washington. Another man apologized for not voting for Barletta in the past. “But you have my vote this time, I promise,” the man told Barletta. Barletta said Washington was spending money like a drunken sailor and then said a Navy veteran once responded to that statement. “He told me even a drunken sailor knows enough to stop drinking when he runs out of money,” Barletta said. “Kanjorski believes Obama and Pelosi are right – I do not.” A man who identified himself as “Jay” said he was hired by the Pennsylvania Democratic Party to videotape the meeting and post it on YouTube. Barletta said he looks forward to meeting with people in each of the five counties – he has scheduled town hall meetings in Monroe, Carbon and Columbia counties and is awaiting confirmation on Lackawanna County. |