KP's Delegation '08 Blog

Veteran Finds Hackett's Ads Disgraceful

Greg Palmer — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:51:20 -0400

I got the opportunity today to speak with a young veteran from the 10th Congressional District, Chris Finan, a former Air Force Captain. We talked about a wide variety of topics, but I wanted to ask him specifically about the race in the 10th district. Here's what he had to say:

Hackett Continues Attacks While Carney's on Active Duty

Greg Palmer — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:07:44 -0400

This is ridiculous – first of all, Carney is hardly a “Nancy Pelosi liberal.” He’s a moderate congressman from a moderate district; good match, no? Second, it’s extraordinarily distasteful to make these accusations while Carney, a Commander in the Naval Reserve, is on active duty. Sorry Hackett, he doesn’t have time to campaign against your constant negative attacks because he’s doing actual work for the people; something you’d know nothing about.

From Hackett’s campaign manager:

“Chris Carney obviously thinks he’s a Washington big shot now. First he abandoned his promise to represent Pennsylvania values by voting with Nancy Pelosi and the liberals 90 percent of the time. Now he refuses to even show enough respect for voters to defend his record in open and honest debates. Carney is a sorry excuse for a congressman, trying to win an election behind negative attacks instead of debates.”

Scranton Paper: Hackett Wrong on Earmarks

Greg Palmer — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:14:32 -0400

I see the point here, but how else to cut back earmarks?

Of the strategies that Chris Hackett might employ to fight “earmarks” that escalate federal spending, unilateral disarmament is the worst option for the region. His vow to not accept any earmarks would have a substantial, severe negative impact on Northeast Pennsylvania.

Earmarks have become the device of choice for members of Congress who want to fund projects in their districts and states. Some of the projects warrant federal involvement; some don’t. The problem is that the system allows for the spending without priorities or comparisons of the relative merits of projects that receive the money. read more »

Veteran Tries to Topple Murtha

Greg Palmer — Mon, 4 Aug 2008 06:51:02 -0400

Moments after Army Lt. Col. William Russell ended his 28-year military career, the Iraq war veteran revved up his Harley-Davidson and set out on an improbable journey.

In his first political outing, Russell is trying to topple a political giant.

The 45-year-old Republican this weekend kicked off his campaign against U.S. Rep. John Murtha, 76, of Johnstown, a powerful Democrat and decorated Vietnam War veteran seeking a 19th term.

Carney Gathers Bi-Partisan Support

Greg Palmer — Wed, 2 Jul 2008 08:18:53 -0400

Democratic U.S. Rep. Chris Carney, who has been trying to late to show his bipartisan support, will get another boost later this month when David Urban, the former chief of staff for Republican U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, hosts a DC fund-raiser for the freshman representative.

Urban, a Washington lobbyist who is used to spreading his money and support around Democrats and Republicans, tells the Wilkes-Barre Citizens Voice, “Over his term I’ve gotten to know Carney … he’s a pretty admirable guy and I think he’s doing great things for Pennsylvania.”

Dent and Bennett go toe-to-toe in 2Q fundraising

RobHop — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:27:30 -0400

U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent, R-15th District, slightly outraised Democratic challenger Sam Bennett with a haul of $244,000 during the second quarter of the year as the candidates padded their war chests for the campaign stretch run.

Bennett’s $222,000 tally from April through June was her best quarterly take since she jumped into the race in early 2007, bringing her overall fundraising to $534,000, her campaign said.

Tuesday was the deadline for candidates to disclose their fundraising numbers to the Federal Election Commission. Their next filing won’t come until mid-October, just weeks before the Nov. 4 election. read more »

Poll Shows English Trailing Narrowly (!)

Greg Palmer — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:49:43 -0400

From Roll Call:

A new poll commissioned by his challenger’s campaign showed Rep. Phil English (R-Pa.) trailing in his bid for an eighth term by a single percentage point.

The poll showed businesswoman Kathy Dahlkemper (D) leading English 41 percent to 40 percent, with 19 percent undecided.

English could be in one of the toughest races of his career against Dahlkemper, a political novice who won a four-way primary in April…

Hackett Says Happy 4th, Beijing!

Greg Palmer — Tue, 8 Jul 2008 22:35:49 -0400

Sources tell us that good ole’ Chris Hackett had a great time supporting American Values at the Independence Day parade in Montrose. He even brought American Flag pins to give out to supporters!

Except they were made in China. Mr. Hackett, your patriotism shines through once again! Nice work.

Transportation Dept. Denies Kanjorski Earmark

Greg Palmer — Tue, 8 Jul 2008 22:32:11 -0400

From the (new?) blog Local Values:

The Department of Transportation is refusing to follow through on a $5.6 million earmark by Paul Kanjorski.

The original earmark was in the 2005 Transportation Bill and authorized a parking garage to be constructed onto the Kanjorski Center—built in Naticoke in 1993 which is currently empty.

However, the Hill reports that the earmark does not meet federal standards. Federal funds are allowed for parking garages “only if they are connected to other public transportation facilities outside a business area with a population of 50,000 or more, or if it serves high-occupancy vehicles (HOVs) and public mass transportation passengers.”

Hackett Tries to Make Hay Out of Carney Fundraiser

Greg Palmer — Tue, 8 Jul 2008 07:23:47 -0400

As usual, Gort has the scoop:

The Chris Hackett camp sent out a release today pointing out that he is having a big-dollar fundraising breakfast hosted by a Washington, DC lobbying firm whose major clients include the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, which has fought for placing tolls on Interstate I-80. The implication is that Carney is for tolling I-80 even though he is on the record as being opposed to it.
. read more »

Supreme Court Ruling Helps Hackett

Greg Palmer — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:40:36 -0400

The Supreme Court yesterday ruled in FEC v. Davis that “millionaire’s amendment” of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law was unconstitutional saying it violated free-speech protections.

The Millionaires’ Amendment is a provision of the McCain–Feingold Act that is designed to level the playing field when someone is able to spend large amounts of their own money in a federal election. If someone drops $350,000 of spare change into their own house campaign the contribution limits are tripled for the opponent and the national and state party’s may make unlimited coordinated expenditures on behalf of the candidate.

Barletta announces energy plan

RobHop — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 08:35:26 -0400

Congressional candidate and Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta proposed more drilling and the greater use of alternative fuels during a Monroe County press conference on Wednesday.

“It’s important, especially here in Monroe County, which is dependent on tourism that will affect the economy, and because so many people commute to work from here,” Barletta said.

Barletta, a Republican, is in a race to unseat U.S. Congressman Paul Kanjorski, a Democrat, for Pennsylvania’s 11th District, which includes Monroe County. read more »

For the First Time in Years, Gerlach Favored to Win

Greg Palmer — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 07:13:10 -0400

Maybe it’s time to give Rep. Jim Gerlach his due.

A survivor of near-death political experiences in the last two elections, the Republican from Chester County certainly has proved he can take a punch.

His titanic battles with Democrat Lois Murphy in 2004 and 2006 were subjects of national – even international – attention. TV crews from France and Japan followed him around, and leaders of both parties in Washington directed millions of dollars into the races, which were ranked among the handful of most competitive in the country. read more »

New GOP survey: Barletta would beat Kanjorski

RobHop — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:09:40 -0400

Republican Lou Barletta would defeat 12-term incumbent Paul Kanjorski by 5 percentage points if the election were held today, according to an internal poll released Monday by the Barletta campaign.

Conducted by Susquehanna Polling and Research, a Harrisburg-based Republican polling agency, the results show Barletta would receive 47 percent of the vote compared to 42 percent for Kanjorski. read more »

Bennett Hires New Campaign Manager

Greg Palmer — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:10:54 -0400

Sam Bennett, the Democratic challenger to U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent, R-15th, has replaced her campaign manager with a congressional staffer on the advice of national Democrats, she said.

Kathryn Seck, who recently left her job as communications director for the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, fills the spot left by Hannah Miller. Bennett said Miller moved on recently to pursue other opportunities. She said the split was amicable.