Vinsko Never Was A Real Contender

Last year my friend Gort reported on an email he received from Bill Vinsko's camp regarding his campaign fundraising efforts for the third quarter.  Even the D-triple C (DCCC) weighed in on the results, giggling with glee.   The headline read "DCCC, media tout Bill Vinsko among nation’s top challengers".  How another quarter can make a difference.

The headline today in the Times Leader.
3 local incumbent congressmen in fine fiscal shape entering campaign

Incumbents in the 10th, 11th and 17th U.S. congressional districts have plenty of cash on hand to mount re-election bids entering this year, according to Federal Election Commission filings. Tuesday was the deadline for year-end reports to be sent to the commission.
The campaign for freshman U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Hazleton, reported $269,498 in the bank at year’s end. His campaign raised $146,978 in the fourth quarter and spent $101,803. The campaign also reported an outstanding debt of $85,102. Of that, $72,500 was in personal loans Barletta made to his campaign.

“Rep. Barletta’s campaign posted another successful fundraising quarter,” said campaign manager Lance Stange Jr. “Lou’s grassroots organization and financial support will allow him to start 2012 in a very strong position.”Of the two Democrats looking to unseat Barletta in the 11th District, only one had a functioning campaign last year and was required to file an end-of-year report showing campaign finances.

Wilkes-Barre attorney William Vinsko, who lives in the 17th District but is seeking the 11th District office, reported raising $20,574 and spending $34,580 so far. He started the year with $52,786 on hand.Vinsko said the first few months of fundraising have been successful but added that it “will really get into gear this quarter.”

$20,574.00???????? Joe Valenti of Pittston Politics tries to keep Vinsko alive with this post about a $10,000.00 donation from the I.B.E.W.

Valenti pens these comments.  For those of you who think that a union just doles out $10,000 checks because they can, think again.
Unions are well organized and have a huge organization from the bottom to the top. You can book it that this particular union took a poll in Barletta’s new district and sees that Vinsko is within striking distance.

Considering this, it’ll be full steam ahead for Team Vinsko.

Wow..now Vinsko's at $30,574.00..Joe...really....that is full steam ahead???
On January 23rd the DCCC issued their Top 36 Red to Blue races in the country, not their top 10 but their top 36. 

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s 36 Red to Blue races announced last week have already made quite a splash.

Guess who isn't on the list for targeting....drumroll.... Lou Barletta.  And guess who isn't getting DCCC backing...drumroll...Bill Vinsko.

Getting onto Vinsko's federal campaign filings one needs to look at his campaign expdenditures.

James McNulty- Consulting =$7, 500.00
Snyder Pickerall Group- Consulting- $5152.35
Kyle Donahue Kyle Donahue- Consulting Services- $1000,00.00
Hampton Inn- DC Meetings- $810.66
Pierantoni For Judge Committee- $350.00
The Mellinger Group- Fundraising Consultants-$3,500.00
Waldorf Astoria Hotel-Room Fee (Staff) PA Dinner - $907.97
Westmoreland Club-Fundraiser - Hoegan - $4645.45
Wyoming Valley Country Club- Fundraising Reception- $6362.56

No wonder he makes a great Democratic candidate.  He knows how to spend the money foolishly.  Someone should tell him he needs to bring at least $1 million dollars to the "race" party or stay home.

Oh..one more thing...Can somebody help Vinsko explain to the FEC why he needs those darn consultants. 

Federal Election Inquiry

This letter is prompted by the Commission's preliminary review of the report(s)referenced above. This notice requests information essential to full public disclosure of your federal election campaign finances. Failure to adequately respond by the response date noted above could result in an audit or enforcement action.
Additional information is needed for the following 2 item(s):

1. Schedule B supporting Line 17 of your report discloses reimbursements to individuals for expenses other than travel and subsistence. Please be advised that when itemizing reimbursements to individuals for goods or services, if the payment to the original vendor aggregates in excess of $200 in an election cycle, a memo entry including the name and address of the original vendor, as well as the date, amount and purpose of the original purchase must be provided. Please amend your report to include the missing information or provide clarifying information if memo items are not required. (11 CFR §§ 104.3(b)(4)(i) and 104.9, and Advisory Opinions 1992-1 and 1996-20)

2. Itemized disbursements must include a brief statement or description of why each disbursement was made. Please amend Schedule B supporting Line 17 of your report to clarify the following: "Consulting Fee", "Consulting Fee: James McNulty and "Consulting Fee: James B. McNulty". For further guidance regarding acceptable purposes of disbursement, please refer to 11 CFR 104.3(b)(4)(i)(A).

BTW lets get back to Joe Valenti over at Pittston Politics.  Back in July Valenti opined in this blog post that this is the way Vinsko will make it to Washington.

There is one machine, however, that is still in place which is well oiled and runs like clock work - the District Justice network.

Just take a look at the last two county judicial races. Bill Amesbury and Freddy Pierantoni won double nominations and both were top vote getters.

The one common denominator, both were a District Justice.

So, you’re probably asking yourself what the heck does this have to do with Bill Vinsko’s run for congress?

A lot!

You see, Bill Amesbury was in Vinsko’s law office from 2003 until he won a spot on the bench. And, I’m sure Vinsko was quite supportive of Amesbury’s run for judge.
Now it’s time to return the favor.

So while you’ll see Lou Barletta spend millions to retain his seat or Paul Kanjorksi dip into his war chest to regain his seat, Bill Vinsko’s secret weapon is the District Justices which span far and wide touching every square mile through out the district – something money can’t buy.

That is a off the path assessment about how Vinsko will win this race because obviously it won't be with money.

Did anybody see the Titanic or the Costa Concordia???

Rep. Tom Marino On President Obama's Visit To Scranton, PA.

WASHINGTON – Rep. Tom Marino, PA-10, today issued this statement regarding President Obama’s visit to Scranton, Pa., in the neighboring 11th Congressional District:

“A visit by a President is always exciting but today’s appearance has lost some of its luster because of the President’s poor performance in the White House.

“His lack of leadership and his refusal to do what is best for the country and his insistence on sticking to his worn-out ideologies and Chicago-style politics is clearly hurting the national economy and Americans of all walks of life.

“He delays making important decisions and leading at a time when we need a strong and reassuring President.

“One of the best examples is the President’s delaying of the Keystone Pipeline, a project that would immediately employ 20,000 people with the promise of 200,000 jobs down the road.

“A true leader would not table such an important project just to appeal to opposing sides of his political base. The question is clear: `President Obama, do you want to pander to extreme leftist environmentalists or do you want to create thousands of good-paying, union-labor jobs?’

“If the President wants to make a career out of not being able to make a decision, he should go back to the U.S. Senate where the Democratic leadership has refused to vote on important bills passed by the House including 20-plus job-creating measures.

“President Obama can do all the campaigning he wants but we in Pennsylvania have a good memory. We remember what he really thinks of us and how he mocked our respect for our religion, for life and for our Second Amendment rights.”

Congressman Marino's Statement On Arizona Shooting

REP. MARINO’S STATEMENT ON TUCSON SHOOTING

 I am deeply saddened by today’s tragic and senseless attack on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, her staff and constituents.

It is especially discouraging since this past week we witnessed the peaceful transition of power that makes America the greatest nation on Earth.

My wife Edie and I, and members of my staff are praying for the full recovery of Rep. Giffords and all other victims of today’s shooting.

We extend our condolences to the families of Judge John Roll and the others who sadly did not survive the attack, especially to the family of the young child who was killed.

Chris Carney's Ridiculous Assertions Against Sarah Palin

In today's Times-Tribune Andrew Staub pens an article covering FORMER U.S. Congressman Chris Carney's comments over the shooting in Arizona of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, members of her staff and the killing of at least six people including a U.S. District Judge and a 9 year old girl.

Though Mr. Carney, a former U.S. representative from Dimock Twp., and other Northeast Pennsylvania political figures stopped short of assigning blame to Mrs. Palin, a rumored Republican candidate for president in 2012, Mr. Carney said "a lot of folks were concerned that something would happen sooner rather than later" after she released the map.

"You would think it shouldn't have to take something like this to be a lesson, but I think it's an indication of how far we've sunk," Mr. Carney said Saturday, lamenting that the "discourse in this country has deteriorated tremendously."

Though police have not yet released a motive that led 22-year-old Jared Loughner, the suspect in the shooting, to the Tucson grocery store, many posters at news and social networking websites immediately connected the shooting and Mrs. Palin's map. Mr. Carney called it "a reach to think that this was sort of a random event."

"I'm not sure if 'blame' is the right word for Ms. Palin, but I think it wasn't helpful, obviously," Mr. Carney said of her map. "It would be very useful if she came out and, if not apologize, say that she was wrong in putting that sort of logo on peoples' districts."

Here is the map that Carney refers to in his ridiculous comments.

Forget whether you believe they are crosshairs for sighting or calibration.

Look at this map from the Democratic Leadership Council contained in this article by Will Marshall in December, 2004.

Those bullseye markings resemble targets more than crosshairs outside a circle.

What a self-serving public relations effort by Carney. He should be ashamed of himself for using this shooting to talk about his political career. The Times-Tribune should stick to writing the news rather than appearing to influence election outcomes.

Congressman-Elect Tom Marino Announces Four Appointments

REP.-ELECT MARINO FILLS TOP 4 STAFF POSITIONS

WILLIAMSPORT -- U.S. Rep.-Elect Tom Marino has announced the appointment of the four individuals who will fill his top congressional staff positions.

The appointments are effective Jan. 3 and will ensure the freshman congressman “hits the ground running” when the 112th Congress is sworn into office on Jan. 5, Marino said.

Lackawanna County natives Bill Tighe and David Weber will head Marino’s Washington and district operations, respectively. Tighe, formerly of Newton Township, was named chief of staff while Weber, who had served as Marino’s campaign manager, was appointed district director.
Drew Kent of Arlington, Va., was tabbed as legislative director, and Renita Fennick, Wilkes-Barre Township, will serve as Marino’s communications director.

“This is a solid team with a lot of energy and a good synergy,” Marino said. “I have the utmost confidence in each one of them and also am certain they have the skills and mindset to work together as a team.

“Most importantly, each of them knows that our mission is to serve the constituents of the 10th District,” Marino said. “The four of them share my sentiment -- and that is, that we must never forget who we are and why the good people of Pennsylvania sent us to Washington in the first place. We will work together with our varied backgrounds and experiences to make sure the voices of the people in the 10th District are heard in D.C.”

Congressman-Elect Tom Marino Announces Two Key House Committeses

CONGRESSMAN-ELECT MARINO ASSIGNED TO TWO KEY HOUSE COMMITTEES

U.S. Rep.-Elect Tom Marino, R-Lycoming Township, has landed positions on two key congressional committees.

Marino was notified Wednesday that he will join the U.S. House Homeland Security and Judiciary committees when the 112th Congress convenes next month.

U.S. Rep. Pete King of New York will chair the Committee on Homeland Security which oversees the Department of Homeland Security operations. Chairman of the Judiciary Committee is Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas.
Marino said he is pleased and honored to be selected to two committees that are close to his heart and mirror his experience.

“I don’t think there is anything more important than to serve on a committee that is dedicated to protecting our people and our land,” Marino said. “Our focus not only will be to prevent terrorist attacks but to eliminate the terrorists.”

The newly elected congressman from the 10th District believes his legal background, including his prosecutorial work, makes him an ideal match for the Judiciary Committee.

“My 18 years of experience will help me with this committee that writes criminal law, protects the law of the land and strives to keep our children safe,” Marino said. “This committee is often referred to as the guardian of the Constitution and I cannot think of a more noble mission.”
Marino is one of 10 members of the Judiciary Committee and one of two former U.S. Attorneys assigned to the panel that will focus on strengthening national security, protecting intellectual property, and preventing frivolous lawsuits, according to Chairman-Elect Smith.

Other members of the Judiciary Committee include Rep. Mike Pence, Indiana, who is considered as a possible presidential contender, and Rep. Tim Griffin, Arkansas, who a freshman who served as U.S. Attorney from the Eastern District of Arkansas. Marino, 58, served as a U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

King said the priorities for the Committee on Homeland Security include: stopping the Obama administration’s plans to transfer Guantanamo detainees and try them in civilian courts; holding hearings on the plans to close Guantanamo; holding hearings on the attack at Fort Hood; and enacting additional border security legislation to curb illegal immigration.
Contact: Renita Fennick
570-239-8851

Marino Announces Committee Appointments

Yesterday was a big day for Congressman-elect Tom Marino. First he announced the appointment of Renita Fennick, executive director of the Luzerne County Republican Party, as his communications director. Bill O'Boyle of the Times Leader filed this report.

Renita Fennick, who has served as executive director of the Luzerne County Republican Committee for nearly two years, has been named Marino’s communications director.

Fennick, 50, of Wilkes-Barre Township, will be based in the 10th Congressional District and will travel occasionally to Washington as required.

Fennick said Marino “has a great message” and she said she is honored to be able to help him convey that message throughout the district.

“Tom is a man of integrity and honor and there’s no doubt that he will be one of the most hard-working representatives the 10th District has ever seen,” Fennick said. Fennick said her new job will be a challenge and she will miss working with the county GOP on a daily basis.

“It is difficult to leave the county Republican Party, yet very exciting to be part of this historic chapter in our nation’s history,” she said.

“I am very happy that Renita has agreed to join my staff as communications director,” said Marino, R-Lycoming Township. “Her experience, connections with local media, and eagerness to directly communicate with constituents will help me to keep the lines of communication open.”

Steve Mocarsky of the Times Leader reported that Marino received two key committee appointments.

Marino, R-Lycoming Township, was notified Wednesday that he will join the U.S. House Homeland Security and Judiciary committees when the 112th Congress convenes next month.

“I don’t think there is anything more important than to serve on a committee that is dedicated to protecting our people and our land,” Marino said in a press release. “Our focus not only will be to prevent terrorist attacks but to eliminate the terrorists.”

Marino, when he takes office on Jan. 5, will represent the 10th Congressional District, which encompasses parts of Bradford, Tioga, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Pike, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Union, Wayne and Wyoming counties.

Congressman-elect Lou Barletta will be announcing his committee assignments in the very near future. One committee will be key to plotting a course for Pennsylvania's future. Its area of oversight will address the growing needs of Pennsylvania. Exploring PPP's(public-private partnerships) will be on the agenda.

Barletta resigned his mayoral duties as of December 14th.

Congressional Swearing In Ceremony

SOP called the United States Congress switchboard[(202) 224-3121] this morning to find the date and time for the swearing in of the 112th Congress. Here is the answer.

"We don't know yet." Then I asked if the ceremony takes place in the halls of Congress. "We don't know yet, it varies, they haven't told us yet." And folks that is what is running this country.

An unofficial date is January 5th from a search of the net. Let's see. Most of us have to return to work January 2nd. Like the joke goes "And that is when the fight started."

Kathy Gill of About.com gave us this unofficial information about the oath.

The Civil War led President Lincoln to develop an expanded oath for all federal civilian employees (April 1861). That July, when Congress reconvened, "members echoed the president's action by enacting legislation requiring employees to take the expanded oath in support of the Union. This oath is the earliest direct predecessor of the modern oath."

The current oath was enacted in 1884:

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.

The public swearing-in ceremony consists of Representatives raising their right hands and repeating the oath of office. This ceremony is led by the Speaker of the House, and no religious texts are used. Some members of Congress later hold separate private ceremonies for photo ops.

The Clerk of the House provides this information which is essentially the same.

As required by Article 6 of the U.S. Constitution, Members of Congress shall be bound by oath or affirmation to support the Constitution. Representatives, delegates, and the resident commissioner all take the oath of office on the first day of the new Congress, immediately after the House has elected its Speaker. The Speaker of the House administers the oath of office as follows:

"I, (name of Member), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God."

Representatives elected in special elections during the course of a Congress generally take the oath of office on the floor of the House Chamber when the Clerk of the House has received a formal notice of the new Member's election or appointment from State government authorities. On rare occasions, because of illness or other circumstances, a Member-elect has been authorized to take the oath of office at a place other than the House. In those circumstances, the Clerk of the House sees to the proper administration of the oath.

The practice of assigned seating for members was abolished during the 63rd Congress in 1913. Now, Members may sit wherever they please. Generally, Democrats occupy the east side of the Chamber on the Speaker's right, while Republicans sit across the main aisle on the Speaker's left. The tables on either side of the aisle are reserved for committee leaders during debate on a bill reported from their committee and for party leaders.

It would seem from that information that the swearing in ceremony is held on the floor of the House immediately after the House elects its Speaker. No religious texts are used in the ceremony including the Bible or the Quran.

BTW, no wonder government is so messed up. The Democrats sit on the right and the Republicans on the left. I almost fell off my seat laughing.

Here is a picture of the electronic voting machine used on the floor.

Electronic Voting Machine

Recorded and roll call votes are normally taken by electronic device, except when the Speaker orders the vote to be recorded by other methods prescribed by the Rules of the House. In addition, quorum calls are generally taken by electronic device. Each Member is provided with a personalized Vote-ID Card which can be used to vote electronically. A number of vote stations are positioned around the Chamber. Each vote station has a slot into which the voting card is inserted and buttons marked "yea," "nay," "present." The stations have an "open" indicator, which is lit when a vote is in progress and the system is ready to accept votes. Members vote by inserting the voting card into the card slot and pressing the appropriate button to indicate the Member's choice.

Members, if they wish, may have their votes recorded by handing a paper ballot to the Tally Clerk, who then records the vote electronically according to the indicated preference of the Member. The paper ballots are green for "yea," red for "nay," and amber for "present." The voting machine records the votes and tallies the result when the vote is completed.

For more information on House Voting Procedures: How Our Laws Are Made: XI. Consideration and Debate, by the House Parliamentarian.

Another piece of trivia about the Hopper.

Representatives introduce bills by placing them in the bill hopper attached to the side of the clerk’s desk. The term derives from a funnel-shaped storage bin filled from the top and emptied from the bottom, which is often used to house grain or coal. Bills are retrieved from the hopper and referred to committees with the appropriate jurisdiction.

The hopper shown here became part of the House Collection of Art and Artifacts after it was retired. It was in use from 1991 to 2003.

Casino Marino

Photo By Mary Horton Guing

Did you know that there actually is a "Casino Marino" located in Ireland?

The Casino is a masterpiece of Palladian architecture in Europe, possibly one of the finest outside Italy. Inspired by the Roman temples and the Palladian villas he saw on his tour of Italy, James Caulfeild, the first Earl of Charlemont, instructed architect Sir William Chambers to draw up the plans for a Casino, or 'little house' in Italian.

The 'little house' was never inhabited; it served as an impressive folly to entertain the Earl's friends. Servants would bring up food supplies and wine from the Earl's main house through a tunnel, completely out of view of the guests.

Being the Earl's guest at the Casino was not without dangers in the 1700s. The house was located fairly isolated on pastures roamed by highwaymen and the Earl Charlemont kept armed bodyguards on the premises to fend off unwanted gate crashers.

Where To Be Election Night

Terry Casey, Chairman of the Luzerne County Republicans sent out an email announcing the GOP parties on election night.

Please join us for a victory celebration at Luzerne County Republican Headquarters, 41 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, on Election Night.

There will be food and beverages.

Other GOP parties:

· PAT TOOMEY, Holiday Inn, 7736 Adrienne Drive, Allentown

· TOM CORBETT/JIM CAWLEY, Pittsburgh

· LOU BARLETTA, Mea’s Restaurant, 8 W. Broad St., Hazleton

· TOM MARINO, 33 East Restaurant, 33 East St., Williamsport

· STEVE URBAN, Luzerne County GOP HQ, Wilkes-Barre

· FRANK SCAVO, Arcaro & Genell, Main Street, Old Forge

· KAREN BOBACK, Lakeside Skillet, Harveys Lake

· RICK ARNOLD, Cavanaugh’s, Mountain Top

· BILL GOLDSWORTHY, Bo Brothers, Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming

· JAMES O’MEARA, Luzerne County GOP Headquarters

· TARAH TOOHIL, Elks Lodge, East Broad Street, Hazleton

· TERRENCE O’CONNOR, Luzerne Co. GOP Headquarters, Wilkes-Barre


· TERRY CASEY, LUZERNE COUNTY GOP CHAIRMAN
GOP Headquarters, Wilkes-Barre

570-208-4671

Paul Kanjorski And Chris Carney- Where Are The Jobs?

Kanjorski Hires Kevin Lynn- Payback?

Bill OBoyle reports for the Times Leader that Congressman Paul Kanjorski has hired former WILK Talk Show host Kevin Lynn as a "communications assistant".
As you can see Abigail McDonough wanted to play coy with the media about this hire.

Abbie McDonough, communications director at Kanjorski’s Washington, D.C., office, confirmed Lynn was hired and said his title is “communications assistant'"

McDonough would not reveal Lynn’s salary, stating in an e-mail, “He works out of the Wilkes-Barre office and all congressional salaries are available to the public on a quarterly basis.”

The first lesson one learns in communication is to talk to each other. It helps keep the story straight.

When contacted Monday, Lynn said he began working for the congressman Oct. 4 at a weekly salary of $1,000. Abbie wanted to hide information but Lynn didn't know it.

McDonough also said “Kevin’s views as stated on the radio are not emblematic of the Congressman’s opinions.”

Lynn, 61, said his job consists of writing for the congressman about job-related matters. Lynn stressed that he is not working on the veteran lawmaker’s reelection campaign.

Let's see folks. It is three weeks before an election where Kanjorski has not led in one poll. Kanjorski has Ed Mitchell speak for him. Abbie McDonough's title is "communications director". According to Legistorm.com Ms. McDonough was paid $54,677.12 last year up from $46,937.50 the previous year, a 16.5% increase. Yet Kanjorski sees a need to hire one more "communications assistant" at another $52,000 per year. The taxpayers went from paying $46,937.50 per year for someone to speak on Kanjorski's behalf to $108,677.12.

Senior citizens received no raise last year in their Social Security and are facing the same fate this year. In this Pocono Record article Kanjorski tells seniors they "don't have to worry about losing any benefits because of this bill.


"This was one of the most difficult votes I have ever cast, primarily because there is a great deal of confusion about what this bill will do. Senior citizens do not have to worry about losing any benefits because of this bill. In fact, their coverage for prescription drug costs and preventative care will improve. No federal funding will be used to fund abortion. The bill does not empower the federal government to take over health care. If people are happy with the insurance they have, nothing needs to change."

— U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-11


Obamacare Forces 22,000 Seniors to Lose Medicare Advantage

Side Effects: Massachusetts Seniors Will Lose Medicare Advantage Plans in 2011

New York Times Reluctantly Notes Seniors Losing Medicare Benefits, Denies It’s a Problem

CMS Data Shows 30 Percent of Seniors Enrolled in Medicare Advantage Plans to Lose Coverage

Kanjorski should explain his statement to the public about not losing any benefits because of his yes vote.

Ms. McDonough has been facing some tough questions about the Congressman.

Kanjorski: Project could lure 1000 jobs to NEPA

Rep. Kanjorski Seems To Insult Minorities

Mark-to-Market Lobby Buoys Bank Profits 20% as FASB May Say Yes

March 30 (Bloomberg) -- Four days after U.S. lawmakers berated Financial Accounting Standards Board Chairman Robert Herz and threatened to take rulemaking out of his hands, FASB proposed an overhaul of fair-value accounting that may improve profits at banks such as Citigroup Inc. by more than 20 percent.

The changes proposed on March 16 to fair-value, also known as mark-to-market accounting, would allow companies to use “significant judgment” in valuing assets and reduce the amount of writedowns they must take on so-called impaired investments, including mortgage-backed securities. A final vote on the resolutions, which would apply to first-quarter financial statements, is scheduled for April 2.

The political action committees of banks including Citigroup, Bank of America, Bank of New York Mellon, Wells Fargo and banking trade groups contributed money to Kanjorski’s re- election campaign last year, according to the Federal Election Commission. Citigroup gave $6,500, Bank of America $7,000, Bank of New York $8,000 and Wells Fargo $13,000.

Kanjorski spokeswoman Abigail McDonough didn’t return calls seeking comment.

Northeastern Pa. congressmen weigh tough vote

Two undecided northeastern Pennsylvania Democrats may decide the fate of health care overhaul legislation slated for a House vote this weekend.

That hardly makes Congressmen Paul Kanjorski and Chris Carney happy. Their political futures hang in the balance.

How prophetic is that reporter's analysis turning out to be as we approach election day? Both Kanjorski and Carney are in trouble.

Kanjorski And Carney "Dumped" By DCCC

DCCC scales back NEPA ad buys

Democrats are slightly pulling back the TV help they’ll be giving to Congressmen Chris Carney (D-10) and Paul Kanjorski (D-11).

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has made some changes to its airtime reservations in northeast Pennsylvania, cutting off half-a-week’s worth of its planned TV buys in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre media market.

The move came as speculation builds among political insiders that Democrats are preparing to cut Kanjorski loose as part of their so-called triage plans to preserve a majority in Congress. When the DCCC recently posted a fundraising list of candidates in its Frontline Program for defending incumbents, Kanjorski’s name was nowhere to be found (Carney was on the list).

In June, 2010 it was reported that Kanjorski failed to pay his $250,000 in dues to the DCCC.

I guess the DCCC has a rule. No pay, No play.

Palin Rumor??

Back in 2008 then Governor Sarah Palin stumped in Northeastern Pennsylvania as a candidate for Vice President of the United States. She has been very critical of Congressman Chris Carney and wants to hold his feet to the fire on his healthcare vote.

Rumor has it that she may be back into Northeastern Pennsylvania for the trifecta involving Carney, Kanjorski, and Sestak. Let's wait and see.

Flip This House 2010

Carney In The 10th- Marino Is A Huge Challenge

In a district that is pro-Republican Chris Carney has enjoyed the incumbency of his office in a surreptitious way. He is flying under the radar hoping not to be noticed that he is out of place in the grand scheme of voter sentiment.

Here's how his bio starts in Wikipedia. Christopher P. "Chris" Carney (born March 2, 1959) is an American politician and member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district. One would think that his military career would supercede the words "American politician". Carney is also an associate professor of political science at Penn State Worthington Scranton, where he has taught since 1992. Again, secondary to "American politician" first.

In today's political climate marked by the ouster of Arlen Specter one would believe the last thing you would want to promote is being a "politician". Even Congressman sounds better than politician.

In this Times Leader article by Andrew Seder political observers explore whether Chris Carney will have a rough fall campaign against Republilcan Tom Marino.

“Marino has a record of public service, he has name recognition, he has big name Republican support, and he will take better advantage of this targeted district in this tough atmosphere for Democratic incumbents.”

Listening to Tom Marino on WILK he sounds like a very respectable and likeable candidate. His association with Louis DeNaples has been a terse topic but in the end, knowing Northeastern Pennsylvania, it is more about jealousy than substance. How many people associated with Michael Conahan and Mark Ciavarella? How many people associated with Michael Veon? Ask Tom Leighton about his association with Bill Brace.

The "D-sucking at the nipple-triple CCC" took no time in launching salvos at Marino. Lest they forget that Carney as the author of that famous Feith-Carney memo George Bush used as information, well he was provided misinformation, to get us into Iraq. It is rarely talked about and I believe the biased media wants it that way.

Carney's ability to raise money will be a nemesis for Marino. However, no amount of money and support can divide voter sentiment otherwise Arlen Specter would have been a victor.