Thread: Barletta campaigns with Santorum

http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/15758216.htm

Serving up political capital
Barletta campaigns with Santorum
By STEVE MOCARSKY smocarsky@leader.net

“It was probably the most difficult interview I’ve done. … He asked a lot of questions playing devil’s advocate, in depth. It was good in the fact that I had an opportunity to argue those points, especially to somebody from outside the area who’s not aware of what we’ve been experiencing here.”

Hazleton mayor Lou Barletta On ’60 Minutes’ interview with correspondent Steve Croft


HAZLETON – Illegal immigration was the hot topic Friday at the city’s best-known hot dog joint, as dozens of patrons and political supporters packed Jimmy’s Quick Lunch to rally for U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum on a campaign stop.

And who better to lead the rally than the man who has become somewhat of a poster boy for illegal immigration opponents nationwide?

City Mayor Louis Barletta, who garnered national attention after convincing city council to pass what has been called the toughest anti-illegal immigration ordinance in the country, urged rally attendees to throw their support behind the two-term Republican senator.

Hazleton’s law, which goes into effect Nov. 1, punishes landlords and employers who knowingly rent to or hire illegal aliens.

Barletta said he’s endorsing Santorum not merely as a political favor, but because they share the same views on immigration law.

Both oppose a Senate bill that they say would grant amnesty to the approximately 13 million illegal immigrants currently in the United States. Santorum’s opponent, Democrat state Treasurer Bob Casey, supports the bill and says it does not grant amnesty.

Santorum’s campaign is apparently banking on the statewide and national celebrity Barletta acquired after appearing on numerous national and international news shows since he first proposed passage of Hazleton’s controversial Illegal Immigration Relief Act in June.

Barletta recorded a minutelong phone message for Santorum’s campaign in which he describes Hazleton’s problems with illegal aliens.

And while Barletta declined to say whether he’s been asked to appear in any candidate’s TV campaign ads, he is expected to appear on another national TV show, likely before the Nov. 7 election.

Barletta said he sat for a nearly three-hour interview in his office on Tuesday with 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Croft.

“It was probably the most difficult interview I’ve done. … He asked a lot of questions playing devil’s advocate, in depth. It was good in the fact that I had an opportunity to argue those points, especially to somebody from outside the area who’s not aware of what we’ve been experiencing here,” Barletta said.

“It’s difficult in a short 10- or 15-minute interview to explain how I got to this point, what’s happened here, how the city was before, how hard I worked to get the city back on strong financial ground, (that) I can’t sit back and watch what illegal immigrants are doing not only to the quality of life, but to city finances. I worked hard to bring the city back. Watching it be destroyed and feeling helpless can make it possible to do things that normally you wouldn’t do,” Barletta said.

Barletta said the interview was scheduled to air Nov. 4, but the date could change.

Barletta thinks his celebrity had a positive effect on the city because “it started a national debate that will force the federal government to do something. The more cities that pass the Hazleton ordinance, the more likely that the federal government will have to react.”

Barletta said he recently spoke at an immigration rally in Pittsburgh where another speaker – the organizer of the Minutemen in Arizona – told him that “whenever another city passes this ordinance, they call it “going Hazleton.”

Asked whether his months in the spotlight might help with future political aspirations, the mayor, who’s run unsuccessfully for Congress, said he’s “not thinking of (running for) any other office right now.

“I’m sure it’s helped with my name recognition if I were to choose to do something else, but I think it was more important to stand up and do what you should do for the people you’re representing at the time. That’s the most important thing that’s happened for me,” Barletta said.

“I’ve taken a lot of criticism from some, but I’ve shown I’m not afraid to stand up and speak out for the people I’m representing. I’m doing what the people in Hazleton want me to do and I’m not afraid to stand up for them,” Barletta said.

“And if ever I decide to pursue another office, that’s one quality that I shouldn’t be afraid of. But I’m not doing this to try to benefit for another office. I’m just doing my job.”


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LOL. I received a call from a comapny from Hazelton last week at work.

The woman cracked up laughing when she said, "calling from Hazelton".....and the first thing I immediately asked was........

HOW IS MAYOR BARLETTA !!???



She said "He's doing fine !!!"

Santorum needs all the help he can get. He is trailing Casey and if something major doesn't happen soon, he'll get the boot. Then we'll be stuck with snarlin' Arlen and Casey who are both bad on the immigration issue.