Thread: Barletta likely to take another shot at Kanjorski

Signs point to run for Congress: Barletta likely to take another shot at Kanjorski
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
By BORYS KRAWCZENIUK
Staff Writer
Re-elected to a third term as Hazleton’s mayor by a whopping majority earlier this month, Lou Barletta said he plans to announce the next step for his political career by the end of the year.



No one seems to know what he’s thinking, but he seems almost certain to make a bid next year to replace Democratic U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski, D-11, as congressman of the district that includes Scranton.


"There are many people urging me to run for Congress," Barletta said in a recent interview. "If I did run, I’d be going to Washington to fix illegal immigration ... I don’t want to run for Congress just because I think I could win."


Because of his nationwide profile on illegal immigration, Barletta has become a darling of state and national Republicans looking for him to move on to a higher office.


His choice is down to a second run against Kanjorski – he lost badly to the Nanticoke Democrat in 2002 – or for governor in 2010.


Barletta said he doesn’t want to run for state auditor general or treasurer. He’s not a lawyer so he can’t run for state attorney general.


He could run for lieutenant governor as a complement to a Republican candidate from southeastern or western Pennsylvania. (Think Attorney General Tom Corbett of Allegheny County.) But if former Lt. Gov. Bill Scranton of North Abington Township runs for governor, Barletta wouldn’t fit as a running mate because both are from the northeast. That job wouldn’t allow him to do much about illegal immigration either.


He could challenge for governor, but probably would defer to Scranton if Scranton runs, partly out of respect and partly because two northeast candidates would ruin each other’s chances.


If Scranton doesn’t run, Barletta could face a contested primary election against Corbett and maybe U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan, the chief prosecutor in the Philadelphia area, or Sam Katz, the twice-unsuccessful Philadelphia mayoral candidate.


The answer on Barletta’s future likely lies in his pet issue. Hated by many who think he’s scapegoating immigrants, he is a national spokesman on the issue he cares most deeply about.


As governor, he might be able to make a dent by proposing laws to control illegal immigration, but he’d just as likely run into the same judicial obstacles that blocked enforcement of Hazleton’s anti-illegal immigration ordinance.


Ordinance opponents’ main argument is regulation is up to the feds.


Real change is likeliest to come at the federal level.


Barletta could run against Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., in 2010, but they seem too friendly for that. Specter had him testify at a hearing on the issue. Barletta could wait until 2012 to run against Democratic Sen. Bob Casey, but who wants to challenge one of the state’s political brand names? Besides, Barletta’s name might not be as hot then as it is now.


Which is why Congress next year makes the most sense.


No other Republican could seriously challenge Kanjorski in a Democratic-oriented 11th Congressional District that favors the congressman anyway. No Republican opposition means no need to spend money on a costly primary election.


Barletta will have to raise the $1 million to $2 million, but money won’t be a problem because of conservative Republican interest in immigration.


"He’ll have one of the best funded races in the country," state Republican Chairman Robert Gleason said.


Aside from the widespread belief that his illegal immigration crusade has all been meant to further his political aspirations, there are signs or other factors that indicate Barletta is at the least leaning toward challenging Kanjorski.

o Earlier this year, he dropped by the National Republican Campaign Committee to chat. Both sides said it was just to say hello, but since then the committee, which helps elect Republicans to the U.S. House, has regularly issued news releases attacking Kanjorski.
The committee has done that before to encourage people to run, but its persistence is clear and it often attacks Kanjorski for the same votes as Democratic U.S. Rep. Chris Carney, D-Pa., one of the committee’s top targets.


o Barletta knows Kanjorski’s stance on illegal immigration well, calling it one of the worst, a claim the congressman disputes.


o Kanjorski thinks Barletta will run. Otherwise, he would not have begun producing public pronouncements about his position on illegal immigration.


o Barletta, a dogged competitor, was stung by his loss in 2002 and has always said he’d like to try again.


o In a year when President Bush is again likely to be an albatross for Republicans, Barletta can say he opposed the president’s immigration policy.

o He might not be as hot a political name beyond 2008 than he will be as immigration heats up as an issue in the presidential race next year.
Two factors seem uppermost in his mind as Barletta decides: whether his successor keeps up the illegal immigration fight and whether he could be effective in his new job.


"Do I feel I would be effective enough to make the changes I think are needed to make change in Washington?" Barletta said. "I think there’s no question about that. I believe I wouldn’t be afraid to change things and do what’s right."


bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com

http://www.standardspeaker.com/index.ph ... 0&Itemid=2

I live in Brooklyn, NY and would send this guy a donation! He'd represent me much better than Nadia Velazquez does.

Originally Posted by Ratbstard

I live in Brooklyn, NY and would send this guy a donation! He'd represent me much better than Nadia Velazquez does.

I live in CA and would send him a donation.

My biggest issue with Mayor Lou is that he JUST WON the mayoral election for Hazleton City a few weeks ago. He's going to leave the city broke, defenseless, and without a clear plan to fight the CONSTITUTIONALLY-protected IIRA. I said this before the mayoral election, and Hazletonians flipped out that I "wasn't supporting mayor lou" ...

I think it's common sense.

I'm still surrounded by idiots (in Hazleton).

yes... but people like him we need on a National stage... he cant be bought

How refreshing is that America

He would garner huge nationwide support which would hopefully translate locally to get him into Congress.

Anyone can be bought, even Mayor Lou. What you won't hear is that Former Haz Mayor Mike Marsicano started the hispandering to illegals back in the 90's and Mayor Lou has continued this path throughout his terms. I am not sure exactly *what* made him change his actions to get rid of illegal aliens at the city level, but I assure you it was sudden and a complete 180 from his prior activities.

Why would he do that?

I live 70 miles from Barletta............he would have my support!!!!!!

Originally Posted by corhanem

Anyone can be bought, even Mayor Lou. What you won't hear is that Former Haz Mayor Mike Marsicano started the hispandering to illegals back in the 90's and Mayor Lou has continued this path throughout his terms. I am not sure exactly *what* made him change his actions to get rid of illegal aliens at the city level, but I assure you it was sudden and a complete 180 from his prior activities.

Why would he do that?

I can't give an exact answer but can suggest what I personally experienced.

In 1994 I argued for the other side of this debate and thought that as a "Nation of Immigrants' it was only natural to continue welcoming 'all' newcomers. The numbers of illegal's then were very small and easily absorbed.

The numbers though kept growing as word of 'our' kindness spread. It became overwhelming to the point it had to be stopped.

Imagine one or two unexpected guests coming to your door for a holiday dinner. You could easily be gratious and invite them to join your meal. If ten uninvited guests stopped by though wouldn't you have to say 'Sorry, but there just isn't enough to go around'.?

Mayor Barletta could win the presidency NOW in 2008. I predict that he WILL become president in 2012.