Thread: HZ PA-Hometown moods reveal much about campaigns

Hometown moods reveal much about campaigns



BY COULTER JONES AND NICHOLAS SOHR
STAFF WRITERS
Published: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 4:15 AM EDT
Rosie Wickiser’s mother told her long ago to vote Democrat, and for decades Wickiser minded her mother’s words. She’ll vote for Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., in November’s presidential election, she said at a strip mall just a few blocks from Hazleton City Hall.

But, on that same ballot, the registered Democrat will also cast a vote for Republican Mayor Lou Barletta in his bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski, the Democrat from Nanticoke who has represented the 11th Congressional District for more than two decades.

The moods in the hometowns of both 11th Congressional District candidates reveal much about the campaigns being waged. Barletta has succeeded in making his name synonymous with the illegal-immigration issue, while bringing it to the forefront of the race. Kanjorski, a known quantity to the much larger Democratic base, enjoys some support simply because of his party.

A poll released Tuesday shows Barletta leading Kanjorski by more than 9 points despite Democrats outnumbering Republicans nearly 2-to-1 in the district. Frustration with status-quo government ranked as the second most important issue, according to the poll.

Mel Graboske, of Nanticoke, has a plan for Barletta.

“Put him on a boat with (President) Bush and (GOP nominee) John McCain, and ship them out,â€

[quote]And while immigration sits high on many voters’ lists of top issues this year, it is not a surefire indicator of support for Barletta. Outside the Nanticoke Senior Center off Main Street, Democrats Connie Chernoski, and Shirley Batagowski, waited to play bingo. Chernoski spoke favorably of Barletta’s immigration stance, but said she’ll once again vote for Kanjorski.

“The only thing that kills me about (Kanjorski) is him giving his relatives all that money,â€

[quote]And while immigration sits high on many voters’ lists of top issues this year, it is not a surefire indicator of support for Barletta. Outside the Nanticoke Senior Center off Main Street, Democrats Connie Chernoski, and Shirley Batagowski, waited to play bingo. Chernoski spoke favorably of Barletta’s immigration stance, but said she’ll once again vote for Kanjorski.

“The only thing that kills me about (Kanjorski) is him giving his relatives all that money,â€

[quote]Jessica Husty, a Hazleton Democrat, said affordable health care and the economy are the most important issues for her in the coming election.

“I don’t think Lou Barletta is ready to be a congressman. I don’t think he’s done enough,â€