Suprise Visit

Under a cloak of darkness Saturday afternoon former North Carolina Senator John Edwards visited the Bear Creek home of Mrs. Pearl Novak. Joined by his wife and youngest children, John Edwards and volunteers from his One Corps helped make Mrs. Novak's home more energy efficient. As far as we know, there's been no press coverage, and from the looks of the video, no local press was there.

Around the horn

Looks like Lackawanna County is close to becoming as democratically open as Luzerne County because we've heard the Lackawanna Democratic Organization is close to endorsing Mike Washo (Current Minority Commissioner) and either Corey O'Brien (Attorney and Talk Show Host) or Corey Castellani (Valley View School District). Within the next week expect Bob Mellow to give his blessing to a ticket and of course get the endorsement. O'Brien's strength is his ability to raise money through his network of friends and family who aren't directly involved in politics. Castellani's strength is obviously name recognition but no relation to Randy who is dandy. The real test for this ticket will be if they can unite Democrats throughout the upper and mid valleys along with energizing the Scranton City base of the party. Expect Ed Mitchell to make lots of grainy black and white commercials regardless of which Democratic candidates proceed to the November election.
Even though 2008 cycle is mainly the topic of Presidential conversations, Democrats and Republicans are both getting their plans in place for the 10th Congressional District. Looks for less undervotes this time around. Chris Carney with a chairmanship to a Homeland Security subcommittee and what seems like a well oiled staff, should be in better than expect shape for his fight against either State Senator Lisa Baker, Ex-Auditor General Candidate Joe Peters, Current State House and former Mayor of Williamsport Steve Cappelli, Former State House Rep Brett Feese (Lycoming) or any of the other hopefuls who can get 20-25% in the 2008 primary. Also look at the Democratic County organizations to have lots of new life due to finally winning an important election. Local elections in the 10th Congressional may even show Dems picking up a few School Board or County Offices this year.
Seems like Kingston Attorney Tom O'Connor is still having a hard time deciding if he should make a challenge for Luzerne County Judge or if he's better running for PA Superior Court. The issue is does he challenge current DA Dave Lupas for one seat now, spend at least 500K and hope for a win or does he wait until next year hoping a retirement and Ann Lokuta's removal create two openings thus making it easier and cheaper to win an election or does he throw his hat into a state bid hoping to form an alliance with another attorney from either Pittsburgh or Philadelphia running as a ticket. Either choice has pluses and minuses, but launching a bid for Superior Court can be cheaper than a NEPA county election and also give O'Connor a chance to build a network of current elected officials who should all jump behind him, making a run for a local seat in the future easier if he should run statewide and lose.
Sorry about the delay in posting and as always we love to hear your stories and rumors just as much as you like ours, so keep those emails coming.

Endorsements vs. No Endorsements

Sometimes you feel like endorsing, sometimes you don't... Democrats have a strong slate of candidates, Republicans don't. Or maybe it's the just the opposite in the bizare world of Luzerne County politics. Luzerne County Democrats endorsed in local meaningful elections for the first time in years while Luzerne County Republicans took a play from the Dems 2003 playbook and opted not to endorse.
Republicans led by Lynette "Everyday is a holiday" Villano, led her troops to an open primary because she claims to have so many good candidates. So the truth must be she knows the Republican County Committee has no real power so why drag down strong commissioner candidates with baggage before the race even starts. Front runners would have to be Bill Jones of Mountaintop and Dave Shipula of Hanover Twp, both have grassroots experience and a network of friends with money. The other duo on the Republican side hoping to have a chance is Steve Urban and Art Bobbouine. The current commissioner is filled with so much disgust for every elected official teaming with the Top Dog Deputy Sheriff shows an ability to finally agree with someone. Don't expect the Republicans to make any other race interesting because if they just get a candidate for every row office that would be a victory or "Mission Accomplished".
Democrats decided to endorse the entire slate of candidates and did so unanimously. Led by Mark "I want to be Judge" Bufalino, 43 members endorsed the Top Dogs of the party. DA David Lupas seems to have a very easy contest if no one else enters the race for Judge. Tom O'Connor's decision to go local or statewide which will make it interesting. Instead of spending 750,000 dollars this time Lupas might just pull that much in without having to spend a penny. His challenger Tom Marsilio seems to still be off his rocker and will be sitting in a rocker watching the General Election at home. Jackie Musto Carroll looks to use her built in name ID to crush anyone aspiring to replace Lupas as District Attorney. With her family connections and a weak field for Judge, luck seems to be on her side. Vito DeLuca seems to be a nice guy, but a nice guy with no political legs can't stand in Luzerne County. Greg Skrepenak and Maryanne Petrilla both got the nods for County Commissioner with no opposition. Hopefully Petrilla's first term goes better than Todd Vonderheid's. Unless someone dynamic and willing to spend 500k for a 40k a year job appears, county government should be unchanged for the next four years. Clerk of Courts Bob Reilly and Treasurer Mike Morreale both get a pass and get to continue serving until they want to step away. James "Red" O'Brien has decided to seek Recorder of Deeds and being the only Democratic candidate, he has a good start but we'll have to wait for the finish as this still appears to be a safe Republican seat. If he campaigns like he did for State Rep last year in the 118th, he might have a fighting chance. Dr. Jack Consalvo gets the endorsement over long time politician John Corcoran and jack of all trades Jim Desiderio. If everyone stays in the race and it looks like Dr. Jack needs some help expect the same attorney who whispered his name into Rendell's ear for the appointment to step in a offer generous financial support. The Battle for Sheriff will pin George "Nipper" Nowakowski who is running because he likes seeing his name every four years on a voting machine and newly endorsed candidate Mike Savokinas square off. If Savokinas can work the county and act like a sheriff he should be able to use the Primary much in the same fashion Ed Rendell did in 2002 during his successful first campaign for Governor against Bob Casey. Expect to see lots of donated Savo's Pizza on the campaign trail. Happy eating and feel free to add any comments and suggestions.

Inaugural Part II - Sequels are never better than the original

The Inaugural this past week was nothing like four years ago but still had some interesting moments. Only four years ago excitement was everywhere as many were just happy to have a Democratic Governor, now the talked seem to focus on who was going to replace who over the next several months/years. Many of NEPA's top political dogs circled around each of the several bars set up on the floor. No Republicans could be spotted with the exception of Scranton's Jimmy Connors who sported a rainbow bow tie, so Dems as expected ruled the rumor mill. Seems like Scranton will have another statewide office holder very soon as Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty is looking at his options regarding running for PA Treasurer in 2008, looks like he has some nice backing if the city doesn't implode by then. Another Electric City native is seriously considering a run for PA's 11th Congressional once it becomes available or maybe sooner, let's just hope the third time is the charm for this man with a name everyone knows. Of the many attorneys circling the grounds of the farm show complex, Luzerne County native Tom O'Connor is picking up steam in his surprise bid for PA Superior Court. With his NEPA ties and his brother's Philadelphia money (Cozen & O'Connor) it seems like a non-Pittsburgh/Philadelphia based campaign might have some appeal statewide. Looking ahead to 2010 too many unrealistic names are being mentioned for Governor although Don Cunningham (Lehigh Co.)seems to have the East locked up with Dan Onorato (Allegheny Co.) seemingly the favorite from the West. While many of the 21 Democratic House Reps from NEPA showed up and pranced around like the farm animals before them earler in the week, everyone seem content to just maintain the gains of 2006 before looking ahead to 2008. As always feel free to comment and add some of your own personal stories and tips.

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