Posted on 10/06/2009 6:21:22 PM PDT by Born Conservative
DUNMORE - With a promise to level the playing field for Middle America, Lackawanna County Commissioner Corey O'Brien on Saturday kicked off his bid to unseat longtime incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski.
Joined by his wife, Michelle, their two children and about 100 supporters, the 36-year-old Democratic commissioner stood in front of his boyhood home at 1906 Delaware St. and criticized the "unchecked greed of corporate America that threatens Middle America."
Mr. O'Brien, who lives in Moosic's Glenmaura neighborhood, promised to work for "affordable, quality health care," well-funded early childhood education and an education system that prepares students to compete globally.
"And energy independence should not just be a goal, but a national security priority," he said.
Any new government spending should not add to the federal deficit and should be balanced by savings elsewhere, he said.
"This is not free money," he said.
That was an allusion to a comment made by Mr. Kanjorski last year to a CBS News reporter about $5.6 million in federal money he obtained for a Nanticoke parking garage.
The remark was one of several veiled swipes by Mr. O'Brien at the congressman - whom he did not name - who last year, against Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta, successfully fended off criticisms that he allocated more than $9 million in federal money for his nephews' now-defunct technology company.
"The old-style politics of greed and personal profit have no place in our government, and we must fight to replace them with new-style leadership," Mr. O'Brien said. "In our region, we deserve to receive our fair share of federal tax dollars. And we deserve a congressman who will put that money in your pockets, not his own pockets."
Mr. Kanjorski has never been charged with any wrongdoing, and his campaign spokesman, Ed Mitchell, accused Mr. O'Brien of making a "wild statement" that was "almost libelous."
"There's no proof that Paul has ever put any money in his pocket," Mr. Mitchell said. "He has not made a personal profit from his job ... Paul Kanjorski has never been charged with any wrongdoing in connection with his position as a congressman in his district."
He said Mr. Kanjorski "looks forward to a full and thorough debate of his record and the issues in the primary election."
"He believes that in today's tough economic times we need a congressman who has a record of fighting for veterans' benefits, protecting Social Security and Medicare for seniors and pushing for job creation and affordable health care for all working families," he said.
Mr. O'Brien pooh-poohed Mr. Mitchell's libel claim.
"We'll let the people of our region make that determination on May 18," he said. That date is the primary election.
After kicking off his campaign, Mr. O'Brien hopped on a recreational vehicle for a 30-hour tour of the district with stops in all five counties.
Kanjorski is an Obama-ite as well.
From the frying pan to the fire....
Ping
He was railing against “corporate greed?” The same corporations who used to employ Americans when Bush was President?
Anyone know if Lou Barletta - R is running again?
No announcement about Barletta yet, but I sure hope he does.
Louis Barletta, who nearly took Kanjorski last year, may also run. If so, this primary can only help him.
I hope so. Lou is a good guy.
I still can’t believe Barletta didn’t knock out that trash. Even Murtha’s district went for McCain, and we need to knock them both out, along with all the ‘06 rodent babies in GOP seats.
If it weren’t for Monroe County (increasingly inhabited by refugees from NY and Joisey), Lou would have won. He’s come the closest ever to knocking off Kanjorski. I truly believe that if he runs this time, he can do it.
ping
I was really disappointed Barletta didn’t win after leading in the polls. I knew is was possible of course but still. And Murtha’s race wasn’t even all that close.
Hopefully 2010 will be different.
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