Free Republic

As the Democratic presidential campaign thrusts Scranton into a national spotlight Friday, Northeastern Pennsylvania business leaders are wary that Sen. John Kerry will try to link a slumping national economy with a region finally reversing decades of decline. And they're concerned that references -- by Mr. Kerry or the national media -- to a spike in the unemployment rate or a "struggling former coal town" will tarnish a reputation they've fought hard to boost. "I sure do (worry)," said Christopher J. Haran, the executive director of the Great Valley Technology Alliance, a regional economic development group. "First of all, I...

Intent on boosting his chances of winning Pennsylvania, Sen. John Kerry leads his presidential campaign into downtown Scranton today on the heels of his stirring party address in Boston. His 21-state bus tour kicks off with a 2 p.m. rally outside the Lackawanna County Courthouse in a state he almost certainly must win to earn the presidency. After a stop in Harrisburg later today, Mr. Kerry heads to Greensburg on Saturday. Harry S. Truman, in 1948, was the last Democrat elected to the nation's highest office without winning Pennsylvania. All but two Pennsylvania winners since -- Democrats Hubert H. Humphrey...

My hubby is a police officer and he is on the scene right now with John Kerry, John Edwards, Ben Affleck, Tom Brokaw.....and so on and so on. They are at our local Wendy's right now....apparently they are celebrating the wedding anniversary of John Edwards and his wife. I'll share more as I hear more....

NICHOLSON - While thousands gathered in Scranton on Friday in support of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, one man in opposition of the senator voiced his protest at a Wyoming County convenience store. He was a little too fervent, though, said state police of Eric Michael Greisch. The Montvale, N.J., resident was arraigned before District Justice Carl Smith in Tunkhannock on two counts of disorderly conduct. It was unclear if he was released on bail. Police said Greisch, 53, walked into the Pump-N-Pantry on U.S. Route 11 at about 4 p.m., began shouting obscenities and said, "Sen. John Kerry must...

For Helen Gohsler, the equation is simple and unequivocal: Catholic pro-life. That's why, in Gohsler's mind, Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry's support of abortion rights doesn't square with his contention that he's a practicing Catholic. And that's why she and about 100 other sign-waving abortion opponents greeted Kerry's bus as it eased through Mulberry Street and North Washington Avenue en route to Friday's rally at Lackawanna County Courthouse Square. A smaller group met the bus on Spruce Street near the Radisson at Lackawanna Station hotel. "He's said he's a practicing Catholic, but a practicing Catholic doesn't support the use of...

The day sees error upon errors John Edwards, populist and Democratic vice presidential candidate, warmed up the crowd for his boss Friday. And he explained their vision of "one America" at a Democratic rally in Scranton. "What we believe is that the family you're born into, and the color of your skin, in our America, will never control your destiny," Edwards said. That might be true, but the family you're born into and the color of your ticket has a lot to say about where you stand when John Kerry and Edwards come to town. Edwards' comment drew more than...

The Kerry/Edwards travelling freakshow, having held a soggy, drab and utterly listless rally in Greensburg, Pa. on Saturday afternoon, moved on to Wheeling, W.Va. (arriving about one hour late for the 5:30 p.m. rally).Freepers mountaineer and madelinezapeezda were there to greet them, along with mountaineer's spouse. When we arrived in downtown Wheeling around 3:45 p.m., there was just one anti-Kerry protester, a brave man standing in the midst of the few thousand Kerry folks waiting to go through security, with two signs, one of which read, "A vote for Kerry is a vote for terrorism." We witnessed as a guy...