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RACE FOR the 11th District Candidate says Democratic commercials are lying about his stance on Social Security

July 29, 2008

Barletta asks area TV stations to pull ‘false’ ads

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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Lou Barletta has asked local television stations to pull political ads he claims wrongly portray his position on Social Security.

The Barletta campaign asked WNEP, WBRE, WYOU and FOX to stop broadcasting commercials that state the Republican congressional candidate supports the privatization of Social Security – a charge Barletta says he has refuted repeatedly.

The ads are being placed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee on behalf of 12-term incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski of Nanticoke.

“These are attack ads created by Paul Kanjorski’s Washington, D.C., smear team,” the Hazleton mayor’s legal representative said in a prepared release issued Monday. “The statement is false and the DCCC made and published that statement with the full intent and knowledge that it is false. Your station has transmitted this false statement over public airwaves.”

Barletta said he opposes attempts to cut Social Security benefits and does not support privatizing the system.

Lou Kirchen, station manager at WNEP, acknowledged receipt of the letter but said the station would continue to air the commercials.

“We have asked the DCCC for their comment on the request and for additional information,” Kirchen said. “Until we get the response from the DCCC, the ads will continue to run.”

Lou Abialabio, WBRE-TV general manager, did not return calls seeking comment.

Jennifer Crider, communications director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, stands by the claim.

“Lou Barletta is trying to hide from his long record of supporting President Bush’s agenda and district voters from seeing how closely Barletta’s Social Security position is in line with President Bush’s,” she said.

Barletta said Kanjorski is the one who should be defending his voting record and his role in the current condition of the Social Security Trust Fund.

Barletta said Kanjorski “sat back and watched” as Congress raided the fund.

“He knows he’s behind. He knows the people of the 11th District want change,” Barletta said.

Barletta campaign manager Vince Galko said he is not surprised by what he called “untrue attacks.”

“Lou Barletta does not support privatizing Social Security and Mr. Kanjorski knows it. He’s blatantly lying to the people.”

Ed Mitchell, Kanjorski’s campaign spokesman, denied any involvement with the DCCC ads.

“The Kanjorski campaign has nothing to do with the ad Lou Barletta is whining about,” Mitchell said.

“Congressman Kanjorski has aired no negative ads against Barletta. All our TV ads have positive messages highlighting how Paul Kanjorski has stood up to President Bush to fight for hard-working, middle-class families. Mr. Barletta in his robo call ads has been nothing but totally negative trying to lie about and smear Paul Kanjorski.”

Barletta said Kanjorski should share in the blame for the ads because the DCCC works for him.

“With the price of gas and the condition of the economy, all Paul Kanjorski can do is run negative false ads against me,” Barletta said.

“Instead he should be explaining why this country is in the conditions it’s in.”

Bill O’Boyle, a Times Leader staff writer, can be reached at 829-7218.

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