News

July 18, 2008

Barletta claims lead on Kanjorski

RALPH NARDONE Times Leader Correspondent

HAZLETON -- Congressional GOP hopeful Lou Barletta said Thursday night he has a 5 percentage-point lead over incumbent U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski in the 11th Congressional District race.

But Barletta did not provide any data or poll results to support his statement when asked by a reporter.

During the open house at his campaign headquarters at 8 W. Broad St., Barletta also thanked volunteers for their hard work.

“We have what Kanjorski doesn’t,” he said, “groundswell support throughout the district.”

“He has a lot of money, but money can’t buy support,” the Hazleton mayor added.

Barletta said he is awaiting a reply from Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, about his challenge for 11 debates.

“The people are angry about the condition of the country and they want change,” Barletta said while about 30 people mingled at the headquarters.

Josephine Ferro, of Monroe County and a Barletta volunteer since March, said that when she makes 200 phone calls, the responses weigh in “overwhelmingly positive” for Barletta.

She said the call list includes prospective voters from all political parties.

John Angelo, a retired Hazleton Democratic voter, concurred with Ferro that he receives only a small percentage of negative responses about Barletta.

“We’ll keep trying,” Angelo said.

Arlene Thomas, of the White Haven area, said she supports Barletta’s strong stance on crime and illegal immigration.

She said people have lost jobs because of the wave of illegal workers and she believes Barletta is poised to enforce the laws already on the books.

Even though he called himself an “underdog,” Barletta said the continued help from hard-working volunteers will be what wins the election.

The campaign will “rewrite the playbook,” he said.

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