Candidate Barletta needs to back claims with facts

HAZLETON MAYOR LOU Barletta seems to have developed the unfortunate habit of saying things that he can’t, or won’t, validate later with actual figures and facts.

The man seeking to unseat longtime U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski in the 11th Congressional District, which includes part of Luzerne County, told supporters last week that he has a 5 percentage-point lead over the incumbent.

But, when asked by a reporter to back the claim, Barletta declined to provide any poll results.

Perhaps the mayor didn’t want to divulge his source because, in mid-July, such statistics carry little significance. Or maybe he didn’t think discussing nuts-and-bolts details would be an appropriate use of his time at this particular forum: He was, after all, talking to devoted Barletta-backers who had turned out for the opening of his Broad Street campaign headquarters.

The incident, however, brings to mind the mayor’s sound-bite-rich but information-poor posturing in 2006 and 2007 regarding illegal immigrants.

He maintained that non-U.S. citizens living in Hazleton, many of them Latino, were mainly responsible for increases in that city’s violent crime. He also blamed the city’s illegal immigrant population for problems such as lengthy waits at the hospital emergency room.

In court, as the mayor defended Hazleton’s so-called Illegal Immigration Relief Act, the opposition picked apart Barletta’s testimony and blasted his limited data. A federal judge ultimately struck down the city’s proposed ordinances, finding them unconstitutional.

In this election season, area residents deserve – and should demand that – candidates such as Barletta come prepared not only with red-white-and-blue bunting and catchy slogans, but also a bevy of facts. Voters have real concerns about the nation’s economy. They’re bothered by elected leaders’ propensity for empty promises.

That said, Barletta could be an outstanding congressional candidate this fall and give Kanjorski, a Nanticoke resident, a real run for his (and his party’s) money. Barletta has chutzpah, charm, good looks, political savvy, ample energy and ideas. He also has lessons learned from an unsuccessful face-off against Kanjorski in 2002.

This time around, the Republican challenger has asked for a series of public debates, including a half dozen sessions on the radio. It remains to be seen whether Kanjorski’s camp will agree to so many exchanges.

No matter what the decision, both candidates better be prepared on the campaign trail to do more than talk. They need to back up their statements with evidence.

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Opinion

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