Barletta to speak at national conference

By Andrew M. Seder aseder@timesleader.comTimes Leader Staff Writer

Hazleton Mayor ’s message of conservatism and immigration control might not have secured him a seat in Congress but it did earn him an invitation to speak at a national conference today in Virginia.

He’ll join 11 other conservative stalwarts, including former presidential candidate Pat Buchanan, anti-affirmative action leader Ward Connerly and best-selling anti-immigration author Peter Brimelow.

The conference is organized by The American Cause, an educational organization whose Web site lists its mission as: “to advance and promote traditional American values that are rooted in the conservative principles of national sovereignty, economic patriotism, limited government, and individual freedom.”

The annual conference includes topics such as: “Saving the Middle Class,” “God’s Country or Obama’s?” and “Winning Working America.”

Barletta will speak during the last of those.

He said the invitation from American Cause President Bay Buchanan was a surprise but he gladly accepted.

“I was honored to be asked and that they even thought of me,” Barletta said.

Barletta, now serving his third term as mayor of Hazleton, narrowly lost to incumbent U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski last year. Both Hazleton and the 11th congressional district that Kanjorski represents have 2-1 Democratic registration advantages over Republicans, yet Barletta, a Republican, has fared well.

“I’m getting Democrat voters. They wanted to hear about that,” Barletta said.

He said he was asked to speak about that dynamic and also about illegal immigration’s impacts on America’s small towns, including service like public safety and social services.

Barletta has been asked to share his views and expertise on the topic at panel discussions previously at Notre Dame, Washington and Jefferson University and Boston University. He’ll also be on Fox News today at noon for an interview.

Other speakers scheduled to appear today at the conference, being held at The Ritz Carlton in McLean, Va., are author and conservative political activist Phyllis Schlafly, CNSNews.com editor Terry Jeffrey, former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, former Congressmen John Hostettler and Tom Tancredo, former Washington Times editorial page editor Tony Blankley, former Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline, global warming skeptic Christopher Horner and health care entrepreneur Richard Scott.

Barletta said he doesn’t agree with some of the beliefs or stances some other speakers will share but he’s there to talk about a topic that he feels strongly about. He credited the conference with allowing him and others to share their views and experiences in an open forum. He said he’ll speak for 12-15 minutes, take questions from the audience and nothing more.

“I’m there representing small town America,” Barletta said.

Andrew M. Seder, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 570-829-7269.