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Jun 17, 2008
Wilkes Barre Times Leader - Republicans turn out for Carney
CLARKS SUMMIT – U.S Rep. Chris Carney proudly touts his voting record as being neither Democratic- nor Republican-leaning, instead voting in the best interest of the 10th Congressional District. On Monday, two dozen conservative Republicans and Democrats did the touting.
“Republicans for Carney” met at the congressman’s Clarks Summit campaign headquarters and many of them gathered for the Dimock Township Democrat. They applauded his record of voting in support of veteran issues and for often going against the liberal issues of the Democratic Party.
Some took the opportunity to take a swipe at Carney’s opponent in the November general election, Chris Hackett, R-Kingston Township. No matter what they actually said, the real message was clear: They’d rather support a Democrat who shares their values than a challenger solely because he has an “R” next to his name.
“My campaign is about doing the right thing, putting the needs of our district ahead of the party. Republicans for Carney is a key component of our campaign, and I look forward to their insight and involvement in the upcoming campaign season,” the freshman legislator said.
Many of those gathered said they voted for Carney two years ago when they became fed up with the GOP or with incumbent U.S. Rep. Don Sherwood, who was in the midst of a scandal involving an extra-marital affair and the alleged abuse of his mistress. They said they see no reason to stop supporting Carney.
Some said they’ve supported Carney since he took office, but there was at least one latecomer to the dance.
Tom O’Neil , a Northmoreland Township, Wyoming County, resident, was a Dan Meuser volunteer. Meuser lost to Hackett in the April 22 primary election. A harsh critic of Carney in the past, O’Neil frequently writes letters to the editor.
In a March 23 letter, O’Neil said there doesn’t seem to be a difference between Hackett and Carney, and called it a “choice between Tweedledee and Tweedledum with the accent on dum(b).” In the same letter, he said “Carney would not know the meaning of the word ‘truth’ if it was a lightning bolt that hit him in the head.”
O’Neil, in a phone conversation Monday afternoon, said he may have “gone overboard” with his criticism of Carney. He now says the congressman hasn’t done such a bad job after all.
Though he’s a registered Democrat – his way of honoring John F. Kennedy -- he said he overwhelmingly votes conservative Republican. He is changing his registration to Republican this week, he said.
Others, many of whom called themselves “lifelong Republicans,” said Carney has proven himself as someone who mirrors their morals and values.
Dick Kern, of Springville, Susquehanna County, said Carney represents “mainstream Americans.”
“He works very hard to maintain a balance between the views of the conservative right and those of the liberal left,” said Kern, an educator and retired Army reservist.
Ken Spain, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, called the gathering a “publicity stunt” and Lynette Villano, chairwoman of Luzerne County Republican Party, called the 25 a “small representation” of the overall Republican contingent.
Hackett spokesman Mark Harris said the staged event is not going to ruin Hackett’s campaign.
“A list of two dozen Republicans isn’t much of a showing, even for a political gimmick like this. When voters compare Carney’s liberal record with Hackett’s conservative positions, we’re confident that a large majority of Republicans and Independents, and some conservative Democrats will be with us,” Harris said.
