A crowd of about 100 enthusiastic supporters welcomed Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta to the Wilkes-Barre Township Fire Hall on Monday night.  Barletta is a Republican candidate for Congress in Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional district.
This marks the third time Barletta has run to unseat incumbent Democrat Paul Kanjorski.  He lost by double digits in 2002, but came within three percentage points in 2008.
Supporters snacked on pizza and hot dogs prior to Barletta's speech, in which he preached a conservative Republican message to a sympathetic crowd.  Many of the local Republican candidates for state representative and state senator were among the crowd.
"It's a different voter out there right now I believe than it was two years ago."  Barletta said when asked why the third time would be different.   "All the hope and optimism from 2008, I believe has turned into the harsh reality.  Americans are afraid of the national debt, the out of control spending, and the larger government that we're see today."
"I believe that was the difference in the election."  Barletta said when asked if an off year election without President Obama on the top of the ticket would make a difference.  "Obama won this district by 15 points, and I lost by only three.  Without Obama on the top of the ticket and the fact that I'm starting earlier than I did in prior elections, I believe will be the difference."
Unlike his two prior challenges of Kanjorski, Barletta faces primary opposition from Monroe County Attorney Chris Paige.  Paige told examiner.com that he expects to spend $300,000 in the Republican primary.  Kanjorski also faces a tough primary challenge from Lackawanna County Commissioner Corey O'Brien.
"It's great that people will have a choice."  Barletta said referring to Paige.  "That's the way it should be in this country. I welcome anyone who gets into the race. I look forward to a good campaign."

http://www.examiner.com/x-32019-Scranton-Public-Policy-Examiner~y2010m2d10-Barletta