Statement by Congressman Paul Kanjorski, on Barletta comments in Scranton Times-Tribune

October 10, 2008

"We are in a crisis and we need people who understand what is happening to solve it. We need straight answers from our leaders. Not flip-flops. My opponent is more eager to defend his right to change his mind, than he is willing to defend his positions.

"We don't need another politician constantly looking at polls and adjusting his positions accordingly. First, Barletta was for privatizing Social Security, now he says against it. Then, he favored the economic rescue plan, now he says he opposes it. Where does he stand on Iraq, Bush’s tax cuts for the rich, McCain’s health care plan? He won’t say because he’ll just change his position tomorrow.

"Lou Barletta says he won’t take campaign contributions from people with business before his committee, but that’s exactly what he’s done as mayor. He’s even taken money from developers and then allowed them to dump Philadelphia sludge in his city. Lou Barletta is just another typical politician."