The Larry Kane Report

A flak - the press secretary or spokesperson who takes the flak for their client - in this case ex White House Press Chief Scott McClellan’s savage attack in his new book on the inner workings of the Bush administration, which he defended for many years. The book, among other things, rips apart what McClellan describes as the “propoganda” machine inside the Bush White House. There is special emphasis on the march to war in Iraq. McClellan spares no one, especially the President.

I’ve read all the summaries and will soon read the book. My initial take: either McClellan is taking out some sort of revenge, or, sadly, this is a true story. Whatever happens, this will have a dramatic impact on the Bush legacy in the immediate future and could spell trouble for John McCain.

Just finished War and Decision, by Doug Feith. This is must reading for anyone who wants to understand how the war was won and the peace was lost. Feith is former Undersecretary Of Defense. I wonder what he thinks of McClellan’s new book.

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Back in Philadelphia - kudos to Septa. The often troubled transit agency is making special attempts to keep those thousands of new riders brought to the system by high gasoline prices. Supervisors are walking the platforms checking with passengers and offering on-site assistance. This is good news.

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Congratulations to Cheryl Elias for her spectacular Memorial Day weekend reports on the true grit of veterans of America. It was great radio and very special storytelling. You can hear them again on KYW1060.com. Just click the Newsradio logo on the right side of this page.

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Finally, President Clinton: Your recent suggestion that there is a coverup of Hillary’s chances has been duly noted. Can you provide some facts? Thanks.

Comments(74)

The release of John McCain’s medical report may serve a good purpose -motivating men to get off the couch and go get a checkup. Men are lazy and fearful of the Doctor. A report showing that a man who had faced melanoma is doing well because of regular checkup may just save a few lives. It is also good news for the McCain family, along with the battle against ageism in this country.

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Hillary Clinton’s reference to the RFK assassination in her argument about staying in the race through June, was unfortunate. You have to believe that she didn’t mean to sway it. But already, with the climated of this dramatic campaign, there are those who have already conjured ridiculous scenarios. But it is time for the Senator to stop pushing so hard. In the current case, where are chances are limited, a good rule of thumb is, LESS IS MORE.

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On the VEEPWATCH– Some new names. On the Democratic side, Barak Obama may take a look at Senator Bob Casey, although chances are that a first Senator (like Obama) would fit the bill. I keep hearing buzz about Ed Rendell, and it is coming from Chicago, Obama headquarters, and not Pennsylvania. Joe Biden is definitely in the mix. His foreign policy credentials are a real plus. That makes three local prospects. On the GOP side, do not count out Tom Ridge. That’s now up to four from this region.

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QUESTION OF THE DAY –Why are some Gas Stations charging dramatically more for gas than others in the same neighborhoods.? It is time to find out if chains or individual companies are trying to sneak in a few pennies more. Do you find this price disparity disturbing?

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I love sports. I admire sportswriters and broadcasters. But I am tired of writers promoting the concept that people in our region will never be satisfied until there is a championship and parade. That is simply the frustrations of an unhappy sports writing camp coming to roost.

Do you need to have one of our pro teams get to the very top to make you gratified?

Sure. There is no one in this town who would like to see a World Series win, a Stanley Cup, The Super Bowl or the NBA crown like me and the several million of my fellow citizens. That would simply be the “top.” But I resent the implication that because we haven’t one the big one in 24 years, that somehow or other, we as a community, don’t make the grade, and that we are unfulfilled.

That is simply cow chips.

First of all, the sports journalists who “pine” for the big one should get a life, read a book, write a book, or take a look around them to see the brilliant, vibrant landscape of humanity, arts, beauty and great people that we are surrounded by. They should pause to enjoy the great sports accomplishments : four teams in the thick of it - Flyers going so far, Eagles always providing thrills, Phillies getting closer and the surprising 76′ers. Then, they might want to look at the quality of life here, which most of the time is one of the finest in the world. They might even want to consider how the sports fans here are the real champions, not just because of the frustration these writers like to pounce on, but because of the fans continued and fierce loyalty to the teams and the region.

The problem I have with some of the writers is that what they write feeds the insecurity complex that many people have about Philadelphia and the region that is simply not deserved. We are too good in too many ways to be “long suffering” about a lack of championships. These journalists should salute the fans who support our teams. They should also be clear and focused when owners fleece the fans with seat licenses and extras to help finance their enterprises. Let’s face it. The taxpayers paid for part of he new stadiums and paid in other ways. Only Ed Snider financed his own arenas and both of his teams (although now owned by Comcast), treat the fans like royalty. Real royalty. Snider is one of the my sports heroes by the way. So is Bob Clarke, who is a favorite target of some of the self righteous scribes of Philadelphia sports.

So where are the writers when we need them?

I’ll you where. They are in the analysis paralysis of the pitty pot of trying to brand you and I as second class citizens because we don’t have the Cup, The World Series, the NBA trophy, or the Super Bowl,

I’ll tell you. I would rather live in this community than have all the Super Bowl trophies in the world. Being a Philadelphian is being a champion whether we are winners on the field of play or not.

I admire the great sports journalists of our time, but you and I deserve to appreciate what we have, not what we don’t have.

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Some notes.

This story is in red because the previous administration in Philadelphia should be seeing red over the failure of Wireless Phila. After all, Mayor Street and his advisers put all their marbles for the project in Earth Link which now says it can’t do it. Part of the deal was apparently a loan that may never be paid back. This should be investigated immediately by the U.S. Attorney. After all, public monies were spent and the result is another example of incompetence.

The Saudi government has rewarded its most potent ally, George W. Bush, with a ressounding “no” to his request that they increase oil production to help lower gasoline prices. What a great thank you that is! Thank you America, the Saudi’s say, for helping to keep Saddam from invading us in 1990! Thank you America for allowing members of the Royal family to fly out of America after 9/11, when all other flights were band. Thank you, fellow oilman George W. Bush, for not rebuking our dictactorship after we failed to help you ease the burden on consumers.  THIS LATEST EPISODE MAKES US CRY OUT FOR A GOVERNMENT THAT WILL TRULY, BY FORCE OF WILL AND VISION, ALLOW US TO BEGIN A REAL PLAN TO RID OUR DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN OIL!!

Some questions to ponder:

What happened to the Democratic leadership that promised us real change after 2006? They seem asleep at the wheel. The promises of an investigation of Iraq aid corruption, a new economic blueprint for America, and the committment to hold the administration more accountable have all been set aside. What happened?

On to the Republicans: While John McCain is already starting to try and Swift Boat Barack Obama, the party itself is in the doldrums. Candidates are losing special elections, and a malaise has settled in among Republicans across the nation. Especially intriguing is the reality that Republicans could lose another 20 to 30 seats in the House this year. We know that the President is unpopular, but we also know that John McCain has little interest in helping Congressional candidates. This poses an important question: Will the GOP demise give us one party rule for eight years? And do we want it?

Comments(61)

This report is put together with information from Clinton campaign insiders, including people from our region involved in the campaign. The report is telling in that it shows the level of anguish and debate now going on inside the troubled Clinton camp.

Basically, there are three options under review.

ONE: The candidate stays in until June 3rd, declares a moral victory, endorses Obama and leaves the race.

TWO: Senator Clinton drops out after securing a place for Michigan and Florida delegates at the Democratic Convention.

THREE: She stays in the race through the convention, even if Obama goes over the top in delegates.

The logical choice is number one. Hillary Clinton is a powerful candidate and a fighter. The fight in her is what makes her attractive to her followers, and even Obama supporters who respect her will power and resolve. If the insiders, those closest to her prevail, she might decide to stay in through the convention, a move that would be risky to her continuing political career.

What most people, especially in media, fail to understand is how her continuing imagery as a battler who will not quit, will help her in the long run. The math says she cannot win now, but America is all about fighting the odds. That comeback fight is respected. Obama has gained such respect by being so resilient with all that controversy erupting during the middle of key primaries. Even in losing, Hillary Clinton can carve out a continuing legend of a person who will not be denied. This is just good politics.

Speaking of good politics: Who is designing John McCain’s schedule. He should be criss crossing the nation like there is no tomorrow, But his schedule, from this reporter’s perspective, is much too light. He needs Tom Ridge involved in that campaign right away. Ridge will give him  much-needed advice on how to appeal to Democrats. Ridge was twice elected Governor in a  Democratic state. He would also be a fantastic choice for Vice President.

TV NOTES - Local stations in Philadelphia are again paying lip service to the Presidential campaign. 30 seconds of video, without sound, doesn’t satisfy the public’s craving for information on this contest. Wake up TV people, or continue to lose audience. This year, it’s all about the election.

TOM LAMAINE — The longtime KYW TV weatherman is retiring. Tom is ageless. He was a pleasure to work with. And I wish him well.

Comments(55)