The Larry Kane Report

Patrick Meehan has resigned as U.S. Attorney for the eastern district of Pennsyvania after seven years on the job.

Pat Meehan’s past and future may be steeped in big time politics. He began as Arlen Specter’s Chief of Sttaff, became Delaware County DA then crime-busting U.S. Attorney. In this last job . his corruption investigation opened the door for a reformer like Michael Nutter to be elected. Meehan returns to private life, where already Republican strategists see him as a candidate for Governor, a moderate Republican who is well known in the East, where all the votes are. But Meehan, who is a straightforward and no nonsense public servant will have to manuever the political battlegrounds of a tough state. Already he has the support of Republican leaders who see a moderate reformer who may be able to overcome a Democratic tide in the state. One thing is for sure – he has given himself lots of time to make what could be his most important career decision.

It is this reporter’s opinion that Patrick Meehan will be the Republican candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania in 2010.

MORE POLITICS -VP BUZZ

As I reported earlier, former Missouri Congressman Richard Gephardt is now in the top three candidates for VP for Barack Obama. Also now in the top tier, along with Ed Rendell, and the Governor of Kansas: New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, and AL GORE. Would Al Gore run? Good question. He certainly could help elect Obama, and with proven qualities, he could be a powerful and effective VP. More to come-obviously.

PAKISTAN AND THE “BIG TALKER”-

My favorite radio talker, Michael Smerconish wrote a thougtful piece in the Sunday Inquirer with a potent point: The Presidential viewpoint on Pakistan may be the most important foreign policy perspective on this campaign. The normally Republican Smerconish, the King of the Big Talker WPHT, warned John McCain that his own personal vote is still up for grabs. He wants the “beef” on Pakistan. His point is written in blood for the people of America. Pakistan has done little to help us stop the Taliban. Pakistan’s support has been token. Pakistan is a hotbed of extremism. Is the next President willing to get tough with Pakistan, or sit by like this one, while our troops are compromised in Afghanistan. The truth is our campaign against terrorist countries is extremely selective. Pakistan is a country whose government is questionable, and whose motives are unclear.

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Chris Satullo of the Philadelphia Inquirer is now bigger than the gossip pages! Now, that’s an accomplishment. Chris has made big news by writing a piece suggesting that we not celebrate the greatness of America this year. You can see it at philly.com, by clicking the philly.com icon on the right side of this page.

Now. Chris, who is moving up to the Sunday edition soon, is one of Philadelphia’s great news writers and journalists The column is what July 4th is all about, and whether he agrees or not, Satullo is actually celebrating July 4th by expressing his views. After all, the freedoms we gained on July 4th, allow us to express our opinions.

Chris’s point: that the torture and excesses okayed by the White House in the cause of fighting the war on terror have given us such a black eye that we don’t have reason to celebrate. I disagree. While our leaders may be at fault, the basic greatness and spirit of humanity of the American people, and our love for freedom, is still worthy of celebration. As far as faulting our leaders: go for it Chris! But just because they may have erred, doesn’t mean we are not a great country or a great people. When our leaders mess up, we vote for change. That’s what happened in 2006, and that’s what may happen this year.

But congratulations Chris! You’ve given the newspaper reason to cheer and you’ve chased Madonna and that glorified “Bonnie” woman off the top of the charts (almost) in online views!

MESSAGE TO READERS:

Some of you complain that I don’t answer a lot of the entries by many of you on the site. I’ve been busy finishing up a novel on TV News, along with my other responsibilities. But to make up for it, I have decided to fire back at some of the more inane and consistently outrageous writers. So take a look. And have a happy holiday weekend.

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All the rebate checks in the world will not erase the simple fact that the economy has tanked, and the pain felt by so many Americans is real, along with doubts about the future. The concern expressed by the White House and the Congress is so lame you would think that we really didn’t have a problem. The President should be on this problem daily, instructing all of his executive branch departments to act NOW!

Some recommendations:

Justice Department: Investigation of possible price gouging at individual service stations.

Transportation Department — More expansive program to inform drivers on gas saving tips. The Department should also be reaching out with discretionary funds to mass transit systems that are coping with millions of additional riders. Also, a thorough check to see if airlines are complying with FAA guidelines by raising their prices with little or no warning.

Energy Department: A thorough investigation of the flow of oil from foreign nations to America, and whether middlemen are raking in runaway profits.

Treasury Department – Seek information quickly on credit card company gouging during this time of extreme hardship.

Bottom Line — The economy is capsizing in a domino effect, primarily caused by ghastly gasoline prices. Is anyone working in Washington?

A TIP OF THE HAT TO PHILA AREA POLICE -

City and suburban. They work their necks off in these hot summer months to keep us safe. And what a job they are doing! City and Suburban neighborhoods are safer than they have been in decades. Once a community is safe, a community becomes more liveable. So a tip of the hat to area Police and Firefighters for keeping us healthy.

AFGHAN WAR HEATS UP AND NOBODY SEEMS TO CARE–

For the second time in two months, there are more casualties in Afghanistan than Iraq. Please remember that is the real war on terror, aimed directly at the people who attacked us on 9/11. What’s going on here? Have we lost our resolve. A defeat in Afghanistan will do more to enhance world terrorism than any setbacks in iraq. The Afghan War against the Taliban is a must win situation. Is anybody ready to face up to thst? Ironically, Barack Obama seems tougher on a possible stance against the Taliban than John McCain who is focused on Iraq. Where are our priorities?

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