The Larry Kane Report

This is what you might call the “travel edition.”

For the second time in three months, I am back on the campaign for “free air” at gasoline stations in the area. Now I know this sounds like a trivial pursuit, but tires with the right amount of air are safer and more fuel efficient. Pennysylvania, New Jersey and Delaware legislatures must pass legislation banning service stations from charging you for air.

I MEAN, ISN’T IT ENOUGH TO PAY OVER 4 BUCKS A GALLON.?   IN ADDITION TO THAT, YOU ARE GETTING HOSED BY SERVICE STATIONS REQUIRING A BUCK OR MORE TO FILL UP YOUR TIRES WITH “AIR.” LAST I HEARD AIR WAS FREE TO BREATHE IN AMERICA. WHY DO WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT TO PUMP UP OUR TIRES?

Yeah, I know, this is not as hot as Health Care and Taxes as an issue. But this is a public safety matter.

Demand free air!

Moving on to mass transit….

SEPTA has a fantastic opportunity. Regional Rail trains are packed these days, what with high gas prices disabling so many family budgets. This is the time when Septa should be letting everyone know what a great criss-cross rail system we have, along with surface linesIn addition to promotion, Septa needs to brighten up the cars with some paint, and a more cheery atmosphere. This time-period could be the moment that mass transit has been waiting for. Reinforcing that message is very critical.

On to the airlines. To make up for the high cost of fuel, some airlines are charging to check bags, imposing other fees, and in one case charging $2.00 for soft drinks. This is what I can’t figure out. If US Airways wants to charge for extras like soft drinks, why not bulld the cost into the fare? People hate to fork over two dollars for a cola , a glass and some ice? The news about the $2.00 soft drink is disheartening to travelers. My advice, pack your own sandwiches, and buy your drinks before you board. No waiting. No hassle. No money on board.

BROADCAST NOTE: Don Tollefson is leaving Channel 29. People come and go rapidly in the broadcast business, but Tollefson has been around a long time. I first worked with Don back in 1976. He’s a class act who knows his sports. I wish him well and hope to see him on local TV again.

Comments(21)

For some reason, the only time politics gets covered by local TV stations is when there is a seminal moment . Example: The end of the Clinton-Obama battle. But let me tell you that local stations are missing the beat and MISSING THE PULSE OF VIEWERS WHO WANT MORE FROM LOCAL NEWS.

The death of Tim Russert sparked in me a hope that his passing, and what he stood for, promoting and profilerating exciting political coverage, would encourage news outlets everywhere to start covering politics - NOT JUST 15 SECOND SLICES OF TAPE OF CANDIDATES SPEAKING WITH NO SOUND, BUT REAL, AND SOLID ISSUE PIECES.

Is it any surprise to anyone who knows me that I am doing more political coverage now on KYW Newsradio and CN 8, The Comcast Network, than I ever did in 37 years of anchoring the news? The reason is simple - the two outlets are dedicated to political coverage.

And by the way, area viewers are now being cheated out of coverage on the big budget battle in Harrisburg ( YOUR MONEY IS INVOLVED), and other critical political stories that involve you, your children, your communities and your lives.

Again, with fervor, I will be happy to advise News Executives of the CONTENT OF POLITICS:

Food Safety, Education, Highways, Mass Transit, Scholarships, Speed Limits, Drinking Water, Fighting Cancer and Disease, Open Spaces. Corruption, Drugs, The Cost of Health, Health Care Safety, Life, Death, Taxes, TV, Censorship, Fighting Terrorism, State Budgets, Taxes on Everything, War, Peace, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Price Controls, City contracts, Consumerism, Political Appointments, Dirty Air, Clean Air, Mortgages, Foreclosures, Gambling, Regulation, Deregulation, Air Travel, School Bus Safety, Law Enforcement, Gun Laws, Pensions.. and the list goes on.

TV News Executives who don’t understand the value of vibrant and exciting political coverage, and its impact on people, are not doing their jobs.

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The death of Tim Russert is shocking and sad, but the standard he set as one of TV’s greatest interviewers will last for generations.

Russert brought his intense knowledge of politics and mixed in a dogged pursuit of the truth. Unlike like many superficial broadcasters who had little knowledge of the system, he was a fantastic researcher, who was able to web together all the pertinent aspects of a story. His questions were the most direct in Television, and he made sure that he was an equal opportunity inquisitor, lobbing verbal fastballs at public officials. It was tough for candidates for office to be evasive with Russert, because he wouldn’t allow them to. His strength was information, but his power was in style.

Russert was one of the few people I have ever witnessed who could ask edgy questions without looking hostile and angry. He always smiled, which in retrospect, made him so enjoyable to the viewer, but made politicians crazy. That warm personality was delivering the strongest of questions, holding nothing back, but giving issue-oriented viewers a real treat.

People who worked with him were astounded at his moderate temperament and composure as he led NBC news in its Washington coverage. He was one of the few hosts of a weekly show who became a giant on the national press scene. I’ve always felt that in our business, knowledge is power, and when it came to knowledge of the people and the times, few were in his class.

Young journalists would be wise to study his style, which proved above and beyond, that aggressive journalists can conduct their work with unbridled joy, and without looking like they are the Hollywood stereotype of the evil, and uncaring reporters that you see in the movies.

I didn’t know Tim Russert like his colleagues did, but as a viewer and fellow journalist, I watched him with deep respect and considerable awe.

As some of you know, in a recent column, I suggested him as one of my “alternative” choices for Vice President. I put him on my list for one reason: “just because I liked him.

He was easy to like, and had a lot to admire.

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Everyone has a favorite choice for VEEP. But before I offer some DIFFERENT CHOICES, keep in mind that polls show that wives of candidates are viewed as being more important than VP candidates when voters make up their minds. Since many of you accuse me of favoring Ed Rendell and Joe Biden (you’re right on that), I offer some alternatives!

For the Democrats:

Bill Bradley, former Senator. I served in the Air Force with the basketball giant. He’s got the smarts, but he needs some energy on the stump. Was one of first to endorse Obama.

John Edwards - Says he doesn’t want it which means he does. Still attractive to millions of Americans. Downside: slick.

Chuck Hagel - Rebel Republican. Good Defense credentials. Dislikes Bush.

Chris Dodd. Conn. Senator is perfect. Smart and not capable of taking the spotlight away from Obama.

Caroline Kennedy. Co-chair of Obama VP search committee. It worked for Dick Cheney in 2000. He just picked himself.

Brad Pitt. Good looks. Nice girlfriend. Babies. Public service.

Tim Russert. I just like the guy. See below.

FOR THE REPUBLICANS:

Newt Gingrich. Could satisfy the right wing which wants to punish McCain.

Tom Ridge. No one could be more impactful than Ridge. His face looks like he belongs on Mount Rushmore.

Hillary Clinton. Now that would be the story of the year. Does John McCain have the guts ? Would she do it? What does Bill think?

Liz Dole. Still popular. Good in the South. Fascinating choice.

Christie Whitman - The anti-Bush Repubican, Helps get New Jersey

General Petraeus. Don’t know his party. But our Commander in Iraq LOOKS like VP material.

And Tim Russert, just because I like him.

Comments(20)

HELLO-GOODBYE - HILLARY’S POIGNANT APPEARANCE

It is amazing to me how defeated candidates reach down deeply inside their soul, Here’s an email from Robert Traynham, Washington Bureau for CN 8, The Comcast Network. He was there at the Hillary speech on Saturday.

“Amazing crowd. Feels like an Obama crowd in terms of the feverish pitch in respect to her supporters yelling her name.

Also, its interesting that she started this campaign with the saying that she is a leader that just so happens to be a woman, but she ended it by saying I am a woman who ran for president.

I emailed the Obama campaign and asked about their reaction the speech and they said that they where very very pleased with it and that they can understand what she is going thru. Its very hard for her.

Had she would have have ran this campaign the way she ended it — she would have been the nominee.

You can reach Robert at rtraynham@mac.com.

Robert likes mail.

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MORE VEEP BUZZ -

Some of you have suggested that I am just pushing our region in potential VP candidates.

WRONG!

First of all, Ed Rendell and Joe Biden are legit contenders. Rendell brings a big state and the signature of a former Clinton backer. Biden is the shadow Secretary of State in this country. Both would be huge for Obama. The other name is Tom Ridge. No question that he has the credentials on the Republican side. There are many Veep possibilities, but these three contenders are the real thing.

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PHILLIES IN CONTROL –

The Phillie’s June drama is giving us a lot to laugh about in a time of economic craziness, high gas prices and rebate checks. Whatever happened to those rebate checks? Everything is clicking, including the turnstiles. So far it has been a fantastic year. Enjoy it. What I DO notice is that the national press is ignoring this great team. Local sportswriters are finally going into positive territory. It’s about time they awakened from their Negadelphia Slump. Look around and smell the roses guys!

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SICK OF SICKO DRIVERS

Heat wave is bringing out the worst tail gating, on your rear, speedo, sicko drivers. If you’re one of them, get a life, or save one. What is it with the speeders? Too much beer, or maybe putting the petal to the medal is a cry out for help! I’m sick of it. Worst locations: I-95 and the Skuylkill X-Way. There is little or no enforcement on these highways. Cars can kill as fast as bullets. Like the pro-GUN folks like to say, it is not the weapons but the people using them.

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