Angry over Iraq comments, Pa. GOP calls for Rep. Kanjorski to resign

Seizing upon an apparent admission that Democrats misled voters about ending the Iraq war to win control of Congress in 2006, the head of the Pennsylvania Republican Party has called on U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-Nanticoke) to resign.

The controversy erupted when a video surfaced on YouTube showing Kanjorski, who represents the Scranton-area 11th Congressional District, saying that Democrats had "stretched the facts" about their ability to force an end to the unpopular war.

In winning back control of Congress for the first time in more than a decade, Democrats made ending the war central to their 2006 campaign platform, promising to force President Bush to withdraw.

"Now anybody [who] was a good student of government would know that wasn't true," Kanjorski said.

The comments came during a town meeting in August 2007, but the video appeared online Thursday.

"In light of his admission that he and other members of the Democrat Party lied, I believe that Congressman Paul Kanjorski should do the honorable thing and resign immediately," Gleason said. "He violated the trust of the people of his district and betrayed them through his purposefully deceitful remarks. I demand that other members of the Democrat delegation come clean as well and let the public know if they were part of this conspiracy."

In a statement today, Kanjorski said he was only sharing his frustration that the war continued and his belief that some Democrats "overestimated" their ability to force the White House' hand.

"During this Memorial Day weekend when we are mourning the loss of a local soldier killed in Afghanistan, now is not the time for politics," he said. "We should concentrate on honoring the brave men and women who have sacrificed their lives in the service of our nation."

Democrats in Congress have tried to force President Bush to change course in the war, but have been flummoxed by their razor-thin majority and continued - if sometimes hesitant - support for the war from Republicans.

Kanjorski's district is a mix of urban centers like Scranton and Wilkes-Barre and more rural areas, making it one of the few Democratic-held seats that Republicans can realistically hope to take back in November's election. But it remains a difficult race for the GOP. Kanjorski is being challenged by Republican Lou Barletta, the mayor of Hazleton who has made headlines in recent years for pushing local ordinances against illegal immigrants. Barletta lost an election for the seat in 2002.

"As an American, I am shocked and saddened by this revelation," Barletta said Friday in a statement. "It is clearer today than ever before that Paul Kanjorski lacks the courage and leadership to remain in Congress. I hope the men and women who serve in our military will understand that Paul Kanjorski's tactics and belief system is not a reflection of the good citizens of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

"Mr. Kanjorski's statements are appalling and disgraceful," Barletta added. "He cannot hide behind his staff and consultants this time. He has a lot of explaining to do -- and he needs to do it now."

Even with the mixed demographics of the district, it will be difficult to win the seat in what is already shaping up to be a tough year for Republicans.

"I still think that's going to be a tough seat for the Republicans to win," G. Terry Madonna, a pollster and political scientist at Lancaster's Franklin & Marshall College, told PolitickerPA.com. He predicted Kanjorski's remarks would have little impact on voters.

"I'm not saying [Barletta] can't upset him, but this is a likely Democratic victory," Madonna said.