Another collegiate press politics story: Elderly W-B man answers door in his underwear

A reporter from George Washington University's student paper accompanied some College Republicans on a trip to Wilkes-Barre. One volunteer was asked if she was legally in the country. Another found an old man in his skivvies. Yum.

Columbia student writes about Scranton's anti-Obama Democrats

The substantial number of anti-Obama Democrats in Scranton has gotten a free pass from the press, especially concerning people like Tony Rodham, Jamie Brazil and other Hillary people who have cast their lot with McCain. A Columbia University student wrote an interesting story about the phenomenon.

Connor of the TL: I heart McCain, but I still let the paper endorse Obama

Romenesko picked up Connor's Sunday piece, where he extols the virtues of Maverick John McCain. "I could have overruled but didn’t because I believe our process was democratic, the decision a mirror of what appears to be the sentiment of many persons, perhaps even a majority," Connor writes, "and because I respect the intellectual honesty of the members of our editorial endorsement board."

More on the 'kill him' controversy at Scranton's Palin rally

• The Times-Tribune reports more about what reporter Dave Singleton heard and where he heard it
• “TL story draws national interest,” the TL reports, noting that their initial story drew more than 200,000 page views
• Singleton tells ProPublica that a Secret Service flack has suggested that the story should never have been published
• Singleton's reporting isn't good enough for University of Scranton journalism professor Matthew Reavy, who calls the death threat story "unsupported" on his blog

Times Leader: No one to corroborate Times-Tribune report of "kill him" at Palin rally

Fight! The Times-Tribune of Scranton reported that someone yelled "kill him" at the Sarah Palin rally in Scranton on Tuesday. The threat was national news, and was fodder for Keith Olbermann's show that night.

Andrew Seder and the Times Leader hit back hard, all but calling the story a fabrication. The story quotes the local Secret Service boss as being "baffled" by the Times-Tribune story. Reporter Dave Singleton and Metro Editor Jeff Sonderman are both namechecked. The Times-Tribune also has a story about the Secret Service investigation of the threat, but omits the agency's skepticism. Discuss.

The Times-Tribune goes inside the Scranton mayor's Clinton fundaiser

We know we're behind the curve on this, but Times-Tribune reporter Stacy Brown wrote an interesting first-person take on the high roller-only party Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty threw last week for the Clintons. Admission: $2,300 a head. The mayor invited Brown and his wife to the party, evidently the only reporter there.

Borys has a blog

Scranton Times-Tribune political writer Borys Krawczeniuk has been blogging about presidential politics for the last couple weeks, which is an excellent idea. The blog has been updated regularly (*cough*) with interesting stuff. Recommended reading. 

Obama camp: We have bigger fish to fry than you, Times Leader

Update 12:49 p.m.: Wonkette picked up the story. Heh.

The Times Leader ran a bitchy little story today complaining that the Obama campaign didn't show local reporters and crowds nearly as much love as Hillary did. And while the story comes off as bush-league whining, it's true. And how about this gem from an Obama staffer: "Look, we’re not here to answer questions from The Times Leader all day." Meow!

Open thread: Hillary/Obama coverage

You asked for it, so here it is. How did NEPA newspapers and TV stations comport themselves over the weekend? Too much Hillary adulation? Not enough? Discuss.

Richard Connor of the TL on Hillary's Penna. tactics

Richard Connor wrote a so-so advance column for the Sunday paper about Hillary's plans to march in Scranton's St. Patrick's parade on Saturday, and about how the Clintons have been been campaigning in Pennsylvania generally.

• In the Fort Worth Business Press, Connor writes that Hillary wraps up "the vote of the pizza eaters and shot-and-a-beer crowd in one fell swoop" with her Scranton campaigning this week.

Times-Tribune reporter hearts Chelsea and Hillary

"She spoke passionately and with eloquence?" "The candidate's impressive accomplishments?" Reporter Stacey Solie, new to the Times-Tribune by way of Columbia's grad j-school, pours it on a little thick this morning in her love letter news story about Chelsea's visit to Scranton. Judging by Solie's story, you would have thought it was the second coming.

Borys and Hillary share a tray in Old Forge

Times-Tribune political reporter Borys Krawczeniuk dined with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton Monday at Revello's in Old Forge, part of the Clinton strategy of focusing on local media. Be sure to watch the video. Good stuff.

The NYT lands in Scranton for the first of many Hillary stories

Today's New York Times has a story from Scranton about Hillary Rodham Clinton and her roots in the Electric City. Steve Corbett is a special guest star, talking about NEPA tribalism. We'll say it now: The national press is going to be dying for the next seven weeks for insightful commentary about NEPA politics. If The Times-Tribune does not affirmatively work to make Borys Krawczeniuk and Robert Swift available to the national press, it will be an enormous opportunity lost.

• Be sure to watch the NYT video, as interesting and insightful as the print story