Pennsylvania's 11th District

Today we are taking a more local look at Pennsylvania's 11th District, where 24 year democratic incumbent Representative Paul Kanjorski is battling against Republican Mayor Lou Barletta.  Barletta lost against Kanjorski back in 2002, but due to his recent radical measures taken against illegal immigrants in his mayorship, which drew national attention, and a good deal of money pooring in from the national Republican Party, the race which was originally thought to be no contest is turning into a race after all. Real Clear Politics now lists the race as a dead heat and a member of the "Top 25 Competitive Congressional Races". In fact, Barletta is using a tactic frequently heard these days against his own party. Barletta argues that since Kanjorski has been in office for 12 terms now, he can't possibly be expected to bring about the change that the people have been clamoring for. This call for change is not only a concern for the presidential race, but has become a real issue in local races. Everywhere people are screaming for change, so for nearly any candidate, a clear plan for change will be key in their success - and we see the direct effect of that. Everywhere candidates are talking about change. Change. Change. Change.  But what does that word really mean? Change could mean anything from better healthcare to despotism. (Yes, one candidate couldn't do this, but the gorvernment taken as a whole could.)  If both paries are shouting they are for change on both sides, and neither are really explaining how their administration would be different then recent administrations in any significant manner, does this issue really matter? Should it matter?