  The matrix elements of the deformation potential of C$_{70}$ are calculated
by means of a simple, yet accurate solution of the electron-phonon coupling
problem in fullerenes, based on a parametrization of the ground state
electronic density of the system in terms of $sp^{2+x}$ hybridized orbitals.
The value of the calculated dimensionless total electron-phonon coupling
constant is $\lambda\approx0.1$, an order of magnitude smaller than in
C$_{60}$, consistent with the lack of a superconducting phase transition in
C$_{70}$A$_3$ fullerite, and in overall agreement with measurements of the
broadening of Raman peaks in C$_{70}$K$_4$. We also calculate the photoemission
cross section of C$_{70}^-$, which is found to display less structure than that
associated with C$_{60}^-$, in overall agreement with the experimental
findings.
