by Gilhags
Cross posted on the Times Union Tea Party Blog
I’m not exactly sure what’s happening “out there” I don’t know who or where the problem started but I do know we’re out of time and if a solution isn’t found soon, we’re in danger of losing the races we’ve focused so much time and energy over the past several months. I would like to point out some things I do know.
First, we all love our country. So much so, we’ve decided to “get off the couch” and write a letter or carry a sign; some of us have even traveled to DC for a rally or two.
Second, we’re all right and wrong at the same time, the “Tea Party” isn’t a party. It’s America at her best. It’s all of us, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent or whatever you feel you need to call yourself. It is people wanting a better life for themselves and their families. It’s what our founders intended. It is us taking pride in ourselves so that we can work towards a better future for our communities and country. It’s a movement that will stay at the forefront of American politics from here on out. So long as we agree to hold every elected official accountable, again, whether they be Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent or whatever whether they call themselves.
Thirdly, I feel confident in stating that we can all agree that Scott Murphy (D-NY 20) and Paul Tonko (D-NY 21) simply do not represent the values and needs of upstate New Yorkers and they must both be held accountable and voted out! As much as I hate to admit it, if we don’t do it this year, they will most certainly be more entrenched and un-beatable next election. Therefore, I recommend that we make room for our differences in the present but we “keep our eye on the prize” and work together to un-elect both Tonko and Murphy. Each has amassed huge amounts of money for their campaigns, compliments of Speaker Pelosi and the rest of the House leadership for their votes for Health Care. Let us send the message this year that your dirty political money can’t beat the will of the people.
Getting rid of Tonko and Murphy are priority number one! I also think the best way to accomplish that goal is to promote Gibson (running for NY 20) and Danz (running for NY 21), and we will hold them accountable. If elected, they’ll be on a very short leash and if they don’t perform, we will vote them out in two years, it’s that simple.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are in a pivotal and historic time. I urge you all to look at the NYS Board of Elections website; you’ll see almost every single elected office in this great state is held by a Democrat, we need to break through that “machine.” Our founders would be proud of what we’ve accomplished over the last two years. Let’s be able to say that same statement in three years from now. Let’s work together, please.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Democrat Matt Zeller for NY-29 threatens constituents to vote for him or lose their congressional district
By Sam Foster
Via the Corning Leader
H/T The Fighting 29th
Two weeks ago, a report was released showing that NY was projected to lose two congressional districts once the 2010 census data was finalized. It's sad trend that has plagued NY for several previous redistricting years. Speculation has been that at least one of the potential vanishing districts would be in Upstate NY; most suggest NY-23 or NY-29.
Matt Zeller, Democrat running against Republican Tom Reed for NY's 29th congressional district settled the matter in a threat to his constituents the other day. In speaking to the local Corning Leader, Zeller said:
"You'll get representation from Rochester or Buffalo or Syracuse," Zeller said Wednesday. "I've already been told by state Democrats if I win this thing, the seat stays pretty much the way it is. If I lose, this seat goes bye-bye. The people of Corning will be represented by someone from Rochester or Syracuse or Buffalo."
The comment would be innocent had he been warning that State Republicans would make his constituent's district disappear. No, Matt is clearly warning that his own party will punish the voters in his district if they don't vote Zeller in November.
Great motto guys: If Zeller can't beat 'em, NY Democrats will threaten them.
On a side note, it is amusing that Zeller warns his district that they might get a Rochester representative…when…he…is a Rochester representative.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
NRCC Poll for NY-23 Doheny/Owens: Matt Doheny way ahead
By Sam Foster
Via Capital Tonight
This is a Republican poll so please take with a grain of salt. However, regardless, the poll has Doheny way, way, way, way ahead. To be precise, 51-37 or 14 points. While I think Doheny is likely to win, I think the poll is most definitely inflated given the fact that Owen's negatives did not prove very high in the poll conducted. His favorable/unfavorable rating is 42-23, while Dohney’s is 37-15.
Doheny October 2010 PAC Memo
Via Capital Tonight
This is a Republican poll so please take with a grain of salt. However, regardless, the poll has Doheny way, way, way, way ahead. To be precise, 51-37 or 14 points. While I think Doheny is likely to win, I think the poll is most definitely inflated given the fact that Owen's negatives did not prove very high in the poll conducted. His favorable/unfavorable rating is 42-23, while Dohney’s is 37-15.
Doheny October 2010 PAC Memo
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Murphy Staff Visit Saratoga County Oct. 7th
by Bill Claydon
This is less of an opinion post (I said "less" and never said "not"….read the whole thing) and more for informational purposes. Here’s an email Scott Murphy’s (D-NY 20) office sent out announcing Congressional Field Offices throughout Saratoga County. Stop by if you have questions or concerns to discuss.
Below is an excerpt from the email:
————————
I am writing to let you know that tomorrow -Thursday, October 7th – my staff will be hosting twelve Congressional Field Offices in your area.
Here are the times and locations of the events:
1. Hadley Town Hall, 4 Stony Creek Road in Hadley, from 10:00 to 10:45.
2. Day Town Hall, 1050 North Road in Hadley, from 11:15 to 12:00.
3. Galway Public Library, 5264 Sacandaga Road in Galway, from 3:15 to 4:00.
4. Moreau Town Hall, 61 Hudson Street in South Glens Falls, from 10:00 to 10:45.
5. Saratoga Town Hall, 12 Spring Street in Schuylerville, from 12:15 to 1:00.
6. Mechanicville Public Library, 190 North Main Street in Mechanicville, from 2:00 to 2:45.
7. Halfmoon Town Hall, 2 Halfmoon Town Plaza in Halfmoon, from 3:15 to 4:00.
8. Wilton Town Hall, 22 Travers Road in Gansevoort, from 9:30 to 10:30 AM.
9. Village of Corinth Village Hall, 244 Main Street in Corinth, from 10:45 to 11:45.
10. Greenfield Town Hall, 7 Wilton Road in Greenfield Center, from 12:15 to 1:15.
11. Ballston Town Hall, 323 Charlton Road in Ballston Spa, from 2:45 to 3:45.
12. Round Lake Library, 1 Bayberry Drive in Malta, from 4:00 to 5:00.
My staff will be there to meet with you to discuss your concerns about local issues, what’s going on in Congress, and assist you with any problems you may be having with the federal government.
If you can’t make it this time, please email me, call my office at 581-8247, or check ScottMurphy.house.gov for future event announcements.
———————-
Yes, I do have a problem. I have a Congressman who I believe has demonstrated a lack of understanding of the US Constitution via some of his votes, especially for his flip flop vote on ObamaCare. Do you think Murphy’s staff could help me with that problem?
This is less of an opinion post (I said "less" and never said "not"….read the whole thing) and more for informational purposes. Here’s an email Scott Murphy’s (D-NY 20) office sent out announcing Congressional Field Offices throughout Saratoga County. Stop by if you have questions or concerns to discuss.
Below is an excerpt from the email:
————————
I am writing to let you know that tomorrow -Thursday, October 7th – my staff will be hosting twelve Congressional Field Offices in your area.
Here are the times and locations of the events:
1. Hadley Town Hall, 4 Stony Creek Road in Hadley, from 10:00 to 10:45.
2. Day Town Hall, 1050 North Road in Hadley, from 11:15 to 12:00.
3. Galway Public Library, 5264 Sacandaga Road in Galway, from 3:15 to 4:00.
4. Moreau Town Hall, 61 Hudson Street in South Glens Falls, from 10:00 to 10:45.
5. Saratoga Town Hall, 12 Spring Street in Schuylerville, from 12:15 to 1:00.
6. Mechanicville Public Library, 190 North Main Street in Mechanicville, from 2:00 to 2:45.
7. Halfmoon Town Hall, 2 Halfmoon Town Plaza in Halfmoon, from 3:15 to 4:00.
8. Wilton Town Hall, 22 Travers Road in Gansevoort, from 9:30 to 10:30 AM.
9. Village of Corinth Village Hall, 244 Main Street in Corinth, from 10:45 to 11:45.
10. Greenfield Town Hall, 7 Wilton Road in Greenfield Center, from 12:15 to 1:15.
11. Ballston Town Hall, 323 Charlton Road in Ballston Spa, from 2:45 to 3:45.
12. Round Lake Library, 1 Bayberry Drive in Malta, from 4:00 to 5:00.
My staff will be there to meet with you to discuss your concerns about local issues, what’s going on in Congress, and assist you with any problems you may be having with the federal government.
If you can’t make it this time, please email me, call my office at 581-8247, or check ScottMurphy.house.gov for future event announcements.
———————-
Yes, I do have a problem. I have a Congressman who I believe has demonstrated a lack of understanding of the US Constitution via some of his votes, especially for his flip flop vote on ObamaCare. Do you think Murphy’s staff could help me with that problem?
House Adjourned Without Helping Middle Class, Seniors
by Bill Claydon
The rhetoric is that Democrats care about the Middle Class, the poor, seniors, the children, etc. The rhetoric also claims Republicans supposedly only care for “the rich.”
Recently, a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi was signed by some members of Congress, including our own local member, Scott Murphy, asking that tax cuts for dividends be extended. They are set to expire with other Bush tax cuts at the end of the year. The letter notes that many seniors depend on this income. Of course, Scott Murphy’s signature on that letter gives him the opportunity to claim he stood up for seniors.
But wait! What’s this? On September 29th, 210 Democrats voted to adjourn the US House so they can go campaigning to keep their jobs. They neglected to help the Middle Class avoid an income tax increase as the Bush tax cuts expire and they neglected to help seniors when it comes to dividends. Local Congressmen Murphy (NY 20) and Tonko (NY 21) were among the 210 Democrats who voted to adjourn and therefore skip helping seniors and the Middle Class. I’ll bet Murphy won’t remember that part if he says he stood up for seniors.
People have no idea what to expect. As it stands now, the Middle Class and seniors WILL face tax increases as the Bush tax cuts (remember the rhetoric said they were ONLY for “the rich”) expire. MAYBE this will be taken up in the lame duck session. Maybe there will be too many other things for Pelosi to worry about merely helping seniors and the Middle Class.
Has Nancy Pelosi forgotten how to use a majority? Goodness, she seemed to know how to use it when it came to putting our grandchildren in debt for the “stimulus.” She seemed to understand how to use it for ObamaCare. So if she can wield a majority to spend large amounts of tax money, can’t she use it to truly help the Middle Class and seniors by protecting them from having to give up a higher percentage of their hard-earned money?
Yes, we hear that the mean old Republicans are standing in the way of keeping the Bush tax cuts in place for the middle and lower classes because they insist on keeping all of the Bush tax cuts. (They should know that it’s improper to earn money beyond the threshold defined by Obama and the class envy types!) That excuse doesn’t work. The fact is that the Republicans don’t have the numbers to stop anything. Why do the Democrats care about whether such legislation has “bipartisan” support? If they feel this is the right thing to do, just get the numbers. No need to say “But some Republicans supported it…” Stick to their convictions and just get it through! Nancy Pelosi has the power to ram through whatever her heart desires. Yet, her heart does not seem to have enough desire to help seniors and the Middle Class keep the same percentage of their hard-earned money starting in 2011 as can now.
Imagine the benefits going into the final push of the campaign… The Democrats could get this through, and say THEY saved the Middle Class, spread “fairness,” and stuck it to the rich with absolutely NO help from the Republicans! So what are the Democrats waiting for? Call the House back into session and get it done! Then Nancy can get Harry to call the Senate back in session. Harry’s Democrats can pass it there, and Barry can sign it. Simple.
Why won’t the Democrats use their majority to help the Middle Class and seniors? Why would Scott Murphy sign a letter yet vote to close Congress before the request in the letter has been voted on? Gosh, I’m beginning to think the unthinkable….that all of this alleged “care and concern” about the Middle Class and seniors by Pelosi and her buddies is just empty rhetoric. Say it ain’t so!
The rhetoric is that Democrats care about the Middle Class, the poor, seniors, the children, etc. The rhetoric also claims Republicans supposedly only care for “the rich.”
Recently, a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi was signed by some members of Congress, including our own local member, Scott Murphy, asking that tax cuts for dividends be extended. They are set to expire with other Bush tax cuts at the end of the year. The letter notes that many seniors depend on this income. Of course, Scott Murphy’s signature on that letter gives him the opportunity to claim he stood up for seniors.
But wait! What’s this? On September 29th, 210 Democrats voted to adjourn the US House so they can go campaigning to keep their jobs. They neglected to help the Middle Class avoid an income tax increase as the Bush tax cuts expire and they neglected to help seniors when it comes to dividends. Local Congressmen Murphy (NY 20) and Tonko (NY 21) were among the 210 Democrats who voted to adjourn and therefore skip helping seniors and the Middle Class. I’ll bet Murphy won’t remember that part if he says he stood up for seniors.
People have no idea what to expect. As it stands now, the Middle Class and seniors WILL face tax increases as the Bush tax cuts (remember the rhetoric said they were ONLY for “the rich”) expire. MAYBE this will be taken up in the lame duck session. Maybe there will be too many other things for Pelosi to worry about merely helping seniors and the Middle Class.
Has Nancy Pelosi forgotten how to use a majority? Goodness, she seemed to know how to use it when it came to putting our grandchildren in debt for the “stimulus.” She seemed to understand how to use it for ObamaCare. So if she can wield a majority to spend large amounts of tax money, can’t she use it to truly help the Middle Class and seniors by protecting them from having to give up a higher percentage of their hard-earned money?
Yes, we hear that the mean old Republicans are standing in the way of keeping the Bush tax cuts in place for the middle and lower classes because they insist on keeping all of the Bush tax cuts. (They should know that it’s improper to earn money beyond the threshold defined by Obama and the class envy types!) That excuse doesn’t work. The fact is that the Republicans don’t have the numbers to stop anything. Why do the Democrats care about whether such legislation has “bipartisan” support? If they feel this is the right thing to do, just get the numbers. No need to say “But some Republicans supported it…” Stick to their convictions and just get it through! Nancy Pelosi has the power to ram through whatever her heart desires. Yet, her heart does not seem to have enough desire to help seniors and the Middle Class keep the same percentage of their hard-earned money starting in 2011 as can now.
Imagine the benefits going into the final push of the campaign… The Democrats could get this through, and say THEY saved the Middle Class, spread “fairness,” and stuck it to the rich with absolutely NO help from the Republicans! So what are the Democrats waiting for? Call the House back into session and get it done! Then Nancy can get Harry to call the Senate back in session. Harry’s Democrats can pass it there, and Barry can sign it. Simple.
Why won’t the Democrats use their majority to help the Middle Class and seniors? Why would Scott Murphy sign a letter yet vote to close Congress before the request in the letter has been voted on? Gosh, I’m beginning to think the unthinkable….that all of this alleged “care and concern” about the Middle Class and seniors by Pelosi and her buddies is just empty rhetoric. Say it ain’t so!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Hoffman drops his third party run for NY-23 leaving Doheny and Owens to battle for the seat
By Sam Foster
Who better than RSM to explain why this is such a tragedy, but regardless, today Doug Hoffman has announced that he will end his campaign as a third party bid on the conservative ballot. Unlike Dede Scozzafava, who backed Democrat Bill Owens, Doug left with an endorsement of Republican Matt Doheny. After which, local Tea Party, UNYTEA, threw their support in for Doheny as well.
Via Adirondack Daily Enterprise:
Hoffman's name will still appear on the ballot on the Conservative line; however, Hoffman said Tuesday morning that he wants his supporters to vote for Republican Matt Doheny.
"Our nation is at a crossroads, and it is imperative that on Election Day we wrest control of Congress from Nancy Pelosi and the Democrat majority," Hoffman said in a prepared statement. "It was never my intention to split the Republican vote."
"Matt Doheny and I may have differed on some issues during the course of our primary race," Hoffman said. "Now, we must put those differences aside and do what is best for our nation."
Hoffman spokesman Rob Ryan wouldn't elaborate on the statement Tuesday morning.
Sources close to the story have said repeatedly over the past month that Hoffman's campaign didn't have the financing or staff to be viable this year. His campaign offices in Plattsburgh and Watertown closed after the primary. His main office on Saranac Lake's River Street has usually been closed since then, although there has been some activity visible over the past week.
"My reaction is, Doug has done the right and noble thing," said Mark Barie, chairman of the Upstate New York Tea Party, when informed of Doug Hoffman's decision. "By suspending his campaign, he is giving Matt Doheny a clear shot at the incumbent, Mr. Owens, and increased the likelihood that Matt Doheny will be victorious on Nov. 2."
You will note that Hoffman's name will still appear on the Conservative ballot. While the Libs will try and make this some sort of potential GOP spoiler and while Hoffman will take a few votes, I think the argument is unjustified.
Best of luck to you Doug.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Gillibrand Vulernable in New York?
Real Clear Politics thinks so. They have a new article chronicling some of the incumbent Senator's problems in her re-election bid, even though she is in one of the most blue states in the country. A former "Blue Dog" style Democrat the tacked hard to the left after being appointed to Hillary Clinton's old seat last year. She faces a tenacious challenger in Joe DioGuardi-- so it is possible that she might lose.
One poll has Gillibrand with only a one point lead. Downstate liberals distrust and look down on this Upstate-living former "moderate" Congresswoman. Furthermore, Upstaters don't like her hard-left new persona and are tired of the Democrats wrecking the state. So it looks like there's a weakness. But RCP points out:
But it appears that she is trailing big time in Upstate, which has far fewer people than Downstate. However, if enought Downstaters either don't turn out or do not pull the ballot for her she is at least theoretically vulnerable. He'd have to win at least 30% in New York City according to the article to stand a chance-- which it says is possible:
The article says a DioGuardi win is unlikely. I agree. But it certainly isn't impossible.
Cross posted at Pundit Press.
One poll has Gillibrand with only a one point lead. Downstate liberals distrust and look down on this Upstate-living former "moderate" Congresswoman. Furthermore, Upstaters don't like her hard-left new persona and are tired of the Democrats wrecking the state. So it looks like there's a weakness. But RCP points out:
Let's be clear up front: A straight-up Republican win would be unheard of. No Democratic senator has ever been defeated for re-election in the Empire State, and the last time a non-Democrat won an open seat in New York in a two-way race was in 1958. The typical formula for a non-Democratic win in New York is to have a Republican running on the Liberal Party line who splits the anti-Republican vote with the Democrat; this is in part how Alfonse D'Amato and James Buckley won their Senate races. This won't happen this year - there isn't even an independent Liberal Party in New York anymore.
But it appears that she is trailing big time in Upstate, which has far fewer people than Downstate. However, if enought Downstaters either don't turn out or do not pull the ballot for her she is at least theoretically vulnerable. He'd have to win at least 30% in New York City according to the article to stand a chance-- which it says is possible:
For DioGuardi to equal Pataki's 2002 vote share in New York City, two things have to happen. First, whites have to be excited about voting for him. I think that's possible for two reasons: (1) whites who didn't live on Manhattan were never crazy about Obama in the first place and are presumably ready to cast a protest vote against him today and (2) DioGuardi has an Italian surname. Having attended more than my share of the DiFranco family reunions on the maternal side of my family, I can only attest that the cultural affinity is still pretty important in the Italian-American community. This will help DioGuardi in parts of Queens and in South Brooklyn (and in Staten Island, a notable Republican bastion that is off the map). In fact, this is probably a large reason why DioGuardi is getting 35 percent in the SurveyUSA poll while the other Republican candidates polled are receiving the 25 percent a Republican customarily receives (remember, Paladino is running against a Cuomo).
The article says a DioGuardi win is unlikely. I agree. But it certainly isn't impossible.
Cross posted at Pundit Press.
