NY-25: It's Official: Walsh Packs It In

Does mean the REPS owe him? (4.00 / 1)

Is Driscoll a Republican? Or a Democrat?

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by: Andrew C. White @ Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 13:13:50 PM CST

no idea (4.00 / 1)

all i know is that maffei has been running for years now, has $300K in the bank and isn't about to listen to anyone telling him thay they "aren't going to let (him) run for an open seat."

TODAY is day one. It always is.

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by: phillip anderson @ Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 13:21:40 PM CST

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What a crock... (0.00 / 0)

I met Dan Maffei. The guy is a great candidate who nearly won last time. In any upstate seat, you can't count out the Republicans. But why would we tinker with the idea of getting a challenger for Maffei?

Just when the road got a bit 'easier' for Maffei, the Democrats would want to make it more challenging? And why, just because with Walsh out of there you get rid of the so-called "incumbent advantage?"

To me, this is all ridiculous. You have a guy that's been campaigning hard for months now, has a sizable campaign fund and he has name recognition.

Plus, if Maffei has to invest against a serious primary challenger, aren't you hurting his chances against any Republican challenger?

I think so. Even if they run someone like Maggie Brooks, you know the Republicans are going to rally around her (or whoever it is) to get that person elected.

We have to be a little smarter and pick our battles, in my opinion.  

Support our troops, not the war.

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by: robert.harding @ Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 15:49:54 PM CST

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Puzzle that one out-- not so hard (4.00 / 1)

Think about it-- Mayor of the City of Syracuse?  Yeah, he is a Democrat, that is for sure.  And, a very well-connected one, actually.  Afraid that I have to agree w/Liz's commenter.  Not want to-- I like Maffei a lot, and Driscoll is a bit of a glad-hander type for my taste.  But, I have seen him out and about politicking, and I do not think of him as an unambitious sort in the least.

Now, here is an interesting question for you: will Spitzer have the self-discipline to stay out of it?  Might be tricky while simultaneously looking for allies in his Upstate Revival tour-- Driscoll could help a lot...

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by: robinia @ Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 13:29:19 PM CST

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Hmmm... not good (0.00 / 0)

Maffei has done all the hard work on this one. A primary challenge to him from within the Democratic party is not a smart move.

People have the right to run for any office they want but Driscoll has a lot of work ahead of him to convince me he deserves a shot here.

I haven't heard anyone, anywhere have even one single bad thing to say about Maffei.

He's the man and Driscoll (or anyone) has one hell of an uphill climb to prove otherwise.

Peace,

Andrew

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by: Andrew C. White @ Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 14:10:31 PM CST

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Here's a Twist (4.00 / 3)

I just saw this after posting my comment below.

Maffei's position in 2005 was Campaign Coordinator for the re-election of . . .
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.
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. . . wait for it . . .
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.
.
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. . . Syracuse Mayor Matt Driscoll.

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by: The Maven @ Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 14:26:26 PM CST

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I Think the Problem (4.00 / 1)

may be less with Spitzer's involvement than with the big-money donors.  So long as Maffei was the only Democrat running in a very winnable contest against Walsh, contributors had every reason to back Maffei.  Not only would a primary contest involving a potentially strong challenger like Driscoll muddy things among the donor community (and drain a decent chunk of Maffei's funds, to boot), but the impression I get is that Driscoll may be able to divert a number of donors over to his side.

Not to mention, there's the question of whether the DCCC will try to weigh in behind the scenes here.

That's just my hunch, so I could be wrong (as with everything).

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by: The Maven @ Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 14:16:45 PM CST

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power of star power (0.00 / 0)

just beware tim green is of su football fame and atl falcon all pro and private business success could he pay his own way????????? not my district what ever way if falls let hope its a great dem just like are canidate in the 26 jon powers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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by: scott rytlewski @ Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 15:29:15 PM CST

Driscoll far from running (4.00 / 1)

I've been to several blogs and know the Mayor and his team - there's just one guy trying to push this Driscoll rumor - and it just ain't true.  

First, the Mayor actually has some loyalty to Maffei - he knows Dan came in and helped him win a race that could have been career ending (he barely won as it was), and he knows it would look pretty foul if he turned around and went against Maffei.  Second, Driscoll knows he can't use a dime of his campaign fund because it was raised outside of federal campaign finance rules.  So, he would have to start from scratch, and Maffei has done a good job collecting most of the big donors already - people who are also pretty tapped out from the last elections and have been hit pretty hard for Hillary - so don't expect them to double dip for the Mayor.  Finally, Driscoll actually doesn't really like the idea of moving to Washington and becoming a Freshman Congressman.  He's an executive-style leader, not a legislative guy.  Expect him to put cold water on this rumor in very short order.

Also have heard Maffei's camp is close to reporting well over $450,000 in the bank.  That's a lotta dough and will cause anyone to think REAL hard about getting in and starting from zero.

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by: Orangeman @ Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 17:44:42 PM CST

Thanks (0.00 / 0)

Good info.  I am glad to hear that Driscoll is just out being sociable and not aiming at another office, or at least not this one. Maffei has definitely done the work and raised the dough and scored the votes to deserve everyone's support.

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by: robinia @ Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 18:27:28 PM CST

[ Parent ]