SD-43: Russo Nabs Three Endorsements

Mike Russo (0.00 / 0)

Russo is my personal candidate of choice in the 43rd.  Yes, Premo got in first before Bruno announced retirement, and the other candidates who announced seem like opportunists.  Not Mike.  He'd got a crack website that presents strength on all the issues.  His experience with labor and with Representative Gillibrand makes him a very strong candidate.  It's no suprise DFHMR gave him the nod.

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by: Soundpolitic @ Tue Aug 12, 2008 at 03:09:55 AM UTC

I prefer Russo too (0.00 / 0)

Premo used to be a registered Republican and worked for Joe Bruno's son, Ken Bruno. He had a falling out with them.

I've always thought Premo had an ax to grind. Russo is a much better candidate. Although, I didn't like him knocking Yepsen off the ballot.

I am not in that Senate district, so I have an opinion but no vote.  

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by: JQA @ Tue Aug 12, 2008 at 03:16:11 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Ive being seing Russo signs (0.00 / 0)

all over Saratoga.  Too bad I am just out of the district in Greenfield.  I am beginning to think that Russo could win this seat against McDonald.  The reason is that McDonald represents very little of the 43rd in the Assembly, just a five rural towns on the Eastern fringe of Saratoga county and six rural, lightly populated towns on the Vermont border in Rensselaer county.  

If Russo can run up big margins in the city of Saratoga Springs and in heavily Democratic Troy, he can win this district.  

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by: Sean @ Tue Aug 12, 2008 at 03:13:17 AM UTC

Former Republican? (0.00 / 0)

I think it is funny how as Democrats we always say oh, this person used to be a Republican.

If Premo registered as a Democrat in 06, didn't run, said screw this and re-registered as a Repub or something, maybe the point would be valid. But he didn't. He was willing to run, as well as invest his own money and resources in the race. When it was Bruno. Not when it was open. Where was Russo?

Russo's history isn't so peachy keen, either.
Here's a blog from Saratoga. Check out the comments.
Pretty interesting, if you ask me.

We always talk about converting voters and all that--so what's wrong with a candidate switching parties and two years later running for a seat? Some of TAP's favorite Senate candidates were former Republicans as well--did ya know? Does that mean it's a bad thing? Not in my book.

Also, on TAP, it might not be such a good mark, but in a district with a large GOP reg advantage, it isn't the worst thing in the world. I find it amusing that we are discussing Premo's credentials along the lines of being an opportunist and such, yet it was Russo who didn't throw his hat in the ring until Uncle Joe was out. When Yepsen's signatures fell short, Premo's take was hey, it's a Democratic process, let's do it. Russo's was to knock her off the ballot. Wait, I thought he was a big supporter of women? I thought we all complained about tactics of knocking people off the ballot?
Didn't Squadron have to turn in a million signatures (ok, 8000) bcause of Marty's love for knocking folks off the ballot? What was Russo so afraid of about Yepsen?

This IS a winnable district--which also means that not only will you need boots on the ground against McDonald but the ability to raise money. Anyone seen the filings?

I am guessing a majority of money that Russo will raise will come directly from labor. Which is ok. Except we rail against special interest money and PAC money and all this--I wonder why it's ok in our own backyard but we scream about it on the other side.

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by: rockandroll @ Tue Aug 12, 2008 at 12:40:27 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

FACTS (0.00 / 0)

I think everyone needs to start getting their facts straight and stop posting such nonsense.  Premo did NOT work for Ken Bruno - where did that come from?

And how can you say Russo isn't an opportunist, but Yepsen is, when Yepsen had expressed interest back in January?? Russo didn't even consider running until after Bruno stepped down.  That makes sense?

And if Russo is such a great candidate, why hasn't Gillibrand (His former Boss - that he did such a "great job" for) come out and endorsed him or given him financial support??? His biggest donor is his mother!!

But seriously, let's stop the fantasies and acknowledge that Premo is the ONLY real candidate on the Democratic side and this HAS ALWAYS BEEN a real race.

And P.S. - why are we dems always fighting amongst ourselves while the republicans sit back and wait to finish us off??

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by: youngmod @ Tue Aug 12, 2008 at 15:27:14 PM UTC