| Congressman Eric Massa was asked today why he, unlike a number of members of New York's congressional delegation, has yet to endorse Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
Massa believes that it's "not appropriate" for him to inject himself into a Senate race that has no impact on him as a member of the House. He said that Gillibrand's campaign "doesn't revolve around members of Congress" and that his attention is being paid to the people he represents.
"I have not looked at anything she has done," Massa said. "I have been so focused on what I have been trying to do for the people of this district that, frankly, I find it terribly unnecessary and, at this point, a waste of time to be speculating about someone else's Senate race."
Before that, Massa had told a reporter that "I am much more focused on my district. Period."
Two reporters asked for Massa's take on Gillibrand and he wouldn't budge. A notable piece missing from the conversation was any praise for the senator, which doesn't suggest much given the line of questioning being focused on why he has not yet endorsed her.
Massa was also asked about the announcement today that Justice Sonia Sotomayor would be nominated to replace the retiring David Souter on the Supreme Court. He said that his office would be putting out a statement, but that he was happy that President Barack Obama chose to nominate a political centrist.
"Right off the bat, that's a good thing," Massa said. He added: "I like the idea that he [President Obama] has picked a political centrist."
He also stressed the importance of North Korea's nuclear program, which became news over the weekend because of tests conducted by North Korea.
"A nuclear-armed North Korea is a game-changer," he said. "It is something that, I think, all Americans should become understanding of the implications of. It certainly should have us focused on incredible expenditures of money and personnel that we currently have in Iraq, where our entire military ground force which is now completely committed."
Massa also targeted the Bush administration due to its lack of building up the Navy, which Massa contends is now the smallest it has been since World War I. |
