| Anyone else remember when the race in NY-20 was a referendum on President Obama and the stimulus package? At least it was such a thing until the GOP lost. Then the talking heads told us it was actually about the awful Tedisco campaign.
Now, the same people are telling us that the coming special election in NY-23 is a referendum on...wait for it...President Obama and health care. I'm sure you never saw that coming. Check this out from a truly terrible article in the Post-Standard.
Will the race to succeed John McHugh in the 23rd district become a referendum on President Obama?
• Political observers say Republicans will try to frame the contest as a referendum on President Obama and his plans for health care reform. The special election for McHugh's seat, if held in September, could coincide with a vote on Obama's health care plan in Congress.
Those Republicans probably won't have to try very hard to frame the race as a referendum on President Obama, something they always try to do, as it seems that the Post Standard is, shockingly, doing it for them. Hell, just read the title of the piece.
Mark Weiner, his real name apparently, then goes on to tell us about the huge GOP Registration advantage and stuff. Dems see positive trends, blah blah, blah; without mentioning the elephant in the room. It's a Republican seat and the GOP just nominated someone much closer to, say, Scott Murphy than to someone like Peter King (R-Wingnut). Because of all their built in advantages and all. Makes sense right?
Maybe it does, but check out the musical chairs happening across the spectrum in NY-23 this week. The natives are restless...
More candidates for Dems, Conservatives
A second candidate has announced his interest in the Conservative Party nomination for New York's 23rd District congressional seat, a previous Republican hopeful has said he has switched parties and will seek the Democratic nomination, and a leading Democrat from Essex has also joined the race.
Who are those Con-Party hopefuls? A couple of real winners.
Army Reserve Sgt. Jon Alvarez, of Hannibal in Oswego County and currently stationed in Baghdad, said in a prepared statement that he will be back in the U.S. in late August or early September and has already informed Conservative Party leaders of his intent to seek the nomination.
"The unprecedented encroachment of the Federal government into the lives of its citizens must be addressed, as well as the irresponsible behavior of elected officials in Washington, D.C. trusted with responsible oversight of the expenditure of our tax dollars," Alvarez said.
Alvarez said he would initiate attempts to abolish the Internal Revenue Service, demand an audit of the Federal Reserve and favors a return to gold- or silver-backed currency.
We all appreciate Sgt Alvarez' service in uniform, but his policy positions reek of Paultard-ism. Abolish the IRS? Check. Return to the gold standard? Double check. Best of luck with that, Sgt Alvarez.
And number two is a real treat, especially for readers of New York blogs, the infamous Jim Kelly, the Spell Check deprived hater of all things Pataki and Mondello and vociferous ranter on forums across the state.
Jim Kelly, of Wilmington, a retired New York City police detective and longtime party activist, has also said he will seek the Conservative Party nomination. The Conservative Party often endorses Republican candidates, but Chairman Mike Long has expressed displeasure at the Republican nomination of Assemblywoman Dierdre Scozzafava of Gouverneur, saying she is too liberal.
This, friends, is going to make some quality television.
Stay tuned. |
