Millionaire's Amendment is Struck Down

by: NYBri

Thu Jun 26, 2008 at 11:14:45 AM EDT

Supreme Court strikes down 'millionaire's amendment'

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court has struck down the "millionaire's amendment" as an unfair way to help opponents of wealthy candidates who spend from their personal fortunes.

And it was Jack Davis who brought the suit to the court.

Jon Powers is running for Congress in NY-26 in a primary against Davis and his is a people powered campaign. We need to support Jon and make sure Jack isn't given the opportunity to lose this seat a third time.

Reynolds supports economic stimulus package but fails to support the middle class

by: robert.harding

Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 13:41:45 PM EST

Congress recently approved the Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008, or H.R. 5140. Tom Reynolds voted in support of this bill, which is the only positive of this whole story. The problem? Reynolds has consistently voted against the middle class throughout his congressional career. In today's Journal-Register there is an article about, among other things, Reynolds' support for the Bush economic stimulus package.

Reynolds conveyed support for President George Bush's $150 billion tax rebate plan as a means to stimulate the economy. The hope is that millions of Americans will use the money for extra purchases - toward appliances or cars, perhaps - that they otherwise wouldn't have been able to afford. It could double expenditures, he said.

Under the plan, couples will receive up to $1,200; single individuals, $600. Those who make more than $150,000 per household will not receive a check.

"There are also no tax hikes with this," Reynolds said.

Reynolds made no mention of economists' predictions that families will store the money away in preparation for the forthcoming recession, thereby negating the purpose of the rebate.

NY-26: Reynolds 4Q numbers and overall figures show weakened candidate

by: robert.harding

Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 18:28:04 PM EST

Tom Reynolds is a weak candidate for many reasons. The banner to the right regarding Reynolds' continued votes against SCHIP is just one example. But a lot can be said of his inability to raise money this time around.

In 2006, Reynolds was flexing his political muscle and his ability to raise money was impressive. A look at a Reynolds filing from January 31, 2006 shows a completely different story than the Reynolds of January 31, 2008. Here's the comparisons:

Tom Reynolds Fundraising
Category	2006	2008
4Q Contributions	$387,281.53	$242,414.93
Individual Contributions	$226,454.25	$113,689.93
To-Date Contributions	$1,529,630.52	$987,306.31
Cash on hand	$2,351,882.65	$862,809.75

The number that is the most staggering is the cash on hand figure. That really tells the whole story right there. Reynolds, heading into 2006, had a serious war chest. Over $2.3 million is some serious cash, especially for a man who at the time was pretty entrenched and pretty popular.

Just look at the individual contributions and the disparity between 2006 and 2008. He has about 50 percent less in individual contributions than he did at this point in 2006. That's a lot of money, especially in this race.

The conclusions to draw from this are that Reynolds is and has been a weakened candidate. If it doesn't appear to be the case on the surface or on the issues, it certainly is the case on paper and in the financial department. He is struggling to raise the same kind of money in previous years which tells us one thing: He's vulnerable. VERY vulnerable.

NY-26: Jack Davis writes a letter

by: robert.harding

Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 13:31:07 PM EST

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Many of you have written, mailed, phoned and greeted me with the question; "Will you run again?" On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being "all in", I am presently at a 5.

I lost the election but we won the House and the Senate.  We forced Reynolds to defend his seat and spend time and millions of dollars that could have been spent on other close House seats.

In 2004, I announced my candidacy in the middle of March and in 2006 the end of March. I think announcing in March will be soon enough. This could change depending on changing circumstances. Other candidates have a need to announce earlier for they must persuade others to finance their campaigns.

Should I choose to go "all in" my campaign will be financed by two million dollars of my personal funds.

Our country is in worse economic shape than when I first started warning people in 2003.

The loss of jobs, the loss of industries, a huge trade deficit and the huge debt we owe foreign countries have all increased in size and are causing an economic crisis.

The incompetence of the career politicians is destroying our country. We need a change.

Please let me have your comments on whether I should "fold" or go "all in".

You attention is invited to recent articles, songs and a video "Taking it Back" on this website.

Sincerely,
Jack Davis

I say fold your hand and support Jon Powers.  

NY-26: Powers at a house party in Orleans County

by: robert.harding

Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 22:23:12 PM EST

It seems to me that as this campaign goes on, Jon is becoming a stronger candidate. Not to say he wasn't before, but he certainly has shown to many people that he is very qualified to be their representative her in New York's 26th district and he also has proven that he is very knowledgeable about local issues. He certainly can balance the national issues with the local ones very well. That will only help him in any primary and general election.

More on the flip.  

NY-26: Powers receives third local Democratic endorsement

by: robert.harding

Thu Jan 10, 2008 at 13:43:11 PM EST

Powers, who earlier in the day received strong support from Rep. Steve Israel (NY-2), received the third local Democratic endorsement (Orleans County Democrats and Genesee County Democrats have already endorsed Powers) in the last month.

From the press release (via e-mail):

Last night, the Livingston County Democratic Committee overwhelmingly voted to support former Army Captain and Iraq War veteran Jon Powers in his bid to unseat Tom Reynolds as Representative for NY-26 in Congress.
...  

Powers pointed to the Livingston County Democratic Committee's endorsement as evidence that his message of change is resonating with Western New Yorkers.  "Voters are tired of politics-as-usual in Washington.  People in NY-26 want and deserve a Representative that they can be proud of, a Representative who will bring real leadership and change to both Western New York and Washington."  

"Jon is the kind of candidate we've been waiting a long time for," said Phil Jones, Chairman of the Livingston County Democratic Committee.  "He shares the belief of people in Livingston County that Washington is broken.  Jon Powers has demonstrated time and time again the type of hands on leadership that will be needed to bring change to Washington and Western New York."

This is a huge pickup for Jon. I sat with Wyoming County's chairman at the luncheon in Buffalo yesterday. I think Wyoming County's endorsement is imminent... but we'll have to wait and see.

Jon is also rooting out his supporters. What you're seeing is a lot of rural support for Jon. The reason is that Jon is spreading his message all across the 26th District, not just sitting in a factory in Akron...

You will no doubt find Jack Davis supporters. Davis had a message that resonated with many Western New Yorkers. But Jon Powers gets it as well. Yesterday, he said that the number one (and two) issue in WNY was jobs. Jon knows that he needs to fight for WNYers... and he will.

UPDATE: Here is the Powers for Congress write-up on the Livingston County Dems endorsement last night.  

NY-26: Powers receives Rep. Steve Israel's (NY-2) support.

by: robert.harding

Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 18:37:16 PM EST

Israel came to Buffalo for a Powers' campaign fundraiser. Israel spoke highly of Powers and his work with War Kids Relief, as well as his message of leadership by example in his current congressional run.

I guess you could call this an endorsement of sorts and it should speak volumes about what kind of candidate Jon Powers is.

Jon also spoke, saying that the number one issue among Western New Yorkers is jobs. He continued, saying that the second most important issue was also jobs and the third was probably jobs as well.

Jon gets it. He's very savvy about local and national issues. I know I'll be working for the next 9 1/2 months to get him elected.  

Orleans County Democrats endorse Powers

by: robert.harding

Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 11:58:10 AM EST

(From a press release) POWERS GAINING MOMENTUM IN HIS CONGRESSIONAL RUN - ORLEANS DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE ENDORSE
POWERS FOR CONGRESS

Iraq war veteran receives second key endorsement in as many days.

Last night, former Army Captain Jon Powers received his second key Democratic endorsement this week.   Just one day after their counterparts in Genesee County took the same step, the Orleans County Democratic Committee unanimously voted to endorse Jon Powers for Congress in 2008.  

"I'm convinced that Jon Powers will bring a new kind of leadership to Washington," said Rytlewski in reference to the endorsement.   "The career politicians have failed to do the job.  The only way for everyday people to bring about change in Washington is by changing who we're sending to Washington."  

The securing of these two key countywide endorsements provides further evidence that Western New Yorkers are rallying behind Powers' message of change, and tired of candidates who put the interests of Big Business and Washington lobbyists ahead of what is right for the voters.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to have the support of the Orleans County Democrats" said Powers.  "The people of this area deserve a representative in Washington that they can be proud of.   Together we can bring a new kind of leadership to New York's 26th Congressional District, and this endorsement brings us one step closer to that goal."

Chairwoman Sally Rytlewski is one of the best leaders you'll ever find in our party. I'm not saying that because she's the chairwoman of the county I come from. I'm saying that because she is a true leader, a great organizer and she wants to win.

(Pictured here: From left, Gary Kent (recently elected to the Orleans County Legislature), Jon Powers, Orleans County Democratic chairwoman Sally Rytlewski and Orleans County Legislature candidate and newspaper columnist Thom Jennings)

Jon will always have Orleans County's support. We will work hard to get him elected and to give Tom Reynolds an early retirement.  

Powers receives Genesee County Dems endorsement

by: robert.harding

Wed Dec 05, 2007 at 13:09:44 PM EST

Last night, Jon Powers received a significant boost in his effort to bring leadership by example to New York's 26th Congressional District with the announcement that the Genesee County Democratic Committee had overwhelmingly endorsed his candidacy.

A number of Genesee Democratic Committeemen cited Jon's unique qualifications, track record of leadership by example in the military and tireless work ethic as reasons for their support.  "I have no doubt that Jon is the most qualified candidate in this race, and the only candidate that is in touch with issues that are important to voters in rural based counties such as ours," said Charlie Mallow, Genesee County Democratic Committee Chairman.

Jon has been very active in getting his message out among those in the so-called "GLOW" counties (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming). As a citizen of Orleans County, it's always good to see a candidate like Jon come to you and have dinner, come to your fair, attend your picnics, etc.

The people of Genesee County are hardworking people. I've met Charlie Mallow and I have nothing but high praise for what he has done in Genesee County and for the many people who he works with. In counties like Orleans and Genesee, we are outnumbered by Republicans but I can guarantee one thing: They don't work as hard as we do when it comes to campaigning for political office and getting our message out there.

The endorsement of Jon is huge. I should have more news tomorrow for you - this time from Orleans County.