Arcuri, Barber visit Dryden on last day of race

by: simonstl

Mon Nov 03, 2008 at 21:35:45 PM EST

Congressman Michael Arcuri and State Senate candidate Don Barber both swung through Dryden on this final day before voting. Barber supporters held a rally at Time Square at Dryden's Four Corners intersection, while Arcuri visited Tompkins-Cortland Community College and the Dryden Fire Station before going to a rally in Lansing (which I didn't, alas, get to.)

Barber Rally in Dryden.

Martha Ferger at Barber Rally in Dryden.

Mike Arcuri at Dryden Ambulance.

While it's sometimes frustrating to be in the southwest corner of creatively gerrymandered districts that stretch to our east, it was great to have these two great Democratic candidates bringing their campaigns to a strong conclusion here!

One Sincere Fundraising Appeal-- SD-51

by: robinia

Tue Oct 21, 2008 at 14:31:10 PM EDT

C'mon.  Help put Barber over the top:
https://secure.actblue.com/con...

Senator Schumer Endorses Don Barber in SD-51

by: robinia

Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 14:31:51 PM EDT

Sen. Charles Schumer issued a ringing endorsement of state Senate candidate Don Barber (D-Caroline) today. Barber is running against Sen. Jim Seward (R-Milford) in the 51st state Senate district. Schumer praised Barber's "fine judgment" in calling for stronger oversight of the insurance industry. Since the campaign began, Barber has been scoring Sen. Seward's record of weakening oversight of the industry and accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars from insurance interests while serving as Chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee.

Schumer said, "Don Barber has made the economy and quality, affordable universal health care the centerpieces of his campaign. Since he started running he has been advocating stronger oversight of New York's insurance industry. And given the problems on Wall Street, we can see that Don Barber demonstrated fine judgment from the beginning. He puts working families and their needs first. The New York State Senate needs a progressive leader like Don Barber. He has the right values, and he'll bring fresh ideas to Albany. He has my whole-hearted support."

Oversight of the insurance industry turns out to be an issue that touches all of us-- as I have written before and before that, and as Simon has been tracking here and here  and herkimerprogressive cites here... and others, too, of course.  Insurance "stuff" turns out to matter immensely as a pocketbook issue for all NYers-- which is why all NYers need to help defeat Seward, insurance industry Legislator of the Year.

Visit Don's website and/or ActBlue page.

AIG Failure, Seward's Complicity In Insurance Company Shenanigans, Barber Demands Answers

by: robinia

Fri Oct 03, 2008 at 09:38:11 AM EDT

This bill, S.8446/A. 11432 would make these documents exempt from freedom of information laws, disclosure under public officers law, or subpoena.

It's passed through the Senate (with no sponsors, which, according to NYPIRG's Blair Horner, "is how you know a bill really stinks")

Robert questioned this move to let insurance companies count on the results of investigations being kept "confidential" (secret).  His post  features this bizarre quote from the bill's "justification"-- that justice will be served by making insurance companies less likely to hide malfeasance from the authorities, by ensuring them that the authorities would keep that malfeasance secret from the public.

Regulated persons and other entities are sometimes reluctant to provide the Superintendent with proprietary or other information with respect to an examination, investigation or inquiry for fear that this information may become publicly available pursuant to FOIL, a subpoena, or some other disclosure method. As a result, the Superintendent`s ability to identify potential problems concerning these regulated persons and entities, and to implement plans of corrective action in response thereto, has been hindered. This bill addresses this concern by making correspondence, memoranda and other documents concerning or arising out of an examination, investigation or inquiry presumptively confidential, unless the Superintendent deems disclosure to be in the interest of the policyholders, shareholders or the public.

Wow.  Roatti called this in another post a "line in the sand."  Righto, Roatti.  Now, with 20-20 hindsight, you have to wonder-- what were they working on covering up about AIG?

Think that they didn't know about it?  Well, back then, when I called the NYS Dept. of Insurance about this bill, the Deputy Commissioner of Insurance assured me that this move toward a different kind of regulation was absolutely necessary to ensure the competitiveness of NYS in keeping large, multinational insurance companies headquartered in NY.  That would be, I assume, AIG.  He also referred to a Blueprint for 21st Century Regulation of Financial Services, what was known at the time as the Paulson Plan, which stressed the need to deregulate financial services to maintain "global competitiveness" of US companies.   Irony, irony.

Who has been dogging this all along?  Don Barber.  Check out his hard-hitting news release on the subject-- and Insurance Committee Chair Seward's complicity-- on the flip.

SD-51: Senator Clinton Endorses Don Barber

by: robinia

Mon Sep 08, 2008 at 15:28:36 PM EDT

Most of the attention today is focused on races with primaries, but Don Barber doesn't need a primary opponent to make news.  Today, his campaign announced that Senator Hillary Clinton is endorsing him:

Clinton praised Barber's campaign for taking on the special interests and battling for the middle class.  

In her statement, Clinton said, "Don Barber is a farmer who knows how to protect our precious environment. He's a businessman who knows how to revitalize the upstate economy. He's running a vibrant, grassroots campaign and taking on the special interests that have blocked health care reform. I know Don Barber will put the interests of middle class, working families first. His voice is sorely needed in the New York State Senate. He has my full support."

Barber thanked Sen. Clinton."I deeply appreciate this support and recognition from Senator Clinton.  I am honored to add her endorsement to our list of supporters.  This shows the depth and breadth of the excitement our campaign is generating."

Add this heavy-hitter endorsement to the other endorsements that Don has been racking up, like this one and these two, and you can see why people think Barber's campaign is gaining ground.

NY League of Conservation Voters Releases First State Senate Endorsement: Don Barber, SD-51

by: robinia

Sat Aug 30, 2008 at 11:32:16 AM EDT

Why Barber?  Here's what their President, Marcia Bystryn says:

For years, Don Barber has been an intelligent and forward-thinking champion of the environment... Don Barber epitomizes the kind of environmental leadership we need in Albany, and that is why the New York League of Conservation Voters enthusiastically endorses him as the next State Senator from the 51st District.

Don Barber was raised an upstate farmer and Republican.  When, a long time ago, he first decided to follow in his father's footsteps and enter public service at the municipal level, he submitted a resume to his local Republican Committee.  They decided that his stellar service on our County's Environmental Management Commission was a reason to deny him their support.  Don ran anyway, with the support of the Democrats, changed parties.... and the rest is history.

Here's what Don says about the endorsement:

I'm honored to accept the League's endorsement. Preserving our abundant environment for future generations is our most important task. I learned about the importance of protecting our precious environment as a child on our family farm. Advancing this value is the great work of the New York League of Conservation Voters.

And his campaign manager, Tarah Rowse, sums it up this way:

On the environment, as on every other crucial issue, Don Barber will work for us because he's one of us. As a farmer and Town Supervisor, Don Barber stayed close to the land, conserving resources, keeping our water pure, and working on ways to build a new alternative energy economy. Meanwhile, Sen. Seward has been out of touch in Albany the last 22 years.

Learn more about Don Barber and his exemplary record on the environment; also check out his stand on that central issue of governmental reform, Clean Elections.
Then, make a visit to Barber's ActBlue page.
Help take the NY State Senate with leaders who will lead us to a better future!

SD-51: Barber Takes a New Approach to Investing in Upstate

by: robinia

Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 21:53:33 PM EDT

But, Don's campaign is about much more than just meeting people and listening to their concerns.  He is also generating ideas for bringing change to NYS government.  Otsego and Chenango Counties, like much of the central part of the state, have seen a lot of activity recently from mining companies that are interested in buying mineral rights on rural properties, and then drilling and hydrofracking looking for natural gas.  Don called for more environmental impact assessment in the campaign, and Governor Paterson listened and asked the DEC to conduct an assessment and publish a Generic Environmental Impact Statement.  That's an excellent first step.... but, then what?  Shall we just leave the mining companies to the kind of boom-and-bust economic wave that typically follows natural resource exploitation?
Don has a much better idea-- one that impresses on me again why we need this kind of a leader in the NYS Senate.  Check this out...

Paterson Signs Gas-drilling Bill -- Barber (SD-51) Lauds Decision to Require GEIS

by: robinia

Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 16:40:55 PM EDT

In effect, this does exactly what SD-51 candidate Don Barber has suggested: puts a moratorium on drilling until we have studied the environmental impacts of the new techniques being used.  His campaigns' analysis is just so good (Mike, you are incomparable!), I'm just going to put the whole thing here, after the flip.  Read it-- this is important stuff!

Don's campaign is calling their approach-- which the Governor took-- "conservative" and challenging Seward (who called it "irresponsible") to debate the issue.  Interesting!

SD-51: ActBlue Champ Barber's "Little Engine That Could" Has a Head of Netroots Steam

by: robinia

Tue Jul 15, 2008 at 08:40:46 AM EDT

At a thank-you party for supporters Sunday, Don said he liked the metaphor: Barber and his supporters are like the "little engine that could"... change Albany. Now that we get the news that billionaire Golisano may be throwing his weight behind SD-51 incumbent Republican Senate Whip Seward, well, our mountaintop to climb just grew a bit taller.

No prob.  Together we are strong-- like, quantitatively, impressively strong.  Like: the word from Marissa Dorgan (ActBlue's Director of Strategy and Communications) is that, as of last night, Don Barber is the first state candidate to make the ActBlue Top Ten list! Martha Robertson, the Barber Campaign Fundraising Director, says:

As of tonight the Barber campaign has received 315 donations on ActBlue (donations, not unduplicated donors, since some people have given multiple times). That is more than twice the number of gifts of all other NY Dem Senate challengers combined (their 154 compared to our 315)... Also, in terms of total dollars, we have about 50% more than Gennaro, who has the next highest total.

Pass on the good news! Full report on the Barber July 15 filing to come soon.

How many netroots activists and sincere local supporters does it take to overcome entrenched special interests joined by a billionaire biz tycoon? We are about to see.

SD-51 Don Barber & Supporters-- The Little Engine that Could.... Change Albany

by: robinia

Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 12:21:23 PM EDT

That's Don Barber's campaign. No big donors, all little ones.  And, we are really, really close to the top of a major ridge.

I just got a chat back from the campaign-- we are within five thousand dollars of the goal we must reach by midnight tonight to leverage DSSC funding.  Some pledges will continue to come in on line today.  But, if you can spare even a bit to help all of us push Don over the top, now is the time.  http://barberforsenate.com

If you are wondering why you should support Don even though you don't live in his district, please see my previous post on this here.

Money Matters-- Now's the Time Barber Needs Your Help!

by: robinia

Wed Jul 09, 2008 at 13:42:54 PM EDT

While Golisano throws his weight and money around in an "uncoordinated" effort to help whomever he likes best, and Spitzer contributes a big 5K (is that half a date w/his high-end whores?) to the Upstate Rural Caucus (as per Robert's post below), the true reformers are out there on their own.  They have only us to depend on, because they will only speak for us.

Please read this appeal from Barber Campaign Strategist Amy Little (yeah, she is the one who worked with the Hall campaign when the establishment Dems didn't think he stood a chance, either).  She makes an excellent case for how helping Don Barber make it is important for any reform-minded NYer.  More follows from the Communications Director.  They need our help-- cash in whatever increment you can manage this week-- but, also to get the word out.  We are up against a lot-- let's all pull together now!

Dear Fellow Take New Yorkers:

In NY's 51 district, Don Barber is running against Republican Jim Seward, Bruno's Majority Whip, Chair of the Insurance Committee, who has gone unopposed for 22 years and gets most of his money from the insurance industry. Needless to say, if we want to advance health care issues in NY, we need to get rid of Seward.

Don is a true progressive. A farmer, successful small business owner, and 6-term Town Supervisor, Don is an amazing person with unequivocal integrity, honesty and openness. He is running another one of those exciting grassroots campaigns and depends on those individuals who understand the need for change to help.

This Friday, July 11 (just 2 days from now), is the close of the fundraising period for NY state candidates. Please consider making a contribution before Friday at http://barberforsenate.com. Know that your contribution will help win a campaign that is running against an entrenched Republican with big bucks from the Insurance Industry, which also has big bucks.

Just think, you can participate in getting rid of the Republican iron fist in NY and the Insurance Industry's best friend in the Senate, as well as advance any issue you care about, by helping get Don Barber elected.

Several Take NY'ers are helping in one way or another on this campaign because taking this seat will powerfully disrupt the business as usual in New York's policy making.

Anyone else want to comment about Don Barber?

Amy Little

Don Barber believes that taking money from the insurance industry while chairing the Senate Insurance Committee is unethical, plain and simple. By blocking regulation of HMO rates, Seward has allowed rates to rise 79% since 2001. Think of how much money Jim Seward has made for the insurance companies in that time, and how much the suffering of New Yorkers has increased as a result. This is about ethics, but it's also about believing that health care is a human right, not something the well-off can buy while the rest of us are denied care every day.

Don is fighting for all of us, and he deserves our support.

Do it now, ActBlue, or the Barber website

SD 51: Barber Has A Plan for Farming Revival

by: robinia

Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 14:31:45 PM EDT

Check it out on the flip.  A couple of good quotes:

Barber plans to lead a farming resurgence when he takes office. A proponent of buying locally, he said, "When we buy local farm products the money circulates locally. When we buy strawberries from Chile, our local dollars go back to Chile. We can change all that through our own purchasing decisions. And the state can provide incentives to create these new markets.  Upstate New York can capitalize on its tremendous agricultural resource potential to create a vibrant economy. The time is now."

"Jim Seward has failed the family farm. If farmers get any more of this kind of leadership, they'll all be out of business."  

Don Barber at Dryden Dairy Day

by: simonstl

Sat Jun 14, 2008 at 16:43:27 PM EDT

The Dryden Democrats were delighted to have State Senate candidate Don Barber with us in the Dryden Dairy Days parade.

Don Barber and supporters riding along at Dryden Dairy Day.

You can see more Democrats in the parade (and the crowd) on pages 17-19 of this gallery. You can see a nice line of Democrats here, from the blue truck back to just before the horses on the left. There's a group in Barber shirts, and Dryden Dems, some with Barber shirts, in front.

Dryden Democrats at Dryden Dairy Day.

Don spent some time with us at our voter registration booth, and talked with the crowd. We had some happy visitors, eager to see Democrats, and particularly Don, finally challenging Seward again. It's just the beginning of campaign season, but it's looking great!

SD 51: Working Families Party Endorses Barber!

by: robinia

Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 17:05:42 PM EDT

Letterhead cancels fundraiser - but still some good news

by: simonstl

Sun Jun 01, 2008 at 08:34:54 AM EDT

This one is kind of a sad one, but reminds us that the division between governing and politics is complicated:

First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson stumbled in her first foray into the fight for the Senate majority, mixing politics and governance by putting a fundraiser invitation on state letterhead.

Paige Paterson was scheduled to headline a June 24 Manhattan fundraiser for Democratic Senate candidate and family friend Don Barber, who is running against Sen. James Seward in the 51st Senate District. Barber is currently Caroline Town Supervisor in Tompkins County, a businessman, and a farmer.

In the invitation, Paige Paterson said, in part: "This is the kind of leadership we need in New York. I know you will agree with me that our 'blue' state should be led by a Democratic Senate, and Don's campaign will help us achieve that goal."

Printing the invitation on state letterhead was "absolutely something that should not have happened. And the event has been canceled," said Erin Duggan, a spokeswoman for Gov. David Paterson.

"It was an honest mistake," she added.

The good news: the fund-raiser will be rescheduled, and its very existence shows that maybe the truce is limited to recruiting, and not to campaigning. The story also points out some positive implications for the race in the 51st:

The Barber event, had it gone forward, would have included on its attendee list state Democratic Chair June O'Neill, Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith, and a number of Democratic senators.

While the Barber race is not currently considered in the top tier of competitive Senate races, the attendee list indicates there is high-level party interest in it.

We definitely need change here in the 51st, and it's good to hear that the party is aware of that.

Barber bus travels the rural roads, kicking off SD 51 campaign

by: robinia

Fri Apr 04, 2008 at 20:02:25 PM EDT

A week ago, building up to the theme of taking the State Senate, SD 51 candidate Don Barber and a bus full of supporters traveled all seven counties of the 51st SD, stopping at seven venues to announce the kickoff of Barber's campaign.  It was fun-- although the gerrymandered district is too far-flung to be easy to traverse. Here is a map .

On the Road with the Barber Bus: SD 51 Campaign Kicks Off Saturday

by: robinia

Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 20:39:41 PM EDT

Time to get on the Barber Bus, and travel from Catskill in the East to Caroline in the West.  Actually, first the bus has to travel from Caroline to Catskill, and then, at 8:30 AM, Barber will begin announcing his candidacy on the banks of the Hudson River in Catskill, and in all seven counties in the district. The Bus will leave Caroline to begin to traverse the far-flung District at 4:30 AM.  I'll be there, although I can't swear I'll be awake!

Herkimerprogressive was kind enough to post the itinerary earlier (see below)-- if you can, meet the Barber Bus at one of the seven stops to support him as he announces his candidacy, county by county.

http://www.thealbanyproject.co...

State Senate Campaigns

by: robinia

Mon Feb 18, 2008 at 18:54:43 PM EST

SD-51: Barber Raises 83 Cents For Every $1 Raised by Incumbent-- W/out Even Announcing Yet!

by: robinia

Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:17:34 AM EST

FRIENDS OF SENATOR SEWARD: $150,635.69

and compare... hey, that is darn good for somebody who is up against Bruno's right-hand man!  Just think how this will look once Don announces his campaign!

For Immediate Release
January 15, 2008

Contact: Tarah Rowse, Campaign Manager, 607-539-3050

Don Barber Raises Over $125,000 to Challenge Jim Seward for NYS Senate 51
Barber says, "People want a change of leadership in Albany."

Brooktondale, NY -- Don Barber, (D) Caroline Town Supervisor, reported having raised over $125,000 from more than 750 individuals
to unseat 22 year Republican incumbent Senator Jim Seward in NY State Senate District 51.  The district includes all or parts of 7 counties extending from the Hudson River to Tompkins County to north of Old Forge.

These funds represent a significant war chest this early in the cycle and are enough to launch a major upset in the battle to win the seat.