Smith Called Out By Senate GOP For Attendance At NYSDRC Convention

by: robert.harding

Mon Apr 07, 2008 at 18:00:05 PM EDT

For the record, these are the senators that come to mind that were in attendance this weekend:

- Sen. Darrel Aubertine
- Sen. Neil Breslin
- Sen. Martin Connor
- Sen. Efrain Gonzalez Jr.
- Sen. Craig Johnson
- Minority Leader Smith
- Sen. David Valesky

I probably missed some there, but those were the ones that I either saw or heard their name called. Was it a big deal that they showed up to this conference? Maybe to some. To me, it wasn't. They have had how many months to get this budget done and it's not done? The Senate GOP is making political hay out of this. It's a pointless argument they are trying to make.

Here is what Sen. Martin Golden said.

"It's really sad," Golden said. "They just don't get it. Even though (former Gov. Eliot) Spitzer fell three weeks ago, they put politics ahead of policy. It's time to put that garbage behind us."

Politics ahead of policy? One assemblyman I know of was WORKING in his hotel room on budget issues in between attending meals and sessions. So does that mean he was putting policy ahead of politics? Probably not in GOP eyes.  

NY-26: Fourth Republican Says He Won't Run

by: robert.harding

Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 09:55:09 AM EDT

Buffalo attorney Michael Powers said he will not run for the seat, which is being vacated by Rep. Tom Reynolds.

Michael B. Powers, one of the top names in the Republican mix to succeed the retiring Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds, said today he will not run for the seat.

Powers, a partner in the Phillips Lytle law firm and vice chairman of the Erie County Republican Committee, said he feels he can prove just as effective by continuing his involvement in several community-based projects.

"I thought that what I'm doing now will make an impact, and I could not walk away from those responsibilities," he said.

The Republican chairs throughout the district will meet today to discuss the race. One thing to note is that, at least in the Buffalo media, Iraq war veteran David Bellavia has been largely ignored when discussing the NY-26 race. I find this surprising. According to the above Buffalo News article, the GOP is looking for someone like Erie County Executive Chris Collins. That doesn't mean Collins is the guy, but they do want someone LIKE Collins to run.

UPDATE: Another possible Republican candidate said it is "highly unlikely" he will run. Jordan Levy, chairman of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, probably won't run for the seat, although he won't rule it out completely.  

NY-26: Republican Hayes Won't Seek Reynolds Seat

by: robert.harding

Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 15:56:52 PM EDT

Assemblyman James P. Hayes -- thought to be one of the major competitors in the scramble to fill the seat of retiring Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds -- said today he will not run.

"As I have said many times, my work in the Assembly, as the ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee and representing the people of Amherst and Niagara County, is both important and personally satisfying, and so today I am announcing that I will not be a candidate for Congress this year," he said.

"I believe I can best serve the people of our community by staying at my post in the Legislature at this critical juncture, and continuing the fight for lower taxes and for government and budget reform," he said.

When Sen. George Maziarz announced yesterday that he would not run for Congress, the likelihood of a primary increased. With Hayes not entering, the probability of a primary just skyrocketed. Hayes and Maziarz were the top two contenders for this seat and they both don't want it. That will leave a crowded field jockeying for position.  

NY-26: Republican Field Packed

by: robert.harding

Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 11:14:43 AM EDT

So far, all of the following names have been tossed around as possible candidates on the GOP side:

- Sen. George Maziarz, who could declare his candidacy early next week and who is (I would argue) the frontrunner for the Republican nomination.

- Assemblyman Jim Hayes is also seriously considering a run given his location (Amherst in Erie County). Hayes was widely considered the top contender for the Republican nod in the 61st Senate District race after Sen. Mary Lou Rath announced her retirement.

- Nick Sinatra, who is a native of Western New York and has several Republican connections, is currently the associate political director at the White House.

- David Bellavia, an Iraq War veteran and someone I have interviewed on my radio show just four months ago. Bellavia would be an interesting choice, but considered a long shot because he is from Genesee County.

- Other names include: Michael B. Powers, a Buffalo-area attorney, Assemblyman Steve Hawley, former Assembly Minority Leader Charlie Nesbitt and former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, who once considered a run against Congresswoman Louise Slaughter and who resides in the 26th district (Wyoming County, I believe).

There seems to be one common denominator here. That is, if Maziarz runs, it seems everyone else would stay out of the race. But if he doesn't run, which is a possibility, that could set off a primary battle. Hayes would be the next in line, but he has his weaknesses. Yes, he could carry Amherst but what about Monroe and Niagara counties? Those are well populated areas and Hayes would have to work VERY hard for votes there. So it could be in the cards that someone challenges Hayes.

But if Maziarz enters, he would be the guy. This is the race that Maziarz has been looking forward to for a long time. But he has to decide whether or not he should leave his Senate seat, which could be very vulnerable and be a seat that the Democrats could target in November.

NRCC taken for hundreds of thousands of dollars

by: robert.harding

Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 22:55:28 PM EDT

National Republican Congressional Committee officials acknowledged publicly today that they have found discrepancies in their books of more than a million dollars and evidence that the NRCC's former treasurer, Christopher Ward, made "several hundred thousand dollars" worth of unauthorized wire transfers out of the committee that appear to have ended up in Ward's own bank accounts.

The NRCC launched an internal probe and contacted the FBI in January after learning that Ward "apparently fabricated and submitted 2006 financial statements to the NRCC's bank," according to a memo issued by the committee today. Some details of the probe have been reported previously, but today's memo and press briefing by a lawyer retained by the committee marked the fullest public accounting so far of the unfolding scandal.

...

The NRCC has found that the amount of cash on hand it reported to the Federal Election Commission at the end of 2006 was approximately $990,000 more than the committee actually had in the bank. The total the NRCC reported in the bank to the FEC as of Jan. 31, 2008, was $740,000 more than the actual amount, and the committee has discovered that it owes $200,000 more on its outstanding line of credit than it has reported to the FEC.

A couple of things here. First, Ward robbed them blind. The amounts being discussed here are enormous. Also, you would think that the leaders of this committee (Tom Reynolds, anyone?) would know if these amounts of money were being ripped off.  

Six Republicans Left In House Seats Across New York

by: robert.harding

Sat Mar 08, 2008 at 14:01:19 PM EST

Here's what Rep. Steve Israel thinks:

Long Island congressman Steve Israel, who recruits House candidates for the Democrats, claimed all six GOP seats are in play, though he conceded they have yet to find a candidate to challenge Rep. Peter King, also of Long Island.

"We believe that we're positioned to take between four and six of them," said Israel.

I agree. King is the toughest Republican of the batch, in my view. But after that, you're looking at a weak bunch. Vito Fossella of NY-13 is definitely a target. The race is shaping up to be a good one, with Steve Harrison the top contender thus far.

You also have NY-23 where Rep. John McHugh has a few challengers lining up, although some question how serious these challengers are. We'll see how it plays out.

But then there's the three marquee upstate races featuring Republicans Tom Reynolds and Randy Kuhl, as well as an open seat in NY-25 vacated by Rep. Jim Walsh.

NY-26 Democratic candidate Jon Powers has been working in NY-26 for over nine months now, and Alice Kryzan and Jack Davis are in the running for the seat as well.

NY-29 Democratic candidate Eric Massa and NY-25 Democratic candidate Dan Maffei won't face primary challenges and are the apparent frontrunners in their respective races.

My prediction: I think we can win NY-25, NY-26 and NY-29. I don't want to say NY-25 is a lock with Maffei, but it's pretty close. The Republicans can't find anyone to run, even though there are names being tossed around. NY-29 features Massa and Kuhl in a rematch of 2006. Massa has been beating Kuhl in the fundraising game and Kuhl was rumored to be contemplating retirement before announcing this week that he will be running again.

Then there's NY-26, my district. Call me bias if you want, but Powers has the best chance to win this race. This race, no matter what Jack Davis wants to say about his bankroll, isn't about how much money you have. Reynolds raised over $4 million in 2006 and spent over $5 million in the last faceoff with Davis. The 2006 race was one that Davis, again, tried to make about money and he failed. He failed to talk about issues or address key issues (i.e. Mark Foley Scandal) and he lost because of it.

In the end, we currently hold 23 of the 29 seats. By November, I think we can hold 26 for sure, maybe more. We'll see, especially with races like NY-23 and NY-13.  

NY-21: Jim Buhrmaster Running For The Chance To Lose In November

by: phillip anderson

Tue Mar 04, 2008 at 11:23:35 AM EST

GOP's Buhrmaster eyes run for Congress

Republican insiders say Schenectady County Legislator Jim Buhrmaster will be the GOP candidate running for the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike McNulty.

Word has it Buhrmaster has the support of GOP chairmen from various counties in the 21st Congressional District to represent the party in the November election.

Earlier, Republican Chris Callahan was thinking about running. The other day, Callahan, retired Saratoga County comptroller, told some party leaders he won't seek the nomination.

Buhrmaster easily won election last November to a second four-year term on the County Legislature. The Buhrmaster Energy Group owner represents the towns of Niskayuna and Glenville.

Unlike crowded scramble among Democrats for the nomination, there is no traffic jam for the GOP ballot line because the district has an overwhelming Democratic enrollment.

I guess the GOP has to run somebody, and Callahan has already (wisely) taken a pass. I think it's somewhat admirable of Buhrmaster to take one for the GOP team as there's just no way a republican wins this seat.

SD-48: Teachers scratch GOP's back, GOP scratches theirs

by: robert.harding

Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 16:07:25 PM EST

Teachers Get Big Gift From GOP.

Two weeks after the state's largest teachers union gave Senate Republicans a boost by endorsing their candidate in a critical special election race, Republican lawmakers fast-tracked a bill that would allow New York City teachers to retire with full benefits five years sooner than they can now.

The changes to the pension plan agreed to by the Legislature were a high priority for New York State United Teachers, the 585,000-member statewide labor organization that includes the United Federation of Teachers, which represents city educators.

Welcome to New York State politics.  

Ideas on empowering oppressed locals against GOP corruption?

by: bythepeople

Tue Jan 01, 2008 at 08:37:28 AM EST

We have a situation over at RochesterTurning. One of the local towns (which is also a village) elected a Dem mayor, against all odds, and one Dem board member.

This town is full 'o corruption and cronyism.  The mayor's brother claims false arrest by the village police, then the town board awards him $10k, behind the scenes in "executive session". But they tell community organizers there's no money for playground equipment.  Protection rackets, polluted village water wells, retribution for those who speak out.

The village has been bled dry by this corruption, and it is a sad little place now with high crime and higher taxes (it's the highest taxed town in NY state, and definitely the highest in Monroe County).

As we post about this on RochesterTurning, folks are coming out of the woodwork to list their own personal experiences with the corruption. Check out these comments on a post about potential voter fraud in the village (oh yeah, forgot that there's voter fraud as well).

The question is, what do you do with all these stories?  We're trying to investigate the most compelling/egregious of them, but having families, jobs, etc, we can't do the mainstream media's job for them.  

Thoughts?

More Ridiculous GOP Mailers

by: phillip anderson

Thu Nov 01, 2007 at 17:20:29 PM EDT

Yikes. Note the keffiyeh on the dude on the license. Nice.

Have you gotten anything like this in the mail? If so, please get clear digital pictures and send them to me or post them yourself. Maybe we'll have a contest for the most insanely over the top piece of scary, scary mail.

Can I Get an AMEN!, Brother. Mondello Seeks Full Term

by: nassaupolitics

Thu Aug 16, 2007 at 21:56:26 PM EDT

This news is making me tingly.
According to his spokesman, Mondello thinks that "the corner has been turned." Well, that corner leads to a Dead End.
Other than hyping a nothing "scandal," the state GOP is as dead as the Nassau GOP.
The election this november in Nassau will be nothing more than status-quo with a chance that TOBAY Councilwoman Walker might get sent packing and a pick-up for the Dems in the Legislature. The prospects are dim for Mondello's hometown party and it really doesn't look that great state-wide.
Next year, state senator Serf Maltese from Queens will probably lose and Padavan from Queens might follow. It doesn't help that the Queens GOP is in disarray and their only up and comer City Councilman Dennis Gallagher jut got indicted on 10 counts of rape and sexual assault.
At this point, the state GOP will lose the senate in 2008 and most likely a couple of congressional seats like Kuhl and Reynolds.

Bless Joe Mondello and his leadership skills and I hope he stays on as Chairman.

(cross-posted at www.nassaugopwatch.blogspot.com)

Visit my campaign site at www.myspace.com/johnrennhack

NYT: GOP YouTube Debate is Back On

by: phillip anderson

Mon Aug 13, 2007 at 11:19:46 AM EDT

Republicans’ Debated YouTube Forum Is Back On

t looks as if the Republican presidential candidates, at least most of them, will be participating in a YouTube debate after all. The forum is now set for Nov. 28, the Wednesday after Thanksgiving.

  The campaigns of Rudolph W. Giuliani and Senator John McCain have signed on, according to CNN, which will broadcast the event. CNN said it had not heard from Mitt Romney, who has been critical of the format, in which the public poses questions via video sent to YouTube. Mr. Romney’s spokesman could not be reached last night.

The Republicans were supposed to hold their YouTube debate Sept. 17. But after a similarly styled Democratic debate in July, Mr. Romney called the format demeaning, in part because one of the questions to Democrats came from an animated snowman. In addition, he and Mr. Giuliani said they had scheduling conflicts because the date came near the end of the third quarter, when they would be focused on raising money.

There was much speculation about whether this debate would ever take place and about just why the Republicans were so reluctant to have one. Personally, I think the GOP candidates are scared to death of what your typical Republican primary voter would ask. The questions are likely to reflect the interests and concerns of folks who are, quite frankly, way the hell out of the mainstream of American public opinion. Look for questions from the gun nuts, those fearing the great brown/gay/'islamofascistterrorist" hordes and those who scared silly that one day someone will make them wear a burkha to the mall in Fort Worth.

As for why this debate seems back on track, I think it's pretty obvious given which candidates have RSVP'd. This weekend St. John McCain, who as recently as six months ago was seen as the GOP's frontrunner, finished 10th in the Ames Straw Poll. He got beat by a guy who isn't even officially a candidate yet and got stomped 10 to 1 by a guy who dropped out the next day. He needs all the attention he can get. Ditto for Rudy.

So, who is up for making some videos? Sure looks like Danger Democrat is.