NY-21: Final Forum, Part VII

by: Soundpolitic

Sun Aug 31, 2008 at 22:46:04 PM EDT

The full transcript of the final forum between the four serious contendors to replace retiring Rep. Mike McNulty, held Sunday August 24, concludes below the fold with their final case before a shared audience as to why Democratic primary voters in New York's 21st Congressional District should nominate them for the general election in November.

NY-21: Candidates Debate on Health Care

by: Soundpolitic

Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 17:29:40 PM EDT

One Democrat, Darius Shahinfar, and the other Republican, Jim Buhrmaster, were both absent from the forum.  Shahinfar because his wife was giving birth to his second child at the time, and Buhrmaster to cast votes in his capacity as Schenectady County Legislator.  The five candidates that remained were then given several questions that devled deep into one of the biggest issues of the primary.

To summarize most briefly, Democratic candidates Phil Steck, Paul Tonko, and Tracey Brooks are in support of a universal health care system, specifically supporting H.R. 676 for a national single payer system; Shahinfar also supports this measure based on previous comments.  Republican candidate Steven Vasquez joined self-described conservative Democrat Joseph Sullivan in opposition to universal health care.  While the meat of the debate featured a lot of policy and a little politics, the somewhat chaotic and very passionate nature of the questions posed by the audience at the end of the debate made it worth sitting through.

Below the fold, a full report of the questions and answers in yet another debate in this hotly contested primary.

NY-21: Another (Another) Candidate's Forum?

by: Soundpolitic

Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 19:51:51 PM EDT

When the relatively quixotic candidate Joseph Sullivan made this announcement on August 8th, it seemed like a somewhat eccentric solo appearance:

DEMOGUY , Joseph P Sullivan, Democrat for Congress
21st District, NY
has accepted an invitation to appear at a local Mosque
When? 5 PM Saturday 9 August
Where? The Islamic Center of the Capital District (ICCD)
21 N Lansing Drive, Colonie
This may be one of the defining moments of the contest for the
21st District.

But a media advisory from Tracey Brooks today indicates that a legitimate, multi-candidate forum is happening as we speak:

Tracey Brooks to Participate in 21st Congressional District
Democratic Candidate Forum

Who: Democratic Congressional Candidate Tracey Brooks

What: Tracey Brooks will join the other Democratic Congressional candidates at a "Meet the Candidates" Forum at the Islamic Center of the Capital District (ICCD).

The event is sponsored by the ICCD, ARISE and the Fatima Center. Mr. Liquat Husain will moderate.

Event contacts: Mr. Liaquat Husain (ICCD) at 518-424-1503. Andreas Kriefall (ARISE organizer) at 518-331-3190.

Where: Islamic Center of the Capital District, 21 Lansing Rd, Schenectady, NY 12304.

When: Saturday, August 9, Event starts at 6:00 p.m.

Just a little NY-21 fun along with an up-to-date, though not necessarily up-to-the-minute, NY-21 debate schedule below the fold...

NY-21: State of the Race - 8/2 to 8/8

by: Soundpolitic

Fri Aug 08, 2008 at 14:08:38 PM EDT

The first week of August saw a flurry of campaign activity as the five Democrats seeking to replace retiring Representative Mike McNulty continued...and indeed a five-way race.  Self-described conservative Democratic candidate Joseph Sullivan has withstood a private challenge to his petitions.  

Meanwhile, the other four major contenders, Tracey Brooks, Darius Shahinfar, Phil Steck, and Paul Tonko, all lined up against a recent House resolution co-sponsored by the retiring incumbent regarding new sanctions and a possible blockade of Iran.  While the big four seem unified on this front, we have ourselves a bit of split on campaign finance reform.

The full weekly wrap-up below the fold...

NY-21: Democratic, GOP Primary Candidates Debate

by: Soundpolitic

Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 21:43:20 PM EDT

Yesterday night, the Albany Jewish Community Center and NORC hosted a forum featuring all seven candidates vying for both major party lines in an open Congressional race to fill the vacancy that will be left when Rep. Mike McNulty (D-Green Island) retires.  It was the first debate held after the filing of nominating petitions, so all seven candidates will be appearing on the ballot for the September 9th primary.

"I am not the League of Women Voters!" the hostess pointed out at the beginning of the forum, before asking the first question of all the candidates: would they all sign a civility pledge as drawn up by the League?  The response was unanimous in the affirmative, and the candidates kept to that pledge for the entirety of the debate.

Below the fold, you get the candidates opening and closing statements and their answers to six questions submitted from the audience.