Scott Murphy's virtual town hall 3/10/10

by: HylasBrook

Thu Mar 11, 2010 at 09:42:45 AM EST

I was told there 8300 people on the call.  After Murphy gave an overview of what he was doing, there was a Q&A session.  Questioners were lined up by the order in which they queued up.

Most important question - HCR.  Murphy still says he'll vote against it because he's concerned about how the government is going to pay for the reform.  He's especially concerned about its impact on small business.

He's more supportive of the Senate bill because it has less mandates for small business, making it more affordable for them. He's still reading the Senate Bill - he's half-way through the 2000 pages.  

The rest of the questions were interesting - unless they were screened out by Murphy's staff, we didn't have any looming crazies on the call.

One caller liked Gillibrand so much that he called Paterson to thank him for appointing her.  Now he's unhappy because she's become too liberal.  
Other questions were about Rural Broadband access (Murphy says we're getting federal funds for that); standard deficit worries, pro DADT.

There were some conservative leaning questions, but not regurgitated Conservative talking points.  Questions on Tort reform, too much government interference.

I thought it was a useful experience.  Murphy is very well prepared for the questions and could respond with specifics for each question.  

I'm not happy about his not supporting health care.  But I wouldn't be surprised if he is getting a pass on this being a freshman rep in a district that just flipped to Dem 2 election cycles ago.

John Sweeney Pleads Guilty To DWI Charge, Facing 30 Days In Jail

by: phillip anderson

Fri Feb 26, 2010 at 19:25:09 PM EST

Serial drunk driver and former NY-20 Rep John Sweeney pleaded guilty to a downgraded DWI charge, his latest, and is now looking at spending 30 days in the Saratoga County jail.

John Sweeney pleaded guilty to misdemeanor driving while intoxicated in Saratoga County Court today and faces 30 days in Saratoga County Jail when sentenced on April 23.

Sweeney, 53, the former 20th district U.S. representative, was arrested on April 5, 2009 by state troopers. He was traveling 59 mph in a 40 mph zone on Route 9 in Clifton Park and was drunk, police said.

...

Sweeney's lawyer, E. Stewart Jones, said he and his client were satisfied with the outcome of the case.

"We just wanted to avoid a felony and we were able to do that," Jones said. Sweeney will keep his license to practice law.

He'll also have to wear some sort of device that monitors his drinking for a year. Apparently, if we were drink at all, it would be a probation violation.  

The Coming Congressional Control Crisis

by: Amherst Guy

Mon Jan 25, 2010 at 15:42:35 PM EST

Silver is predicting that the Republicans chances of taking back the House next years are 50/50. Unfortunately, the winds are a-blowing in this country, and the pendulum is a-swingin. Republicans are gonna come out in droves this fall, and Democrats seem to have lost their motivation. We may not get as long on the top as the Republicans did and we need to hunker down now and play defense to keep our seats - and keep the State Senate.

I know we were hoping that the most important seats this year were 3 and 26. But they're not. We could run Jesus Christ himself and he'd probably lose them both. We have at least 7 seats at risk this year:

13: McCain 51-Obama 49   Bush 55-Kerry 45
19: Obama 51-McCain 48   Bush 54-Kerry 45
20: Obama 51-McCain 48   Bush 54-Kerry 46
23: Obama 52-McCain 47   Bush 51-Kerry 47
24: Obama 50-McCain 48   Bush 53-Kerry-47
25: Obama 56-McCain 43   Kerry 50-Bush 48
29: McCain 50-Obama 48   Bush 56-Kerry 42

Now normally, this early in the year, I'd think that the Democrats have a chance to adjust some public priorities, reset the agenda, and change the underlying dynamics of the year. However, our uninspiring Governor, inept Senate Majority Leader (he's gonna lose his own seat), and wildly unpopular Speaker of the House don't seem to be willing to try, so its up to us and our candidates.

If I were Weiner, McCarthy, Bishop, or Higgins, I'd be shoring up as much cash as possible. But the 7 I listed above need to be doing more than that: cash is king, but Get-Out-The-Vote will be what determines whether we finish the year with a 25 seat majority or a 11 seat majority.

I'm worried that no one is thinking about this, and terrified that no one is taking this seriously. If we bury our heads in the sand and try not to think about this, we're no better than that woman in Massachusetts. Two years ago this site was buzzing daily with how to pickup five seats, we won four. Today, we need to hunker down and set our sights on saving these seven seats, and hope we can save at least six. Unless you want to see the Republicans start to have their way again.

NY-20: Major newspaper subsidizes Tedisco's second campaign

by: devtob

Fri Dec 04, 2009 at 23:04:19 PM EST

Tedisco lost in a squeaker to Scott Murphy, gave up his Assembly leadership post under pressure, and sulked for a few months.

But he came out of his funk, and started campaigning for a NY-20 rematch with his usual shtick of faux-populist press releases, ready availability to print reporters, call-ins to conservative talk radio shows, and, in a nod to how media have changed, a blog on the Albany Times Union website.

How the Times Union is helping Tedisco get to Washington, below.  

Paroli + Ciampoli = Tedisco Redux

by: Hudson

Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 16:37:14 PM EST

Remember the Tedisco-Murphy showdown over the right of second home owners to cast absentee ballots?

The ever-changing mind of Poughkeepsie's vote-denying Pizza Stain Judge Brands? The literally hamfisted legal tactics of John Ciampoli? The barely-veiled threats to sic private investigators on voters, many of them happening to have Jewish-sounding last names?

Do you remember? Sure 'ya do!

And if you don't, and somehow missed all the fun, never fear: The drama is playing out all over again right now in Columbia County, with statewide repercussions if the GOP's vote-suppression team -- led by wannabe private eye and former Dutchess County clerk Bill Paroli Jr. and attorney John Ciampoli succeeds in shopping for a judge who will overturn years of precedent...

Details of how Roli-Poli are striking again after the jump. First, some background:

NY-20: Murphy explains disappointing HCR vote UPDATED

by: devtob

Sun Nov 08, 2009 at 18:55:05 PM EST

In a press release (posted in full, below), Murphy argued that the bill was fatally flawed because it does not do enough to "curb costs and keep health care affordable in the long term."

I'm no expert on HR 3962, and I'm sure that it's not perfect. But it is, evidently, the best bill that is politically possible right now, and there is no realistic prospect that further delay will improve it.

So I'm disappointed with Murphy's vote, and even more disappointed with a rather obvious whopper he told in the release.

More, below.

Call Your Reps Right Now

by: phillip anderson

Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 12:46:22 PM EST

But we need to smoke out the rest of them. The ad on the left side of this page makes calling these Reps easy. Just click it, fill in the info and click the "click to call" button and you'll be automatically connected to the Rep's office.

While you're at it, ask them how they will vote on the anti-choice Stupak Amendment.

This is it, folks. It's now or never. Too many of these guys got their seats with netroots support. (Rep Massa, I'm looking at you.) It's time for them to put up or shut up.

Make the call.

NY-20: Murphy turns in strong fundraising numbers.

by: Adama D. Brown

Fri Oct 16, 2009 at 22:23:10 PM EDT

The complete report can be found here, but the short version is this. Murphy raised $325,347 in the third quarter (his first full quarter as an elected representative). He also posted operating expenses of $78,489, leaving him with $501,045 cash on hand.

Those numbers substantially outpace comparable upstate districts such as Eric Massa's and Chris Lee's, and for the entire state runs a narrow fourth place behind Dan Maffei.

The official Murphy press release also made a point of noting that he's now raised over $3 million dollars since the beginning of the special election cycle in February.

It's no doubt good news for Murphy, since signs suggest that semi-vanquished candidate Jim Tedisco is planning to try again for the seat next year.

This comes amid financial disclosure issues for Tedisco relating to the now defunct campaign:

ALBANY-Assemblyman Jim Tedisco's Congressional campaign committee-which was just terminated after his failed bid against Scott Murphy this spring-failed to report more than $110,000 worth of contributions in its quarterly filing just before the election. The filings have since been amended.

Oops.

New York Congressional Delegation Quarterly Filings

by: robert.harding

Thu Oct 15, 2009 at 23:00:29 PM EDT

DISTRICT	INCUMBENT	CONTRIBUTIONS	EXPENDITURES	CASH ON HAND
NY-1	Tim Bishop	$263,189.53	$66,589.32	$710,928.46
NY-2	Steve Israel	$436,670.74	$173,169.91	$1,796,209.25
NY-3	Pete King	$89,287.00	$46,633.81	$1,341,242.55
NY-4	Carolyn McCarthy	$144,167.32	$87,679.05	$413,644.81
NY-5	Gary Ackerman	$42,178.00	$53,197.42	$1,241,122.25
NY-6	Gregory Meeks	$133,147.79	$85,059.25	$165,228.01
NY-7	Joseph Crowley	$65,998.28	$156,605.20	$1,116,438.99
NY-8	Jerrold Nadler	$111,469.86	$132,155.61	$1,071,938.73
NY-9	Anthony Weiner	$182,250.91	$69,776.52	$332,734.80
NY-10	Ed Towns	$252,311.01	$155,940.48	$187,729.28
NY-11	Yvette Clarke	$85,609.00	$97,684.01	$12,396.19
NY-12	Nydia Velazquez	$62,682.62	$29,832.88	$674,887.73
NY-13	Michael McMahon	$205,001.01	$82,926.39	$766,817.56
NY-14	Carolyn Maloney	$345,120.27	$259,630.25	$1,704,244.49
NY-15	Charles Rangel	$434,322.00	$454,669.23	$1,108,907.01
NY-16	Jose Serrano	$35,794.50	$9,328.75	$55,506.16
NY-17	Eliot Engel	$67,204.00	$49,086.25	$196,223.91
NY-18	Nita Lowey	$183,780.64	$93,564.01	$817,034.71
NY-19	John Hall	$132,363.44	$74,095.55	$350,710.38
NY-20	Scott Murphy	N/A	N/A	N/A (Not Yet Filed)
NY-21	Paul Tonko	$60,380.00	$41,823.89	$75,550.68
NY-22	Maurice Hinchey	$66,741.44	$34,272.05	$98,467.32
NY-23	VACANT	N/A	N/A	N/A
NY-24	Michael Arcuri	$136,249.10	$67,602.73	$385,080.72
NY-25	Dan Maffei	$326,254.50	$126,899.93	$784,210.52
NY-26	Chris Lee	$142,802.69	$95,665.00	$390,613.64
NY-27	Brian Higgins	$100,290.00	$96,556.25	$825,367.69
NY-28	Louise Slaughter	$139,424.00	$77,127.13	$306,497.62
NY-29	Eric Massa	$289,499.02	$122,273.64	$503,188.18

The 23rd wasn't include for obvious reasons. That race can serve as its own post, since three candidates are vying for it and there is no incumbent.

One of the things that stuck out to me was the great quarter Eric Massa had. His district - NY-29 - is a rural district that isn't really a wealthy district. So when he can bring in over $289,000 in a quarter where most upstate representatives only brought in half of that amount, it shows that he is a strong incumbent. The Republicans are gunning for him, but he's tough.

Dan Maffei had a very strong quarter - the best of any upstate representative and fourth-best of any member of Congress in the state.

If there is one thing you can say about Rangel, he is a great fundraiser. He was second to Steve Israel in this quarter, but not by much. His expenditures were high, but he still has a lot of money in the bank (not that he needs to worry about that).

For the most part, these are solid and typical numbers. As a resident of NY-26, it is interesting to see Lee's numbers. I wouldn't read too much into his mediocre quarter, but the list of donors who have contributed to his campaign makes for a "Best of Wall Street"-type list.  

NY-20: Murphy stands up for public option at final recess event

by: devtob

Tue Sep 08, 2009 at 16:59:14 PM EDT

The local teabaggers, many of whom are securely in the Paul/Bircher/Beck anti-government fringe, had targeted the event, and turned out about 60 or 70 people.

But so did we, and the 50/50 balance in the crowd limited the teabaggers' tendency to be rude, disruptive assholes, as they have been at other events to Murphy and Paul Tonko (NY-21).        

Details, below.

NY-20: Teabaggers target Murphy meet-and-greet

by: devtob

Sun Sep 06, 2009 at 17:00:13 PM EDT

Tomorrow, Labor Day, he will be doing two of those, plus visiting the Rensselaer County Fair.

Our local teabaggers, many of whom are securely in the Paul/Bircher/Beck anti-government fringe, have targeted one Congress on your Corner for disruption      

Which one, below.

NY-20: Tedisco wants a rematch

by: devtob

Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 14:27:03 PM EDT

But, with his finger to the teabag wind, Tedisco's been getting back in the media lately, opposing a $200-per-child state grant to welfare families for back-to-school expenses (paid for with stimulus funds and a grant from a George Soros foundation), and proposing a state constitutional amendment to allow recall elections for state elected officials.

And today, Tedisco told Maury Thompson of the Glens Falls Post-Star that he has been "meeting with county GOP chairmen in the 20th District to discuss a possible rematch next year."    

Details, below.

NY-20: Scott Murphy Congress-on-your-corner

by: Andrew C. White

Mon Aug 10, 2009 at 20:06:51 PM EDT

Or Congress-in-your-coffee-shop as this one happened to be.

Democratic Representative Scott Murphy has been holding a series of events around his sprawling 10 county rural district. These events are not specifically health care events rather they are what he would have been doing anyhow picking up a particularly successful practice of his predecessor Kirsten Gillibrand by energetically spending his home time travelling the district meeting constituents in small local venues.

Saturday's event in Valatie has already been well diaried here. This one was held at a much smaller venue in a more rural hilltown area. It also happened to be in my beautiful neck of the woods in eastern Rensselaer County.

Photos Passed Along From Congressman Murphy's Town Hall

by: robert.harding

Mon Aug 10, 2009 at 10:46:23 AM EDT

This first shot features Congressman Murphy on the far left, with a good chunk of the crowd in the foreground. According to my source, he got a good number of people in the shot, but there were many others who weren't in the picture. That's how well attended this event was.

Health care wasn't just being opposed at this meeting. Supporters from Planned Parenthood and other groups were on hand to show their support for health care reform.

But like the health care meetings we have been hearing about, the opponents of change were in attendance. One photo calls for "NOBama Care" while another makes a reference to Soylent Green, a 1973 science fiction movie "depicting a future in which overpopulation leads to depleted resources, which in turn leads to widespread unemployment and poverty. Real fruit, vegetables and meat are rare, expensive commodities, and much of the population survives on processed food rations, including "soylent green" wafers."

But this picture is really the highlight from the anti-change movement.

If you aren't interested in reading for yourself, here are the sayings on this guy's poster:

- So... Hows That Whole "Hopey-Changey" ThinkG (spelling his, not mine) Working Out For Ya?

- On a bumper sticker with the Obama for America logo crossed out, it reads: No Thanks. I already have a Messiah.

- Somewhere In Kenya A Village Has Lost Its Idiot.

- You Think Health Care is expensive now? Just Wait Til Its Free!

- Socialists: Spreading the Wealth Since 1917

- My AARP Card Stands For: Armed And Really Pissed.

- Fly Navy

- Don't Tread On Me

- There is one more saying on the upper right hand corner that I can't make out, plus another small sticker in the middle that says "Silent No More."

That sign alone sums up this anti-change movement pretty well. The AARP sayings and the anti-Obama sentiment make good talking points, but lack substance. Most of Americans agree that health care reform is needed, but the teabaggers don't want that to happen. Why? Because they are being funded by the same groups who don't want change to come to America. They try to tout themselves as believers in the Constitution, but really have no solutions to present. All they want is attention to promote a hateful and anti-everything agenda. They have no solutions. Just problems.

An Open Letter To Rep Scott Murphy On Health Care Reform

by: John Minehan

Mon Jul 27, 2009 at 13:44:27 PM EDT

I strongly support your decision on July 24th to oppose the currently proposed House and Senate Health Care Reform Bills, a decision which must have been both politically and personally difficult.  While health care reform is sorely needed, we need real reform, rather than the creation of a less robust version of the troubled Canadian Medicare system.

In your letter declaring your position to your constituents, you raised several issues that needed to be addressed in the reform process.  The following are some suggested practical solutions to the issues you raise.

Final Tally in NY-20: Murphy by 726

by: robinia

Tue May 12, 2009 at 04:31:09 AM EDT

One of the things that I found most interesting was how the absentee votes did not trend toward Tedisco, who started the short campaign with far more name recognition.  While the Tedisco campaign made a big deal of absentee ballots from in-state second home owners, most absentee voters were probably in Florida or Iraq during the campaign.

In terms of the military vote, I found this fascinating article: How Soldiers Really Vote, which sets us straight about the

long-held conventional wisdom that the U.S. military overwhelmingly backs the GOP

only 32 percent of the Army's enlisted soldiers consider themselves conservative, while 23 percent identify as liberal and the remaining 45 percent are self-described moderates. These numbers closely mirror the ideological predilections of the civilian population. . . .

The political differences between officers and enlisted personnel can be partly explained by a demographic divide. Whereas officers are predominantly white, have at least a bachelor's degree, and draw incomes that place them in the middle or upper-middle class, the enlisted ranks have a higher proportion of minorities, make less money than officers, and typically enter service with only a high school diploma.

NY-20: Murphy gets to work, and thanks supporters

by: devtob

Mon May 11, 2009 at 09:59:41 AM EDT

He hired staff, cast his first votes, began looking for an apartment in D.C., posted a thank-you diary here, and had a very busy Saturday, with four events, including a thank-you for supporters that I attended.

Details, plus bonus wingnuttery, below.

NY-20: Tedisco finally talks

by: devtob

Thu Apr 30, 2009 at 10:32:38 AM EDT

For more on that, check out yesterday's coverage here, with great photos, and a very nice story in the Albany Times Union.

But this diary will be about something else -- Jim Tedisco's first interview with anyone since he conceded Friday afternoon.

It was an informal interview with a friendly blogger, Bob Conner of Planet Albany, but it provides an interesting post-mortem from the other side.

More, below.

NY-20: Past and Present

by: phillip anderson

Wed Apr 29, 2009 at 16:28:23 PM EDT

To everyone at The Albany Project

by: Congressman Scott Murphy

Wed Apr 29, 2009 at 15:06:16 PM EDT

The stakes in this race were high, and all of us as New Yorkers recognize what happened here. Our state and our country have rejected our recent culture of exclusion, and have instead chosen a new, more progressive path. New Yorkers voted overwhelmingly for President Obama, and this special election is another indicator (among many) that we will continue working toward what is best for our state and our country.

This election was so important because it re-affirmed the fact that our state is in sync with this new direction. It took a lot of people to make it happen, and I wanted to thank everyone at The Albany Project for being a part of the victory.