Thoughts on a 46th SD primary

by: Dan Jacoby

Fri May 07, 2010 at 19:17:10 PM EDT

The 46th SD has about a 2-1 Democratic advantage, so it's pretty certain that whoever emerges from the Democratic primary will be elected in November.  Since it is a fairly safe Democratic seat, the only chance any voters have to cast a meaningful ballot will be in the Democratic primary.

I'm a big believer in what I was brought up to believe -- that the reason we have elections in America is so that our elected officials can be held to account for their actions from time to time.  Unfortunately, most of our "elections" are a sham -- as often as not, there is only one candidate on the ballot, or at least only one candidate with any chance of winning.  The result is that our elected officials are, with very few exceptions, never held to account.

As a result of this belief, I support any election where voters get a real choice.

There are those who say that by mounting a primary challenge to a Democratic incumbent those challengers are diverting funds that could be used elsewhere to defeat Republicans (or hold on to seats where Republicans are challenging Democratic incumbents).  This is a shortsighted, narrow view.

It is shortsighted because in the long run healthy primary challenges only strengthen the party by getting more people involved, creating a real debate on issues, and causing the best candidates to rise to the top.  What could be a better way to defeat Republicans than by having the best candidates, battle-tested, and solid on the issues?

It is narrow because it discourages participation, not only as candidates, but also as supporters -- and as voters.  By discouraging participation, the Party only loses voters over time.

(Note:  All of the previous five paragraphs could easily be said of Republicans as well as Democrats.)

So I applaud Messers. Martland and Carney for getting involved.  I don't know who I'd prefer to see on the ballot in November, but I do know that the primary will almost certainly be good for the district, the Democratic Party, and the state of New York.

Furthermore, I'd like to see more primaries of Democratic incumbents, and not just in safe Democratic districts.  In the short run, a primary in, say, the 48th SD might result in the loss of that seat to a Republican in November.  But in the long run it would help build a Democratic base in that area.  Similarly, a Democratic primary in the 40th or 41st SD will have a beneficial long-term effect.

Does this mean that primaries are always good in the long run?  Of course not.  A nasty primary, where half-truths are flung about and the vast majority of the campaigning is negative, doesn't help anyone.  If party leaders had a clue how to build the party, however, they would be very quick to step in whenever a primary contest begins to devolve into such a pissing match.

And that's the key -- we need party leaders who encourage, not discourage, primaries, but also draw the line at nastiness and negativity.  If party leaders encouraged challengers even to sitting Democrats under those circumstances, we'd see a stronger Democratic Party very, very soon.

Well ... I can dream, can't I?

Primary Day: High-Profile Races On Ballot Today

by: robert.harding

Tue Sep 15, 2009 at 09:30:10 AM EDT

Albany-Mayor: The battle in the state's capital in the Democratic primary puts Mayor Jerry Jennings up against Corey Ellis. As Soundpolitic has reported, the race is closer than it has been. Ellis has run an uphill battle against the entrenched Jennings, but if there is one thing you can take away from the primary in Albany, it's that such an entrenched individual is getting a challenge. Ellis is doing surprisingly well against Jennings, but he still might come up short.

Buffalo-Mayor: The race in the Democratic primary between Mayor Byron Brown and Mickey Kearns has turned into quite a battle. Brown has a lot going against him. He has scandal after scandal working against him, but the poll numbers still show a small lead for him. The major theme of this race has been old leadership versus new leadership. Brown's city government and political operation have crossed paths one too many times and that is why Kearns stressed openness and transparency and a government free of the tactics that Brown has become known for.

There are also multiple primaries in New York City, as expected. There is a battle for Public Advocate. The other races on the ballot include a primary to decide who will replace Comptroller Bill Thompson, who is running for mayor. Another big race is who will win the Manhattan District Attorney's race. The primary will likely decide who is the next DA, since there is no Republican running.

From the New York Times:

In the race for public advocate, the best-known candidate is Mark Green, who held the post for two terms until he ran for mayor in 2001. His chief rivals are Councilman Bill de Blasio of Brooklyn, who has broad institutional support from groups like unions and the Working Families Party; Councilman Eric N. Gioia of Queens, who leads in fund-raising and has been endorsed by several unions and the borough's Democratic organization; and Norman Siegel, a civil liberties lawyer who has run for the office twice before.

Four City Council members are competing for the nomination for comptroller. Three of them, Melinda R. Katz, John C. Liu and David I. Weprin, are from Queens, dividing support among the borough's potent Democratic organization. The fourth candidate, David Yassky, is from Brooklyn.

In Manhattan, which has more enrolled Democrats, about 780,000, than any other borough except Brooklyn, three candidates - Richard M. Aborn, Leslie Crocker Snyder and Cyrus R. Vance Jr. - are locked in a vitriolic race for district attorney. All of them at one time worked for Mr. Morgenthau as an assistant district attorney.

I am sure there are other primaries. I know I have some Republican primaries locally that I'm watching, but nothing to the level of what we see in Albany, Buffalo and New York City today.

What's going on in your area? Any big primaries we should know about?

If so, discuss it in the comments. Would love to hear the stories about other primaries from across the state.

NY-Sen: The Pros And Cons Of A Primary

by: robert.harding

Tue Jul 07, 2009 at 09:11:09 AM EDT

But I wanted to put this in the proper context. I wanted to look at the advantages and disadvantages of a primary.

There are those who believe that democracy must be exercised. There also those who believe that there is someone better (someone more progressive or more in line with their views) than Gillibrand. Sometimes those views overlap, but the same can be said for those who support Gillibrand and believe that an unnecessary primary should be avoided.

Here are the list of pros and cons for a primary:

PRO: A primary that focuses on the issues can help make any candidate, whether that's Gillibrand, Maloney or Tasini, a stronger candidate. The key there is a campaign on the issues. To date, both Maloney and Tasini have taken a very negative tone in their approach. Maloney has said less about issues and where she would stand as a U.S. senator than she has attacked Gillibrand for Gillibrand's views or perceiving changes to positions. But a primary that features candidates talking about what is important to New Yorkers (something that is lacking at the state level lately) will be a refreshing change from the politics that we have seen over the last few years.

CON: The time between the primary and the general election. In New York, our primaries fall in September, giving the winner of those primaries less than two months to prepare for the general election in November. In 1992, we probably wouldn't have lost to Alfonse D'Amato if the primary was held earlier. But a hard-fought primary left the Democratic Party picking up the pieces and having to bring everyone together in two months. That is not an easy thing to do.

Those that have said that we did last year with President Barack Obama have a valid point, but also must remember that after the Barack Obama-Hillary Clinton battle was done, we had five months to prepare for the general election. Five months is better than seven weeks.

PRO: A primary will be democracy in action. There are those who have been critical of how Gillibrand has netted many endorsements, but that is only part of the game. Endorsements are a two-way street. Remember: Someone has to do the endorsing. But a primary in this case was inevitable and that will enable the nearly six million Democrats in New York to voice their opinion about who should be the party's nominee for the general election in November 2010.

CON: A primary can be very damaging. This primary, at least the way it looks right now, could be a damaging one. As mentioned before, the timing of the primary makes a damaging primary tough to overcome. If attacks are exchanged and that is the only thing primary voters are hearing, they will be turned off by the process. That makes a candidate who stays out of the mess a more appealing choice and a possible upset winner should the primary get very messy. But whether or not that candidate (or any candidate who pulls it out in a nasty primary) is a viable one will depend on many things, namely just who the Republicans put up to oppose the Democratic nominee.

PRO: There are those who say that a primary would be a good thing for Gillibrand. In fact, I have heard those who are thinking about supporting Gillibrand but also support a primary say that a primary would show them just how good Gillibrand is. The same could be said for those who support Maloney. A primary is a test. It will be a big test for Gillibrand. It will be just as big for Maloney and Tasini.

CON: In a year when there will surely be a contentious fight for the New York State Senate (after the coup, it is hard to disagree with that) and in a year when we could face the prospects of a Democratic primary for governor, it would be nice to have a seat that is without drama. The U.S. Senate seat could have been that seat, but the primary will only add to the drama that New York will experience in 2010.

I am certain there are more pros and cons, but I want those to play out in conversation and debate. These are the ones I could immediately think of and be reminded of.

One thing that I didn't know how to group was the tie that a few people have made between Governor David Paterson and Sen. Gillibrand, essentially saying that because Paterson appointed Gillibrand, that should raise serious questions about Gillibrand's ability because of Paterson's own leadership woes. I don't believe the two are connected. Gillibrand's approval ratings and popularity are on the rise. Paterson's numbers aren't so lucky.

The primary is underway though. It is something we can't avoid now and something we should not shy away from. It will be an interesting race and I hope that it is one where the issues are at the forefront. Attacks have proven in the past to be something that turns off voters, so we should see less attacks and more substance in the months ahead.  

If You Don't Like Gillibrand, Tell Us Who You Support And Why

by: robert.harding

Thu Jun 04, 2009 at 14:13:38 PM EDT

But if you are going to come here and just spew anti-Gillibrand rhetoric, I don't see how you are doing the candidate you support any favors. Rep. Carolyn Maloney isn't a bad person. I actually admire her work in Congress (I bought her book discussing women, a must read) and believe that she is a solid representative. But if you support her and all you are doing here is writing anti-Gillibrand comments and posts, how are you making the case for Maloney any stronger?

So let's hear why you support Maloney or any other choice. If you have someone else in mind, do tell. Maloney is the one that comes to mind because she is on the verge of announcing.

If you support Maloney, let's hear the case in favor.  

NY-21: Albany County Dems Rally Behind Paul Tonko

by: Soundpolitic

Mon Sep 22, 2008 at 16:28:00 PM EDT

It was the closing moment of a long, hard-fought primary in which five Democrats, including Tracey Brooks, Phil Steck, Darius Shahinfar, and Joe Sullivan (who did not attend) emerged with fewer votes than Paul Tonko, a 23-year veteran of the New York State Assembly and former President and CEO of the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority.  Tonko won the primary on Tuesday, Sept 9, with 39% of the vote, a full nine points ahead of his nearest rival.

Cameras were there, alright, but noon-time news reports gave only a few seconds of coverage to the rally.  My tape recorder was running the entire time, and below the fold is full coverage of the unity rally for any Democrat who was unable to attend.

Summary Of Primary Races

by: robert.harding

Wed Sep 10, 2008 at 03:24:12 AM EDT

AD-142: Republican Assemblyman Mike Cole could not survive a four-way primary. Jane Corwin came out on top with 45 percent of the vote. Cole was censured last year for staying the night at an intern's apartment, which amounts to an ethics violation in Albany.

AD-144: Sam Hoyt won the Democratic and Independence primaries over Barbra Kavanaugh. Hoyt won the Democratic primary by nearly 1,300 votes over Kavanaugh.

SENATE
SD-59: Kathy Konst won the Democratic primary while Dale Volker won the Republican primary. Konst won over Timothy Pawarski for the right to face Volker, who survived a strong challenge from Republican David DiPietro.

SD-60: Sen. Antoine Thompson won his Democratic primary over Mark Grisanti convincingly by over 10,300 votes.

SD-61: Joe Mesi won the Democratic primary over Michele Iannello and Dan Ward while Republican Mike Ranzenhofer won the Independence Party primary. Mesi and Ranzenhofer will face-off in November. More on this race in the morning.

SD-62: Brian Grear didn't come close to beating Sen. George Maziarz in the Republican primary, which was a race Maziarz won with 81 percent of the vote. Maziarz also won the Conservative Party line over Don Hobel with an equally dominant showing, winning the primary with 80 percent of the vote.

NY-21: Interview with Paul Tonko

by: Soundpolitic

Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 22:36:23 PM EDT

For a college student wearing long hair, a scruffy beard, and a Bob Marley tee-shirt, I can see where the candidates might have seen me as going out on a limb.  After I asked Paul Tonko, a 20-plus-year veteran of the Assembly who's name is synonymous with the politics of the Capital Region, I wondered myself just what I'd gotten myself into.

Three months later, I was on the lookout for Paul again, and were it not for his distinctive baldness in the August sun, I wouldn't have seen him sitting at the sidewalk café at the Muddy Cup in Albany.  As this series progress and the primary campaign in the 21st has developed, I find it's really the candidates going on a limb, taking time out of a very busy, competitive schedule to meet with a lowly blogger.

Paul Tonko was no exception.   Even though I am also a volunteer for one of his opponents, he still sat down with me to go into depth about his experience, his early life, and address some  tougher questions below the fold.  What Paul Tonko is doing right now is running for Congress, and I'm publishing a blog about it.  His advice for what you are doing (reading it) is:

"Whatever you do, whether it's fixing a sink or performing surgery, or as a volunteer or in a career endeavor, do it with passion."

--Paul Tonko, Democratic Candidate for Congress, NY-21

SD-46: A Conversation on Fair Coverage

by: Soundpolitic

Tue Aug 12, 2008 at 15:21:02 PM EDT

But every now and then, I've been surprised to find myself magically appearing on television in support of Barack Obama and even highlighted anonymously at one of the recent forums for the primary in the 21st Congressional District.  And I was the last to find out that I'd crept into the public eye.  This was the case when I picked up my copy of the Times Union yesterday to find my correspondence with that paper's recently assigned independent political coverage monitor, a Professor Charlotte Grimes of Syracuse University, taking up my calls for more equity in coverage in the Democratic Primary going on in the 46th State Senate District:

"Where is the equal coverage?" asks reader Aaron Cirelli.

In the presidential race, he hasn't seen much coverage of consumer activist and independent candidate Ralph Nader and of Ron Paul, a Texas congressman who had run as a Libertarian and a Republican.

Colin Abele, a blogger supporting Democrat David Weiss in the 46th Senate District primary, is upset that his candidate hasn't been covered much. "All I'm asking for is an acknowledgment of who's on the ballot," he e-mailed.

Both see the lack of coverage as "bias."

For the record, that's who I am, that's what I think, and below the fold I will continue this conversation on equal coverage, or rather the lack of it, in this very important, very real and very newsworthy primary in Albany County.  And not just because I don't mind other folks knowing what I think - chiefly, it's because I think folks should know the whole story so they can be fully informed to make their own choice on Primary Day.  Read on...

SD-46: Retrospective Voters' Guide to Senator Neil Breslin

by: Soundpolitic

Mon Aug 11, 2008 at 13:43:11 PM EDT

Retrospective Voting: Voting based on the past performance of a candidate

-Lowi, Ginsberg, Shepsle, American Government, 9th ed.,2006

When it comes to general elections, all of us here want to see a Democrat win the vast majority of the time.  This comes from the prospect of seeing a future Democratic majority in a particular arm of government, or to see a present Democratic majority made stronger.

But in our case, we are considering a primary election, one that pits Democrat against Democrat in a race to see which member of the party would best serve in the current or emerging majority.  In SD-46, coterminus with Albany County, incumbent Democratic State Senator Neil Breslin is facing a challenge from political new comers Charlie Voelker and David Weiss.  

Many see Democrats in primaries battling each other as opposed to our common opposition as no pretty sight.  But the reality of these elections is that they alone have the power to bring us the "better" part in our "more and better Democrats" mission.  And while the focus in the New York State Senate is to get more (just a couple and we've got the majority), in Albany County, there is the chance to get something better.  This will come about by either electing a new, more progressive representative or by pushing the incumbent toward more progressive positions.  Voters in these elections usually vote in one of two ways: they either practice prospective voting in favor of what their chosen candidate, incumbent or challenger, is pledging to legislate in the future.

The other method involves voting specifically against the incumbent because of past percieved mishaps.  And when a retrospective voter becomes convinced they can do the incumbent's job better than the serving legislator, this voting method becomes the very cornerstone of the challengers' campaigns.  Below the fold, we will take one - count 'em, one - good hard look at everything the retrospective voter needs or may want to know in order to vote against State Senator Neil Breslin in the Democratic Primary on September 9th...

NY-21: Interview with Tracey Brooks

by: Soundpolitic

Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 20:55:35 PM EDT

...in a torrential downpour, that is.  For those who aren't film buffs, rain symbolizes change.  Which is the big word in all 2008 elections.  This includes the 21st Congressional District of New York where Tracey Brooks is one of five Democrats seeking to replace a Democratic veteran of two decades.

In the interview below the fold, Tracey goes deeper into her life's story and experience than ever before, and faces questions that may be the closest any candidate in the race gets to Hardball.  Campaigns themselves can be an obstacle course, as can an interview, but as she says in the interview below:

"Never have I faced anything with an obstacle perspective, but rather a can-do, will-do, must-do perspective...just like we have approached this race."

NY-21: The Suburban Effect

by: Soundpolitic

Mon Jul 14, 2008 at 21:01:03 PM EDT

Now, with the price of gas above $4 a gallon, some wonder if the Capital Region, and the rest of the country, is at a crossroads. Can the growth of suburbia continue? Can the region maintain its high quality of life if existing trends continue? Will fuel become so pricey people can no longer afford commutes from the outlying suburbs?

As I read the article and the comments, I couldn't help but notice that these questions have great relevance to the Democratic primary for Congress in the 21st district.  Indeed, some are exactly the same questions being asked of the four Democrats running for the seat.

Complete analysis below the fold...

NY-21: Interview with Darius Shahinfar

by: Soundpolitic

Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 21:05:00 PM EDT

When I met him at the Tea & Tap Room in Albany, he greeted me with an anecdote about this story, which joked that, if elected, his name would mess up all the Congressional spell-checkers.  The unusual name is of Iranian origin, as Darius is a first-generation Iranian-American, named after one of the great emperors of ancient Persia.

But while he recalled this story with a sense of humor over introductions, he introduced his campaign to with a sense of confidence over coffee.   The race in the 21st shrank with the turning in of petitions, and he now has only three opponents.  Something he said during the course of the interview, however, indicated that he didn't see things quite that way:

"I'm not running against Paul Tonko, I'm not running against Phil, I'm not running against Tracey...I'm running for Congress."  Shahinfar said as part of the interview below the fold...

NY-21: Hillary's Exit Bad for Brooks?

by: Soundpolitic

Mon Jun 09, 2008 at 23:14:59 PM EDT

In New York's 21st Congressional District, the question has greater weight: candidate Tracey Brooks, the only woman in a field of eight other men seeking retiring Representative Mike McNulty's seat, has made the fact that she served as an aide to Senator Clinton a centerpiece of her campaign.

It remains unclear how much help Clinton can provide Brooks in a primary, though.  Some observers wonder whether the former first lady will be spending the next several months in New York helping local candidates, or in battleground states she won in the primary, such as Pennsylvania or Ohio, supporting Obama.

So does Hillary's exit help or hurt the Congressional hopeful from Albany?  The Times Union considered this question just before Clinton's exit:  Feel free to join the discussion below the fold.

NY-21: Interview with Craig Burridge

by: Soundpolitic

Sun Jun 01, 2008 at 08:11:30 AM EDT

  "Discount me at your own risk." said Craig Burridge in the interview below the fold.

NY-21: Independent Media Confirms Steck's Strength

by: Soundpolitic

Thu May 29, 2008 at 23:33:29 PM EDT

After a week, Metroland, the district's independent newsaper finally hit the nail on the head and interviewed the endorsed candidate himself extensively:

The Powers That Were

Phil Steck thwarts old guard and secures the Albany County Democratic Committee endorsement for U.S. representative in the 21st District

All it took was a cue from Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings, said Albany County Legislator Phil Steck, and the room began to clear out-a remaining vestige of the power the mayor once exerted over the Albany County Democratic Committee. Except this time, the mayor's sway wouldn't prove strong enough.

NY-21: Remembering Mayor Corning

by: Soundpolitic

Wed May 28, 2008 at 13:43:18 PM EDT

How the past relates to the present below the fold...

NY-21: Steck, Tonko Remember The Fallen

by: Soundpolitic

Mon May 26, 2008 at 14:45:13 PM EDT

And in Congressional campaigns across the country, candidates are releasing statements that both honor the fallen and remind any voters within earshot that they are running.  Eight Democrats are vying to win a primary in New York's 21st Congressional District.  Two candidates, Phil Steck and Paul Tonko, have released statements with regards to remembering Memorial Day.

NY-21: Phil Steck Beats the Elite

by: Soundpolitic

Fri May 23, 2008 at 16:28:04 PM EDT

As the Times Union reports today, this is still making headlines in a race that has now heated up to become one of the most hotly contested Democratic races in the country.  Just days after the announcement of local superstar Paul Tonko and months into a media bias towards establishment-backed Tracey Brooks, Phil Steck has successfully swung the momentum of the race in his favor with a decisive victory.

NY-21: Race Heats Up - Tonko Announces, Steck Endorsed

by: Soundpolitic

Thu May 22, 2008 at 11:09:39 AM EDT

It was only two days ago that former Assemblyman and NYSERDA President Paul Tonko made his campaign for Congress official after months of speculation.  It was a few weeks ago that seven of eight Democratic candidates were screened by the Albany County Democratic Committee for their endorsement.  

At these two events, and at last week's eight-way debate, Paul Tonko made his argument that he could "hit the ground running" in Congress and on the campaign trail.  Yet Phil Steck's strongly-worded resopnse to Tonko's announcement made it clear the primary will be a marathon.  The Steck campaign appears to confirm this today by winning the endorsement of the Albany County Democratic Committee.

This all gives the impression of a crowded field slowly evolving into a two-man race between a candidate of inevitablity and an upstart progressive's grassroots efforts catching up to them.  Yet Paul Tonko will be offering Phil Steck a strong challenge and brings the early stage of the campaign full circle with his overwhelming support from officials who themselves faced heavy rumors that they would seek retiring Representative Mike McNulty's seat.

The full story below the fold...

NY-21: Tonko To Announce The Race Is On

by: Soundpolitic

Tue May 20, 2008 at 10:39:46 AM EDT

Cross-posted on DailyKos.

When Mike McNulty (D, NY-21) annouced his intentions to retire from Congress after 20 years of service, Paul Tonko's name was instantly tossed about in print and on airwaves as a possible successor.  Several other Capital Region career-politicians had similar rumours circulating this winter, yet Paul Tonko was the only one who neither confirmed nor denied the halo surrounding the possibility of his candidacy.

Today, Paul Tonko will officially annouce that, yes, he is running for Congress.  He will do so tonight at the Albany Labor Temple at 5:30.  In doing so, he joins seven other Democrats who have already officially annouced their candidacy, and with whom he debated with a week ago while still an unofficial candidate.