Well, now we can OFFICIALLY say that Will Bower was FULL OF IT! How can pumas sit back and allow this man to lie while they kiss his feet?! Ugh, I suppose when you're buds with Andy Martin and Jerome Corsi there is no level of stooping that you won't go to.
I first met Paul Tonko outside the first candidate’s forum in late March, shortly before he announced his candidacy for Congress in New York’s 21st Congressional District. I was hanging out after the debate had ended, determined to not only get back on the blogs to cover the event unlike any mainstream media outlet, but also because I’d had a crazy idea: why not set up some extensive interviews with the candidates as well?
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.
The rest of the Soundpolitic Interview with Paul Tonko is below the fold as it appeared originally on The Albany Project.
Reuters is reporting that McCain now has a five point lead over Obama. Like all polls, this one is just a data point, and people should not get too high or low over any one poll.
In a sharp turnaround, Republican John McCain has opened a 5-point lead on Democrat Barack Obama in the U.S. presidential race and is seen as a stronger manager of the economy, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday.
McCain leads Obama among likely U.S. voters by 46 percent to 41 percent, wiping out Obama's solid 7-point advantage in July and taking his first lead in the monthly Reuters/Zogby poll.
As we move into the fall campaign season, the McCracken for Congress campaign is receiving several important endorsements. Earlier this month we were honored to receive the endorsement from the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO. This is a key endorsement from an organization that is a leader in supporting the rights of the working people, not only in the 5th district, but in Pennsylvania and across the nation.
Candidates Debate at Two Forums - Tonko, Democrats Release Energy Plans New Endorsements for Tonko, Brooks - Internet Poll Gives Lead To Steck
With about 25 days to go before Primary Day, the Democratic race in the 21st Congressional District saw one of it's busiest weeks ever in the past seven days. Two major candidates' forums were held, people's mailboxes are overflowing with mailers, signs are popping up everywhere, and the airwaves are beginning to see a bombardment of advertising.
Given the competitive nature of the race and the strength of the candidates, it's likely that we ain't seen nothin' yet. Go below the fold for a wrap-up of the bigger events and the odds and ends that may have whizzed by you in the past seven days.
On Tuesday, five of the seven candidates for Congress met at the the Unitarian Universalists Society in Albany. Democrats Tracey Brooks, Phil Steck, Joseph Sullivan, and Paul Tonko and Republican Steven Vasquez were all in attendance. The debate's moderator, Dr. Robert Fropp, introduced himself as the chair of the Capital District Alliance for Universal Health care, recieving plenty of applause when he announced "I am definitiely not running for Congress."
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.
Below the fold, a full report of the questions and answers in yet another debate in this hotly contested primary.
Drill Here, Drill Now -- But What Are The Oil Companies Planning?
Nationally, Drill Here, Drill Now seems to be the only issue where Republicans are gaining any traction with voters during 2008. For those who don’t know, Drill Here, Drill Now started on the website www.americansolutions.com. A couple of mouse clicks on the American Solutions website will take you to a screen with friendly welcome from none other than former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.
You thought he was gone didn’t you? Well it appears that it is tough to keep a good story down. By good, I mean a story of high drama, back stabbing, and discord. Just as the wounds of the primary have apparently healed the behind the scenes story of the Clinton campaign threatens to revive them. The article in question is by Atlantic Senior Editor Joshua Green and will be forthcoming in the magazines September issue. A sneak-peak was written by Politico's Mike Allen Most of the talk regarding the Clinton camp revolved around Mark Penn and the fact he was universally loathed. This article we be interesting for reasons beyond Penn though.
Frankly, the grumbling from Clinton supporters (and the candidate herself) about Obama's "lack" of help retirement will probably take more of a hit with the pending publishing of the Atlantic story, but per Politico, there is some behind-the-scenes maneuvering to allow her more than 20 days after the convention to pay herself back. Or, even more interesting, allow her to use 2012 senate funds to pay herself back.
So when Vinny what's his name from New York got bagged with a love child and his pants around his ankles, I said it doesn't matter. Except for the fact that he wooed her using public money (ie. trips to Europe on taxpayer expense).
And when McCain got nailed with that woman who looks exactly like his wife, just 20 years younger, I said that didn't matter either. Except for the fact that she lobbied his committee.
For me, I never cared about the cheating. It is none of my business. But I do care about abuse of power.
Steck Leads the Pack on Iran, Campaign Finance Shahinfar Speaks Out On Iraq; Brooks Back On TV Sullivan Petition Challenge Fails, "Loneranger" Rides On
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.
Note: I usually don't diary over here at Kos, preferring to write at my own blog, linked above. However, given that I didn't see any diarioes about the Accountability Now Money Bomb I felt it was necessary to spread the word. I am kind of surprised to see so little attention here at Kos.
What's happened to the notion of bowing out gracefully?
What's happened to the good form of the loser jogging to the net to extend a hand to the winner?
What's happened to common sense, manners and just plane good conduct?
When did "Survivor", "Lost", and "American Idol" become the standard for conduct at every level of American society, and why the hell do serious people like Julian Epstein find themselves trying to plaster over the infantile behavior of the Clinton's, and their ridiculous supporters?
Last week, while McSame was launching his childish attack ads one after the other, and not being able to stay on message for more than a couple hours (first it was the troops in Germany, then it was presumptuousness, then it was celebrity, then it was this, then it was that, etc.), we here at Dailykos were freaking out that he was getting traction in the media (though still wasn't consistent).
Cenk wrote a big piece on how Obama, 'just doesn't get it.'
But seriously, didn't we all learn something about this man in the primaries? Did we not trust him??
White House Announces Bush Administration to Leave a Record Budget Deficit of $482 Billion.
Since January when we began our campaign for the 5th District seat in the US Congress, I've consistently stressed that my biggest concern is the fiscal mess that has happened in Washington. This week, White House officials admitted the Bush administration would leave office in January 2009 with a record budget deficit sitting on the books of $482 BILLION. This record $482 billion deficit is coupled with a record debt of $9.5 trillion.
On January 20th, 2001, when George W. Bush was sworn in to his first term in office and the Republican Party had control of both houses of Congress, the United States government had a record budget surplus, our economy was in a period of record expansion and the national debt was being paid down. In fact, if the Bush administration would have continued the fiscally responsible polices from the 90's by continuing to grow the surplus and pay down the debt, the federal debt could have been retired by 2013.
September 9 Ballot Order Made Final Steck Hits Mailboxes, Telephones; Brooks On Radio Waves Update on Petitions Challenges
As we say goodbye to July and hello to August, the two primaries for the Democratic and Republican nominations to be the NY-21’s next Representative keeps rolling. While there are no holidays in August, you can rest assured that none of the candidates are taking one, and are likely getting a lot of exercise and perhaps even bruises on their knuckles from knocking on doors.
This week may not have been as awash in news as last week’s State of the Race, but in a race with five Democrats and two Republicans, there’s bound to be enough news even for the seventh day of rest. Get your fill below the fold...
