Welcome to the party David Nachbar
You probably saw the article in this morning’s paper.
David Nachbar, B&L executive filed papers to run in the 29th Congressional District. This is the second time he has shown interest. 2 years ago, he considered running but like the article says
But Nachbar’s candidacy was hindered by party leaders’ widespread support for Massa and because Nachbar had not registered as a Democrat.
Yep - being in the party is probably more of a problem than getting support from our local Democratic leaders. I’m not knocking changing parties actually because, well, I wasn’t always a Democrat either. Then again - I changed many years ago Ronald Reagan inspired me to become a Democrat. Here are just some of the questions I have - there are more.
In the roughly two years since you have become a Democrat what have you done to help the Democratic party locally?
Have you joined and actively participate in the Pittsford Democratic committee where you live?
Have you supported local 2006 campaigns with money and time. (two separate and distinct activities).
Where you involved in the Pittsford Village elections in March?
How accessible are you?
You say “our district needs an independent voice”. Actually it needs a voice representive of the values instilled reflected by Democratic party - inclusion, honesty, and community focus as opposed to what we have now. I want someone who is working for a better future for all as opposed to a select few.
Now if you really want a challenge get your feet wet. Maggie Brooks, whose record is as solid as the Maginot Line, is running for reelection. Something you are immediately more qualified for than Eric Massa (you live here and are directly affected by her failed policies). Put that good B&L executive training to the test - Run the County.
But hey - welcome to the party.
Oh - we will be looking forward to answers and meeting you. Contact us via the contact form.
Related posts:
Oooh! I always appreciate a hip historical reference. That’s a good one!
Thanks for the suggestion to Nachbar for running aginst Maggie. A much better choice. Note to David Nachbar-if you should read this. Please throw your hat into the County Exec race. I will support you 100%. The County needs you for that. The 29th needs Eric Massa. Running for the 29th, you will get nothing but disdain from me. Please, reconsider.
He can run, but he is not going to beat Massa in a primary. Massa’s grassroot support in the district and nationwide is much too strong.
Some guy who has done nothing for the party is not going to just come walking in and beat that.
Thanks. It just came when I was typing but I really believe it. A direct attack is crazy as Maggie comes across as a very likeable person. But when you start attacking the edges - Rampant Cronyism (Water Board, Airport land deal, et etc etc) couple that with failed fiscal management (50M deficit, a huge pending tax problem, shifting the burden to towns and school districts) the entire operation folds up rather nicely.
People simply need to be made aware of the true issues in this race.
Maginot Maggie has a ring to it.
As is expected Rottenchester has a great post on the negatives of Nachbar running in the 29th
Here you go
I have to smile when reading some of the vitriol aimed at Nachbar. I don’t know the guy at all, and I don’t have anything to say about him good or bad, but let’s not forget that Eric Massa did the EXACT same thing back in 2004 when he attempted to challenge Samara Barend for the nomination, as a registered Republican. Sam had the party leaders lining up, she had the activism (many on this board if I’m not mistaken) and she had been laying the groundwork for more than a year, and Massa showed up at the 11th hour and tried to get party leaders to authorize him to run even though he was not a Democrat. Whether this was wrong of him or not is another issue, but in the case of Nachbar, I think it’s relevant to know that it happened.
Massa’s obviously come a long way, and for all I know he may be a MUCH better candidate for the seat than Nachbar, but it’s curious that everyone here is willing to dish it out to Nachbar for following exactly the same path that Massa took in 2004.
Keep smiling and be careful when you are painting with that broad paint brush. You will unnecessarily spatter areas that should not be splattered. “vitriol aimed at Nachbar” - nice word, I don’t see it.
I personally don’t know the circumstances so I’ll assume truth here.
So what. He tried and failed 4 years ago - probably looked silly. Why, because it was the wrong thing to do at the time. Why, because the establishment, rightfully so, didn’t go for it.
Two years ago, Nachbar expressed interest and did what you are saying Massa did last cycle - 2 years ago.
Old news unless there is something else that no one knows about pertaining to Barend’s campaign at the time.
I don’t see the two situations as 100% comparable. Barend was a weak candidate in 2004. She didn’t raise a lot of money and she was beaten pretty badly when the 29th had an open seat (a *huge* missed opportunity). Unlike Barend, Massa has an impressive track record in fundraising and came a lot closer to beating an incumbent. Massa’s a proven, quality challenger. Barend wasn’t.
Well, I won’t get into the merits of whether she was a good candidate or bad, but I think saying that raising over $800,000 at that time for that seat wasn’t a “lot of money” is somewhat questionable.
[...] probably won’t shock anyone to learn that possible Massa opponent David Nachbar gave 2 grand to Louise Slaughter and 5 grand to the DCCC last [...]
Personally, I would like to hear what Nachbar has to say. I Googled him and he looks pretty impressive, successful and well educated. Not for nothing, but he looks like he could hold his own in Washington. Pardon me if I still retain bad memories of Eric Massa losing in an election in which us Dems rompted nationally . . . and we live in a “blue state” no less. Let’s see what Nachbar has to offer . . . did someone say “Debate?” That’s what I’m talkin ’bout.
Shelldog… see my comments in the post after this regarding Massa’s “run” during the 04 race
Massa proved this race was competitive in 2006… You do of course realize that Massa had basically zero support from the National Dems, right?
This time around everyone knows it’s competitive and everyone wants to help, but if there’s a primary challenge, no big donors are going to help until it’s too late… again.
Don’t forget the primary happen in September of ‘08 leaving Eric Massa two months to recoup for 2 years of missing support.
Nachbar needs to back out NOW for the greater good of the party.
What do you think Randy Kuhl thinks of all of this?
Pardon me as I address your concerns.
1. Ah the old “we live in a Blue state defense.
Well - I don’t know where you live. But I live in Western New York. WNY is not automatically “Blue”. In fact - if we lived in such a blue state explain 12 years of Pataki. Explain past Republican Senators (D’amato), explain Republican Bloomberg in NYC, Explain Republican Maggie Brooks as County Exec, Explain, Walsh, Reynolds Kuhl, Explain the County Leg GOP majority.
Dems “romping” nationally doesn’t translate into victory in a heavily Republican district.
2. Bad memories? Not everyone gets to win. I would have liked all our local GOP Congressman - Ruberstamp I, Rubberstamp II and the other one to have been defeated. Of course Davis, Maffei and Massa helped ensure the Democratic victories in other races.
3. I googled him and he looks impressive. Sure a 44 year old, executive VP looks impressive on paper. My fundamental question is why has this person shown an interest in politics and what has he done for the party. I haven’t heard it.
I’m thinking if there was substance behind Mr Nachbar’s words, beliefs , and actions I would have already heard it. The silence is deafening.
I’m from Monroe Country.
I’m just saying that we should give Nachbar a chance. Eric has already proven that he can loose to Kuhl in a year when us Dems had a lot of wind at our backs. When people pulled the Clinton, Spitzer and Cuomo levers but reached for a different line to pull Kuhl, sorry but your first point above just doesn’t resonate with me. I am also very concerned about Eric’s ability to finance a viable run this time around. Correct me if I am wrong, but it sounds like he is starting out already in-hock from his last run. From what I read, Nachbar has potentially millions at his disposal. If he’s good on the issues, I like the chances of a wealthy candidate over an in-debt one. I also like a candidate who isn’t beholding to those who finance his run. Can Eric Massa really raise the money needed to win this seat? It’s sad that money plays such a big role, but the Republicans sure have deep pockets! I feel bad for Eric Massa’s family, especially if he looses a second time.
I clearly have a different view than “J” above. With regard to your question: “What do you think Randy Kuhl thinks of all of this?,” I bet Randy is thinking that he sure doesn’t want to run against a wealthy, successful, Ivy League executive, in a year when everyone is looking for change and an fresh start. I bet he’d much prefer running against the financially strapped guy he beat last time!
Nachbar deserves a chance to be heard, it would be foolish not to see and hear him. I say it again, bring on a debate!!!!
“If he’s good on the issues”
This bothers me. He is new, doesn’t know the district. I’m imagining Bill Gates selling PCs in an Apple store.
I’m still looking for sweat equity and reasons behind the transformation from SVP to Congressional candidate.
But it is anyone’s right to run. It will be a tough haul in the 29th.
I see your point. I don’t anyone has any beef with Mr. Nachbar. And of course it’s his right to run. Competitive elections are great.
But, you have to understand, this is *Eric Massa*. Eric Massa, right hand man to Wesley Clark. Eric Massa, netroots hero. Eric Massa, the fighting Dem who rebuilt the Southern Tier Democratic Party. Eric Massa, the man who got me into politics in the first place.
If Mr. Nachbar wants to run for office, great. But please, not against Eric.
In 2006 Massa was asked to run by a prominent Democrat. He did not announce, but checked around to see if there was any support by Dem committees and found that it would not have been overwhelming and in a three day exploration he saw that it would be divisive and not in anyone’s best interest and did not pursue it. He even put up lawn signs for Sam. The prominent Dem who asked him to run was perhaps not pleased that he did not pusue it, but he did what he thought was best and though told he could appeal to the state Dems for permission to run he did not. This is NOT parallel to what Nachbar is doing this cycle but it is sort of what Nachbar did in 2006.
In the interest of factual reporting and blog completeness, Nachbar contributed $250 to Eric Massa’s campaign last July after he bowed out (according to an on-line campaign contribution search I just did). Personally, I would prefer to have my former opponenent give me $250 than put my sign in his yard . . . but that’s just me.
David Nachbar might be a very nice man with a record of success in human resources with Bausch and Lomb and other leading firms. However, his interest in running for the U.S. House is vainglorious and self-serving.
He no doubt possesses some great political skills, alot of guile and no shame given his professional success at foundering Bausch and Lomb.
His claim to have created a significant number of jobs in the area is a baldfaced lie. In fact, an analysis of B&L’s local employment census during his tenure indicates a net reduction of Rochester-based jobs. So much for his credibility…
Nachbar plainly lacks the professional education, training and experience in national security, international affairs, government finance, climate change, immigration and education we need in our representatives in Washington.
If Mr. Nachbar wants to serve the public, he should sell his McMansion in Pittsford and relocate to the City of Rochester and run for City Council or the Board of Education. Helping improve Rochester Public Schools or the City of Rochester would be a positive addition to his resume. After a few terms, he might be qualified to run for a higher office.
Until then, David Nachbar is just another opportunistic slickster in an expensive Red Barn suit, $600 alligator shoes and $50 haircut who flashes a bleached tooth smile while offering nonsensical platitudes to the constituents of the 29th US House District. I am sure he is a real bon vivant at Democratic “brie and Chablis†affairs hobnobbing with Rep. Louise Slaughter, Senator Hillary Clinton, Governor Eliott Spitzer and Senator Schumer. Angelina Jolie is probably his favorite member of the CFR if in fact he knows what the CFR (Council on Foreign Relations) actually is.
We can and must do better.
(edited for offensive language)