And, if $3 million is what is needed to win the 29th, then I am aiming for one who can raise the money. I want to meet the man before I pass judgment.

When Massa tried to run in 2004, he was going from a Republican to a Democrat and COULD NOT run because of the rules. If his changeover to the Democratic Party was not the real issue, do you really think that he would not have run in 2004? Massa made the same decision when Samara lost; he said “screw it” and waited until the start of the 2006 season to run again. Didn’t J.J. say that the campaign started the day after George Bush was elected?

Seems Nachbar has the same issue. He could not run, especially since he was a blank and had not registered. He got support from Slaughter, and then (in J.J.’s words) “gracefully withdrew his challenge and that was the end of it.” Now, he is running. Yes, a guy from Pittsford will have a challenge against the local boy from Hammersmith or a man who has spent the past three years working with Democrats in the 29th, but this is a democracy!

I hope that Nachbar can demonstrate the ability to be a good candidate. While it is interesting that J.J. is suggesting that it was Nachbar who was shipping jobs overseas, that is like blaming the Secretary of State for the decision to go to war with Iraq.

Let’s meet the man before we jump on the bandwagon that he is a bad person or a spoilsport. That is like saying the Massa is the lackey of Clark because Clark supported Massa. The Democratic process is about vetting good candidates and the primary is about learning about filtering the candidates. If you are worried about the money, consider that Massa had close to $400k at the end of the primary, and raised the $1M afterward. With a person who would have good contacts in DC, NYC and Rochester, how could that not be a success story that might succeed?

When Massa considered running in 2003, he spoke with EVERY SINGLE County Chair (and I know this because I personally spoke with quite a few of them about this earlier today) and they told him that a primary would hurt the party. So what did he do? He gracefully withdrew his challenge and that was the end of it. Eric Massa put a Sam Barand sign in his yard and refused to discuss running with anyone - including the press. To compare Massa’s dedication to the Democratic Party to Nachbar’s “screw it, it’s my time” attitude is preposterous.

Let’s be honest, do we REALLY want a corporate warrior whose job at B&L was to close our local manufacturing facilities and send OUR JOBS to overseas representing the 29th? If that’s the case then why don’t we just keep Randy Kuhl?

Do not forget that Congress is not a business… Congress is the PEOPLE’S house. While money is important in campaigns, personal wealth will never replace dedication, character or community involvement. Where the heck has Nachbar been since the last race? Does anyone know? Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

What until all the information on this guy comes out or just google his name and check out his corporate bonuses for yourself … all a result of moving jobs overseas and “saving” B&L hundreds of millions that they would have had to pay for silly things like health care and a safe work place. Are we sure he’s actually a Democrat this time???

In 2003, Massa knew we needed party unity… he didn’t run, he didn’t speak to the press about running and he disappeared during the open seat. He was a TEAM player and you can ask ANY County Chair about that. Oh, and by the way - word is that Slaughter actually recruited Massa to run against Barand… See a pattern here?

Massa has proven his viability, he’s proven his ability to raise money from small donors, and he’s proven his support by having one of the best volunteer forces this area has ever seen.

What has Nachbar done? Has he ever helped a Dem candidate? Is he a member of the Pittsford Dem Committee?

A better known candidate from where the bulk of the district lives is less valuable than a Senior VP who no one knows? That simply doesn’t make sense.

Money is indeed important as seen through the blitz of ads at the end of the campaign. Nevertheless, Is there a chance that people (not the people reading blogs) believe it is too early in the cycle to start thinking about 2008 elections.

You used the term investment. This isn’t about making money. This really is about presenting a better product. If you focus solely on a financial aspect yeah Massa needs money.

However, if you focus on who is better known, has sweat equity and can better identify with people in the 29th - Massa is it as far as I can see.

Nachbar better maps to our Rochester Suburbs - the Maggies strength.

That’s a pretty big no-no… I doubt he dropped out because of the quality of Massa’s campaign (which would have been a valid reason)… I tend to think he dropped out because as a registered blank, he legally couldn’t run as a Democrat.

Rookie move, and now he’s swooping back in for his own personal reasons rather than backing the candidate of the people.

Nachbar made the same mistake that Massa did in coming out too early (without making sure they had their party correct), so him running again is not too surprising. And Rottenchester seems to think that this is some scheme that Slaughter made up. I would be more inclined to note that, when Massa first discussed running again, he said he would only run with the support of the national party. Then, he suggested there was support (on Coleman and Company), but none was truly demonstrated. Then he first hinted and then brought to the open the money he had to raise to be considered a serious contender.

Remember that in the District, a limited resource is spent where it can do the most good. Last time around, Massa could not seem to manage his finances (from the District’s point-of-view) and the financials seemed to prove this. He was helped tremendously, at the end, by the strong support of all of us supporting him because of the rising Democratic wave. This time around, as a seasoned candidate, he currently does not seem to have the numbers yet. From his own FEC report, he has $1700 cash on hand (supported by a $10000 loan from himself) and has a $64000 debt. Look at it from an investor’s point-of-view: if he was a business, would you bet on him? Right now, (as a business) he is running heavily in the red. Unless he pulls himself with real numbers, he is a goner.

No wonder Nachbar is taking a chance now. With Massa in such a weakened state, he could suck all of the air out of Massa’s fundraising this quarter and leave the 29th with himself as the only real Democratic candidate. And, with the Republicans in an even more weakened state come 2008, Randy Kuhl will not be able to rely on coattails, and the strength of the Monroe numbers might swing heavily enough to get Nachbar elected.

Sources tell Rochesterturning, that the DCCC is going to remain neutral in the contest in the 29th. I don’t agree. My take is that the DCCC is going to maintain the appearance of neutrality while putting in place measures that……

I want to know involvement prior to 2006.

Oh, these perfectly legal stock option transactions (look at 2005) will go over rather well south of Rochester. Which I think supports your earlier point of communicating a message that people throughout the entire district can understand.