November 2008, it’s just around the corner
Joe Spector has this up in today’s D&C. So, I guess it’s really 2008 now. time to start thinking about next November’s elections.
As many as six competitive U.S. House seats in upstate New York could prove pivotal in whether Democrats can retain control of Congress in 2008, political observers said.
(snip)
Eric Massa, who narrowly lost to Kuhl last year, is running again in the 29th District, which stretches from Monroe County into the Southern Tier.
Jonathan Powers, an Iraq war veteran, is running against Reynolds in the 26th District, which runs from Monroe County to Erie County. Daniel Maffei is running in a 2006 rematch against Walsh in the 25th District, which runs from Monroe County to Syracuse
(snip)
But how the races swing could rest partly on who wins the parties’ presidential nominations — and whether Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s plunge in popularity will weigh down Democrats, some leaders warn.
This last paragraph, about Eliot breaks my heart. He screwed up, there is no doubt, but this is more of a testament to the people’s ignorance in NYS and their ability to be led around by the nose by people(and I use the term loosely) like Steve Minarik and other Republican Spin-Meisters. Fear, fear, fear-let it rule your life! but, I digress (another post, another day)
But, will this be a driving force next fall? My money is on the presidential race overshadowing the Governor’s faux pax. If the nominees are Hilary and Rudy, the race will probably be decided right here in the 29th CD.
Now, let’s look at our state races. This is probably where we can make the most impact. Currently, as you know, the decisions in Albany are determined by Spitz, Shelly and Bruno. If we can upset the balance of power in the Senate, Bruno’s influence will be gone. Let me restate that, If the State Senate can move from red to blue, Bruno becomes moot and a new majority leader will be ordained. How, do you ask, can this be done? Well let’s look at the contenders, locally:
In Monroe County, Democrats plan to target seats held by Republican state Sens. Joseph Robach of Greece, and James Alesi of Perinton. Former state Sen. Richard Dollinger, D-Brighton, is considered a possible challenger against Robach. Assemblyman David Koon, D-Perinton, is expected to face Alesi.
Nice, I like this picture. Hey, everybody out there in Brighton, let’s put the hammer to Rick and make this happen! David Koon, well I was standing on a corner in East Rochester on the cold, snowy election day morning holding up signs with this man, Dedication? I don’t know, what do you think? 2 strong candidates running in a county which is slowly turning left, it’s looking good, folks.
I heard that Sandra Frankel is looking at a run at Robach’s seat. In some ways she makes a stronger candidate than Dollinger, who seems mostly interested in, and qualified for, the bench.
i would say that dollinger is better cuz frankel comes off a little flighty and she is rumored to want to run for every office that comes up. but dollinger is suited perfectly for the bench and i thought that was his career goal anyway. if he didn’t have the guts to take on robach as an incumbent, why will he do it now with robach the incumbent?
This makes no sense. We aren’t really dealing with rumors - are we? and certainly not implying that Frankel is starting these rumors right? Since rumors are indeed rumors - there is no confirmation or basis - and likely are started because - simply stated Sandy Frankel is a well known Democrat - reelected a bunch of times - led the way turning Brighton blue and through Democratic governance is helping other towns turn blue as well. (no, she didn’t single handedly turn Irondequoit or others blue but Brighton provided proof points of what is possible)
Re the “flighty” comment. Comes off to whom? Is this personal opinion or does this fall into the “some” people say or I heard that. this is an opinion that say in my opinion…
Willa Powell did as well as any candidate since Dollinger, and did better in Greece than the others. And I know she’s preparing to run again.
What appeal do either Dollinger or Frankel have in Greece or Parma? Personally, I think if there is a primary, Dollinger and Frankel split the Brighton vote, and Powell walks away with the city and the west size. (That’s how Dollinger won that district in the first place, you know - a three way primary race, where Dolliger edged out the socially conservative Dem from Greece: Ralph Quatrochiachi)
Funding will be a huge issue here. A great deal of funding will be required.
Which ever candidate goes will require a lot of funding. A primary will be problematic as it will drain funds in the general - I don’t see a three way primary.
i have a better opinion of frankel than some because i have worked with her and know she is on point. but i have talked to people at town hall meetings, press conferences, etc that told me they thought she was not focused or detailed, thus assuming she was flighty (maybe this is a poor choice of words?). she ran for lt. gov and wanted to run for county exec along with these ‘rumors’ that she wants to run for senate. and i put that in quotes because i understand that the dem senate campaign has met with both her and dollinger. if you want to get into real rumor, throw molly clifford in there, although she is less electable than even powell in that district. it will be tough for any woman to gain ground in conservative greece, but i think it will be almost as tough for any man as well. j-ro and his manic depressive voting record has them wrapped around his little finger.
Not has hard as you think. The 3 candidates that ran for the town were made up of a white male, a white female, and a black female. They all scored between 32 and 40% of the vote. The tide is turning in Greece as things continue to get worse in town. The Dems made a big dent there, and I’m sure they’re not through yet. And the republicans know it. There was nobody challenging these clowns 5 years ago, and in 5 years, look at what’s happening. Beebe got elected and knocked out the home town boy Diraddo.
It takes strength, and money, and continuing effort to accomplish the goals of converting a town, especially one that size. Round one, and the competition is hurting. The challengers done good and with 2 year terms, you can bet they’re gonna keep on fighting.
I think its going to come down to whether Spitzer wants to invest political capital into this race. He has money, I believe he still has the potential to help raise money, and his closest allies in the legislature (Senate Democrats) have money.