So, um what was going in November 2006? Think, Think…

Well - the big news is that RochesterTurning celebrated 6 months of virtual life. Oh yeah, there was the election and all things related.

I went back and reread our stories for that time. Here is a grouping of the top stories.

Endorsements

If you have been reading us regularly, you know we like the Democrat and Chronicle op-ed page. Especially around Election time. Why? Well, it is simply a matter of the uneven endorsements. Sometimes it seems there is no rhyme or reason. Have a look -

Let’s start with my personal favorite. Jeanine Pirro. Most everyone paying attention knows Jeanine is under investigation or at least accused for asking another favorite of mine, Bernie Kerik, to illegally tape her husband. Even so, the D&C endorsed Ms. Pirro over Andrew Cuomo. As I recall, she spent most of her interview time trashing Cuomo instead of speaking to her record. What a difference a year makes. Pirro might finally get her own TV show, and Cuomo is on fire, more than just filling Spitzers shoes - just look at this open government inititive.

Remember some guy named Hevesi? Well - He had all kinds of ethical problems but his name was still on the ballot. There was debate in our growing RT community how to vote on that line. Here the D&C endorsed the other guy. A guy with no experience. OK…

Then there was Tom Reynolds. Mark Foley anyone? Well, the D&C ended up endorsing Reynolds with his ethical baggage. The key to the endorsements of Hevesi and Reynolds was experience. Both had it per the D&C. I argued against the D&C implication that all ethics violations are equal some are more equal than others. Who knew a year later the Endorsement process would be more of the same: safe bets over advocating needed change.

But speaking of sleaze

Tom Reynolds introduced us to Mark Foley and children. Did he know about the Foley emails and IMs? He defended himself on national news shows as the election loomed nearer. Remember - November 2006 - Tom Reynolds was head of the NRCC and in charge of getting Republicans elected in the House. Remember the sleazy ad he put out attacking Acuri? Well, as the month moved on, the Foley finger continued to point to Reynolds - even conservatives were ready to toss Tommy from the train. Finally election day came and the fruits of Tommy’s labor came to pass. Nothing captures it more than a post by btp as we were live blogging at MCDC HQ (What a difference a year makes compare our live blogging November 2006 and Nov 2007) . Check it out - Dems take back the House of Representative - NRCC are clueless.

Community involvement

What struck me here as we were in our 6th month - There were a lot of us out knocking on doors and every door held a story. There were a lot of pissed off people out there each with a story to tell or questions to ask.

Alongside the political activism, there was this protest at Wegmans.

Massa/Kuhl

Previously , we covered Kuhl’s town hall meetings and all that but November was truth time.

First, there were ads - lots of them. Randy Kuhl had the famous sniper ad. These ads were supplemented by this bit of sleaze that Steve Minarik mailed out in various Congressional districts. Steve Minarik? Well, at the time he was still head of the State GOP party. What a difference a year makes.

Oh and more sleaze. Can you say robocalls? Hopefully this is the future of Robocalls. The vote surprisingly goes for Kuhl. Many of use here in Monroe County were surprised. Massa wanted all votes to be counted and in the end - he lost by a few thousand. Exile does an excellent summary of the race. Finally there is hope in the NY-29th.

Then the real Randy comes out pulling his name from a pro-union bill AFTER he received 80K in campaign contributions from unions.

Iraq War

Check out this forgotten tidbit- Saddam was convicted November 2006. Check out this post on where we were at that time.

Exit Stage Minarik

After deciding to spend time with his family - we in Monroe County have Mr Minarik all to ourselves. Oh joy, rapture.

The Election and the aftermath

Check out these posts include this excellent one by btp on the post election discussion. A year ago, after the reelection of Kuhl, Reynolds and Walsh we read Exile’s elections summaries of the NY-25, NY-26, and NY-29 and consoled ourselves with high hopes for Louise. We were upset that Walsh won. Seems he was upset as well as he insults the people of Syracuse and people call him on it.

Dems and Republicans were posturing for credit or blame deflection depending on which side of the results you were on. Howard Dean’s 50 state plan sucked according to James Carville.

Rove’s take on the election is here.

We wondered aloud where was the Democratic effort retake the State Senate? Seems like lost opportunities and analysis. As Spitzer is continually beaten up or beats himself remember an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

The fun continued into December….