Did anyone think something was missing from the local coverage? I did-that upstate Congressional Republicans could be swept out in November.

First the facts:

• Howard Dean is head of the Democratic National Committee and was in New York on May 15th to attend a lunchtime fund raiser for Dan Maffei and an evening fundraiser for Eric Massa.
• There is a Democratic primary in the NY-26th and National committee people stay out of primary races so no visit to the NY-26th.
• Since that was also the Monroe County Designating Convention the schedules were arranged such that Howard Dean could attend and speak at the designating convention. The same designating convention where Massa (NY-29) and Maffei (NY-25)were endorsed as were Slaughter (NY-28) and Jon Powers (NY-26). See Rochester is represented by 4 members of Congress. Currently 3 of those districts are held by Republicans.

Now the inference. Three districts currently represented by Republicans could flip in November. Got that? 3 of them and Louise Slaughter isn’t going anywhere either.

So, I’m thinking the story line is Democratic party is focusing its “big guns” on Rochester in hopes of flipping up to 3 seats and there is intense national political interest on Rochester, I mean, when was the last time the head of the Democratic National Committee (or the Republican counter- part) was in Rochester New York?

But generally, the story lines were all about Presidential Politics with Obama or Clinton with ever so brief mention of Congress. Here is a round up of the local coverage. You be the judge.

The MPN - I thought this was the best one- it mentioned why Dean was here, Congressional candidates Massa and Maffei as well as a brief summary of remarks.

Wham13 is really a tale of two reports DNC Chair Howard Dean Visits Rochester- the article and the video. A mention of Massa. And this sentence “However, many Democrats wanting to hear Dean talk about party unity didn’t get as much as they were hoping for.” Really - exactly what where “many Democrats’ hoping for? Apparently it was the group of Obama supporters and what appears to be a single Clinton supporter. I don’t think there was a single person in the convention who was disappointed. The video was a bit better with Dean mentioning why he was in Rochester.

rnews was a bit better - Dean Calls for Party Unity. The article had a longer mention of why Dean was in Rochester and an interview with Obama and Clinton supports. (note the group of Obama supporters and the single Clinton supporter. It has video.

The D&C - No mention of Congressional Candidates in the article Monroe County Democrats hear from Dean, endorse candidates. But it aluded to Democrats making gains in traditional Republican groups.

WHEC headline was - Dean visits Rochester, he’s playing referee . The article mentioned the reason Dean was in Rochester - to support Eric Massa and summarized Deans comments.

News8 now reports Dean remains neutral on Democratic primary the article was all Presidential race with commentary from Curt Smith. The article mentioned “Dean made a stop in Rochester Thursday to address Monroe County Democrats,” The video is a rehash of the article.

WXXI - reports Dean Dodges Questions about Presidential Primary . the article is all about Presidential politics.