In case you missed it… Joe Robach Edition
We’ve been writing a lot about Republican State Senator Joe Robach over the years. During the 2006 election, we outed him for what he was: a steadfast conservative and a member of the right-wing in Albany. He has had one of the worst voting records of almost anyone in the state senate when it comes to middle class issues. Robach’s support of the Conservative Party’s positions has gone from 41% when he came to the Senate in 2003, to an all-time high of 82% in 2007. In 2006, Robach also mistakenly acted like he had the endorsement of Mayor Duffy. Oops.
And it is worth remembering why Joe switched parties to become a Republican. It wasn’t out of any long held principals, but rather, it was about gerrymandering and pork. After Craig Johnson’s special election win in Long Island, there was talk that he might be one of a few Republican senators willing to cross the aisle and give Dems control of the State Senate. Given his staunchly right-wing positions, I doubt that he would ever switch parties again. It also came out in July of ‘07 that Robach had taken more than the legal amount of campaign contributions from 1199 SEIU.
Not only did he support the unFAIR Plan, he stood up for Long Island schools at a time when Monroe County schools needed a champion in the state senate. Robach has been MIA when it comes to investing in schools in Rochester and the surrounding suburbs. Oh, and do you remember how he proposed starting up a private law school at St. John Fisher, even though the public law schools that are part of the SUNY system are struggling?
After awhile, people start to catch on to what he’s doing and the Working Families Party did just that. They endorsed Robach in 2006 thinking that he would actually fight for working families, but when it became clear that he wouldn’t, they decided to go with Rick Dollinger in 2008.
Earlier this summer, he failed to accept Dollinger’s challenge to hold a series of debates. What was he afraid of? He skipped all of the community forums that were held earlier this summer, too. Then, after months of dithering, he eventually agreed to a debate. Recently, Robach sent out a mailer that completely glosses over his strong opposition to gay rights. I guess he knows that the vast majority of his constituents believe in extending civil rights and civil liberties to all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation.
And in the end, behind all of those beautiful ribbon-cutting ceremonies and that great press coverage, there is a right-wing conservative Republican named Joe Robach who does not share our values.
Related posts:
Joe needs to defend his ongoing membership in a party that makes “food stamps” with Obama’s face, chicken and watermelon and with Sarah Palin who wants rape victims to have their attacker’s child.
Way to go Joe!
To Airbare8
Great article!
I must thank you for this article. Several months back I did listen to Mr. Dollinger at a local event and was duly impressed. Since I came hear from Michigan a few years ago I am somewhat new on the local political scene.
My neighbors have somewhat informed me of the local political picture here in the county. Joe Robach apparently is the son of Roger Robach who was very popular in the community and a Democrat. They told me his son is very supportive of community and functions.
I must confess I have not had the time to fully research information on the Senator or his challenger. I was considering voting for Robach trusting my neighbors voices. Your articles and content at Rochester Turning has convinced me this would be a mistake. Furthermore I will be directing them to come here as well and read up on this interesting race.
After reading what I have read in several articles here as well as some others I found on Google its clear that Mr. Dollinger is who we need.
Incidentally I must admit I have been remiss in researching this years local elections. In a way we are still settling into the area. I found this site while performing some searches to locate information.
I came to Rochester from Detroit due to job prospects. We’ve been here a few years. Detroit had more than its fair share of corruption and apparently it manifests everywhere. Seeing the fact Mr. Robach changed parties and his father was a Democrat should really make people question motives. If he were the representative of his fathers legacy towards the people he could never change parties, win, loose or draw.
Further any politician who would change parties democrat or republican while in office should be removed from that office as those who elected the party have had their voices effectively negated. It is in effect a very serious offense to the people and democracy.
Imagine you purchase a new motorcycle. You bring it in for its servicing and maintenance. When you come back to pick up your bike its not the same motorcycle. It looks the same but it is not the same. Would you accept it? Even if the dealer tells you, “Its better!” would you not ask they at the very least prove that before taking it home? Of course you would.
In New York the republicans have held the senate since 1965. From news I have read the former governor of the state George Pataki took office with a 27 billion dollar debt. With the republican controlled senate and governorship it grew to well in excess of 45 billion dollars. It appears Robach switched parties during what I have read were these years.
Then there is another interesting article I read here: http://www.smugtownbeacon.com/news.php?viewStory=75
The bottom line when you add it all up is the NY senate needs a change, robach clearly cannot be trusted with community interests as has been shown in just the two years i have been here as I have been living his results… Now to find the realities of his career he makes me sick.