The Maffei campaign just sent this out:

For the first time in twenty years, a Democrat has been nominated to be the Independence Party candidate for the 25th Congressional District.

[...]

Today, the New York State Independence Party recognized my desire for change in our region. Together, you and I have brought this campaign from a hope to a reality.

As I pointed out in the last post, the third party lines are important in NYS. To wit, the Maffei campaign writes:

In 2006 Jim Walsh received over 7,000 votes on the independence party line.

The race in NY-25 is all but over, folks. Barring a sudden change in the political weather, it will be safe to start talking about “Congressman-elect Maffei” in a few months.

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“As an eagle scout I learned the importance of leaving the campsite better than how we found it’” Powers said. “The next Congress needs to do more than talk about climate change. I’m proud that Western New Yorkers are leaving their footprint in leadership, not carbon emissions.“—Jon Powers, candidate for Congress, NY-26

The Brookings Institution released a report that ranks Rochester as 14th and the Buffalo/Niagara Falls metropolitan region as having the 14th and 16th, respectively, lowest areas per capita in carbon emissions.

The environment and how it is affected by our energy use is of special interest to Jon Powers because he has seen firsthand the deleterious effects of our dependence on fossil fuels.  From his campaign website:

Jon Powers knows from firsthand experience that energy independence is a national security matter. We must make energy independence and global warming top priorities and stop allowing big oil companies to continue business as usual.

Instead of voting to support the fuels of tomorrow, Congressman Reynolds voted to give nearly $9 billion in tax breaks to the big oil and coal companies, while opposing investments in sustainable energy and energy efficiency. Powers will take a different approach because he believes America can lead by example in the development of sustainable energy. As the pioneers of sustainable energy, Western New York can lead in the creation of a high-wage, clean energy economy.

Powers makes great points and shows that he is well-versed in the issues that affect us all and how those issues play out on the world stage.   

(Robert Harding over at TAP has a good write-up on this as well.)

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The Rothenberg Political Report has just reported that David Bellavia is opting out of NY-26 to clear the way for Chris Lee:

The Republican field to replace former NRCC Chairman Tom Reynolds in New York’s 26th District is about to be cleared for businessman Chris Lee. Iraq war veteran David Bellavia is expected to exit the race soon, according to GOP sources, leaving Lee with a clear path to the nomination. The Democratic field is still uncertain and a primary is likely.

Is this another example of Republicans falling in line while the Democrats fall in love (and force a primary and more spending as a result)?

(h/t to reader Rottenchester)

 

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As you all know, the Rochester area will home to two or three very competitive Congressional races in November (I say two or three because at this point it is not clear that Republicans will make a serious run at NY-25, which would leave 26 and 29 as the competitive races). Two interesting articles appeared over the past few days about the overall state of play for Republicans and Democrats in November’s elections. First, here’s the redoubtable Charlie Cook

• Voters are clearly still very upset with Republicans and don’t seem to have finished venting their spleens. In a May 13-15 national survey of 1,014 likely voters by Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg for the Democracy Corps, Democrats held a 14-point (54 percent to 40 percent) lead on the generic congressional ballot test. When told the likely nominees in a given district, voters still gave Democrats a 10-point advantage, 52 percent to 42 percent. These results are consistent with those from other national polls.

• Antipathy toward Bush has not abated. Indeed, in both this Democracy Corps survey and a recent National Public Radio poll conducted by Greenberg and Republican pollster Glen Bolger, the president’s “strong disapproval” rating exceeded 50 percent, a jaw-dropping level of animosity.

• Although Congress has a terrible job-approval rating, this election isn’t about it, at least so far.

[...]

In short, Republicans might get walloped again in November. The indications that they will are getting stronger and stronger. And the arguments that they won’t are getting weaker and weaker.

Then there’s interesting piece on the idea of McCain as Republican savior that appeared in the Politico. The piece posits the theory (which I believe) that McCain is likely to do better than the generic ballot suggests (polls consistently show McCain running just behind Obama and Hillary even though the in generic Democrat vs. Republican poll, Democrats lead by about 15 points), but that none of this will rub off on Congressional Republicans:

The McCain brand simply did not deliver in Illinois, so the other candidates took note. They sidestepped the maverick, but that didn’t work either. And while dissing McCain might have been the best political option, the pivot to attack Obama also failed. If railing against Obama doesn’t work against down-ballot Democrats in conservative swaths of Mississippi, where exactly is it supposed to work?

[...]

If McCain can’t help them, however, Republicans have little reason to stick by him in a year when the national issues favor Democrats.

Dropping the national GOP brand — current and would-be presidents included — is in the individual self-interest of many Republican candidates. Yet if they ditch Bush and McCain, voters will see Republican leaders rejecting both the failed past and supposed future of their own party. If a few Republican losses stir a bunch of Republican quitters, the GOP may look even more pathetic, potentially hindering McCain.

I find this last point quite intriguing. Will Randy Kuhl and the Republicans in NY-26 and NY-29 stand by their man when nights are cold and lonely?

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The DCCC has added a web ad to its campaign highlighting Randy Kuhl's present vote on Iraq funding. It will also field a new robo-call from General Wesley Clark:

Hi, this is General Wes Clark, calling on behalf of the DCCC.

Congressman Randy Kuhl had the opportunity to stand up for our veterans.

Instead he voted against expanding the GI bill for the first time since World War II to provide a free college education for veterans.

That's leaving our veterans behind.

Call Randy Kuhl at 607-776-9142 and tell him to stand up for our troops and our veterans.

Paid for by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

The web ad is embedded below:

Update: The DCCC released a Kuhl-specific version of the ad.

If you’re looking to get more involved, please consider this event in Greece this coming Tuesday, from the Jon Powers campaign:

Interested in helping Jon Powers’ Congressional Campaign? We are hosting a petition party for Jon Powers in Greece on June 3. If you are a registered Democrat in the state of New York then you’re eligible to carry petitions and we invite you to attend and gather signatures with us. We will do a training for new petitioners!

Powers Petition Blitz Party
Date: June 3rd
Time: 5:00pm
Location:454 Stonewood Ave.,
Greece, NY 14616
(Residence)

To RSVP or for more information please contact dan@powersforcongress.com
 

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Today Eric Massa, candidate for Congress in NY-29, spoke about the Webb G. I. Bill.

“From the front page articles today there’s an editorial in The Corning Leader about veterans continuing to be short changed—about how we are unwilling to take care of veterans. There’s an old saying “Nothing is too good for our veterans and that is exactly what we give them: nothing.” Despite prognostications of professional politicians nothing has changed.

“The Webb G. I. bill was voted against in the House of Representatives. It was brought to the floor by Senator Webb [and it] creates a G. I. bill very similar in benefits to the benefits given to the greatest generation in WWII. Two overriding reasons [Senator John] Mccain is against it are it costs too much and our soldiers will get out of the Army if it is passed. Both of those reasons are specious at best. The cost is about $52 billion over 10 years. $5 billion a year, that’s roughly or much less , 2 weeks , of what we are spending in Iraq today. It’s not too much. It’s a drop in the bucket compared to what this administration is spending on the war and rebuilding of Iraq.

“Secondly, saying giving benefits to our troops would cause them to leave is coming from someone who never served in the military (presumably Massa was referring to those who voted against the bill who are not veterans). In fact, it entices them to join. It is a covenant between those who join and promise to keep America safe. For my opponoent to vote against it is unacceptable. In fact, he is introducing a bill that muddies the waters, and is not paid for. 1/2 of 1% on incomes over $500,000 a year would pay for it but Republicans voted “present,” whatever that means. A week after, Kuhl ran an editorial about games in DC and then he votes “present.” This has to stop.

“We need to promote lifelong educational and medical support for our veterans.

“There is no clearer difference between my opponent and I than in this issue. Kuhl says he supports the veterans and votes against them. I am a vet and I will support them.

On S-CHIP similarities: “Kuhl paid for glossy flyers from your tax dollars and said every child deserves health care and then voted against it. A great deal of similarity.”

Thoughts on PTSD 50% increase? “Another demonstration of this administration’s misuse of our military. No body armor, no Humvees with proper armor, lack of proper training, insufficient medical care, a V.A. official writes an email hiding the extent of medical disabilities, a Canandaigua mental health facility was closed, Kuhl announced a $2 million earmark to keep a bowling alley open. It’s the world turned upside down.

When asked if he intends to work across the aisle with Republicans:

“There is nothing more bipartisan than supporting our veterans and balancing the budget. The vast majority of Republicans want to do that. Only the lockstep rubberstamps refuse to. Unfortunately at this point they’re being led by John McCain.

When asked if he supports follow-up studies on returning veterans Massa said he was passionate about that: “Returning vets have increased suicide rates, homelessness, unemployment, and I think that’s a very good idea to study their return. It can take years for these symptoms and problems to show up.”

Will the Webb bill aid in recruiting? “Absolutely because it provides a safety net for after service.”

In closing Massa said “It’s not about what Kuhl is doing wrong. It’s about finding a new future to do things right. Frankly, I’m tired of talking about my opponent. We need to talk about what we’re going to do right in the future. One is The Responsible Plan To End the War in Iraq.

“The process has to start immediately, withdrawal, but it will take 6-18 months. There are thousands of people and millions of tons of equipment. We cannnot creat their future for them. We can’t hand them success.”

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This story ends with me speeding down the 490 East last night with bloody raw meat in the back of my car…

So I was sent out to Riga last night for the Churchville Lions Annual Regional Steak Roast.  Sounds simple enough, go in, buy some food, mingle, talk shop.  That was my first mistake.  Apparently I needed to register ahead of time and apparently there is “no politicking” allowed at these events.  I’m getting this anti-political vibe everywhere I go lately.  What’s up with that?  Anyway, I was told I’d be escorted out if I handed out one flyer.  I almost titled this piece “Scaring the natives.”

Since my political plans were squashed I decided I’d mingle and eat chips and dip.  The Regional Steak Roast brings together Lions chapters from all over the Riga area, including Hamlin, Brockport and a few other towns.  I learned that the Lions sponsor a yearly six-week camp for disabled children in Spencer, New York, about 150 miles away, called Camp Badger, among other community services.  I also learned that the Churchville Lions have an extensive Medical Loan Closet and that this chapter’s growth last year was robust.  Community service is what the Lions are all about.  Democrats can really get into that but sadly there were few Democrats in attendance.  In fact, I may have been the only one amongst the Lions…

Deciding to keep my political persuasion to myself and just talk issues, I learned that most people really care about the same things: jobs, health care and the war.  Only the mechanism of making things right was different, but not that different.  In political discussions, the best way to persuade someone, in my opinion, is not to forcefully attack their position but instead approach the topic with an open mind, acknowledge flaws in both viewpoints and try to gain some sort of common ground.  Open-mindedness and overt, thoughtful consideration of all angles goes a long way.

I tried this approach out on a young man in the hallway as I was about to leave.  He asked me what I was doing here (since I was obviously not a native???) and there was my opening.  I said “I originally came to campaign for Jon Powers, candidate for Congress in your district, NY-26, but I was told I couldn’t do that.  So, now i’m here to eat potatoes and take pictures.”  He looked puzzled and said “Well, is he a Republican?”  My reply? “No, but he’s a good man with good ideas and we need more of that in Washington.  You should come help me work for him here in Monroe County.”

The young man then whispered as he glanced around the room “But I’m a Republican!”  I kept talking to him about Powers’ ideas and strengths and he said he might volunteer for him.

Thinking my work here was done, I was set to leave when several people stopped me at the door.  My first thought was I’d broken the “no politicking” rule.  Instead, a nice lady spoke up and said how nice it was to meet me and then “You can’t leave without taking your steak.”  “Oh, that’s alright” I said.  “I don’t eat steak.”  But she was having none of that.  “You go on in the kitchen and get your meat.  You paid for it.”

Indeed.  So I headed east with bloody raw meat in the back of my car, given to me by Lions.

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Some dudes might have the ‘coin,’ but they will never have the ‘kwan.’ It means love, respect, community, and the dollars too. The entire package. The kwan. —Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) in “Jerry Maguire”

While surveying the scene at the Greece Memorial Day parade yesterday the film “Jerry Maguire” kept coming to mind. Maybe it was because I feel Democrats represent and advocate for love, respect and community in not only their policies but also in their approach to campaigning. We believe in respect for all people, the true and complete meaning of freedom and a sincere appreciation for policies that promote community well-being, such as universal health care, economic policy that keeps jobs intact and values the workers’ bottomlines instead of a myopic focus on corporate welfare, and education policies that are inclusive of all children. Democrats believe that the decision to enter into war should never be taken lightly nor should it be undertaken without first considering and exhausting all other possible alternatives. We realize that war risks the lives of cherished family members. Democrats focus on people. Democrats have “the kwan.”

Case in point: yesterday, volunteers for Jon Powers arrived in Greece about 15 minutes prior to the parade only to be told by the Republican leadership in Greece that volunteers for Powers (candidate for Congress in NY-26) could not wear “Powers for Congress” t-shirts. As this was announced to us I noticed a volunteer for Christopher Lee wearing a “Lee for Congress” t-shirt. We were then told that if we removed our shirts we could march alongside the candidate. Since we didn’t desire to go topless in the parade we chose to walk along the sidewalks instead. This was approved by a member of the Republican leadership five minutes before the start of the parade.

Volunteers walked among the residents, briefly talking to voters and offering literature, then moving on respectfully. We were welcomed warmly by the majority of residents.

After the parade our group encountered Greece Town Supervisor Auberger in the parking lot. We happily greeted him and then he stopped and said forcefully “There are reports that your group handed out flyers. That sort of thing will not be tolerated.” That sort of thing will not be tolerated? What thing? Free speech will not be tolerated? Free citizens talking to other free citizens on the sidewalk will not be tolerated?

Democrats respect the ideals that this country was founded on. Voters are sensing this, as evidenced by increased Democratic registrations, and they are following their registrations with donations. It’s the entire package.

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Exile at Rochesterturning notes that Randy Kuhl is touting a "clean" version of the new GI Bill, and wonders if Kuhl really thinks that nobody will notice his earlier opposition to the real GI Bill. There's little chance of that, because there's no antidote to Kuhl's position on this issue.

Kuhl has allied himself with a narrow majority of the Republican House that opposes Senator Jim Webb's version of the GI Bill. The original version of Webb's bill has 300 co-sponsors in the House. The latest version passed in the Senate last week by a 75-22 vote.

Kuhl has not explained his vote against the GI Bill, so one has to assume that he agrees with Senators John McCain and Lindsay Graham, who have offered a less generous version of Webb's bill. McCain and Graham's position is that Webb's GI Bill, which allows full benefits after three years of service, will hurt recruiting. After three years, a soldier has probably served two full tours in Iraq, but that's not enough for McCain, Bush and Kuhl -- their shared vision of a long-term US presence in Iraq requires a penurious GI Bill that gives soldiers an incentive for multiple re-enlistments.

Kuhl's present vote on the Iraq supplemental, and his vote against an amendment adding the new GI Bill to that supplemental, make stuff like his most recent blog post sound like so much hot air. He talks of troops "working tirelessly to protect and defend our rights", but he's allied with an administration that begrudges them a .5% extra pay raise. A good number of his Republican colleagues have abandoned Bush on this one, and so have some conservatives, but Randy's chosen to stay the course.