Harrison/McMahon Versus Somebody

The NY Times did a write-up this week on the differences between the two Democratic candidates running for Congress in Staten Island (with a sliver of Brooklyn too). As anyone can easily see, there are plenty of contrasts between the grassroots-energized Harrison and 'moderate' Councilman McMahon. Steve Harrison has worn out multiple pairs of shoes walking the district while Michael McMahon got the full backing of the Democratic establishment once Vito self-destructed.

Here are just a few differences:

Political labels aside, there are stark differences between the two. Mr. Harrison opposes capital punishment, while Mr. McMahon supports it. The councilman favors nearly all means of addressing the nation’s energy problems, including offshore drilling, something Mr. Harrison opposes. Mr. McMahon supported Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s ultimately unsuccessful congestion pricing plan, while Mr. Harrison opposed it.

On the Iraq war, Mr. Harrison has demanded an immediate withdrawal of American troops, while Mr. McMahon said he supported “a responsible redeployment of our troops in Iraq.”

New York's top Democrats have made life very hard for the progressive Harrison and with all that money, the race for the nomination this year is much tougher. As a liberal, I'd love to see Steve win this, despite the long odds. McMahon reminds me of the DLC Republican-lite crap that has been a losing proposition for too many Democrats over the years. People want to see a candidate with principles and a backbone and frankly, the Councilman looks like he is just playing politics and not standing up for what is right.

Of course, come November when either Harrison or McMahon is up against what's their faces, ultimately there will be one more member in the Democratic caucus, c/o Staten Island.

Councilman McMahon Won't Answer Iraq War Questions

The last month or so has been quite unsettling since Vito Fossella announced his intentions to not run for re-election. For some reason, establishment Democrats took this to mean that only now is there ample opportunity to pick up the last Republican-held Congressional seat in New York City. That false alarm (because the district was ripe to turn before Vito's DWI/love child story came out) has produced an establishment candidate in the form of Staten Island Councilman Michael McMahon.

Now, progressive/liberal Democrats have already had a candidate that supports their issues by and large in Steve Harrison. He is adamantly against the war and all things George Bush. So why the establishment (NY's Congressional delegation, Staten Island's Dem County Cmte, etc) would pick McMahon without investigating issues and allowing for a primary is ridiculous. What is more ridiculous is that McMahon seems to agree with Bush on a few things, like Iraq.

From The Daily Gotham:

To focus then on some of the issues which are crucial, in my view, I asked Council Member McMahon some questions He replied in part and you can (and should) judge those answers for yourself.

Below, however, are three questions which Council Member McMahon didn't answer. Because I respect the abilities of those who prepared the answers, I am persuaded that the omissions are deliberate. Those omitted answers concern issues which members of the next Congress will actually face.

More war? Mr. McMahon did not state whether, were he a member of Congress, he would favor or oppose further Iraq war funding. Billions of dollars, needed at home, are funneled into Iraq-war-profiteers and into an immoral and evil war. Check it out in more detail here . If we're to believe Nobel-prize economist Joseph Stiglitz, the total tab will come to three trillion . Can Mr. McMahon say no to such squandering? He doesn't say.

Permanent bases? Mr. McMahon is silent on the issue of long-term Iraq occupation. Mr. McCain proposes that US troops remain for 100 years. Long term basing is crucial now as Mr. Bush & Mr. Cheney seek to force a Status of Forces Agreement" (SOFA) on the Iraqis and us. (For more on SOFA problems read smintheus's Kos post ) Would Mr. McMahon, were he in Congress oppose long-term basing of US forces in Iraq?

Detainee rights? Under the misleadership of John McCain, Congress tried to bar detainees labeled as "enemy combatants" by Mr. Bush from seeking court review of the lawfulness of their detention. By 5-4 the Supreme Court barred this end run around the Constitution. Mr. McCain proposes yet one more try to keep people from having their day in court. Will Mr. McMahon support justice or kangaroo courts? He doesn't say.

I expect non-answers from moderate Republicans running for this seat, not a Democratic politician and certainly not in this climate and this year. McMahon is more of a DLC product than anything resembling the man at the top of the ticket. The Democratic leadership supporting him is "playing it safe" and for the most part, that attitude has made us lose elections, not win them.

Vito Is On His Way Out, Recchia Too!

There were three people running for New York's 13th Congressional district but now its down to one. Both incumbent Vito Fossella and challenger Dominic Recchia are dropping out of the race. Vito's reasons are a little more in depth than Recchia, with the affair, love child, DWI, future ex-con status, hypocritical stance on marriage, screwing the taxpayers, you get what I'm saying. Well today is the day both exit stage left and what are we going to be left with?

From The Daily Politics:

Fossella was reportedly scheduled to break the news to his staff via an early-morning conference call tomorrow, but word started leaking out late tonight and the congressman's hand was forced.

He provided the following statement to The Staten Island Advance:

"After a great deal of consideration, I have made the decision not to seek re-election to the United States House of Representatives this November. This choice was an extremely difficult one, balanced between my dedication to service to our great nation and the need to concentrate on healing the wounds I have caused to my wife and family."

"Despite the personal mistakes I have made, I am touched by the outpouring of support and encouragement I have received from so many people. Their kind words and prayers during this difficult time mean more to me than I can express. And while many have urged me to run for re-election, I believe this course of action is best for my family and our community."

This comes as details continue to emerge about how Fossella and a former Air Force colonel, Laura Fay, with whom he fathered a child out of wedlock, trysted while traveling on taxpayer funded junkets.

And Recchia?

On the Democratic side, a source confirms the rumor that Councilman Domenic Recchia is NOT expected to follow through with his nascent bid for Fossella's seat, despite the fact that he is sitting on some $325,000.

That leaves Brooklyn attorney Stephen Harrison, who ran an unsuccessful challenge to Fossella in 2006, as the lone announced candidate.

Now wait a minute here. Harrison may have been unsuccessful, but he came closer than any other challenger in quite sometime and pulled in over 43 percent of the vote with no help from the party. He was outspent 13 to 1 and earned the respect of the local Democratic clubs. If the party brass would have help him out, he can take back the district for the Dems this year. I know the establishment wants someone from Staten Island, but Steve has proven he will fight for every single resident of NY-13, whether they be in his native Brooklyn or Staten Island.

Protest Cheney Today In NYC For Being Cheney

Known endearingly as Darth Vader and looking like the Joker from Batman, gun-toting, sneering and all-around vile Dick Cheney is sticking around New York City for another day after sending the Pope off on his way back to Italy. Why on Earth would Dick hang around a liberal town like ours for any longer than necessary? Well, its to raise money on the bi-partisanly (sp?) rich Upper East Side for the anti-troop, anti-Staten Island Republican Congressman Vito Fossella that supposedly represents the borough.

From The NY Times:

The event is likely to boost financing significantly for Mr. Fossella’s bid for another term as the only Republican member of Congress from New York City. His district covers Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn.

Democrats contend that Mr. Fossella’s continued support of the war in Iraq has put him out of touch with the district. Furthermore, they say, Staten Island has been hit hard by the nation’s mortgage crisis and health care has deteriorated.

The fund-raiser for Mr. Fossella will be at the Upper East Side home of David H. Koch, the billionaire executive vice president of Koch Industries, a company with major oil and gas holdings.

The oil and gas industry, thats a real shocker. Cheney is so versatile, even though he specialized in war-profiteering at Halliburton, he is still good enough to help out those that harm the environment in other ways than waging outright wars. Cheney's appearance suggests that Fossella is going to need some strong support to keep his NY-13 seat and that is because he is being challenged by a strong candidate.

That man is Steve Harrison (though there is supposedly another challenger named Dominic Recchia) and he is fighting to change Staten Island for the better and represent them in Washington with the progressive values that they deserve. So while you can go protest this morning at 10 AM outside the apartment Dick and Vito are at (710 Park Avenue @71st St.) the best way one can express their outrage at Cheney and simultaneously the Republicans in the House is to make a donation to Steve Harrison and then sign up to help out!

Steve Harrison Showed Up In Manhattan Last Night

At a smoky (for at least a few minutes, quick someone call 311!) bar on Franklin Street last night, DfNYC, Stonewall Democrats, Three Parks Democratic Club and Village Reform Democrats came together to hear from the challengers to incumbent Vito Fossella (R - Staten Island). One candidate by the name of Steve Harrison showed up to talk about his passion to represent Staten Island as a liberal and he took question from the audience even if he disagreed with the locals (such as on congestion pricing). He also talked about ending the war and that much of the Responsible Plan being floated around in 2008 was very similar to what he was saying two years ago.

The other man in the race the seemingly reclusive Councilman Dominic Recchia didn't bother to show up despite having the event rescheduled for him to make it easier. Oh and by the way, the place is about a ten minute walk from City Hall, so it isn't like Recchia couldn't have come over for an hour to talk about issues that concern not only Staten Island, but New York City and the nation as a whole.

It was a shame that Recchia wouldn't even bother to make an appearance, but it is starting to show through that there is only one candidate in this race willing to make an effort to talk to voters and people all over the city in order to make Staten Island and that slice of Brooklyn that is the 13th Congressional District of New York blue again. Steve Harrison proved last time around in 2006 that he had the guts and determination to do whatever it took to reach out to the voters in what was thought to be the last Republican stronghold in New York City. Despite being outspent nearly 10 to 1 by Vito Fossella, he still got 43.2% of the vote. With the help of activists that came out to see the candidates last night, this time we can cross that fifty percent threshold and send Vito packing.

Come Help Make NYC's Congressional Caucus Completely Blue

Did you know that in the heavily Democratic metropolis that is New York City there is still one Republican in Congress from the five boroughs. If you know anything about NYC, the first guess on where that red district is on Staten Island (and a little slice of Brooklyn too). Well Vito Fossella has been going to Washington for his own interests and those that fed his campaign coffers for too long. Now we have a serious shot at getting him out and putting a true progressive in the 13th district of New York. And tonight, you can meet that man thanks to Democracy for New York City.

From DfNYC:

Tuesday, April 15, 2008 6:30pm
Lafayette Grill and Bar
54 Franklin Street
(N,R,Q,6, C and A trains to Canal Street; 1 train to Franklin Street)

Because of the interest in the progressive community Democracy For New York City has organized a forum to discuss issues of importance to the people of the 13th CD as well as the rest of the city. This forum is at the beginning of a campaign that can likely unseat the last remaining Republican in the NY City Congressional Delegation.

Vito Fosella has been a backer of the Bush-Cheney policy. We can defeat him!!

Steven Harrison and Domenic Recchia have both filed to run for this congressional seat. Both have been invited to attend. Steven Harrison has confirmed his appearance.

Hosted by Three Parks Democratic Club, Stonewall Democratic Club, Village Reform Democrats and Democracy for NYC

Staten Island can do better and with everyone's help, defeat Vito Fossella and elect a Democrat this fall. Come out tonight and ask Steve Harrison (and possibly Dominic Recchia) questions to see which one you want to win the primary and face Vito in November.

Steve Harrison Supports The Responsible Plan

The incumbent in New York's 13th Congressional District does not. The "Plan" is a way for us to get out of Iraq and get out quick. Current Congressman Vito Fossella supports Bush's failed war and now it is time to kick him out of the House and put Steve Harrison in his place, so that Staten Island is truly represented in Washington next year.

In NY-13, GOP Colored Red, Dems Solidly Black

This isn't a coloring contest, we're talking about taking back the thirteenth Congressional district down in Staten Island for the Democrats. So far, so good for our side because both candidates have cash on hand and that is important because the incumbent in this race, Vito Fossella can't raise enough money for what he spends.

From The NY Daily News:

Rep. Vito Fossella's campaign committee announced the Staten Island Republican has raised more than $700,000 to date in this election cycle ($700,967, to be exact) and has just over $250,000 on hand.

In the last quarter, Fossella raised $304,453 and spent $462,866 (the press release didn't mention that last number, nor did it tout his $28,020 worth of debt).[...]

Steve Harrison has already formally announced his plans to take a second shot at trying to oust Fossella. Harrison has the support of Frank Barbaro, a retired assemblyman and onetime mayoral candidate who ran unsuccessfully against Fossella in 2004, but he's something of an underdog where the Democratic establishment is concerned.

Many of the powers-that-be would like to see Councilman Domenic Recchia run against Fossella. Recchia hasn't yet anounced, but he is raising money for a potential congressional campaign.

By the end of December, Recchia had raised $220,770, spent $14,318 and has 206,451 on hand.

By the end of September (he's most recent numbers aren't yet up), raised $37,618, spent $6,498 and has $37,367 on hand, plus $1,595 worth of debt.

UPDATE: From Harrison's end-of-year filing: Raised $69,203 in this quarter and $106,456 overall, spent $23,354, owes $2,351 and has $83,116 on hand.

Considering that the Democrats are in Fossella's financial ballpark speaks volumes. Incumbency is king in New York but having campaign money gets its royal share as well. Voters across the country are sick of the GOP and are getting ready to purge themselves of many different elephants. I know that with the power of the grassroots here in NYC, one of those can be Vito Fossella.

A Good Reason To Go To Staten Island

Once your stomach contracts from all of the Thanksgiving dishes this Thursday, you'll probably just want to lie around for a while to take it all in. By Sunday, with most of the leftovers gone, it'll be time to get out of the house and try and do something productive at the end of the long weekend. Well I have a great idea for you if you're going to avoid the shopping nightmare outside. Come help defeat the only remaining Republican Congressman in New York City.

From The Daily Gotham:

Wine and Cheese with Steve Harrison
At the Home of Catherine “Mac” O’Callaghan

Sunday, November 25, 2007
4:00 to 6:00 PM

351 St. Paul’s Ave – Staten Island, NY

Donation - $40.00 (or as much more as you can give!)

RSVP (718) 720-0095

Let's review Vito's record:
High Rating from the Christian Coalition: 81%;
American Conservative Union: 78%;

Vito Fossella voted NO to help provide affordable housing to low-income Americans still affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Vito Fossella voted AGAINST help for American senior citizens (PDF) eight times out of nine (with one no vote) in 2006!

Vito Fossella voted AGAINST a minimum wage increase every chance he could.

Those are five good reasons to come out and help kick Fossella to the political curb. If you enjoy wine, cheese or a combination of the two, make your way down to Staten Island (unless you live there already of course) and help Steve out. Remember this, strong early contributions to the campaign will impress those bigwigs at the DCCC in Washington to give Steve the major dough he'll need later on next year. Your two Andrew Jacksons (or bring more if you so desire) can help launch a tidal wave of campaign cash that will turn NY-13 rightfully blue!

If you do have plans next Sunday but still want to help, you can donate right here. Find out more about the next Congressman from Staten Island as well.

Harrison About To Get Some Competition For NY-13

Dominic Recchia has made a name for himself in the City Council representing Brooklyn. Now that term limits are bringing his job to an end, he is in search of a new one and quite possibly kicking Vito Fossella out of office. Whether Harrison (who already announced his campaign) or Recchia win the Democratic nomination next year, I will be glad to see Vito banished to the sidelines of Staten Island. That Republican is an eye-sore from this side of the Verranzano and must be a hell of a lot worse on that island, he even hates the needy if his (R) isn't enough for you.

It has been one official month since Harrison filed and has been almost inevitable since he lost to the incumbent last year. Now you would think that Harrison would be active in his campaign, building a war chest and whatnot. Yet it is eerily silent even though there are still fourteen months until election day. In these times, campaigning is a full time gig and Harrison should already be off and running.

Well apparently the Democratic powers-that-be have been looking at NY-13 and want to win it back (thankfully). Nancy Pelosi and others see a shot in Dominic and apparently he was persuaded by them not to pursue the race for Brooklyn Borough President according to the Post.

So....this is why we have primaries. May the best candidate win over Staten Island (and south Brooklyn) Dems so we can finally make New York City Republican-free when it comes to the Congress at least.

Steve Harrison For Congress!

Ok so I'm a few days late to the game...even though I did hear about this while I was in Chicago over a week ago. Steve Harrison made his announcement to run for Congress a few days ago. He'll be challenging Staten Island's incumbent Vito Fossella (R-NY), who has been in Congress as NYC's only Republican remaining in the five burroughs. For this city, one (R) is too many and Harrison is our best hope to get Vito out.

From The Daily Gotham:

An email informs that Steve Harrison, the Democratic candidate in last year's Congressional election in the Thirteenth District, is holding a press conference tomorrow at 12:30.

Who: Brooklyn Attorney and 2006 Democratic Congressional Candidate Steve Harrison
What: Press Conference concerning 2008 NY 13 CD (Staten Island/Brooklyn) race
When: Aug 9, 2007 12:30 PM
Where: Arthur Von Briesen Park (foot of Bay Street at Fort Wadsworth), Staten Island.

You have to wonder what that's all about. Just as a refresher, Harrison lost last November to Vito Fossella, 42,739 to 55,981.

It would be really sweet to be able to be able to declare New York City, at last, liberated from its last republican Member of Congress. Since that requires a strong challenger, keep your fingers crossed that this is what I think it is. Experience suggests that entrenched incumbents are rarely dislodged on the first go; 2008 would be the third attempt by Democrats to oust Fossella, and you know what they say about third times and charms.

I couldn't make the press conference, had to work in Manhattan that day. Nevertheless, I will be more than happy to head downtown, catch the ferry to Staten Island and campaign for Steve. Ridding NYC of Vito is more than worth it. I suggest the same for all the passionate Democrats out there. Stay tuned for more info.