Poughkeepsie Journal Gets It All Wrong With James Tedisco

With the special election in the 20th district only eight days away, last minute endorsements are making their way in. The Poughkeepsie Journal came out today in favor of Republican and State Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco. Their reasoning however, is a little off track and while they recognize Jim's failings and Scott Murphy's positives, their connection from the facts to their decision is far from clear.

From The Poughkeepsie Journal:

The district needs someone to jump right in and make a difference, and veteran state lawmaker James Tedisco has those abilities. District voters should give him the opportunity to serve.

Tedisco has considerably more experience than his opponent, Democrat Scott Murphy, who has never sought office before.

Tedisco's experience has shown that he is capable of extending considerable perks to himself and his fellow Republicans that make up the leadership. As Minority Leader he was able to manage the limited budget afforded to his caucus but as for pushing legislation that has been effectively shut off by Sheldon Silver.

In an editorial board meeting with the Poughkeepsie Journal, Murphy made the point he could best serve with fellow congressional Democrats John Hall and Maurice Hinchey for the good of the mid-Hudson Valley. There is something to be said for that - and for being in the political majority in Congress. But there also is something to be said for having candid, dissenting voices in any political body to keep the majority from going astray.

The first two sentences are right on, but that last one has no basis in fact. As for being "candid," Tedisco is anything but and the Journal acknowledges this three paragraphs down:

Tedisco has refused to answer directly whether he would have voted for the massive $787 billion stimulus package approved by Congress. He said there are aspects of the measure - such as helping the unemployed and providing money for infrastructure projects - he likes. But he rightly questions the overall pricetag and says he would have sought amendments to eliminate spending that doesn't directly deal with aiding the economy.

The logic doesn't add up and as for asking questions on the pricetag, the Journal does not adequately understand the scope of our fiscal crisis. Tedisco makes a claim that he would try to eliminate spending that doesn't deal with aiding the economy, but he is not able to define what that spending is.

The only part of this editorial that I agree with is the very last line:

The special election will be March 31, and voters should come out in force with so much on the line.

That is exactly why district residents must elect Scott Murphy as their next Congressman.

Cheney Endorses McCain, Is It Out Of Spite?

With three days to go John McCain has an enormous problem on his hands, just within the conservative community. Democrats and many Independents are lining up behind Barack, but so are long time conservatives such as Lawrence Eagleburger and even GOP Congressman Chris Shays has thrown McCain under the bus. So obviously he needs to hear that someone prominent is still in his corner, but could there be anyone worse to step up than Dick Cheney?

From The Huffington Post:

The Obama campaign gleefully sends over an announcement of a major endorsement.... for John McCain... by Dick Cheney.

"In three days we'll choose a new steward for the presidency and begin a new chapter in our history," the Vice President said Saturday morning. "It's the biggest decision that we make together as Americans. A lot turns on the outcome. I believe the right leader for this moment in history is Senator John McCain."

Gleefully, ecstaticly, joyfully, all those adjectives work for the occasion. Cheney isn't an idiot though, he knows how much America loathes him after the last eight years. Why would he offer such an "endorsement" with only a few days to go when the last of the impressionable voters are looking for their candidate? Perhaps he did it out of spite because McCain didn't go negative enough? Hmmm, that's one question to ponder, but I'll take the good news even without an answer.

NY Times Editorial Endorses Paul Newell

The paper of record here in Manhattan came out this morning with their endorsements for the upcoming primary on September 9th. The editors that wrote this are looking for change in Albany as much as people across the country want it in the White House. At least here in the city, they have a few picks as to who should stay and who should replace the inhibitors of change up in our state capitol. One of the picks is not Shelly Silver.

It's Paul Newell:

The most important of these races is in Lower Manhattan, where Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, one of the most powerful people in the state, is facing his first real challenge in decades. It is still an uphill fight for any opponent, but the race has already made one difference. It has brought the ever-secretive Mr. Silver out to meet voters and campaign for his job.

Of the two challengers, Paul Newell, a community activist with deep roots in the Lower East Side, has the stronger credentials. Luke Henry, an attorney who moved into the district more recently, is working hard. Mr. Newell has done a better job of identifying Mr. Silver’s weaknesses: mainly, his devotion to closed-door politics, including his refusal to disclose details about his outside income. Mr. Newell is also pledging to support congestion pricing and to press for a nonpartisan redistricting commission, which is essential for real change. In the 64th Assembly District, we endorse Paul Newell.

Now since I wasn't in the editorial board meeting when and if all three candidates sat down for discussions I don't know the entirety of their criteria. I am for change, so that automatically rules out Sheldon Silver, but between the challengers I have been torn. Both want to reform Albany, both care about their community and not the developers that want to demolish it and both would make excellent Assemblymen.

Of course the Times' endorsement carries more weight than mine, but I am still holding off for the moment. September 9th is still a couple weeks away. Though as long as change in Albany is what wins, then I'll be satisfied.

Gore Endorses Obama...Finally

Well it only took two weeks after Hillary had lost the primary election, but her husband's VP finally endorsed our candidate, Barack Obama. Al Gore is one of the anchors of the Democratic Party and hearing him say he'll do everything he can to get Obama elected is music to my ears. I wish he hadn't waited so long, but later is better than never.

From The Huffington Post:

Gore is one of the most popular figures in the Democratic Party, but he maintained a low profile in the primary campaign.

It's the second time that Obama has rolled out a major endorsement in Michigan, a state he did not campaign in during the primary because its election violated the party rules. Obama is counting on a win in Michigan in November, but brought Gore and 2004 vice presidential nominee John Edwards to help validate him among Democrats in the state after skipping their primary.

"It means a lot, obviously," Obama said of Gore's support, as he greeted workers outside the General Motors Flint Engine South plant. "He's somebody who is a visionary, not just for the party, but for the country."

Gore also asked for donations to help fund Obama's effort _ the first time he's asked members of his Web site AlGore.com to contribute to a political campaign.

"Over the past 18 months, Barack Obama has united a movement. He knows change does not come from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue or Capitol Hill. It begins when people stand up and take action," Gore wrote. "With the help of millions of supporters like you, Barack Obama will bring the change we so desperately need in order to solve our country's most pressing problems."

It is no mistake that this was planned in the Wolverine State. Michigan is a battleground for the fall and Democrats will do everything it takes to make sure to deliver their 17 electoral votes for Barack Obama. All the stops will be pulled out and party leaders like Al Gore ensure that our campaign machine hums at full speed.

John Edwards' Endorsement Speech

What an orator:



Sometimes I miss him being a candidate, especially when I see him up in front of the crowd. However, we are where we are and we must press on to make sure the best candidate wins the White House this year. John Edwards did his part of that bargain when he stepped up to the mic this evening.

Here It Comes, Edwards Makes His Endorsement Official!

Another nail is about to be driven into the coffin that holds Hillary Clinton's Presidential campaign. With the flood of superdelegates coming into Obama's camp, this thing has been looking more and more cooked since last week's primary and despite Clinton's win yesterday in West Virginia, this endorsement will wash away any positive coverage she might have gotten from it.

Marc Ambinder has the details:

I don't know if John Edwards is endorsing Barack Obama today.

Here are some hints, though.

So who's staffing Edwards today? A hint: this is Jennifer Palmieri's out-of-office message...

I will be out of the office on Wednesday, May 14. But will be checking messages intermittently. If you need assistance in the meantime, please contact [REDACTED] at [REDACTED].org for assistance.

Ms. Palmieri is a family favorite and has been called upon to staff the Edwards family at sensitive events before.

What's Wendy Button, Edwards's longtime speechwriter, been doing lately? I hear she's been writing a secret speech... (Her facebook profile includes this entry for 3pm: "Wendy just finished writing the speech.")

How come Edwards's brain trust -- all of them -- are unreachable?

Obama is touting a big endorsement coming up this evening and it seems that the cat is out of the bag now. Edwards' made the rumor machine hum last week with his minor slip up on Morning Joe, but when he steps out on stage to make it official, it makes the reality of who the nominee just that much more set in stone.

Oh and the Clinton campaign says this is bad (genius!) but they'll move past it. Where they'll be moving to exactly....they didn't elaborate on that.

John Edwards Voted For Obama

As we all know, North Carolina and Indiana went to the polls three days ago to cast their vote for the Presidential nominee (among other things). The turnout was tremendous, the enthusiasm was incredible and Barack Obama became the expected nominee. Hillary Clinton fights on, but there is something different in the air now. No longer does the media call it a race between the Democratic candidates, it is a race between Sens. Obama and McCain.

Out of the hundreds of thousands that voted on Tuesday, there was one man that was vigorously courted for an endorsement. That man was once a candidate in this race himself, that man was John Edwards. John managed to stay in the limelight to some degree, helped to move the remaining candidates in a more populist direction and kept issues near and dear to him in the public's consciousness.

Edwards, in my opinion was the candidate that fought most for progressive values. His plan for the economy, health care and many other issues gave me hope for the future of the system. However, for myriad reasons he couldn't pull in enough votes to become the nominee and unfortunately dropped out after only garnering a few delegates.

Even though he didn't endorse either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, he let his preference slip out this morning on Morning Joe. Let me be one of many Edwards-turned-Obama supporters to say, I wasn't surprised at who he voted for.

Richardson Endorses Obama, Then Disses Clintons For Their Spin

Yesterday's big political news was Bill Richardson's endorsement of Barack Obama (the picture is from YearlyKos and taken on this amazing MacBook). The Governor of New Mexico sees a true leader in the Senator from Illinois. Though that isn't the only thing he saw, the other was the petulant whining and ridiculous spin from the Clinton campaign. The spin was that his endorsement doesn't matter now, even though they were desperately courting to back their side. Well Richardson wasn't having any of it.

From CNN:

"I resent the fact that the Clinton people are now saying that my endorsement is too late because I only can help with Texans — with Texas and Hispanics, implying that that's my only value," the New Mexico governor told CNN's John King.

"That's typical of some of his advisers that kind of turned me off."Earlier Friday, Clinton campaign senior strategist Mark Penn said he thought Richardson's endorsement came too late to make an impact.

“The time that he could have been effective has long since passed," Penn told reporters on a conference call. "I don’t think it is a significant endorsement in this environment.”

In the interview Friday, Richardson also said he called Hillary Clinton Thursday to inform her of his decision to back Obama, a conversation he described as "painful."

I would also describe her entire campaign as "painful." As you can clearly see from above, Governor Richardson is a died in the wool Democrat and wants to see the best for his party. It may have taken him until late March to stand fully beside Obama. It is a shame that Hillary Clinton and her pack of wolves advisers have to try to tear him down and call him names.

Anti-Catholics For McCain

McCain is honored to have this man's endorsement.....I wonder how conservative Catholics feel about that?



Isn't this the time to consolidate the Republican base instead of casting them aside?

Obama Gets Another Important Endorsement

Bill Richardson's sorta-kinda endorsement yesterday was just the beginning of good news for the Senator from Illinois this week. Today it seems that Obama picked up a (somewhat late) crucial New York nod from the famous, delicious, inexpensive and gotta-have hotdog spot Gray's Papaya. If Sunday and Monday look this good, Tuesday's results will be the sweet relish on top.

From The NY Times:

Last August, Mr. Gray, 71, began displaying signs at two of his three stores encouraging the candidacy of the mayor with the slogan “Run Mike, Run!” He told The Times in October that he was hoping for a Bloomberg run for the White House because “he’s cool under pressure” and he believed that the mayor’s personal wealth made him less corruptible.

But after Mr. Bloomberg officially ended his extended flirtation with presidential candidacy in an Op-Ed column last week, Mr. Gray did not waste any time.

This weekend, the large window at the original Gray’s Papaya store on Broadway at 72nd Street was filled with a white sign bearing the words “Yes Senator Obama. We are ready to believe again” in red and black uppercase letters.

“I think he is a very inspirational man and I think he’s what the country needs; we’ve grown a bit cynical,” Mr. Gray said in a phone interview.

I'm glad Mr. Gray keeps up on his political news, but does that big endorsement on the highly trafficked corner of 72nd and Broadway have an effect on possible primary state tourists?

Despite the bold new message at the Broadway store, few of the patrons at the shop on Sunday afternoon showed much excitement about politics. Outside, some passers-by on the sidewalk did stop momentarily to read the sign.

“I’m here for the hot dogs and the papaya drink,” said Mona Walsh, 54, in between the last couple of bites of her amply garnished frank. “Even if Gray’s Papaya were supporting the most deplorable candidate imaginable and there was a big sign about it out front, I’d still be here eating hot dogs.”

Hmmm, if they endorsed McCain, would I still go there? You bet your you know what I'd stop at Gray's when I'm on the UWS. That place transcends politics any day.

Bill Richardson Endorses Obama

It isn't official yet, but Bill Richardson's comments yesterday all but confirm that the former candidate and still-current Governor will endorse Obama.

Here's what he said:

“D-Day is Tuesday," he told Face The Nation host Bob Schieffer. "Whoever has the most delegates after Tuesday should be the nominee."

Richardson deferred from announcing a personal endorsement of either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama (“I’m legitimately torn," between the two, he said), but suggested that the leader after this week's primaries will have the presumptive title.

He also called for a positive Democratic race rather than one marred by negative ads or name-calling. “We have to have a positive campaign after Tuesday," Richardson said.

Hmm, he denounces negative attacks kinda like this and then wants the nominee to be whoever is winning the delegate race by the time the ballots are counted in Texas, Ohio, Vermont and Rhode Island. He may be "legitimately torn" but facts are facts and Bill is calling for party unity behind the leader of the race. Unless Hillary completely wrecks Obama tomorrow (and I'm talking about blowouts across the board) then there is no mathematical way she will be the front runner in earned delegates or delegates in general. That is just not a possibility for Senator Clinton at all.

Update 3/5/08 1 AM:

Looks like Richardson can say one thing on Monday and another as the election unfolds...what does he think he stands to gain from this type of politicking?

Vying For Edwards' Support

Within an hour of the news that Edwards was dropping out of the race, I had already begun receiving emails from my Obama friends requesting that I vote his way in six days' time when New York does its thing. To them I say "I know I won't vote for Hillary." The thing is I was really set on voting for my candidate because he stood up for the progressive values I hold dear. I know that Hillary represents the status quo and Obama says he's for change...but will Obama really carry out what John Edwards represents? Only one thing is for sure in all of this, both candidates left over will swoon the former Senator for his nod.

From The Huffington Post:

Obama's statement: Barack Obama offered this statement on John Edwards' withdrawal from the presidential race:

"John Edwards has spent a lifetime fighting to give voice to the voiceless and hope to the struggling, even when it wasn't popular to do or covered in the news. At a time when our politics is too focused on who's up and who's down, he made a nation focus again on who matters - the New Orleans child without a home, the West Virginia miner without a job, the families who live in that other America that is not seen or heard or talked about by our leaders in Washington. John and Elizabeth Edwards have always believed deeply that we can change this - that two Americans can become one, and that our country can rally around this common purpose. So while his campaign may end today, the cause of their lives endures for all of us who still believe that we can achieve that dream of one America."

[...]

Clinton's Statement: Hillary Clinton reacted during an interview with a local Alabama news station:

Well Senator Edwards is a friend of mine, he was a colleague in the senate and I have the highest regard for him, and I'm really admiring of what he has done to make sure that poverty was on the agenda here in America. He encouraged all of us in his passion and advocacy and I hope he will continue that work because it is really important that we stay focused on what we're going to do to help people.

We'll just let those two position themselves for his endorsement, if that comes. All I know today is that a great man with incredible ideas bowed out of the race to become the next President.

NY Times Endorses Hillary...And Dislikes McCain The Least

In today's copy of the New York Times, the editorial board has made their decision on who they will endorse for the primary. Our state goes to vote in a week and a half from now, but the national paper of record's choices reverberate farther than just the five boroughs. Everyone notices who they endorse, whether they're fans of the newspaper or not. Well the decision is in and it seems to be Hillary, then Obama and finally McCain in a half-hearted way.

From The NY Times:

This generally is the stage of a campaign when Democrats have to work hard to get excited about whichever candidate seems most likely to outlast an uninspiring pack. That is not remotely the case this year.

The early primaries produced two powerful main contenders: Hillary Clinton, the brilliant if at times harsh-sounding senator from New York; and Barack Obama, the incandescent if still undefined senator from Illinois. The remaining long shot, John Edwards, has enlivened the race with his own brand of raw populism.

As Democrats look ahead to the primaries in the biggest states on Feb. 5, The Times’s editorial board strongly recommends that they select Hillary Clinton as their nominee for the 2008 presidential election.

They love Edwards but aren't sure about how he has changed certain positions over the last few years. For Obama, they love him but seem to say he needs to work on his ideas to back up that exuberant hope. He's great news to them, but not ready for primetime against the Republican machine. Speaking of Republicans....

We have strong disagreements with all the Republicans running for president. The leading candidates have no plan for getting American troops out of Iraq. They are too wedded to discredited economic theories and unwilling even now to break with the legacy of President Bush. We disagree with them strongly on what makes a good Supreme Court justice.

Still, there is a choice to be made, and it is an easy one. Senator John McCain of Arizona is the only Republican who promises to end the George Bush style of governing from and on behalf of a small, angry fringe. With a record of working across the aisle to develop sound bipartisan legislation, he would offer a choice to a broader range of Americans than the rest of the Republican field.

We have shuddered at Mr. McCain’s occasional, tactical pander to the right because he has demonstrated that he has the character to stand on principle. He was an early advocate for battling global warming and risked his presidential bid to uphold fundamental American values in the immigration debate. A genuine war hero among Republicans who proclaim their zeal to be commander in chief, Mr. McCain argues passionately that a country’s treatment of prisoners in the worst of times says a great deal about its character.

Ouch, that has to be one of the worst 'endorsements' ever. It is easy to see who the Times will go with in the general, but before you go, you must read their critiques of the hometown boy Giuliani. New Yorkers know him well and while Rudy can bash the Times in the debate last night, those pesky little things called facts get in the way when making a case that the Times has some sort of agenda. The only agenda for Rudy has been for a ruthless and power-hungry executive to go out and gain more power....and he'll do step on anyone's face to do it....and jump up and down on you just to satisfy that massive ego and protect his ultra-thin skin.

Oh and their opinions on the other candidates in the GOP field are just as nasty...all rooted in truth of course.

Lieberman Makes A "Maverick" Endorsement

Remember Joe Lieberman, the former Democratic Senator from Connecticut turned Independent sell out? Yeah, well he's still in the Senate, for another goddamn five years and is guaranteed to cause trouble throughout. He'll lose much of his umph in the Senate once the Democratic Party pads its majority next year, so he's coming out swinging this holiday season. Holy Joe has gone to the extreme of endorsing a candidate for President, and do not even think there is a "D" after their name.

From The Politico:

Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Conn.), who was on the national Democratic ticket in 2000, will cross the aisle to endorse Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) tomorrow, Republican sources said.

The two will appear together on NBC's "Today" show tomorrow, then at an 8 a.m. town hall meeting in Hillsborough, N.H. They will talk with reporters after the meeting.

The move, which will help cultivate McCain's moderate status, is an effort to draw attention to the McCain campaign, which needs a splash. Otherwise, it does not make sense for McCain because it will only remind core Republicans why they distrust him.

Nothing about McCain's campaign makes sense, the man is a sellout to his "maverick" status and anything he has said that could be perceived as moderate was wiped out once he began smothering himself in everything George Bush and fundamental Christianity.

As for Lieberman, his time is over. His endorsement of McCain won't amount to a hill of beans in the Republican primary. Joe went from being the VP nominee for the Democrats in 2000, he's a has-been in 2008, just sitting around bidding his time until he gets a cushy job in the private sector in January 2013.

NYC Police Union Disses Rudy

Isn't it amusing that while Rudy enjoys great poll numbers nation wide his ratings here in New York continue to drop as people recall what type of Mayor he really was? Sometimes you can romanticize about a political figure in the past even though he beat you several dozen times. Well some people that took those beatings still remember him and aren't taking it lying down. The local firefighter union has already come out against him, now it is the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association's turn.

From The Gothamist:

The Patrolmen's Benevolent Association president Patrick Lynch issued a statement blaming the former mayor for not giving cops raises ("zeroes for heroes" contract) and essentially creating the recruiting/retainment problems the NYPD has. And then there's what the PBA thinks about Giuliani's 9/11 record:

Giuliani has wrapped himself firmly in the cloak of 9/11 for his own political purposes. But the real heroes of 9/11, those who helped to evacuate those towers and lived to tell the tale and all those who participated in the recovery and cleanup, know the truth. Rudy Giuliani has no real credentials as a terrorism fighter. His only credentials lie in managing the cleanup after a terror attack. The New York City Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association could never support Rudy Giuliani for any elected office.

Yeah, that's right, the cops don't like him either, Mr. I cleaned up New York.

Hillary Gets A Cheerleader In Eliot Spitzer

Governor Eliot Spitzer adorned his pom-poms for New York's junior Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today. He had been leaning for the local girl and now it is going to be official next week. Why oh why though? Isn't there more to an endorsement other than that she represents New York?

From CBS News:

"New Yorkers know first hand how effective Hillary is as a leader, which is why her support runs deep in this state," Spitzer said Tuesday. "As senator she has capably represented New Yorkers and together with countless other supporters I look forward to sharing with the rest of the country the values and strengths that will make her an excellent president."

Spitzer had thus far put off an endorsement, saying it was premature.

The event Monday is expected to draw a host of other New York Democrats, including state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and Lt. Gov. David Paterson.

For months, Spitzer has hedged about an endorsement of Clinton, who leads national polls for the Democratic nomination. But the governor had dropped enough hints that the endorsement really came down to a guessing game about when _ not if _ it would happen.

"What an amazing president she will be for every person in this country," Spitzer gushed last month when the two spoke before a teachers' convention in Washington.

Eh, I don't know about this. Rooting for the home team is nice and all, but this is for the Presidency, not the World Series or Stanley Cup. New York and the entire nation needs someone that does not rely on a ridiculous strategy of leaning to the center-right while pretending she is still liberal for the primaries.

Of course I would take her over any of the ten (so far) bumbling idiots from the Republican side. Yet we have far more superior candidates for President other than Hillary. Spitzer is known as a steamroller in these parts and he should have rolled over the conventional wisdom of choosing to endorse a candidate based on location.