New York's Special Election Is Today!

Today is Tuesday and because it happens to be February 26th, it is also the day for voters in Senate district 48 to go out and vote for their new state Senator. Will Barclay should have had this in the bag. The district has been in Republican hands since 1898 and for a time it was his father's seat. Unfortunately for Will, Darrel Aubertine has run a fantastic race and the latest poll showed this contest as neck and neck. As Philip over at TAP points out, the media coverage reflects the tension of the race.

From The Albany Project:

Here's a sampling of fresh coverage of the SD-48 special election. Polls open in about 20 minutes...

Watertown Daily Times
Senate hopefuls in campaign blitz finales

Meanwhile, Assemblyman Darrel J. Aubertine, Mr. Barclay's opponent, was across town at Shorty's Diner, asking patrons there to vote. The Democratic candidate said he hadn't gotten enough sleep, but the race was too important to stop now.

"You always feel that you want to make sure you left nothing undone," he said. Mr. Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, had planned stops at a ham dinner, a bingo game and another of his "One of Us" rallies in St. Lawrence County.

"There is a camp that thought we had no chance. They said it was a Republican seat," he said. "I don't think there's too many people saying that now."

A Republican has represented Jefferson County in the state Senate for at least the last 110 years, a dominance that includes Mr. Barclay's father, H. Douglas, who served from 1965 to 1984.

Mr. Aubertine is no stranger to rewriting history, however. In 2002, he became the first Democratic state assemblyman from Jefferson County elected since Lewis W. Day of Sackets Harbor in 1910.

Albany Times Union
Big implications in single Senate seat
Outcome could signal end to decades-old balance of power

"This is the first real, competitive race where a Democrat has really challenged the status quo," said Travis Proulx, an aide to Democratic Sen. Liz Kruger, who has been working as part of Aubertine's press team since January. "It gives me hope -- if we can win here, we can win anywhere."

...

But the tide may be turning for Republicans in the 48th, as a higher proportion of the electorate has turned Democratic, a trend seen statewide. A recent Zogby International/ Watertown Daily Times poll found the 48th race in a dead heat, despite a 30,000-voter enrollment advantage for Republicans. More than 22 percent of those polled were undecided.

The uncertainty of the poll findings has inspired optimism in some and despair in others.

...

For Republicans, the competitiveness of the race has caused great concern for staffers and has taken its toll on those running the campaign.

"My boss says that he hasn't seen anything like it," said a staffer for a Republican senator, referring to the low morale in the Barclay campaign. "At first I wasn't that concerned, then as things have gone on, people are worried."

The staffer added that gallows humor about losing the majority is the running joke in the office.

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Special election could be key for Bruno

Spitzer has "used every device he can to take me out," Bruno told reporters Monday. "Not going to happen. Not with me personally, and not with our conference. So they can keep having their pipe dreams."

Ithaca Journal
Battle for critical senate seat goes down to wire

"We started this race as underdogs," said Aubertine spokesman Cort Ruddy. "We have the better candidate, he's run a good campaign and we feel like we're going into tomorrow will a real good chance at this."

I like our chances today, folks. I really do.

Go, Darrel!

First to Philip, damn man you got up early this morning. How'd you do it?

Second of all, I'd like to second your "Go, Darrel!"

And lastly, beautiful news round up. It is going to be a great, snowy, GOTV day in upstate NY today!

President Bush Blasts McCain's Campaign Finance Doubletalk

He said it, not me:

Staying The Course In Arizona

Have you ever heard of that phrase that the friends you keep are in some ways a reflection of your own character? Well apparently John McCain just got the news, since he dumped Rick Renzi off his list of national co-chairs for his Presidential campaign (the less mirrors the better, right?). Of course the maverick only dropped him once he was indicted on thirty-five counts of wire fraud and other corruptive practices employed in upstate Arizona. Despite all that, the two still share more than just living in Washington, D.C> in the Grand Canyon state.

McCain is determined to stay the course in Iraq for a hundred years or however it takes. He'll bomb, bomb, bomb Iran and then try to take everything back after he pinned his hopes on convincing America that the surge worked (thats Mr. Straight-Talk Express for ya). Well Renzi is also determined to stay the course, that course would be the rest of his term in Congress, despite being an indicted man.

From RawStory:

An indictment unsealed Friday contends that Rick Renzi, a three-term Republican congressman, engineered a swap of federally owned mining land to benefit himself and a former business partner.

"I will not resign and take on the cloak of guilt because I am innocent," Renzi said through his press office in Washington, D.C. He added his lawyers will handle the accusations against him as he continues to serve his constituents.

The indictment was the result of a federal probe that put Renzi under a cloud of suspicion for more than a year.

In all, Renzi is charged with 35 counts including conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, insurance fraud and extortion. His arraignment is scheduled for March 6.

"The cloak of guilt?" Whatever happened to respecting Congress by stepping aside while the court case is in progress? So much for honoring the Legislative branch and most importantly, his constituents in Arizona's first district. How would you like a suspected felon representing you in Congress? And how does McCain feel about someone closely connected to him being indicted over conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, insurance fraud and extortion staying in office and subsequently keeping the story alive?

Well McCain has his own ethical/criminal problems to deal with, so the Renzi situation might have to take a back seat here.

Eric Gioia Goes Carbon Neutral

Many political junkies are aware that national candidates running this year (Democratic ones at least) have pledged to be carbon-neutral in their campaigns. However, not much has happened in local races around the country. Maybe because global warming is seen as a macro problem and not something local. Well it is time to dispel that myth. And Councilman/candidate for Public Advocate Eric Gioia is stepping up to the plate.

From The NY Sun:

City Council member Eric Gioia of Queens is challenging New York's political candidates to put their money where their mouths are on environmental issues and run "carbon-neutral" campaigns. Mr. Gioia, a likely candidate for public advocate, said yesterday that his campaign would purchase carbon offsets, use hybrid vehicles, send fewer mailers and more e-mail, and take other steps to make up for the greenhouse emissions produced by his run for office.

"You have to be the change you want to see," Mr. Gioia said yesterday. "I certainly hope others will follow my example."

The more candidates and citizens at large begin to demand and institute change through their lifestyles, the quicker technology will advance from funding and ultimately the prices for clean energy will drop. Kudos to Councilman Gioia for doing this, and for any candidate that joins him here in New York City and in any locality across the country.

A Well Placed Sign

I couldn't agree more:



From T.A.P.

The Context Is Crystal Clear Mr. Ford

After a damaging transcript came out about the head of the conservative Democratic Leadership Council, ex-Congressman Ford tried to backtrack. He said he was taken out of context when praising Congressman Shays at a recent function(R-CT).

Here's what he said (via his own blog):

When Harold Ford, Jr. walked onto the Quick Center stage for his OPEN Visions forum he knew whose district he was standing in.

"There is not a better Congressman in Washington than Chris Shays," said Ford, to a crowd of about 600 Fairfield University students and community members.

"No national legislator has been to Iraq more times than Chris Shays."

There are his comments, directly from his website. Now he claims he was being portrayed negatively and out of context:

"Chris Shays is my friend, and I was proud to serve with him in Congress. It's unfortunate he's not a Democrat.

However, I plan on endorsing the Democratic nominee for Congress in Chris's district and everywhere in the country for that matter - as I plan to work for the Democratic nominee for President with all my energy and heart.

My comments were clearly taken out of context.

Um, sure Harold. Those comments you made at the OPEN Visions Forum sound a lot like an endorsement for Chris Shays and not any future challenger. Sorry, you can't deny or spin your way out of that one. I'm sick of these so-called Democrats that rally for their Republican friends who vote exactly the opposite of what our party stands for. Harold says he wants to put ideas over ideology. Well Harold, getting out of Iraq is an idea, not an ideology and Shays supports staying in Iraq, thats his idea of smart foreign policy.

Get it? Got it?

Congressman Rangel Contracted Clinton-itis

There must be a bug going around the Clinton camp in between New York and Washington. Harlem's Congressman Rangel became extremely sick with the new ailment, especially with all the ridiculousness in the air these days. In case you haven't heard of the conditions, Clinton-itis may form excuses for harsh attack from Democrat to Democrat, denial of political realities and even a tendency to side with Republicans before Barack Obama. The sick and suffering must be pitied, but try and stay far away from it, for it can cause stinging in the ears if you are around someone with the illness for too long. NPR's Norman Siegel was brave enough to catch up with the Congressman at event this morning and documented all of his symptoms.

From The Daily Politics:

The Congressman wasn't nearly so happy after the event when, during an interview in an elevator, I asked him whether he thought Hillary Clinton should drop out of the race if she loses the Texas and Ohio contests on March 4.

"I don't think you really want to ask that question," Rangel said, insisting that he had never before heard such a thing, even though those contests have been characterized as must-wins for Clinton by none other than her former president husband.

When I assured him that I did, in fact, mean to ask that question and noted that just yesterday another Clinton supporter, New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, said the "time to move on is probably at hand" if Clinton isn't successful in Texas and Ohio, he replied:

"We're not conceding that that's possible. I haven't heard that question posed by anyone at all, not even in an irresponsible way."

Prior to our brief elevator encounter, Rangel, a Clinton superdelegate who recently said he believes "the people," not the superdelegates, should determine the nominee, discussed the Democratic presidential race at length. He side-stepped a question about what Clinton has made in her campaign to date, saying:

"I can't see where she has done anything wrong. When you are back-peddling because of the outstanding impression that your competitor has given, you are inclined to fight back sometimes with statements that sound mean-spirited and vindictive.

And therefore to the extent that this campaign of Sen. Obama has a life and a spirit of its own, I would say that there is a problem there.

But I don't think that anyone that's listened to the senator over the years would believe that the campaign didn't start off strong, or that she has made any mistakes. I think that the Clinton campaign had found the Obama campaign unexpected...and I really don't find that as a negative for the senator at all.

As a matter of fact I can't begin to tell you how proud I am as a Democrat that we are bringing this type of challenge to the Republicans."

Later Rangel went even further, saying he thanks God there is a Republican who can "stand up like McCain," adding: "Because I was embarrassed as a politician with what the Republicans were bringing up."

Sorry to copy the entire article, but that interview must be told in its entirety. The decent man from Harlem has been a true friend to the progressive cause over the years but he has genuinely been sick since deciding to support the Senator from New York. My sympathies are extended to his family, especially his wife, who thankfully remains unaffected.

Hello, Mr Kravis? Where Are You?

It doesn't shock me that Kravis ignored Brave New Films inquiries, but that doesn't mean the attempts shouldn't be publicized to the fullest extent:

The Tension Builds In The 48th, Election Day Tomorrow

After weeks and months of a hard campaign, the race between Darrel Aubertine and Will Barclay is down to the last full day. Tomorrow voters in the northern state Senate district will go to the polls and decide if they want to be a part of helping to make the Senate free of the corrupt Joe Bruno. With a two seat majority, the Senate Republicans are pulling out all the stops in order to hold this seat, which has been in GOP hands for a long time now. You can tell just how serious the race is when you look at the money being spent by both sides.

From The Times Union:

Both campaigns said most of their volunteers are local residents but a significant number are from Albany and elsewhere outside the district.

Aubertine has raised about $1 million and Barclay about $900,000 so far, much of it from state party campaign funds, according to the latest financial disclosures.

The parties have thrown at least $1.6 million combined into the race since January.

"It's a huge amount of money," said Russ Haven, legislative counsel for New York Public Interest Research Group, a nonpartisan organization that tracks campaign funding. "Obviously, it's about more than this individual race."

He estimates that the total amount raised by both campaigns will reach the two million dollar mark.

As T-U notes, the only election in NY state Senate history that cost more was the successful battle fought by the now Democratic Senator Craig Johnson down in Long Island. Thinking back on last February's race, this one upstate seems much uglier, most likely due to the fact that the balance of power is so much closer to swinging the other way.

With all the money involved, both sides have gone negative with ads and words hurled back and forth. After nearly $2 million spent, the local poll shows voters are split and this could be anyone's race. Although only a few thousand will end up voting in this area near Canada, the impact will be tremendous across the state.

GOP Commissioned Poll Tells Them Not To Act Like The GOP

Let's face it, this is a bad year to be in the Grand Old Party. Money is trickling in compared to the Democratic coffers and the cash needs to be spent (cue irony music) in a conservative manner. One thing these guys need to learn is how to campaign effectively against one of two firsts in Presidential politics, a woman or a black man. Republicans want to be extra careful, so they are conducting top secret polling in order to find out what to do.

From The Politico:

Republicans will be told to “be sensitive to tone and stick to the substance of the discussion” and that “the key is that you have to be sensitive to the fact that you are running against historic firsts,” the strategist explained.[...]

“You can’t run against Barack Obama the way you could run against Bill Clinton, Al Gore or John Kerry,” said Jack Kemp, the 1996 GOP vice presidential nominee, who expressed concern that the party could be reduced to an “all white country club party” if it does not tread cautiously.

“Being an African American at the top of the ticket, if he makes it, is such a great statement about the country,” he added, “Obviously you have to be sensitive to issues that affect urban America. …You have to be careful.”

Careful about what Mr. Kemp? Looking like your insensitive selves? In order to stand a chance, the GOP will have to take on a new look. A successful strategy will ultimately involve masking the intent of proposed legislation that helps the wealthy white elite and screws everyone else. Demonizing minorities may be great for riling up the base, but not for independents who come from many different ethnic backgrounds. So can the GOP not act like the GOP this year and get away with it?

I highly doubt it. Get ready for many offensive comments from Mr. Bomb-Bomb-Bomb Iran.

Mocking Fox News....On Fox News

Foolishly, Fox News allows Laughing Liberally's great comedian Lee Camp on the air. While he might have irritated some of the brain-washed Foxites watching that godawful channel Saturday morning, I'm sure a stray liberal or two that was watching got a great laugh:

How Many Scandals Is McCain Involved In?

Well so far there are not one, but two. Unless you haven't seen just a smidge of political news in the last week or so, you know of some blonde that he might or might not have been ethical with. In regards to the blonde, it doesn't matter if he slept with her or not. The real issue is that he did favors for her as a lobbyist, that is, by Mr. Anti-Lobbyist. He's not really a 'maverick,' it is more like he is a real slick bastard who has gotten away with looking clean for far too long. Yet there is more than just lobbying going on in McCain's universe. The Iseman scandal just looks really bad, the other one is criminal.

From AmericaBlog:

When John McCain's campaign was strapped for cash John McCain opted into the campaign financing system by requesting certification that he was eligible to collect federal money. As the New Hampshire primary approached and John McCain was broke he took material advantage of the system by using the promise of matching funds to borrow money to keep his campaign afloat. And he took advantage of a rule that gives candidates who take public financing automatic ballot access on ballots in several states. (Governor Dean estimated that he spent 3 million dollars in 2004 getting on ballots in states because he had opted out of the public financing system. )

Once John McCain had taken advantage of the system by gaining ballot access and securing a campaign saving loan, he won the New Hampshire primary and became the apparent nominee of the Republican Party. He then sent a letter saying that he was opting out of the primary process and claiming that the FEC is now impotent to stop him.

If John McCain is forced to stay in the matching system he will only be allowed to spend $56 million dollars before the Republican convention in September. As of the end of January John McCain had already spent $49 million dollars meaning that today he's either close to the cap or over the amount of money he can spend during the primary.

What does it mean for John McCain? It's yet another issue where John McCain tries to legislate one way and do something completely different. In this case it has to do with campaign finance issues. As Brad Smith, the former Republican FEC commissioner noted, if McCain drops out of the system the FEC will subpoena McCain, and his staff during and their records to determine whether they violated the law. If they're found to be in violation of the law they can be fined up to $25,000 and they can be jailed for up to five years.

Hmm, McCain certainly does not want to spend another five years in jail, even if it would be an American jail. Well Howard Dean has taken the first step to figure out what is happening, by filing a complaint against the maverick with the Federal Elections Commission. McCain was trying to hedge his bets before his campaign reignited in New Hampshire. Unfortunately for him, hedging that bet is against the law.

So much for Mr. Campaign Finance.