Usually it's the person people in the 23rd CD vote for, but in this year when government healthcare and energy plans like cap and trade are being debated, will North Country voters back away from their flirting with liberal democrats and seek someone more conventional and less big government. Will they vote party ?
That may not be the choice because Diedre Scozzafava is anything but a free market conservative. However, she will be caucusing with the GOP against the Obama-Pelosi agenda and that may be enough to attract voters now getting skittish with the new administration.
Plus for Watertown-area voters, could there be a case of Aubertine fatigue?
He has been in two raucous campaigns in less than two years and now here comes a third which will dwarf the other two.
How much appetite is there for the tractor imagery and "one of us" motif now that Darrel has been soiled by Albany's latest orgy of politics as usual.
Scozzafava is hardly a new face, but she has not had to do too much controversial in Albany and may be able to assume the mantle of the small town, one of us candidate.
How do you get to be the outsider when you have had to stand shoulder to shoulder with Pedro and company. That's the dilemma Aubertine has.
His meteoric career has left him looking very much the politician and not the farmer. Doesn't make him a bad person, but it does become tougher for him to sell the same imagery for a third time in 20 months.
And there is always the seemingly improbable chance that Darrel really is weighing whether he wants to jump into this briar patch, with all the angst and family disruption that goes with it. Could he not be the candidate ?
Now that the Dems say they are putting off their announcement I guess we all have to wait a while longer, while DeDe gets a jump on campaigning, but also gets to twist in the wind all alone for three weeks as opposition research teams pick at her.
I'd like to hang in D.C. for a couple of years. Its a great honor, but I sure wouldn't want to put up with whats on the docket for these two nice people in the next 3 months.
8 comments:
Why wouldn't the Dems seriously consider some of their other choices? Of recent there seem to be some good ones emerge.
I've heard rumors this morning that Darrel is out of the race. Anyone heard anything?
Re: McDougal post above... I dreamed this up or is it dreamt it up? Whatever - enjoy:
Based on this story and the two main links therein, just gets juicier and juicier. I wonder exactly how it all went down?
Background: NY Democrats expressed serious interest in recruiting, Assemblywoman, Dede Scozzafave, as their nominee for Rep. John McHugh’s seat, but nagging questions over her unpaid taxes drove them away, according to a Democratic operative familiar with the recruitment process. Scozzafava by most accounts is a moderate in the state Assembly who has alienated conservatives over her support for abortion rights and gay marriage. Scozzafava acknowledged that aspect of the story to POLITICO.
Her husband, Ron McDougal had multiple conversations with local and national Democratic officials who were interested in recruiting her into the race as a Democrat.
Then add this from June O'Neill - she confirmed reports that Scozzafava's husband had indeed talked with key local Democrats and union heads about the possibility of his wife running on Row A if the party's presumed first choice, state Sen. Darrel Aubertine, takes a pass. O'Neill added, "...this wasn’t the first time the Democrats have spoken to Scozzafava about switching sides."
* My wondering was clarified by this recent unauthorized and non-approved NSA wiretap:
“Ring, ring, ring ...”
“Hallo. Diss iz da DC office of da combined DNC and AFL-CIO Team, Don Trumpet, Acting Chief of Upstate NY Recruiting speaking. How can I help ya?”
“Err, yes, Don, this is Ron, Ron McDougal from Upstate NY. I am a labor leader representing Central Trades. I’d like to talk to you all about getting an endorsement for NY Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava to replace John McHugh whom President Obama has nominated as the next Secretary of the Army. I need to say right up front that she is a strong moderate-to-liberal Republican serving in a very conservative district. A district, I might add where no Democrat has ever served in Congress since the late 1850’s – yes, that’s right, the late 1850’s. So, I was wondering – how respective are you all to that idea? By-the-way, I can guarantee you that she will have 100% labor support from this area, just like McHugh always got. So, what cha’ think, eh?”
“Well, Ron, I see, I see. So, dare ain’t no Dems up around dare who is willing or able to run – iz dat 'bout right?”
“Well, no, not exactly. There are a few old party hacks who have run in the past and lost – you know that 1850’s thingy I mentioned before. And, a few others who no one knows, or let alone cares much about, or would trust with the keys to all that power in DC, even if they were a Republican with minority status. (laughter, laughter). But, all joking aside, I know and we up here hope that if you were to lock her in place that it will show the RNC how strong we still are in Upstate NY – what cha’ think about that aspect, eh, Don, old buddy?”
“Tell you what, Ron; it is Ron, right? Can we get back to you? Say in a few days. I has to run this past the White House and Mr. Rahm Emanuel – you understand dat, don't cha? So, give me your cell and we’ll be in touch, real soon.”
“Yes, I understand, and that would be great – thanks a whole bunch. Oh, I forget to mention one thing that might be important, not that it really matters, but Dede Scozzafava is my wife. Scozzafava is her maiden name. Anyway, thanks a whole bunch, Don, and I do look forward to hearing from you real soon, and I'd like to add that ... .”
“Click.” “Hello, hello, Don... are you still there?”
bzzzzzzzzzz = silence...
Why is our area so set on picking the same old people? Both the Reps (Doheny) and Dems (McGrath) have fresh new faces. How can we attempt to go forward if we keep looking behind for the people to lead us there? Are we really impressed with the results we have had from our old guard of Dede and Darrel?
Two breaking items - NY Conservative Party to oppose Dede... like that's news?
http://www.politickerny.com/4619/conservative-jim-kelly-ready-run-against-rino-scozzafava
and locally at
http://www.wwnytv.com/news/local/51498267.html
huh?
huh?
huh?
Post a Comment