The major party candidates for Congress are in NYC and DC refilling their campaign coffers, but its obvious Democrat Bill Owens is having a better time of it, outspending Diedre Scozzafava by an estimated 12 to one margin.
Imagine what the cadre of Dem sacrificial lambs would think of this. Steve Burke, Margaret Ravenscroft, Michael Oot, Dr. Bob, and of course Danny F.....They all faced-off against the once invicible North Country Republican machine, which we now know isn't what it used to be.
Time is running out for the GOP. National leadership is in many cases sitting this one out.....That includes RNC chair Michael Steele and a good chunk of the Republican Congressional delegation.
To be fair, Ms. Scozzafava does have a lot of supporters both individual and institutional, but there is not the organization or staffing painfully evident in the Owens effort.
What's odd is how little any of these candidates actually speak in public.
With no debates, forums or long-form interviews, it's strictly TV and on that count, its Owens hands down. His spots are slick and its having an impact.
A GOP lawmaker yesterday said to me..."Isn't that Owens a nice man.."
Now here in the heart of the western end of the 23rd, I also have spoken to many Democrat leaders and operatives who are staying with one of their own....in this case DeDe. What I also notice are the number of Republicans who are either going with conservative Doug Hoffman or actually voting with Owens on the basis of his longtime registration as an indepedent.
For Ms. Scozzafava, who was the clear favorite coming into the race, her prospects are sinking fastest in the media-costly precincts of suburban Syracuse. Nobody there knew any of the candidates coming into this and the only antidote is money, something the Dems have no shortage of.
Republicans optimism seems perfunctory, with scenarios hovering around a narrow 42-41 type win.....Others are talking in terms of whether their candidate finishes second or third.
Time is running out and for the first time in memory, NNYer's may indeed have a Member of Congress who can see Vermont from his house.
4 comments:
Nice post -- in essence the party never really got behind any candidate who ever ran against John McHugh ... this "PR & moneyed" "race" shows that -- even with a non-DEM, DEM.
My take to date is best summarized here:
It's the Money
"And, we're stupid!"
It seems ridiculous to suggest that a view of Vermont from his house somehow makes Bill Owens less able to apply his significant skills in representing this congressional district. Very, very parochial perspective. Is Vermont an unsavory, alien, place that clouds his judgement? During this campaign Owens has travelled extensively throughout the district, shaping a thoughtful vision and skyrocketing from unknown to frontrunner- I think he has already demonstrated that he is the personification of a leader- and a neighbor.
Anyone who even glances at the People's Republic of Vermont doesn't deserve consideration in this district.
And if you are a Republican and are pro abortion, pro gay marriage and anti 2nd Amendment, you should be MOVING to Vermont.
The rest of us will be voting for the real deal, Doug Hoffman.
In the 1950's right wing zealots created a climate of fear with accusations very similar to the innuendo laced label "People's Republic of Vermont." We all know how history has judged that episode.
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