After my post last night about the Democratic dinner, I got some texts saying that Jude Seymour of the WDT had a different take and said that Lowville's Brian McGrath was seriously talking about running at the behest of Boss June (O'Neill). I have suggested Scott Burto would run.
Folks, let me clarify my role...I am not a journalist, Jude is. My blog is called "Mayor Graham's View" and it is simply that....my impressions filtered through the prism of my experience and ideology.
But as long as Jude brings up June O'Neill.....I'd be glad to weigh in...I have known June for many years...In fact I contributed to her ill fated Assembly bid. So I was for June before it was fashionable (in the 80's I was registered as a Dem.)
June is a true believer...a political zealot who believes that the populace is divided by an "aisle." She has done very well in that environment rising to the post as state chair.
June has made it her mission to drive the infidels (Republicans) from the temple (North Country). She has flipped the House, Senate and one Assembly seat as well as seeing her party win numerous local races.
By any measure June is a winner, but now she must see the 122nd as worthy of her suiting up to drive that last stake through the heart of her archrivals.
Winning the seat Democrats drew up as a throwaway would be a gratifying notch on the holster as Democrats hardly need one more seat in the Assembly.
To that end, she may be trying to get a wealthy attorney named McGrath to Big Foot the GOP's Ken Blankenbush.
I might caution June...as bland as Blankenbush is....this time a big downstate push to pile on may generate the opposite result.
But since I am not a journalist, I may be dead wrong.
30 comments:
June have you read the news this past year? Prudent fiscal responsibility is in this year.
Blankenbush is in for a ride if June has her focus on him. She has proven her abilities.
Blankenbush is a dud. The GOP will have a run for their money. Why on earth would the people of the 122nd want to send another member of the Assembly into the dismal minority. There are so few of them that they are totally irrelevant. Having Darrel, Addie and now Bill Owens elected has shown once and for all that having a majority member really does benefit the people of the district. Move over Ken, it's time for some new blood - someone with a fresh face and fresh ideas. Someone who will run to serve the people, not their own narrow self interests.
And BTW Republican Sen. Joe Griffo should start looking over his shoulder too.
12:00 That's really not true for a balance of power to be put in place you need to have the representation so its not a blank check. It only makes sense to have more GOP candidates in the Assembly for the North Country to take away the power of downstate. To say otherwise plays into the hands of the downstaters.
Underestimate June O'Neil at your own peril. As the Mayor points out, her track record speaks for itself.
12:22 You are right she is a one person power broker tied to downstate.
June O'Neill "tied to downstate?" What a hoot. She has had numerous opportunities over the years to move from St. Lawrence County to Albany, NYC and yes, even Washington DC. The North Country is her home. This is where she chose to live over 45 years ago, raised her family and this is where the people she truly cares about live too. You don't have to like her - but don't say such ridiculous, untrue nonsense.
Hey Mayor Jeff. Nice seeing you at the Democratic Dinner in Watertown yesterday. We go back a long, long way. Thanks for the shout out.
June O'Neill
12:00... does it really matter? Even if the winner is supposedly in the "majority" party, there's still no power. Sheldon Silver literally owns that chamber, and he dictates everything. Through bribery and control he's able to play that chamber like a fiddle.
That is precisely what is wrong with this state.
Hey Mrs O'Neill, would you please explain to us how the Dems just a few weeks ago told us how the healtcare law was going to save money, and now admit that it isn't? Someone had to know they were misleading the American people if this is a conclusion you guys can draw in such a short time period. I hate it when I'm lied to. Or was it just an honest mistake? The admission came from the CBO.
Will Rogers
The GOP keeps talking how much the healthcare is going to cost.. No one knows yet but one thing for sure is that some desperate people who had no insurance will now have some.. I guess rich Republicans like Doheny dont like that idea.. We have suffered for years in NNY with the GOP in control of the Governorship, and the Senate . We will always have to fight NYC for power control. At least Darrell and Addie and Owens have done a lot of good for this area.Like it or not they have voted for the majority of their people.
Annon 5:55 - Evidently you need some serious health care. Give me just 6 things Darrell and Addie have done for the north country. As for "Rich Republicans" - didn't your Democratic president make over $5 million last year??? Yes, I thought so.....
Well, at least June has ACORN going for her...
5:55 There are certainly questions about what this is all going to cost. As a good party line Donkey, I'm not sure why that fact concerns you. Spending, on healthcare or any other program, never seems to be an issue. But the point here is dishonesty. You people ranted just weeks ago about how this move was a money saver. Now, you've already admitted you were lying. And people like Owens run around and ack like they did us a favor by giving us what we did not want and did so by lying about it. I certainly don't expect a response by Ms O'Neill about it. And good Democrat like you will never admit the truth. You and yours lied. Now, let's trot out the usual folks who will point to something completely unrelated in an effort to defend the undefendable.
Harry S Truman
I will vote for any local, state and national politician who will pledge to reduce spending by 50% (all spending sans that required for police/fire at the local/state level and national defense at the federal level).
What is your party's solution, Ms. O'Neill?
Who is this guy? Whoever you are, we welcome your questions.
The "solution" of the Democratic part has been consistant. Whatever the problem, hire more government employees, more school employees, pump more money into the programs, and grow government. This gives people the impression that they care, provides jobs to the politically connected, and finances a voting block. Dems will never move to reduce government budgets, not 50%, not 1%, not ever. They are not above outright lying to sell their wares, as they did most recently on the healthcare law. They said it saves money and it will not. They have already admitted that they lied. And they have the MSM behind them when it counts.
Now in fairness, Republicans have begun to learn as well. They have become Donkey Lite. They know money buys votes, and program funding means you care. Caring is the only way they can compete for MSM support, as media is controlled by their visceral connection to social causes. Forget whether they work or whether they are cost effective. Elephants have also learned that an entire generation have been brainwashed about certain topics, global warming among them. Yous have to pay lip service even if the numbers don't add up. You can't drill even if it makes sense. You can't have nukes even if they make sense. Another important lesson they have learned is to bow to the education machine. In NY, there is no more important idol to worship. Sorry, did not mean to mention worship in a website available to youth. If the Reps continue to learn to give stuff away, they will make a recovery and again be a formidable force in American politics. They're not there yet, but give 'em time.
Now for the folks who are working and trying to pay the bills. Well. You can count on big increases in income taxes, property taxes, fees, restrictions on your freedoms, and a new value added tax.
Ms O'Neill, please tell me where I'm wrong.
Mickey Charles Mantle
625 and 735.. Burns you a-- dosnt it.. Rich people will have to help support some poorer. They may not be able to pay people like yourself as much to carry their message. By the way I,m a Republican that woke up after years of BS.
What's the difference between the big spending arrogant Democrats, or the back-door schister types the Republicans want to put up as candidates? I would rather have my pockets picked and spent on someone else, rather than have my pockets picked and pit in someone elses pocket. Anon 12:00, you are correct in your assesment.
first thing aj Russell has done for us supports borrowing 2 billion to help finalize the budget. But only as long as we fix state finances in 5 years. Wow. Borrow money to prolong tough decisions. Hey Justin great move? Thoughts on that true leadership.
You want know what I think?Ok lets put all the lawmakers in rubber rooms and pay them to do what they are doing now.Look I think the lady means well she is doing some things localy to help people out. I try not to be so hate filled and so one sided these days.Anyways I got it all figured out we are taking China for a ride you know what I mean?If you are paying attention our war machine is surrounding them we will never pay them back.War is a Rackett the rich basterds can afford a little more taxes im just a poor lttle peasent trying to collect nutz from the forest.Am I aloud to like what one of the others are doing?The rapture is on its way just get right with the lord don't worrie about two billion dollars unless you are one of those rich guys whos pocket is getting a little smaller..
9:08 Doesn't really bother me. As a government employee I get most all my stuff courtesy of people like you. So waste all the money you want.
But this is a fair question to ask. How long do you think 51% of the people are going to support 49% of the people? And it is going to get worse, as your Great One finds new ways to make working people take care of bums. It will come to a point where the middle class says the hell with you. Remember when we used to want to work overtime? Now only a fool would do that. Pretty soon only a fool would want to work, if the only reason is to support people who don't.
But again I'm a government employee so don't worry your pretty little non-thinking head over me.
Grover Washington Jr.
And in true Donkey fashion, he skipped over the central point. Owens and Pelosi and the boys/girls lied to get the bill passed.
Twiggy
I will vote for any local, state and national politician who will pledge to reduce spending by 50% (all spending sans that required for police/fire at the local/state level and national defense at the federal level).
ChiefKujo, why no cuts to the bloated national defense budget? It's not like the military industrial complex that Eisenhower warned us about isn't in need of some trimming.
To answer Anonymous @ April 27, 2010 3:35 PM:
I am not against reducing defense spending at all. In fact, I am all for it.
As it is arguably the most important of the handful of enumerated constitutional powers, I would, however, not place it on the same chopping block as those other budget items falling under the category of legislatively invented and activist-court rubberstamped powers.
With North Korea on the move, Iran encouraged, China's power growing at a rate far beyond our own, I'm not sure unilateral disarmament is the answer to our problems. But that is the usual response for folks like you, 3:35. Putin would admit, privately of course, that this is exactly what The Great One is doing. What else can you call pulling out defensive missiles while getting nothing in return? I would rather see my money spent on defending our country than funding handouts to bums. But if the borders are going to remain open I guess it doesn't make much difference. Why defend what doesn't exist?
Snuup Dog
Whatever you do, don't vote for BlankenBum. He represents the worst of both sides. Vote for the youngest, smartest candidate. Give the next generation a chance. Blankenbush's generation has already blown it in the North Country.
...I'm not sure unilateral disarmament is the answer to our problems. But that is the usual response for folks like you, 3:35.
I didn't say anything about "unilateral disarmament". I only mentioned cutting the waste from defense spending. Yes, even the sacred defense budget has waste and a lot more than other budgets. Anyone who turns a blind eye to the obvious waste in that budget isn't really serious about fiscal responsibility.
P.S. It's "folks like you" who show their ignorance by pretending to know folks like me. You're full of hot air.
Got it Dan, I mean 8:35. What you're conveniently forgetting is our defense spending, as portion of our budget, has decreased most every year since Reagan. Now that could be reasonable. But for you to look there for waste is a wee bit strange, don't ya think? Who do you think is going to pay for all those health benefits you, I mean our hard pressed retired vets receive? And what about all those education benefits our military receive? Wanna cut back on that? Is that waste? We've already stopped modernizing our nukes and building ships and aircraft. The military spends an increasing amount of funds on benefits, for guys like, well, like you Dan.
Dan's Buddy
I've also heard from someone that McGrath has decided to run and will have the resources and talent to defeat Blankenbush.
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