The Conservative and WFP parties live on…But the Family moves to Line C….
Thursday, November 5, 2026
Such a Loser
Looks like Mr. Long Island, lost Long Island...Kathy Hochul bested Bruce Blakeman in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties.....What a loser. A bunch of upstate counties went his way....like Lewis at 75%
Local Government Withers
Jim Wright got reelected Town Supervisor with write ins as no one ran..,In Montague, there is no Supervisor come January 1, as no one ran and no write-ins.
Are these constructs of local government sustainable...Some think not but who wants these posts and who cares what town they live in ? In the Town of Pinckney the incumbent highway super agreed to another two years, but there's no one else interested....They pay him $41K and the Supervisor gets $6500...
Not My District, But Some Observations Anyway
Congressman elect Constantino has made more news with his reaction to winning than actually winning, an event that should have brought him joy but apparently didn't.
Mr. Constantino is petulant and high strung, but also very successful used to getting his way....
His view of the press and the party is based on the fact they didn't support him...In Clinton County local Republicans were in combat mode opposing Constantino...
The result was Constantino had to drop $17M, much of it on media anxious to sell ads but not so anxious to be his cheerleader...Constantino is transactional and didn't understand that.
He couldn't understand why Jeff Cole didn't go to Lisbon and paw through the Gendebien landfill...Candidates often say, why isn't the press asking about that 20 year old DWI?
The press is lazy and liberal, but that's a given and while ad spending does have some effect on editorial position...,,not always true as most reporters probably don't event vote.
Mr. Constantino looked back on the campaign Tuesday night and felt slighted by the system that he sees forcing him to drop so much money.
He should have celebrated his win, but chose not to....I went to the 2014 Stefanik victory in Glens Falls and she had her share of political and press grievances...But you didn't see that on display on Election Night......
Mr. Constantino has a House seat, but he has alienated many and faces dubious prospects in 2028.....He need to prove himself competent, and capable of the political skills needed....And lose the gangsta rap bullshit...
The Kind of People Who Are on HOA Boards
The Town of Watertown Planning Board is apparently going to allowa toned down exterior for Dave. Hot Chicken which is being placed in the middle of a commercial area on Outer Arsenal Street, far from the Cagwin Road.
Too bright...too urban looking, the Town said....Why is that the purview of people never elected to anything who don't own the property or pay the taxes on it..,
I agree there is a need for codes to be followed on matters like plumbing, electrical, parking , etc....
The essence of commerce is to grab the public's attention...The planning class,, who never signed the front side, doesn't grasp that.
This is not an anomaly....Lots of businesses in town run afoul of people with no concept of the difficulties business has....
Time is indeed money and when a business locates in an area for business, the folks on the Pheasant's Ass Road should stay home.
As one experienced developer told me today...,"companies are not lining up to come to Watertown, Ne York..."
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Queen Kathy
While the national GOP has to get used to learning what it's like to be a Republican in the NYS Assembly, Governor Hochul is riding high with her 60% win to return to Eagle Street.
What does she do now..? What she is told, but I wouldn't be surprised to see my utility sales tax go up again. I miss my share of picks but I had Blakeman pegged from the beginning....He's a loser although he did do OK up here, something for which we must be punished.
https://nypost.com/2026/11/03/opinion/kathy-hochul-won-big-now-can-she-govern-as-new-york-needs/
What Are We Talking About the Day After ?
As the North Country's new MOC begins what is sure to be a rocky tenure the GOP in NNY will be looking elsewhere and may be looking back to the future....Rep. Elise Stefanik steered clear of all the political splatter and was seen on CBS last night doing a bit of analysis.
She is likely the only one with the political traction and cash to make a run in 2028...If she wanted back in to that world.....But her best bet may be to do a bit of TV, make some speeches and lay low through '28 as well.
Last night was easy peasy for Mr. Constantino....Just thank everyone, pledge to work hard and realize you won....And wear a suit. He came across as angry on a night there was no need to be angry, other than you just spent $17M.
There was a time when a Congressman dancing on a table would be tamped down by media....Now everything goes viral and last night was a big misstep.
Embarassing Debut
Here's the video tape on last night's profanity laced victory speech by Anthony Constantino as the Congressman elect comes out dressed like a rapper and begins to lay into the media .....At one point calling Jeff Cole an asshole.....
He begins his term screwed politically , estranged from Republicans after his display of pique last night in Amsterdam.
Blake Gendebien will no doubt start running and the media will do Constantino no favors...
More Defeat
Abdul el Sayed proclaimed victory in the Michigan Senate race. ….apparently defeating Mike Rogers after a raucous campaign…..This caps off a night of defeats that may not be over…AK is on edge and Mississippi is suddenly in play…..
Constantino Feuds With Media…Boots Reporter
Something happened during a channel 7 live shot from Constantino HQ in Amsterdam…Apparently Jeff Cole had to cut the feed during an expletive filled rant about the fake media, and ultimately reporter Garrett Domblewski was escorted out of the hall …..
Mr Constantino referred to media as ass holes and Mr Cole by name as an asshole., and then singled out the reporter and kicked him out.
“How would you guys feel if you just had to pay17 Million dollars because you guys are a bunch of lying’ assholes,”……he said during his victory speech…..
Different Lay of the Land
Anthony Constantino will be part of a much diminished GOP caucus come January….Two other New Yorkers will be running the Congress…
The Ed Cox NY GOP ran a horrible race for Governor , Rep. Lawler has apparently lost NY17, leaving only four or five GOP House sear in NY.
What the relationship is with the White House is anybody’s guess.
But the 2028 Presidential race now starts with wide open fields on both sides.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
The Mules Bulls His Way to Win, But Otherwise a Disastrous Night for the GOP.
Fueled by strong showings in the Mohawk Valley part of NY 21, it is increasingly apparent Businessman Anthony Constantino has won the seat in Congress now held by Elise Stefanik.
Constantino fell behind early in the evening but as more day of votes were tallied he moved ahead of Democrat Blake Gendebien by several thousand votes.
Gendebien carried St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton, Warren and Essex counties……..
The NNY win was against the national tide as state after state went Democratic, SC, TX, Iowa, NC, Kansas ,Ohio and maybe more….
Looks like a fifty seat loss in the House……Many Governors mansions lost too….A tsunami after all.
Getting Close
As the night drones on and more and more day of votes are counted, the Gendebien lead has dwindled to one point, with a fair number of votes to come in.
Might be a nail biter…UPDATE Constantino has pulled ahead …
Nationally the outlook is more and more bleak for the GOP with House losses nearing forty and the Senate gone.
Blue Wave Reaches NNY….lUncertain Results
Fragmentary returns across NY21 suggest a good night for Democrats, especially Blake Gendebien, but at 922pm there is still a lot of day of to report……In NY 24 Alyssa Ellman is ahead of expectations…..
As more day of voting rolls in , Constantino is doing well in Lewis and Oneida counties bu Mr Gendebien smoking the mules n SLC and Clinton County where the local GOP committee actively opposed Constantino.
Statewide Governor Hochul is up by 25 points….
Blue NY
As expected Kathy Hochul an easy winner over Bruce Blakeman……..Other races are goi g blue around the country…
Looks like,Ohio, Texas and Michigan are blue….
Wave Building
The GOP seems to have held the Governor and Senate seats in Florida, as well as seats in KY and WV
…Kansas looks like goner…..so does SC…And the House is gone…..Blue wave ? Likely, but short of a tsunami so far…..Still both houses appear gone.
No $5,000 checks coming.
Dems Off to Good Start
By 7:30 it looks like Dems are doing well including in Florida, Georgia and elsewhere….House looks like a goner, and the Senate very precarious.
In our area turnout is brisk…
Meanwhile the President was in a rage over Fox coverage.…
https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16263679/Trump-unloads-Fox-News-profanity-laced-tirade.html
Election Night
Voting is brisk for a. Midterm……Insiders peg the Constantino margin at 6 points based on polling and turnout models…That’s what I had predicted.
Arts Jug pizza here at 7pm. TVs tuned to FOX,Spectrum, WWNY, Newsmax, CNN, MS Now….
Politics and Numbers
Pleased to announce again this year the entire Pearl Street Pub has voted…..
And I see Mayor Mamdani shaved off his beard, so maybe I can vote for him now…Not likely but one less impediment.
As,of 1130am. 1394 had voted in the City and 7723 countywide, not including all the early and absentee. Busiest polling place in the City is Stone Church at 330….Sacred Heart 301, Nazarene at 280, St Anthony’s at 206, Midtown at 96 and Trinity at 81.
Thanks to Commisioner Ladd for help in providing numbers.
New Bills Fan or Senate Hopeful
In a sign her ambitions in 2028 may be limited to NY's Senate sear, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez showed up on Sunday in a Bills jersey at a Queens bar accompanied by the Governor and Mayor.....Governor Hochul was in a Bills shirt, Mayor Mamdani a suit.
Clearly Buffalo is further away than the Giants or Jets, but AOC need upstate street cred....
I would suggest a four wheeler ride from Tuggers to the Hook and Ladder to seal the deal.
Government Warning
I think I'll have Bobby stop by to make sure my refrigeration is isolated from Internet hackers....We are maintaining a 90 day supply of beer and liquor at the request of Secretary Hegseth.....
As an essential nexus for intoxication, we take the government warning seriously, and stand by our neighbors at Fort Drum.
Despicable
Betrayal...traitor...scum, despicable....all these words and more Dem leaders and their media acolytes have trotted out for Rep. Haley Stevens after she decided enough was enough with the Muslim Brotherhood. She public announced she was not voting for Abdul Sayed and would vote for Mike Rogers.
Some advised her to hire security.... Especially despicable was Chuck Schumer calling her despicable given his own alleged faith.
In the end, no one changes their vote based on someone's endorsement, so the best party response would be no response..,
I didn't see Judas, Brutus or Benedict Arnold mentioned, but give it time.
https://www.ms.now/news/haley-stevens-mike-rogers-endorsement-betrayal-michigan
Insults
Name calling in politics is nothing new but should a sitting Vice President have called Democratic Congressional candidate Blake Gendebien and "asshole" and a "lunatic".....
I say no to the coarse language in a public speech broadcast to the world.
But in a world where kids drop F bombs in the classroom and in front of their parents, anything seems to go.
Trails
Council discussed a Black River trail proposal last night…A trail at least two members say the city cannot afford….but it involves getting a grant, even though it’s not known who would walk on the trail.
One Council member expressed concern over legal bills and the next Mayor praised the police chief.
Minor Parties Hope to Continue Their Franchise
Polls are open at 6AM and for insiders it’s not a question of who wins the Governors race….Its finishing third..
Andrew Cuomo effectively eliminated minor party options for true non major candidates, but under our system of fusion voting the Conservative and Working Families parties still exist and their line on the ballot for four years depends on how many votes Hochul gets on the D line or Blakeman on the C Line.
Most people don’t understand or care about this nuance of NY elections, but for those who the “me too” parties are a source of patronage, keeping that line is important.
So while your choices for office are limited you can help preserve the me too parties by voting for Governor on those lines..
https://www.timesunion.com/capitol/article/ny-governor-election-working-families-vs-22501614.php
Monday, November 2, 2026
Vance Rips Blake
Many attacks on Blake Gendebien in Rome today with the VP calling him an asshole according to two people attending. Called him a socialist and a lunatic too.
Roger Stone was there as was Don Trump Jr. and the Secretary of Energy….
Early Birds
Early voting soared across the state to about two million. Some 4500 were in Jefferson County and out,east over 30k votes early in Saratoga County ,part of which is in NY21…..in the five boroughs nearly 700K voted early….
Four years ago about six million voted in total.
Election Night
On election night you are welcome at the Pearl Street Pub where the political cognoscenti gather.
Our most visible TV will be on Spectrum as they have the best regional coverage…Other TVs will be on FOX, CNN, WWNY, and two TBD.
Republicans will be at the Italian American Club….Council Member Osborne has a house party by invitation….Not aware of anything else. I assume the NY21 candidates are in Amsterdam and Lisbon.
As for open bar, stay at home.
Girl on Girl
A Jewish female influencer was attacked at a free speech event at the University of Michigan......Totally justified some of our readers will chirp.
Vacant Building Fire
Homeless ? Or just a way to move a hopelessly vacant building on to demolition....The former Derouins Plumbing store on Mill Street caught fire overnight...
Game Tax
Another Hochul tax but Bills fans gladly pay it....A 6% levy on tickets, concessions, parking and merchandise bought at the new Highmark Stadium in Erie County.
The Bills are winning, so what's an extra 6% ?
Look For Russ
We will have eyes on the VP today as Russ Finley will be in the section behind JD Vance at the former Griffins AFB in Rome, NY.....The rally for upstate GOP candidates, including Anthony Constantino begins mid morning before Mr. Vance heads to Ohio to try and salvage the Senator with the nice ass.
Sunday, November 1, 2026
Early Voting Ends
Early voting is over and in the Big County and over six thousand voted over nine days. That’s about one fifth the number who likely will vote. Likely a similar turnout here as well….Mayor McDougall reports 44% of those early birds,were Dems and 31% GOP…..Read into it what you will.
Polls open at 6am Tuesday….
Man Thinks I Should Talk About a Check
We have a commenter obsessed with a $28,000 check. And feels I should comment on it ….Nobody cares but there you go, I mentioned it for you.
Where’s Gretchen?
Democrats are quick to condemn Rep Haley Stevens endorsement of Mike Roger’s for Senate…She is officially a pariah and her staff all quit hoping to preserve their prospects for continued patronage jobs.
Ending the campaign with this and the Alaska scandal isn’t a good look but likely will not have much impact…It’s is entertaining to watch the Debbie Dingles scramble to stay on Sayed’s good side.
Interesting so far is the absence of Big Gretch…
Meanwhile Danny has called Rep. Stevens a scum bag traitor and suggests she got paid for the backing.
Bad Comparison
Governor Partaki beat three term incumbent Mario Cuomo in a race that surprised in 1994...He says Bruce Blakeman could do the same....That's a stretch...The GOP was stronger statewide back then...And Blakeman has run a particularly bad campaign.
Just like with Mario Cuomo, there is disdain for the incumbent, but dislike for Kathy Hochul is not enough. And this is a tough climate for the GOP nationally. In 1994, the GOP took control of Congress in those Clinton midterms. Not so this year.
Governor Pataki ended up serving three terms. I believe Blakeman is on the verge of losing his third statewide race.
Getting a Job
Was reading a Facebook post from a local gin mill looking for a bartender. I would suggest going to the business in person and not saying, hey, yooz guys hiring?
Among the posts were:
-Hi, I got some time.....
Really, that's nice of you.
-By chance do you hire an 18 year old college student, My daughter needs a job."
Hmmmm, Well, Mom, your daughter should inquire and if she is able to convince that she can enforce the law and control people at that age, sometimes it works out....Generally, someone that age is too risky, but there are exceptions.
-What day, times and pay ?
Get off your ass and go ask. Bosses want people who make their job easier not people with endless schedule issues or who think they should be paid more.
Have references ready and their phone numbers along with previous employers.
Just some advice....
Good Dems Stay In Line, Label Stevens a Distraction
Can a good Democrat, riddled with TDS and coveting power possibly vote to give away the Michigan Senate seat and possible control of the body ?
Danny, Ron, Jon....all of you....You stick with your candidates no matter how repulsive because in the end, it's about Trump, the most repulsive of all. As for the Jews and the blacks....They don't stray either.
Clyburn, and Senator Alsobrooks of Maryland are with Sayad in front of a church....He said he doesn't want to answer questions about the Stevens endorsement....He talked over reporters and they obliged.
"None of this matters, " the Doctor said.
Stevens Endorses Rogers
Rep. Haley Stevens bolted her party and publicly endorsed Mike Rogers for US Senate. Courageous move. They are trashing her on CNN.
Haley Says FU To Dems and Their Jihadi Wing
Rep. Haley Stevens appeared in a Detroit church this morning with GOP Senate candidate Mike Rogers.
All the Democratic Party has done for her and she is now a traitor. Don't worry Abdul, the blacks and the Jews will fall in line....
Actually for Rep., Stevens to put aside the phony adherence to party orthodoxy is admirable but to the LifeSaver Mayor and Danny this is heresy
Media must tamp this story down.
Now Russ thinks Ms Stevens wouldn't do this unless she had a wink and a nod from Schumer and company.....
Failed Candidate
The fact Bruce Blakeman isn't here today two days before the election isn't the big deal...The bigger deal is that in all the months past he didn't have a campaign bus with him and his LG on it touring the upstate areas....In other words, Bruce should have seen Watertown, the Thousand Islands, the Seaway, Fort Drum and things like Corning Glass and CIVES Steel over July and August.
By the way, where is his running mate...Can you name her ?
Another beautiful fall day today....Will any of you take ten minutes to vote for Bruce....How about if your sitting on a barstool in Depauville...Polls are 100 yards away...naah I'll go to the rest room instead.
Flocking to the Mall
Customers may still flock to malls during the holidays but in Plattsburgh the local mall uses license plate readers to better "understand" their customer base.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/mall-says-license-plate-readers-035900620.html
Homeless Man Gets DWI
Here's a homeless man arrested for driving a vehicle and blowing a .47..... The homeless have cars ? Welcome to NY.
Saturday, October 31, 2026
A Rare Endorsement Attempts to Make Blake a Bill Owens
The Times editorial board has come out of hiding to back Democrat Blake Gendebien in NY 21.....In the days of daily editorials on local matters, what the Times had to say carried some weight...But I don't know about this driveway interjection into politics.
Lost His Babe
Former Patriots coach Bill Belichik and his fetching and much younger girlfriend have called it quits...
Jordon Hudson has moved on to dating someone else.
Many were appalled at the May-December romance, cringing at the old , wrinkled body in the same bed as the former cheerleader and hard body temptress.
City Hall Defenders Say Its A Cost of Doing Business
The other argument on the City's legal bills is that its' a cost of doing business . Like heating the building or toilet paper in the rest rooms.
There was a lot spent trying to humiliate and remove Council Members and. they surely paid for advice on the Trooper takeover meeting. Of course there was negotiating the terms of surrender for the speed bump.....
And you can bet Dr. Larry spends a lot more on legal....
What's interesting is the Council detachment from the issue....Shouldn't they have been aware the lawyer numbers were far above what they authorized ? By the way true transparency means you shouldn't have to fight to get the "numbers".
Almost Over
With 50M votes already cast, early voting continues today and tomorrow from 9-5....Here its at the County Building on Arsenal Street and at the Depauville Fire Hall.
Looks like good weather, so why not venture to Depauville, vote and have a bite and brew at the Depauville Hotel next door....
Tuesday is regular voting day and polls are open 6AM to 9PM...
Halloween and Clocks
The City did send out a list of precautions for Halloween. We concur motorists should be careful, children should be escorted and treats should be checked.
And cap it all off by turning the clocks back tonight, as the period of darkness and misery begins.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1791198763005740&set=pb.100063469000141.-2207520000&type=3
Legal $$$$$$$$$$
Council will find out this morning how much they spend on lawyers when they pick up the paper....The Times reports Bond and Harris Beach billed for over $700K this year, exceeding the budget amount by over a quarter million dollars....
Now we know why we can't have a Christmas Parade.
It was not an easy get for Craig Fox at the Times....They fought his FOI requests as the Cone of Silence sits firmly over the Third Floor.
Look for another big beautiful bill from Rochester over the golf contract and the home rule issue....
Can we get this guy out of there before there's nothing left?
Elise on TV Tonight
Elise,Stefanik is on Life, Liberty and,Levin tonight……Be a good interview for the local political,reporters to watch. Might be some news for Sunday.
After Tuesday , Whatever the Z Man Wants
Of course the Mayor will get his tax hikes next year once the Governor is safely reelected…..That’s,how,it,should,be Tax those,corporations and billionaires.
Plantation Politics
Rep. Haley Stevens is being disloyal and has been banned from being near the Sayed campaign….Lucky her.
This is the Democratic Party anxious over “the blacks” and whether they stay loyal…They even parachuted Rep James Clyburn into Detroit to tell the blacks how to vote…How,patronizing all of this is? And watch the reflexive comments come in…ESAD OM…you’re racist…
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/10/30/el-sayed-stevens-senate-race-fight-01144423
Friday, October 30, 2026
The Stretch
Poor old Haley Stevens looked like the reluctant bride at an arranged wedding when she agreed to,stand with Abdul for the party this weekend….She wanted an apology for things the Muslim said about Israel and Dr. Sayad told her to take a hike….
He. Doesn’t need her to get Jews or the blacks voting for the Dem nominee in sufficient numbers…Both groups,hate Trump and will deliver enough votes.
The T shirt clad Sayad has the youngins’ and the ladies plus all the Muslims……
He wins, Hamilton wins KS, the Doc wins SC……Add Ohio, TX and AK and it’s over.
Minnesota votes for the nut, but Collins likely holds Maine….
Choices
Bruce Blakeman is hitting Jamaica, Queens and Ozone Park, also in Queens on Sunday…. Better there than Faichney Drive.
Whatever margin Blakeman has in Jefferson County will be nixed by the Hochul margin in Jamaica and Ozone Park.
Pope
Pope Leo has requested an absentee ballot from Illinois where he is still registered. Does he need to present ID ?
NY 21 On The Line For Decades
Conventional wisdom is NY 21 is GOP leaning and that's generally true, but what of the pockets of resistance in the GOP to Anthony Constantino ?
Start with former primary foe Robert Smullen, who is said to be working veterans groups on behalf of Blake Gendebien. Then there are local GOP committees in Clinton and Essex Counties said to be working against their party's nominee...In fact we hear State Senator Dan Stec was not allowed at a Clinton County GOP dinner due to he his support of the Mule after the primary.
There are the remnants of members who sank Doug Hoffman in 2009 and other mild Republicans like former Ogdensburg Mayor Bill Nelson who is actively supporting Mr. Gendebien.
Lack of hegemony in the GOP is problematic as Democrats stick together no matter what...and the national mood is toxic for the GOP....And don't forget the top of the ticket in NY is a big drag on down ballot contenders.
I think there's still enough juice in the layout of the district for Constantino to win but nobody thinks it will be a cakewalk....
One caveat to those in the GOP who say, let him go down and we will take the seat back in two years....It doesn't work that way...There is no one with the cash to compete and by 2028 a Rep. Gendebien will be laden with cash and tough to beat.
What's Next?
As the improbable campaign of the Sticker Mule comes to an end, it seems like Anthony Constantino has the edge to succeed Elise Stefanik in NY 21 although the incumbent has shown little interest publicly in the race, not endorsing or campaigning for her possible successor.
It's not just being busy with family, it's that Stefanik was stung by GOP politics...first with the inability to nominate someone for a special so she could move on to the United Nations as planned....She endured that and then agreed to run for Governor, a risky move politically but a good look for the party against a marginally popular incumbent...,, That rug was pull when President Trump essentially backed his buddy Bruce Blakeman setting up an expensive and divisive primary. She got the last laugh on that matter as Blakeman has proven a lame candidate headed to a loss.
Good news is she leaves 2026 with her dozen years in Congress and no losses....Certainly leaves the door open
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