Fossella runs out the clock on House Ethics Committee

In a statement by the House Ethics Committee investigating Fossella's arrest, the committee announced they will not be making any findings or recommendations due to their term expiring before Fossella's appeal is heard;

On May 21, 2008, an investigative subcommittee was established to conduct an inquiry regarding Representative Vito Fossella with respect to his arrest on or about May 1, 2008 in Alexandria, Virginia for the misdemeanor criminal charge of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

The subcommittee concluded its work without a recommendation of further action against Representative Fossella. The investigative subcommittee had deferred action in this matter because of the pendency of the criminal proceedings involving Representative Fossella. Representative Fossella did not seek re-election, and the Committee will lose jurisdiction over him when his term expires on Jan. 3, 2009.

An investigation and potential removal from Congress by his colleagues would have been disastrous for any future life in politics or lobbying that likely is in Fossella's future. My guess is the appeal of his sentence has more to do with running out the clock on the House Ethics investigation than it has to do with avoiding jail time.

One last look at fund raising numbers

I enjoy the thought of no more FEC reports for a while. So here is hopefully the last recap of this race.

Mike McMahon is sitting on $241,273 with no debt.

Vito Fossella still has $220,326, though he is promising to return almost all of it;

This is in response to the Federal Election Commission's Request for Additional Information (RFAI) regarding the Committee's July Quarterly Report. Based on the RFAI and subsequent conversations with RAD Senior Campaign Finance Analyst Christian Hilland, the Committee to Re-Elect Vito Fossella will refund primary contributions made after May 20, 2008, except to the extent necessary to cover any valid outstanding primary debts, and will refund all general election contributions made to the Committee.

Fossella's treasurer in his report to the FEC claims all refunds would be paid out by Dec 12. What is curious about this is that he did not transfer any large (or any?) amounts at all to the NRCC or republican candidates. Back in September I asked what was he going to do with the money. Apparently the answer is to send a costly message to his party for not being more supportive.

And then there is Domenic Recchia. Recchia continues to sit on about $161,986, all money he can only spend on a federal race and not city council or borough president. Back in July I started asking some questions about what he was planning on doing with that money and so far there have been no answers. With term limits Recchia is obviously looking for his next gig so keeping a congressional run open in the future isn't a terrible idea, especially with Hillary's open Senate seat. Should Gov. Paterson surprise many and say appoint Rep. Nadler, then Recchia's warchest suddenly makes sense. Aside from that I have no clue what Recchia is doing, and I don't think he does either.

All figures are updated in the right hand column.

Random items from Fossella's trial

There were a few items that slipped past me that have come out with updates from Fossella's trial.

In his October trial Fossella claimed that his hand sanitizer was the cause of his .17 blood alcohol level;

"Later, he went back to his Capitol Hill office and cleaned his hands with Purell, a hand sanitizer that is more than 60 percent ethyl alcohol.

The alcohol in the hand sanitizer led to his elevated blood-alcohol reading, his attorneys said."

Five days is the lightest sentence he could receive;

The maximum penalty on the misdemeanor charge is one year in jail.

Umm;

...police there tried to give him another blood-alcohol test nearly three hours later. Initially, Fossella "claimed he was not able to perform the test and threatened to defecate on the floor of the police station if he was not allowed to use the restroom,"

Fossella appeals

After being found guilty on DWI charges and sentenced to five days in jail, current Congressman Vito Fossella has appealed his sentencing. His appeal means he will get a new trial some time next year that will be heard by a jury. More importantly though it means that a sitting member of Congress who has been arrested, found guilty and sentenced to a prison term will now get to serve out the remainder of his time in Congress while waiting for a new trial. Fossella will likely not be forced out of Congress, will continue to collect his pay check from tax payers and enjoy the perks given to those who are suppose to be in DC representing Americans as opposed to having secret lives and breaking the law. Congress likely won't even hold an ethics investigation that is prompted by any member who is arrested because of the ongoing court case. Congratulations Congressman Fossella on stooping to a new low

Fossella is prison bound

Vito Fossella is headed from the halls of Congress to a nice little one room housing behind bars ;

Chief Judge Becky J. Moore also fined the disgraced congressman $300, ordered him to complete an alcohol safety program and suspended his driver's license in the state of Virginia for one year.

"Congressman Fossella, I've been sworn to follow the law," Judge Moore said while imposing sentence in Alexandria General District Court.

Fossella sentencing at 1pm

This afternoon Vito will receive his DWI sentence.  He faces up to five days in jail.  Stay tuned for more updates.

McMahon Announces New Chief of Staff

via McMahon press release;

Former Chief of Staff to Rep. Joseph Crowley Now Serving Staten Island and Brooklyn

November 20, 2008 – After spending a demanding few days in Washington, DC, participating in New Member Orientation and preparing to serve as Staten Island and Brooklyn's newest Congressman, Congressman-elect Mike McMahon (NY-13) has appointed a new chief of staff: Mr. Christopher McCannell.

McCannell, a Fordham graduate originally from Maine, comes to McMahon's office from Washington, DC after having spent eight years as Chief of Staff to Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY), and most recently as a Director in the bi-partisan government relations firm of Quinn Gillespie where he focused on financial services. McCannell served as the lead staff member in Congressman Crowley's office interacting with House Democratic leadership through his role as floor assistant to Crowley, the Chief Deputy Whip, Member of the powerful committee on Ways and Means and New York's highest ranking member of House Democratic leadership.

" I know the needs of my district very well, but I will need some help learning the ropes in DC," explained Congressman-elect McMahon, "Chris is experienced and will be my right hand man when it comes to having my district's needs met in DC."

Prior to working with Congressman Crowley, McCannell served as press secretary for Congressman Steny H. Hoyer, and on the staffs of Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski and Senators Frank R. Lautenberg and George J. Mitchell. Mr. McCannell brings thirteen years of experience in Congressional communication, policy and politics.

" I am proud to return to Capitol Hill to serve as Chief of Staff to Congressman-elect Mike McMahon. From going to school in New York and working eight years with Rep. Crowley, I know the city well and it is great to return to serve New York City's newest Member and a critical district to House Democratic leadership. Congressman-elect McMahon is coming to Washington at a historic time, and I look forward to working with him to deliver results for Staten Island and Brooklyn and make him the most effective Congressman possible," said Mr. McCannell.

Vito Fossella a "national joke"

va Rolling Stone;

They lost in every way imaginable, on every political front. The symbol of their anti-gay crusade, Colorado congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave, was beheaded. The party that had made so much hay running against Mexicans saw noted anti-immigration crusader Bill Sali of Idaho ousted along with several other members of the Immigration Reform Caucus. The GOP's grasp on the so-called "moral values" issue likewise went up in roaring flames, with Rep. Vito Fossella of Staten Island the poster child — his morals were once so perfect that he refused to be seen with his gay sister, and now he's a national joke, bounced after being caught drunk driving and having unprotected, babymaking sex with a married Air Force officer.

Mission Accomplished, What Now?

I am not a long term political activist. Politics has always intrigued me, but I had not been actively involved until the 2004 presidential election. After the presidential primary had ended there was little need to volunteer for a presidential race in New York, a solidly Democratic state. Looking at prospective areas to help in the city there was only one competitive Congressional race, Fossella vs. Barbaro. I volunteered very late in the race for Frank Barbaro. This was my first introduction to politics in this district. My confession, I have actually never lived in the district. I would find myself having to explain that to sources and friends I have met along the way while covering this Congressional seat and it was always interesting to see the reactions from those I confided in.

A year after the 2004 race Frank Barbaro decided not to take on Vito Fossella a second time. He held a press conference at the ferry terminal that I was unable to attend and so I tried in vain to find coverage of his announcement. There was always a massive void in coverage of Rep. Fossella and his Congressional races. More often than not the local papers and blogs associated with them would spend more time covering members of Congress from outside the city. I questioned one of them about this and they flat out told me no one was interested in this race and it was not news worthy. It was hard for me to accept that a local race for Congress or coverage of ethical lapses of one of our own representatives was not news worthy. May 2008 happened and all of a sudden papers are devoting multiple articles a week to very un-news worthy aspects of the race showing just how rusty they were in their political coverage.

As a side note to the above, another local blogger approached me over the summer to get my feedback on the whole Vito fiasco and quipped that they had information, I forget if they said they covered it, of Fossella's affairs. It is somewhat fitting and humorous that the local media who never investigated much of anything related to Fossella only became relevant after investigative reporting was a moot point.

Going back, after Barbaro's pass at a second run there was an online movement for bloggers starting up asking them to adopt a Congressional district and learn it inside and out. The thought was that we needed people on the ground to know the issues and numbers and cover those regularly instead of relying on the local print media to do so. The idea that was a tangent of that was that we would be prepared should something unexpected happen. Not many thought Fossella's seat was going to ever be a toss-up status, but potentially a strong challenger and shifting dynamic could come along at the right time to make this race competitive.

For three years now this blog had one goal, seeing that Fossella lost his seat and the district receive new representation. I have read through more FEC filings, House bills and resolutions and election law than I care to let myself acknowledge. While this has been modestly small in terms of traffic I do take pride in receiving emails from various candidate's campaigns for this office asking for background on Fossella and opinions on strategy. The down side to this faint notoriety though for sure was the week of Fossella's arrest. I rarely slept for more than a few hours in the early morning. The pace was frantic, something that would have been difficult to keep up with had this been my full time job. The light at the end of that tunnel though is the ability to ponder my own retirement.

After Fossella's arrest and eventual announcement that he would not seek re-election several people asked me what that would mean for my long quest to see him leave Congress. I still wonder that myself. For now, as you have seen, I am taking some much needed rest from the daily Google Alerts, document sifting and posting here. There will be an election to replace Congressman-elect McMahon in the City Council which may be of some interest to me. I do not have a favorite candidate there. There is the Staten Island Borough Presidency race next year as well. I think I may turn this over to campaigns for those races and let some insiders and locals have a go at covering these races. For the immediate future there is still Fossella's sentencing, a possible House ethics investigation and his last day in Congress to cover.

One thing is for sure though, I will need to eventually rename this blog, NY13 Blog; Retaking NY-13 from Rep. Vito Fossella happily can be retired soon.

2004 vs. 2008

2008
dem: 105,128 [McMahon] includes WFP numbers
rep: 57,530 [Straniere]
indy: 4,762 [Morano]
con: 5,525 [Cochrane]
wfp: unknown [McMahon]

2004
dem: 72,180 [Barbaro]
rep: 102,713 [Fossella]
indy: 2,663 [Barbaro]
con: 10,221 [Fossella]
wfp: 3,657 [Barbaro]

Without WFP numbers the biggest story here is the poor showing of the Conservative Party this cycle. The Conservative Party went from accounting for 5.3% of the vote total in 04 to 3.2% in 08. Meanwhile the Independence line nearly doubled its voters, the Conservative Party line lost half of theirs. I still have no idea what they were thinking choosing someone other than Straniere or Morano, or even McMahon if you want to go that far. They have hurt their party publicity by not having someone campaigning on their line. If they invested any money, which is unknown, it was a complete waste. This should come as no surprise though as they have been in decline for a while.

Our Democratic Bench

I had spent some more time focusing on our Democratic office holders down the ballot back when Fossella was still thought to be a man of family values. Since then it has played less of a role with the likelihood of us holding this seat for a while now. Nonetheless there were a few other victories for our side on Tuesday;

State Senator Diane Savino - 78%
Assemblyman Matt Titone - 74%
Assemblyman Mike Cusick - 63%
Assemblywoman Janele Hyer-Spencer - 55%
Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny (Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Coney Island) - 70%

We saw what a limited bench did to the Republican party this past election so it is promising to see the future of our party doing so well.

Straniere's remarks

via the Advance;

"We ran a great race, and I have my supporters and campaign staff to thank. But the tides were against us, and due to events largely out of our control -- including the severe downturn in the global economy and the declining support of the McCain-Palin ticket - -things did not go as we had hoped.

"Still, no one thought we could make this race as competitive as we did, giving voice to real concerns and forcing a spirited debate on the issues. While the debate continues, tonight I congratulate Mike McMahon on his win and a well-fought campaign."

I don't want to harp on Bob's loss too much here, but do want to point out a significant reason why he lost. He points out that a down turn in the economy cost him, signifying that people did not believe in his answers to help those in need. Bob's fiscal and conservative ideology lost and by his own admission they are not the correct path when our economy is hurting. He still has no idea what the average American is facing or what needs to be done to offer help.

Qualified Candidates

Yesterday the most qualified candidate was elect to serve in Congress. Notably Mike McMahon crushed the long held stereotype of the pundits and arm chair analysts had of this race. To win you had to be Italian and from Staten Island. For years now many have over looked qualifications for these non critical traits to determine who can run for this office.

Post primary we had Bob Straniere who didn't like in the district and Mike McMahon who wasn't Italian. A win by either would put to rest this long held ridiculous notion. After the 2010 election this district wlll grow to adjust for population growth and redistricting likely will mean inclusion of more neighborhoods of Brooklyn. It is good that before then we realize we need the most qualified candidate to run for office and not someone with the right mailing address or a last name that ends in a vowel.

Residents of this district need someone who will represent them well in Congress, be a ethical leader and someone who fights for the needs of the district. It is a profound mistake that we ever let the notion that stereotypes determine our elected leaders slip into the context of or conversations and I hope that this old way of thinking is put to rest, for the good of us all.

McMaon wins big

via press release;

McMahon Scores Sweeping Victory in Staten Island and Brooklyn Congressional Election, Sets Sight on Washington to Get Results for District

Topping Republican Opponent By Landslide 28 Points With 99% Reporting, Mike McMahon Decisively Wins Battle for 13th Congressional District Seat

Win Follows Massive GOTV Effort By McMahon, Along with Strong Fundraising and Operational Push by McMahon and National Dems

With Mandate from Staten Island and Brooklyn Voters in Hand, McMahon Looks to Washington to Bring Real Change and Results for District Residents

November 4, 2008 – Congressional candidate Michael McMahon scored a significant victory today against his opponents in the general election for the 13th Congressional District, covering all of Staten Island and parts of Southern Brooklyn. Winning in a landslide 61%-33% victory with 99% of the precincts reporting with large margins of support on both sides of the district, McMahon is the first Democrat to take the seat in 28 years. Following his victory, McMahon set his sight on winning results for the district in Washington, including funding for mass transit improvements, increasing access to health care, and creating real economic opportunity and tax relief for the district’s middle class families.

“I am grateful for the trust and faith the voters have put in me, and humbled by the difficult tasks that lie ahead. We built a coalition to achieve this victory. Democrats, Republicans, Conservatives and independents came together to vote for real change for this district, and I’ll work to build another bipartisan coalition in Washington to bring home real results. We need cooperation now more than ever. The economic crisis, crumbling infrastructure and our strained armed forces abroad will demand the best of us in Congress, and I hope to repay the voters for their trust tonight with hard work, dedication and a memory of who I’m there to serve,” McMahon said.

McMahon’s impressive victory comes after a round of notable endorsement from the Staten Island Advance and New York Times for his long record of proven results and bipartisan cooperation, nods from elected officials including Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Staten Island Borough Presidnet James Molinaro and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, as well as key labor endorsements from over twenty local unions.

McMahon ran a strong campaign out of the gates, raising $500,000 for his campaign within only three weeks of announcing his candidacy, and raising $1.4 million overall. McMahon attracted top-flight campaign talent from the Obama and Clinton campaigns, as well as Senator Schumer’s office, and the offices of Representatives Joe Crowley and Steve Israel. Over the course of the campaign, McMahon attracted hundreds of volunteers who knocked on over 30,000 doors and called over 100,000 voters, blanketing the district with grassroots support.

McMahon also earned a spot on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's vaunted “Red to Blue” program, ensuring key financial, communications and strategic backing for the campaign, along with a rare primary endorsement from DCCC Chairman Representative Chris Van Hollen and area visits from Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar.

McMahon’s sharply increased name recognition and strong margins on both Staten Island and in Brooklyn in the election leave him primed to best represent the residents of the 13th Congressional District, and bring home the results for his district from Congress as he did for seven years from the City Council.

Congressman McMahon

McMahon 61%
Straniere 33%
Cochrane 3%
Morano 3%

Tonight

I will not be blogging the election results tonight.  You can get the results faster on silive.com than I can update, so I am just duplicating efforts.  It is a little weird not to be blogging numbers as they come in, but I want to enjoy tonight.  

Here are some things to be looking at.  In 2004 this is how the Fossella v. Barbaro race ended;

Totals 2004

rep: 102,713

dem: 72,180

indy: 2,663  [Barbaro]

con: 10,221 [Fossella]

wfp:  36575 [Barbaro]

With Straniere at the top of the Republican line, expect many disillusioned voters to turn to the Independence and Conservative candidates.  They certainly both should far out pace the 2004 numbers for their party.  I am anticipating McMahon running away with this race.  So with that in mind here are the questions;

1. How much will Straniere loss by?  Barbaro took 41%, Harrison 43%

2. Can Carmine Morano over take Straniere for second?  For this to happen McMahon would likely have to be held close to or under 50%, while Morano and Straniere end up in the low 20%'s.

Good luck tonight to the McMahon campaign.

Vote: McMahon on Working Families Party line

Vote today. I suggest you vote for Mike McMahon on the Working Families Party line. Why do this? Well I have covered the WFP several times on their blog and how strong their voter mobilization efforts are. They also are a great advocate for New Yorkers in Albany helping with minimum wage issues, economic and employment issues that benefit everyone. Show your support for change in Washington DC and change in New York.

Vote Mike McMahon on Line E

Vote McMahon on "Row E"

I received the following ask from a Working Families Party who is asking supporters to vote for Obama on their ballot line. I have inserted McMahon, but the reasonings are still the same. I hope you consider this;

Good candidates are important, and we have one in Mike McMahon.

We hope you're not just voting for him, but doing so enthusiastically on the Working Families ballot line ("Row E").

At least as important as the candidate is the party. Parties allow people to support a set of values, not just a candidate. Voting on the Working Families line on Tuesday counts the same, but it also says "Yes!" to the Working Families view of the world.

You're saying: we can do better than this. We can create a country in which all people have a decent shot at a meaningful, secure life.

It's not pie-in-the-sky. We know how to do it.

Health care for everyone. A decent job with decent wages. A house or an apartment you can afford. A good school with a good teacher. An end to stupid foreign policy adventures. An end to Wall Street rip-off artists.

That's the Working Families Party. We stand with you 365 days a year. Please stand with us tomorrow by voting for the entire Working Families Party ticket.

Staniere's struggle

Ouch ;

"The candidates are now making their last-ditch efforts to reach voters. But given the dissension in the island's Republican ranks, Straniere has to wonder how many will listen to him."

GOP faces historic loses in NY

via Newsday ;

"Never in the history of the Republican Party - going back to before the Civil War - have there been so few members of the GOP representing the Empire State in Congress. Currently, there are six New York Republicans in the House of Representatives and 23 Democrats.

After the election on Tuesday, the number of Republicans is expected to dwindle further. With four GOP seats at risk of Democratic takeover, the state could be left with as few as two Republican lawmakers."

Advance endorsement of McMahon, part IV

The Staten Island Advance has a lengthy write up on why they are endorsing Mike McMahon for Congress. Here is the fourth part;

Indeed, we commend all four candidates for an intelligent, civil and highly informative campaign. They've raised the level of discourse in Staten Island politics and deserve the thanks of every voter.

The clear choice for us, however, is Mr. McMahon, who has been forced to be on top of his game by these three exceptional challengers. He came through the debates and the forums with flying colors, in our estimation.

Now we urge Staten Island voters to get him through the last part of the way and reward him with a hard-earned victory in the contest for the borough's congressional seat come Election Day.

Vote McMahon on Working Families Party Line

via a WFP email;

After eight years of breathtaking stupidity and lying by our nation's leaders, we are on the verge of a new era in American politics. Or so we hope.

If Obama and the Congressional Democrats win on November 4th, the pressure on them to play it safe will be enormous. The healthcare crisis, the mortgage crisis, the lack of family-supporting jobs, the need for a green path to energy independence, the heartbreaking loss of life in Iraq - each one will require audaciousness from Obama and Congress.

They will only be as bold as we make them.

Votes on the Working Families Party line send a clear message: be bold. And you can be confident that the WFP will continue the fight after Election Day.

It's time politicians put working people above big corporations. It's time to guarantee affordable healthcare. And it's time we protect homeowners at least as much as investment bankers.

Even with a change of parties in Washington (or Albany), we'll have to work as hard as ever to make that vision a reality.
Of course, that's why we're here.

Take the Working Families pledge, and then help spread the word:
http://www.workingfamiliesparty.org/obama/

48 hour notice updates

Earlier this week we had fund raising numbers from October 15 through 28;

McMahon (D): $105,347.87
Straniere (R): $15,600

The numbers since then through October 31 are;

McMahon (D): $49,100
Straniere (R): $1,000

TOTALS:
McMahon: $154,447
Straniere: $16,600

Mike McMahon is closing out this election with great fundraising numbers, while Straniere is still struggling to bring in enough to cover final campaign costs like office rent, staff salaries and supplies.

Advance endorsement of McMahon, part III

The Staten Island Advance has a lengthy write up on why they are endorsing Mike McMahon for Congress. Here is the third part;

But Mr. Straniere has always had chinks in his armor. One is that he talks a good game, sometimes taking credit for things in which he had only a peripheral role, but he was never especially productive as a legislator. Of course, in fairness, as a perennial member of the minority in the Assembly, he was always stymied. However, as a member of the likely Republican minority in the House, we fear he'd again fall back on press releases and public pronouncements.

Of more concern is the astonishing number of financial and legal entanglements that have bedeviled him throughout his political career, and even after he left public office. At some point, we've got to wonder what he's been doing to bring on all this trouble.

And, while Mr. Straniere recently established a residence in New Springville in furtherance of his congressional run (though members of the House are not required to live in the districts they represent), questions about his actual place of residence have always hung over him. These kinds of doubts and Mr. Straniere's elusiveness in addressing them raise issues of trust.

Advance endorsement of McMahon, part II

The Staten Island Advance has a lengthy write up on why they are endorsing Mike McMahon for Congress. Here is the second part;

Mr. McMahon has always been thoughtful and well-reasoned in articulating his positions, including on national and international issues. We have no doubt that this approach, which is all too rare in national politics these days, will enable him to make a seamless transition to the larger stage the House of Representatives affords.

While there's always a danger a freshman lawmaker will be dazzled by his elevated status and perhaps too eager to please new leaders, we believe Mr. McMahon will make the best use of his new platform while continuing his intense and effective involvement in Staten Island-specific issues.

Advance endorsement of McMahon, part I

The Staten Island Advance has a lengthy write up on why they are endorsing Mike McMahon for Congress. Here is the first part;

The diversity of Mr. McMahon's backers is a testament to his sensible, practical approach to the business of lawmaking and political leadership. He has consistently disdained ideology and partisan politics in favor of building consensus to achieve realistic goals.

The best evidence of his pragmatic style was his key role, as chairman of the Council Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management, in forging the city's long-term solid-waste management plan. To do this, he had to work behind the scenes with other Council members whose boroughs would be affected, as well as with the Bloomberg administration itself.

and

Lately, he has been at the fore of the effort to pressure the Health and Hospitals Corp. to provide a fair level of health-care funding for this borough of beleaguered private hospital systems.

We expect that he will be an even more forceful champion in this important struggle should he be elected to Congress.

And, at the federal level, Staten Islanders will demand that he become a powerful advocate for the major mass transportation improvements Staten Island sorely needs. Those who vote for him are counting on it.

Saturday: Get out the vote rally for McMahon

GOTV rally and canvass kick off
585 North Gannon Ave, Westerleigh Office [Google Map]
Saturday, 10am

Also I am told there will be free food! So come out and help with the final push to take back this Congressional seat.

Staten Island Advance Endorses McMahon

via press release:

Staten Island Advance Endorses McMahon in Race for Congress

Advance Gives McMahon Its “Wholehearted Endorsement” in Race for 13th Congressional District, Citing His “Thoughtful, Well-Reasoned” Positions and “Sensible, Practical” Approach to Building Bipartisan Coalitions to Get Results

October 30, 2008 – In a glowing editorial today, Michael McMahon's congressional campaign won the influential endorsement of the Staten Island Advance in the race for the 13th Congressional District seat covering all of Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn. The Advance touted McMahon’s record of accomplishment on the City Council, including his championing of the city’s first solid waste management plan, creating more ferry service, and spearheading the effort to expand health care services on Staten Island. The editorial also lauded McMahon’s ability to each across the aisle and work with colleagues to get real results.

update: fixed formating

Saturday: Get out the vote rally for McMahon

GOTV rally and canvass kick off
585 North Gannon Ave, Westerleigh Office [Google Map]
Saturday, 10am

Also I am told there will be free food! So come out and help with the final push to take back this Congressional seat.

McMahon announces support for Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

via press release;

October 30, 2008 – Standing with the next generation of working women at Wagner College, Congressional candidate Michael McMahon today announced his support for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which was defeated this year in Congress. The Fair Pay Act, which was drafted in response to a 2007 Supreme Court ruling making it significantly harder for women to sue for pay discrimination, will likely be reintroduced in next year’s Congress. Currently, women make only 77.8 cents to the dollar for men.

“As a father and husband, I think it’s shameful that we haven’t been able to close the gender wage gap. This legislation will go lengths in ensuring that when women face inequality in the workplace, they will be able to fight for and protect their right to fair, equal treatment,” McMahon said.

On May 29, 2007, the Supreme Court handed down a 5-4 ruling that made it significantly harder for women and other workers to sue their employers for discrimination in pay. Lilly Ledbetter had been chronically underpaid since she began working for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in 1979, but did not discover the discrimination until decades later. In March 1998 she inquired into possible discriminatory practices by the company, and filed charges in July.

The Court ruled that since Ledbetter had not filed her charge of pay discrimination within 180 days of her employer’s initial decision to pay her less (dating back to her start of employment), she could not receive any relief. Under longstanding precedent and the interpretation of the EEOC, every paycheck resulting from an earlier discriminatory pay decision is considered a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and other key anti-discrimination statutes. Therefore, as long as a worker files within 180 days of a discriminatory paycheck, their charges are considered as timely. The Court ruling upended that practice, instead restricting workers to file charges within 180 days of the initial discrimination, during which time the discrimination may be difficult or impossible to detect due to the fact that pay discrimination often occurs in small increments over long periods of time, and because the pay information of fellow workers is typically confidential and unavailable for comparison.

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act would have changed the law to begin a new 180 day statute of limitations with every paycheck. It would also clarify that, once a worker files a charge, he or she needs not keep filing new charges with each new paycheck.

The legislation is essential to ensure that women are able to protect their right to equal pay for equal work, enshrined in the Equal Pay Act of 1963 which made it illegal to pay men and women different wages for equal work on jobs that require similar skill sets, effort and responsibility under comparable working conditions. Yet, since the Act’s passage forty-five years ago, women’s wages have only progressed from 58.9 cents on the dollar compared to men to 77.8 cents on the dollar – less than a half-cent per year.

48 hour notice updates

Here are the contribution updates via 48 hour notice filings. These contributions have come in after the October 15 pre-general filing I recently updated;

McMahon (D): $105,347.87
Straniere (R): $15,600

Morano files pre-general FEC report

Carmine Morano has finally filed his pre-general FEC report and it doesn't look good. He has carried over his debt of $999.44 from last filing. He has even know dipped into his own bank account loaning himself $41,000. Must be nice to have enough money in this economy to just be able to give yourself that much money without worrying about getting it back.

Morano has to realize he won't win this race against McMahon so he must be trying to beat out Straniere for a second place finish. It looks like he is setting himself up for a 2010 run with an endorsement from the Republican party.

McMahon has a real campaign operation

It is almost funny to see media covering one candidate or another's volunteers showing up at an event. Once again McMahon's enthusiastic volunteers showed up prior to last night's debate for visibility and campaign work. Once again it has grabbed headlines;

The inclement weather did not keep Democrat Mike McMahon's forces from the Staten Island's Hilton Garden Inn.

About 30 supporters arrived more than an hour before the congressional debate.

I am sure sooner or later Bob will get some volunteers excited about this candidacy.

Saturday: Get out the vote rally for McMahon

GOTV rally and canvass kick off
585 North Gannon Ave, Westerleigh Office [Google Map]
Saturday, 10am

Also I am told there will be free food! So come out and help with the final push to take back this Congressional seat.

Gov. Paterson and McMahon at the ferry tonight

Governor Paterson and Mike McMahon will be greeting ferry riders at the terminal tonight at 5:45.

Republicans going extinct

Ouch;

Loss of the 13th District seat would only add to the woes of the Republican Party statewide, which was once dominated by figures such as Nelson Rockefeller and Alfonse D'Amato but now seems headed for extinction.

McMahon on healthcare

From tonight's debate: When asked what bill, if guaranteed to pass, would each candidate put forward as their first act as a member of Congress, Mike McMahon offered the following;

A bill that says universal health care is "a right, not a privilege."

It will be great having this man in Congress.

A cow follows Bob from Manhattan

The New York State Democratic Committee sent a costumed cow to Bob Straniere's campaign events this morning to protest his hypocritical position on taxes. During his time in the Assembly, Straniere voted for over $2 billion in new taxes - he even supported raising taxes on milk.

Straniere voted for massive tax increases

via a NY Dems press release;

Billion Dollar Bob: Republican Candidate Voted for Over $2 Billion in New Taxes

Straniere even supported raising the milk tax

Republican Bob Straniere is an expert at making promises he doesn't keep. While he continues to tell Staten Island and Brooklyn voters that he'll lower their taxes - his record says something to the contrary. During his time in the Assembly, Straniere voted for over $2 billion in new taxes.

Straniere voted against eliminating the state sales tax and against reducing property taxes. He also supported income and sales tax hikes, and even voted to raise the tax on milk.

"Not only has Bob Straniere voted for tax hikes that directly impacted Staten Island and Brooklyn voters, his new economic proposals blatantly ignore the needs of middle class families in his district," said Carly Lindauer, New York State Democratic Committee spokeswoman. "Voters in the 13th District cannot afford to send another out of touch Republican to Washington."

Billion Dollar Bob: Straniere's Voting History

FACT: Straniere voted against eliminating the state sales tax on clothing (which at the time would have amounted to a 4% discount). [SI Advance, 4/3/1997]

FACT: Straniere voted against reducing property taxes that would have provided homeowners with $650 million in relief. [SI Advance, 4/3/1997]

FACT: Straniere voted in favor of an income and sales tax hike, which amounted to $1.7 billion in new taxes, and even supported a 21-cent-per-gallon increased tax on milk. [SI Advance, 5/6/2003; 1/25/1998]

Overall, Straniere supported $2.35 billion in new taxes.

Saturday: Get out the vote rally for McMahon

GOTV rally and canvass kick off
585 North Gannon Ave, Westerleigh Office [Google Map]
Saturday, 10am

Also I am told there will be free food! So come out and help with the final push to take back this Congressional seat.

Straniere and McCain

via Bob from Manhattan;

Said Straniere, "Senator Obama had a chance to match his rhetoric with his actions and instead he matched his liberal record with choosing a fellow liberal to run with. I want to thank Senator Obama for his decision because there will be no confusion for the voters this November."

and from the Washington Post comes this unfortunate reality;

McCain's awful campaign is having awful consequences down the ballot. I spoke a little while ago to a senior Republican House member. "There is not a safe Republican seat in the country," he warned. "I don't mean that we're going to lose all of them. But we could lose any of them."

Debate tonight 7:30

Debate tonight between McMahon, Bob Straniere, Morano and Tim Cochrane (i.e. the Conservative Party fundraising effort) at 7:30 in the main ballroom at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bloomfield.

When: 7:30 PM

Are we finally building a district-wide ground opperation?

Feb 2007;

The WFP GOTV effort has shown us that the old rhetoric that a seat is not winnable or is too conservative no longer rings true. How scalable and influential can this be in a congressional district in a Presidential year, well that remains to be seen. However we have learned one thing, that here in New York City, where incumbents and party machines seem to rule, good old canvassing and volunteer armies can shake things up from time to time.

March 2007;

And Innamorato, an Eltingville resident, said he will continue to fly the Democratic flag on the South Shore no matter what.

"I'm committed to building the party, enrolling voters and delivering good candidates to them," he said.

This week via the Advance;

In 2007, the McMahon forces worked the district on behalf of Manny Innamorato, who lost a City Council special election to Republican Vinny Ignizio.

At the time, McMahon and his supporters were looking down the road toward a possible 2009 run for Borough Hall.

As it turns out, the experience has come in handy a little sooner than expected.

"We're trying to get into every area of Staten Island, and into Brooklyn, every day," McMahon said of his overall campaign strategy. "And we're trying to spread our events around. That's an important message to send."

Debate tomorrow 7:30 PM

Tomorrow's debate between McMahon, Bob Straniere, Morano and Tim Cochrane (i.e. the Conservative Party fundraising effort) is at 7:30 in the main ballroom at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bloomfield.

When: 7:30 PM

Rothenberg keeps race as Dem Favored

Nothing new here. Rothenberg predicts another 25-30 Democratic house pick ups further expanding their majority.

LTE: Vote for McMahon

via Advance;

WE HAVE A BIG OPPORTUNITY: VOTE FOR MICHAEL McMAHON

Staten Islanders and Brooklynites now have a great opportunity. They can vote for Councilman Mike McMahon for Congress.

Being a proactive representative of the North Shore for the past seven years, he is now in a position to do the same as our congressman.

As a person who has made quality-of-life issues his passion, he should be embraced by the voting public.

Republicans may never hold this seat again

via the Examiner;

"Bob Straniere is hated by the party. He is one of the people most despised by Republicans on the island," said Doug Muzzio, a professor of politics at Baruch College. "He's going to lose, and he will probably lose it big, even in a borough that often votes Republican. After Fossella, they may never hold that congressional seat again."

Term Limits

Thursday the city council passed Mayor Bloomberg's proposal to change term limits to allow all of them to run for a third term. This has been put to referendum twice and the people of New York City twice affirmed their desire to limit elected officials to two terms. Reading city council member's responses shed some light on a few people who are or were on the short list to be sent to Congress on behalf of the voters of this district;

Mike McMahon voted against over turning term limits.

Bill DeBlasio, the 2006 brief candidate for the Democratic nomination also voted no. In his statements he said;

George Orwell would have loved the arguments made by the Mayor and Speaker. He calls this "stealing like a thief in the night the shape of our democracy."

Domenic Recchia, the 2008 would be Democratic candidate, who ran for this seat, piled up money then dropped out voted in favor of over turning term limits;

Recchia just praised the Council for getting work going on redevelopment of Coney Island. "But if I can't be on Council, how will I know that the work will get done?"

Ingnizo and Oddo the two Republican council members from Staten Island voted no.

Pre-General fundraising reports, Straniere struggling still

The last FEC report we will see before the election is the pre-general reports covering the period of October 1-15. Here are the numbers raised;

McMahon: $113,000
Straniere: $37,000

With the numbers Bob from Manhattan has raised his cash on hand numbers actually increased from $1,900 to $10,533. Simply put these are still horrible numbers for Bob. I don't even know how this guy pays rent for his offices let alone how he pays for campaign costs.

h/t to Swing State Project

update: Cash on hand numbers are updated in the right column.
update2: Morano (I) seems to have not filed his numbers yet and Cochrane (C) seems to not be filing any FEC reports, not sure what that is about.

New York Times Endorses McMahon

via McMahon press release;

NYT Cites McMahon’s Exemplary Council Record in Today’s Endorsement for the 13th Congressional District
October 25, 2008 – Michael McMahon's congressional campaign today won the endorsement of the New York Times in the race for the 13th Congressional District seat covering all of Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn. The Times highlighted McMahon’s “excellent” tenure as a Council Member, fighting “hard for environmental and transportation improvements that are badly needed in his district”.

Read the full endorsement below:

“13th District: If there were a prize for the most bizarre federal race this year, it would go to the campaign in Staten Island to replace Representative Vito Fossella, a Republican who decided not to run again after he was arrested for drunken driving and confessed to having a second family. One favored replacement died, and former Assemblyman Bob Straniere became the Republican choice by default.

Fortunately, Michael McMahon, a member of City Council, is the Democratic candidate. Mr. McMahon has been an excellent councilman who has fought hard for environmental and transportation improvements that are badly needed in his district. We endorse his bid to expand on that work in Congress.”

Today’s endorsement is the latest in a series of positive developments for McMahon, including endorsements from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro, and backing from the city’s law enforcement unions the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, Detectives Endowment Association, Captains Endowment Association, Lieutenants Benevolent Association, Sergeants Benevolent Association, and the New York State Court Officers Association and New York State Supreme Court Officers Association, as well as the Uniformed Sanitationmen's Association Local 831, and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 726.

McMahon also received key support in the primary and going into the general, including primary endorsements from the Staten Island Advance, New York Times, Brooklyn Paper and Courier Life, endorsements from elected leaders including Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator Charles Schumer, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, former Mayor Ed Koch, and members of the New York City Congressional Delegation, and critical labor support from the New York State AFL–CIO, the United Federation of Teachers, 1199 SEIU Healthcare East, UFCW, UFA, UFOA and RWDSU.

Upon entering the race, McMahon also earned a spot on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's vaunted “Red to Blue” program, promising financial, communications and strategic support from the national party.

The General Election will be held on November 4th.

538 on New York

FiveThirtyEight.com is a great website that tracks polling and has been doing a run down of each state and 'what to watch for' on election night. Here is New York;

What To Watch For

The federal-level action in New York this year is in the House, where at least two seats appear poised to flip R to D due to retirements, Jim Walsh's 25th Syracuse district and Vito Fossella's 13th Staten Island district. Just as both of those seats are rated "Lean D" by the Cook Political Report, Republican incumbent Randy Kuhl's 29th district seat is also extremely vulnerable due to a very strong challenege by Eric Massa. Outside of Buffalo and just north of the 29th is the toss-up 26th, an open seat being vacated by Tom Reynolds. If all four seats turn out to be Democratic pickups, only two Republicans will remain in New York's caucus. [emphasis my own]

GOP has NY-13 on their "death list"

According to US News and World Report an internal Republican document was provided by an unnamed Republican source showing that the GOP not only has no intentions of helping out Straniere but they have added this race to their "death list" indicating they expect to lose the seat;

The document provided to Whispers is no gag: It comes from one of the key House GOP vote counters. The source called it a "death list." The tally shows several different ratings of 66 House Republicans in difficult races or open seats held by retiring Republicans. "Rating 1" finds 10 Republicans "likely gone." Those districts are New York 13, Alaska, Arizona 1, Virginia 11, New York 25, Illinois 11, Florida 24, Michigan 7, Nevada 3, and North Carolina 8.

Brutal reality check for Fossella

The Daily News comes out with a hard hitting piece today Good-Bye, Vito.

If Fossella - the sole Republican in the city's congressional delegation - harbors thoughts about a return to public life after his current term ends, he should abandon them now.

The article leaves Fossella with a little advice he should probably heed;

Aside from avoiding a five-day jail sentence, Fossella needs to concentrate on raising his families. Both of them.

Correction: Recchia maxed out to McMahon

In the previous post I asked why Recchia wasn't donating to congressional campaigns and mentioned McMahon along with several other Democratic challengers in New York State.  That statement was incorrect.  On July 23 I wrote that Recchia had maxed out his contribution to Mike McMahon for the primary and general election, totaling $4,600.  My apologies on that mistake.  

Recchia's congressional money still lingering

Domenic Recchia, the one time candidate for this office dropped out of the race with around $270,000 cash. Since this is a federal campaign he can not transfer this money to any city races so he has to either refund it or donate it to other federal campaigns. At the end of the third quarter his non-existent campaign still has $160,000 in its coffers. Last quarter he made the following contributions;

Alan Meisel $1,000
Delia Schack $1,700

Best I can tell is that they are Brooklyn district leaders. Didn't realize that was allowable but the confusion lies in why he has yet to give any of this money to Congressional races that need the help. There is no contribution to McMahon, Massa, Maffei, or Kryzan. This deserves some more attention.

More on Fossella's DWi guilty verdict

So we jumped the gun a little. Fossella has been found guilty of his DWI but his punishment has not been decided. There is yet another court date when the presiding judge will hand down her decision. Jail time, time served, a fine, etc. That is scheduled for December 8th. After that Fossella has the option of appealing to a jury case and wasting even more tax dollars trying to declare he is above the laws of average Americans.

The Advance today also has his only public statement;

"I'm grateful that this matter was presented in fuller detail before the court today and for the public to hear for the first time an honest and straightforward account of what happened that night instead of sensationalized media accounts.

"As I have said before, I made a serious mistake and I want to again apologize for setting the wrong example.

"I believe we live in nation of laws, that no one person is above the law and I look forward to the Judge's final determination in December.

"In the meantime, I will continue working hard for all the people of Staten Island and Brooklyn who are facing real tough times as our nation goes through this financial crisis.

Fossella's DWI guilty verdict, a round-up

via Advance;


Bay Ridge Rover; Vito Fossella: Guilty

Washington Post; N.Y. Congressman Convicted of DUI

CQPolitics; New York Congressman Fossella Found Guilty of Drunken Driving

McMahon has 24,150% more money than Bob

Swing State Project gives us a run down on the cash advantages in open seats , currently ranking NY-13 as the highest cash on hand differential.  They report that McMahon holds 24,150% times the cash that Straniere does.

Swing State upgrades race once again

They have now declared this a "Safe Dem" seat. This is the only seat they rank as flipping that they are declaring safe.

FOSSELLA CONVICTED

Will serve a 5 day jail sentence.

Judge currently deciding Fossella's fate

Both sides have made closing arguments in Vito's DWI case. The judge is likely to make a decision soon...

Straniere is BROKE

Vito Fossella has more money in his campaign accounts than Bob Straniere.

Straniere is BROKE

$1,918.39

That is how much money Bob from Manhattan has in his bank account as of his FEC filing. By comparison Mike McMahon has $482,984. Fundraising totals aside, cash on hand numbers may be the most critical factor right now. This cash in the bank is the money that they will use over the next three weeks to get their ground game going. This money buys literature. This money offsets costs for volunteers. This money pays canvassers (we know Bob doesn't have an excited volunteer base like Mike). Simply put Bob doesn't have enough money to pay his staff and office rent for the next week, let alone enough money to run a campaign for the next three weeks.

If you give money to Bob at this point realize it is just going to pay down his likely incurred debt and not towards any actual campaign efforts.

McMahon's 3Q press release

via the campaign;

McMahon Surpasses $1 Million Mark in Only Five Months – Raises Commanding $331,335 in Past Six Weeks For 13th Congressional District Race
October 16, 2008 – Congressional candidate Michael McMahon today announced that he raised a remarkable $331,335 in just the last six weeks of his campaign for the 13th Congressional District. The latest filing, from August 21st to September 30th, brings McMahon’s total fundraising past the $1 million mark to $1,042,980 in just five months since the start of the campaign, leaving him with $482,984 on hand.

By comparison, McMahon’s Republican opponent Robert Straniere raised $71,377.50 this period, bringing his total to $86,346.00 for the entire campaign, leaving him with only $1,918.39 on hand. Independent candidate Carmine Morano has raised $6,450, and ended the period $41,000 in debt. Conservative candidate Tim Cochrane’s filing has not yet been posted.

“For the past seven years, Mike McMahon has been a strong voice on the City Council for change and results in his district. This unbelievable outpouring of support shows that district residents now want Mike to bring that record of results to Congress. With the continued support of the district, Mike will bring the fight for smart economic policies, middle class tax relief, increased transportation funding, and improved health care all the way to Washington,” said McMahon spokesperson Erin Monju.

McMahon remains in a strong position going into the general election, with national observers rating the race “likely Democrat” across the board.

Today’s filing is the latest in a series of positive developments for McMahon, including endorsements from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro, endorsements from the city’s law enforcement unions the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, Detectives Endowment Association, Captains Endowment Association, Lieutenants Benevolent Association, Sergeants Benevolent Association, and the New York State Court Officers Association and New York State Supreme Court Officers Association, as well as the Uniformed Sanitationmen's Association Local 831, and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 726.

McMahon also received key support in the primary and going into the general, including primary endorsements from the Staten Island Advance, New York Times, Brooklyn Paper and Courier Life, endorsements from elected leaders including Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator Charles Schumer, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, former Mayor Ed Koch, and members of the New York City Congressional Delegation, and critical labor support from the New York State AFL–CIO, the United Federation of Teachers, 1199 SEIU Healthcare East, UFCW, UFA, UFOA and RWDSU.

Upon entering the race, McMahon also earned a spot on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's vaunted “Red to Blue” program, promising financial, communications and strategic support from the national party.

The General Election will be held on November 4th.

CQPolitics: The Strange Saga of New York's 13th District

McMahon raised $490K, crushes Straniere

Third Quarter FEC reports are out.  Remember this filing was split into a pre-primary and an October quarterly .  Here is where McMahon and Straniere came in;

Mike McMahon (D)

October Quarterly: $325,332

Pre-Primary: 166,076

3Q Total: $491,408

Cash on Hand: $482,984

Cash to Date: $1,043,459

Bob from Manhattan (R) 

October Quarterly:

Pre-Primary:

3Q Total: $86,000

Cash on Hand: $2,000

Cash to Date: $86,000

McMahon and Straniere in Dongan Hills, 6 PM

Mike McMahon and Bob Straniere will both appear at Iron Hills Civic Association on at 6 p.m.

St. Charles Mission Center
209 Flagg Place Dongan Hills [Google Maps]


View Larger Map

Fossella's DWI court case tomorrow

Oct. 17 at 9:30 a.m.

Breaking: McMahon has a real campaign

This is no knock on the Advance, and I regularly am critical of them. But isn't it sad that it is news that Mike McMahon has an organized campaign and have volunteers show up to the debate tonight? From Tom's blog;

The McMahon forces arrived at the debate site about two hours early, getting to the Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomfield, around 5:30 and holding a campaign rally in the hotel parking lot near South Avenue that was visible to all arriving for the event.

Is this a sign of how pathetic Bob from Manhattan's campaign is or a sign of how strong Mike McMahon's campaign is?

Wrobleski interviews McMahon pre-debate

Debate tonight 7:30, on TV at 9:30

The first debate between McMahon, Bob Straniere, Morano and Tim Cochrane (i.e. the Conservative Party fundraising effort) is this Wednesday at 7:30 in the main ballroom at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bloomfield. Note the debate is at 7:30 but won't be on TV until 9:30;

When: 7:30 PM, Wednesday

On TV: Channel 76 at 9:30 PM
Time Warner cable customers: Staten Island On Demand on Channel 1111 for free

Next Debate: Oct. 28 at 7:30 PM

2 days until Fossella's DWI court date

Oct. 17 at 9:30 a.m.

Support McMahon, attend tonight's debate

via campaign email;

The debate begins at 7:30pm, and we hope you will come out and show your support for Mike McMahon!

Volunteers are meeting at 6pm on South Avenue and Lois Lane, at the entrance to the Hilton parking lot. We encourage everyone to attend the debate. We will provide tickets to the debate to all those who volunteer.

Please RSVP to Phil at (718) 698-0649 or volunteer@mcmahonforcongress.com.

Rothenberg keeps race as Dem Favored

The new Rothenberg updates are out and there is actually no news here. They are keeping this race as Dem Favored, the highest rating they give to a seat likely to flip. This is only one of three currently held Republican seats that Rothenberg lists as Dem Favored. Rothenberg does not list any Democratic held seats as Republican Favored.

Fossella vs. FEC rules

On July 17 we took a look at Fossella's FEC reports and the curious trend that his campaign continued to accept and potentially solicit donations after his arrest and even after his declaration that he wasn't running for re-election. While the focus of that post was the excessive loyalty of his donors who continued to give after his arrest and admitted adultery there seems to be a new problem for Fossella, namely FEC rules. There are two rules he has run afoul of and the FEC is now demanding action.

1. Primary election contributions received after May 20th, when Fossella declared he was no longer a candidate, must be refunded
2. Since Fossella is not running for re-election any money received for the general election must be refunded

There are a few instances where the money can be kept but for the most part it appears Fossella will have to refund the majority of this money. So what? Well we know Fossella has been sitting on about $270,000. Fossella had the option of donating to various candidates, including his endangered Republican House and Senate members running for re-election as well as donating large (unlimited I believe) sums back to the NRCC for them to use as they need. Also he could sit on it for a future run for federal office again should he be so daring. Instead Fossella has sulked and did nothing with the money and so now large portions of that war chest will be refunded.

If I did my math right it looks like the FEC is noting around $160,000 is in question.

3 days until Fossella's DWI court date

Oct. 17 at 9:30 a.m.

A preview of 3Q fundraising numbers

In anticipation of third quarter FEC filings I took a look at 48 Hour Contribution Notices to see how the two campaigns are comparing. FEC rules state that campaigns must report any contribution over $1,000 when that contribution comes within 20 days of an election. Here is what the two campaigns have filed so far;

Bob Straniere: $35,300
Mike McMahon: $48,000

This brings Bob's cumulative total to $50,000 in donations, without seeing his smaller donations. This still puts him only about $700,000 behind McMahon.

4 days until Fossella's DWI court date

Oct. 17 at 9:30 a.m.

Another Siena poll, Tom Wrobleski doesn't cover it

Remember how Tom covered one cherry picked poll by Siena showing a 46-41% lead for Obama? Tom didn't say this was bad news himself but he did interview others and printed them saying so. Well there is now four polls since that article showing Obama with 13, 17, 19 and 22 point leads. The last is Siena's newest poll showing Obama leading in New York 58-6%. So where are the follow up articles with Tom interviewing people about what this massive lead for Obama will do to New York races? Well I am sure it will come any day now...

Debate this Wednesday, tickets available

The first debate between McMahon, Bob Straniere, Morano and Tim Cochrane (i.e. the Conservative Party fundraising effort) is this Wednesday at 7:30 in the main ballroom at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bloomfield. Details;

When: 7:30 PM, Wednesday

On TV: Channel 76 at 9:30 p.m.
Time Warner cable customers: Staten Island On Demand on Channel 1111 for free

Tickets: Free, e-mail your name, address and telephone number to newsroom@siadvance.com, or call 718-816-3985

5 days until Fossella's DWI court date

Oct. 17 at 9:30 a.m.

Canvass this Sunday for McMahon

If you want to get involved with this race, or any race, the most influential thing you can do is canvass. For those of you not familiar with political campaigns, canvassing is simply going door to door in your neighborhood and talking to registered voters, your neighbors, about this race. Voters are much more likely to be convinced to vote when their neighbors talk to them and explain why they are supporting McMahon. If you have some time get out in your own neighborhood and help make sure we win this seat.

Sunday @ 12PM

Staten Island locations
585 N. Gannon Avenue [Google Map]
31 Water Street [Google Map]
4001 Hylan Blvd [Google Map]

Brooklyn locations
7321 15th Avenue [Google Map]

if you have questions or to RSVP

call (718) 916-9080 or
email volunteer@mikemcmahonforcongress.com

6 days until Fossella's DWI court date

Oct. 17 at 9:30 a.m.

Cochrane and Conservative Party mislead donors

Tim Cochrane (who?), the Conservative Party nominee, has a Congressional campaign website up, http://timcochraneforcongress.com.  That in itself is not really news, what is is the deception this site creates.  If you take a look at the bottom of the site you will see that this is a page paid for by the Conservative Party of New York, not Cochrane's campaign.  Seemingly an innocent statement but one that is rather misleading.  For comparison the disclaimer on Straniere's site "Paid for by Straniere for Congress."  If this really was Cochrane's campaign site he would need to disclose that and who is paying the bills to keep the site running.  In both cases the answer would need to be his campaign, not a political party.

Next for the where this misleading is going.  Take a look at the contribute page, where you see Tim's face and "Timothy Cochrane for Congress."  The problem is all money you give, that you expect will go to his congressional campaign actually goes to the Conservative Party.  This is what the fine print says;

Indiviudals may contribute a maximum amount of $5,000 to the New York State Conservative Party Federal Account.

Contributions or gifts to the Conservative party Federal Account are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes.

Cochrane's "campaign site" is just a ruse covering up a slightly elaborate fund raising attempt for the Party. The money an unsuspecting donor gives them through this site does no go to Cochrane nor does it need to be used on Cochrane's race at all and my guess is very little of it will make it to his futile campaign.  How disingenuous must the Conservative Party be to mislead sympathetic donors into giving them money when they think they are giving to a local Congressional candidate?

7 days until Fossella's DWI court date

Oct. 17 at 9:30 a.m.

Any hopes of national Republican involvement is gone

The NRCC, the Republican equivalent of the DCCC today has pulled money out of ad buys in several seats showing tremendous weakness in their offensive plan. They have pulled money out of four of their top Democratic held targets. Additionally they have started building a firewall around certain incumbents they will try to protect, none of them will be competitive open seats.

With only about $22 million available to spend on races and many contests requiring a media buy of $1 million to make any impact, the NRCC simply cannot play in all the districts it needs to. And when Republican and GOP-leaning groups do spend their cash in the final weeks of the campaign, it may be too late to rescue Republican candidates who have picked up heavy negatives over the previous month.

I would say this is disastrous news for Bob Straniere, but honestly this is not high on his list of problems to worry about.

Sanitation workers endorse McMahon

Another day another endorsement for McMahon;

McMahon, a Democrat who is running to replace Vito Fossella in Congress, accepted the endorsement today at Staten Island's Sanitation Garage No. 3 in Travis while being flanked by about 100 sanitation workers and the union's president, Harry Nespoli.

"Mike McMahon has always supported the working men and women of this district in the City Council, and has been very conscientious of the issues we face day to day on the job and back at home," Nespoli said.

"I have respected the work he's done as a public servant, and I'm proud to call him a friend. Now, Mike needs us to help him get to Congress. He's the best man for the job in Washington, and I couldn't be happier to help him get there for the benefit of the district."

Bob Straniere on the other hand is losing endorsements.

Voters want Democrats handling economic issues

via the NY Times;

Strategists for both parties say Republican House and Senate candidates are being hurt by the dip in support for Senator John McCain at the top of the ticket, frustrating Republicans who had initially viewed Mr. McCain as a strong asset who could appeal to independents and even moderate Democrats and protect Republicans in a tough year.

But the market volatility and perceived Democratic edge on handling the economy has evidently turned voters to Democrats, a view supported by one top adviser to Republican candidates.

If it were not for the joke this race is, one of the story lines that would have come out of this race was the effects a Guiliani candidacy would have had in this district. Who knows maybe even Bob from Manhattan would have been faring better with Rudy at the top instead of McCain.

Guy Molinari endorses Conservative Party candidate

Not Bob Straniere, the Republican who is running for the seat Guy Molinari once held. via City Room ;

"It's sad that I have to leave my party on a campaign like this," Mr. Molinari said in an interview this morning. He then criticized the party's chairman on Staten Island, John S. Friscia, for supporting Mr. Straniere's candidacy. "The leadership in the Republican Party has put forth a deeply flawed candidate, one that an awful lot of Republicans cannot support."

Tom Cochrane is the Conservative Party candidate, a Brooklyn resident, but this is all about hating Straniere and little to do with Cochrane.  via the Advance ;

Former Staten Island Borough President Guy Molinari endorsed Conservative candidate Tim Cochrane for Congress today, saying that he found it "sickening" that Staten Island Republicans have nominated former Assemblyman Robert Straniere for the House seat that Molinari once held.

"How in good conscience anybody that has any moral background whatsoever would support somebody like that to go to Congress is inconceivable," Molinari said at his West Brighton lobbying firm, where he was joined by Cochrane and Conservative leaders, including state chairman Michael Long.

Straniere is responding by saying the party will lose this seat with actions like this and rightfully so.  Molinari already claimed they would lose ;

Molinari said that the Democrats have quickly rallied around Michael McMahon, a New York City Councilor, and conceded that McMahon is in a strong position to win. "I wouldn't jump to that conclusion yet, but I would say this," Molinari said. "Based on the candidates that have surfaced so far, yes, we're going to lose the seat." 

8 days until Fossella's DWI court date

Oct. 17 at 9:30 a.m.

NYLCV endorses McMahon

Mike McMahon (D) has been endorsed by the New York League of Conservation Voters.  You can read his questionnaire answers and eco-accomplishments here .

9 days until Fossella's DWI court date

Oct. 17 at 9:30 a.m.

NRCC still not coming to Straniere's defense

Swing State Project has their latest update to independent expenditures and the NRCC has yet to spend any money in New York State let alone NY-13.  The party has given up on this race but we haven't.  Get out and talk to your neighbors.  Make sure McMahon wins this race.  

McMahon's first TV ad

10 days until Fossella's DWI court date

Oct. 17 at 9:30 a.m.

Fossella's recent legislative votes

Yes, Fossella is still in Congress, voting for your best interests. Or his own. It's not really clear anymore.

Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights Act of 2008 H.R. 5244
Vote Passed (312-112, 9 Not Voting)

The House passed this bill to reform credit card industry practices.

Rep. Vito Fossella voted NO



Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009 HR 2638 Roll 632
Vote Passed (370-58, 1 Present, 4 Not Voting)

The House approved this $600 billion bill to fund the federal government through March 6, 2009.

Rep. Vito Fossella voted NO



Renewable Energy and Job Creation Tax Act of 2008 H.R. 7060
Vote Passed (257-166, 10 Not Voting)

This bill, costing almost $62 billion, would extend and expand tax breaks and incentives for individuals using and developing renewable energy.

Rep. Vito Fossella voted NO



Job Creation and Unemployment Relief Act of 2008 H.R. 7110 Roll 660
Vote Passed (264-158, 12 Not Voting)

The House passed this $60.7 billion economic stimulus bill on Friday evening that would extend unemployment benefits.

Rep. Vito Fossella voted NO

Debates announced

Wednesday, October 15 at 7:30 PM
Tuesday, October 28, at 7:30 PM

Hilton Garden Inn in Bloomfield
1100 South Avenue, Staten Island [Google Map]

Straniere is "in Staten Island several times a week"

Bob from Manhattan in a previous interview with Tom is trying to make a case for his Staten Island roots and inadvertently claims;

"I am in staten island several times a week. Always have been, and I consider Staten Island my home."

Watch it, starting at 4:19 (the very end)



Bob, who we already know has been living in Manhattan admits to Tom that he in doesn't live in Staten Island an "visits" from time to time. Sure at one point in his life he lived there but he is now a Manhattan resident and has been for many years. If like Mike McMahon you live in Staten Island you don't have to use the phrase "I consider Staten Island my home." It either is your home or it is not. In Bob Straniere's case it is not.

Straniere: Unqualified and now unemployed

Bob from Manhattan's hot dog company closed. The New York City Hot Dog Company he owned was located in Manhattan like his residence. Now he is being sued by one of his former business partner's in the hot dog venture. And this makes him qualified in his mind;

"This will make me more sympathetic to the small-business owners who are also suffering in this economy," he said. "A lot of people are facing this kind of problem. There's no exception for me just because I'm running for public office."

Canvass this weekend for McMahon

If you want to get involved with this race, or any race, the most influential thing you can do is canvass.  For those of you not familiar with political campaigns, canvassing is simply going door to door in your neighborhood and talking to registered voters, your neighbors, about this race.  Voters are much more likely to be convinced to vote when their neighbors talk to them and explain why they are supporting McMahon.  The weather looks good, temperatures in the high 60's.  If you have some time get out in your own neighborhood and help make sure we win this seat.

Saturday @ 10 AM
Sunday @ 12PM

Staten Island locations
585 N. Gannon Avenue [Google Map ]
31 Water Street [Google Map ]
4001 Hylan Blvd [Google Map ] (Saturday only)

Brooklyn locations
7321 15th Avenue [Google Map ]

if you have questions or to RSVP 

call (718) 916-9080 or

email volunteer@mikemcmahonforcongress.com

Fossella makes bi-partisan appearance, unintentionally mocked for DWI

Yesterday in an attempt at showing bi-partisan support for the economic bail out bill in Congress, Vito Fossella and Rep. Gregory Meeks, a Democrat from Queens held a joint conference on wall street. It unexpectedly turned quite funny when Rep. Meeks described the financial situation as such;

"The issue that's before us right now is not a Democratic issue and it's not a Republican issue. It's an issue that we have to resolve so that we can make sure that we stabilize our economy. Everyone is hurting," Meeks said.

Meeks used a different analogy to describe the economy: A drunken driver who has crashed on the highway, with the federal government as the emergency workers who have to clean up the wreckage.

If you were watching cable news yesterday you probably saw Meeks all over tv using that same analogy. I doubt he intentionally used it when standing next to Vito, but considering Fossella's DWI arrest it is all the more humorous.

DFNYC linkup tonight at Muddy Cup

Staten Island
7:00pm
Muddy Cup, 388 Van Duzer Street [Google Map ]
hosted by Al Dykes

This is the last linkup before the election.  Go talk about the elections, see what you can do to help, meet other local Democratic activists.

Fossella may not endorse anyone

Despite being the Republican nominee to replace Vito Fossella, the Republican Congressman, Fossella apparently hasn't decided if he is going to endorse Bob Straniere. I don't mean to do Bob from Manhattan's work for him, but he is the Republican candidate in this race and was selected to be the Republican endorsed candidate by a selection committee made up of Fossella loyalists. Despite that Fossella may not endorse Straniere;

...Rep. Vito Fossella said he doesn't know if he's going to endorse anyone for the House seat he's vacating -- including fellow Republican Straniere.

McMahon fundraising midnight deadline

Today is the last day of the third quarter and a major deadline for fundraising. If you are a McMahon donor or have been thinking about getting behind his campaign, donating today before midnight is the most important time to show your support. Because this will be the last FEC quarter update before the election it is crucial to once again vastly outpace Straniere in cash raised and send a message to the NRCC to Republican supporters to stay away, its a lost cause. Any amount helps;

Donate to Mike McMahon by Midnight!

Obama up 19 in latest poll

Remember Tom was telling us we should be concerned that Obama might be underperforming in New York, but it wasn't his belief, it was the belief of others that he was just sharing with us? Well there is now a third poll released since his cherry picked outlier. SurveyUSA shows Obama now up 19 points, 57%-38%.



Expect Tom to have a new article any day saying the race won't be close and his last article on the polling was a mistake and unprofessional...