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Schumer Returns to Senate, and With a Record Margin
NY Times ^ | November 3, 2004 | MICHAEL SLACKMAN

Posted on 11/03/2004 8:33:14 AM PST by neverdem

United States Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat from Brooklyn, won re-election to a second term yesterday by an enormous margin, outpolling the former top vote-getter in the state, the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, and fueling talk that he may soon become a candidate for governor.

Mr. Schumer defeated his opponents with more than 70 percent of the vote, a figure that exceeded Mr. Moynihan's record for a Senate election of 67 percent in 1988. His margin is doubly noteworthy because Mr. Moynihan's record was set in his run for a third term, after 12 years in the Senate, whereas Mr. Schumer is completing his first term.

With 96 percent of the precincts reporting, Mr. Schumer had 71 percent, or 4.2 million votes, while the Republican, Assemblyman Howard D. Mills of Goshen in Orange County, had 24 percent, or 1.4 million votes. The Conservative Party candidate, Dr. Marilyn F. O'Grady, trailed far behind with 3 percent, or 198,000 votes.

Aided by strong voter turnout, weak opposition and six years of relentless travel around the state, Mr. Schumer appeared to do well across the breadth of New York, winning majorities in rural, urban and suburban communities. He spent more than $13 million on his campaign, a large portion of which went to television and radio advertisements; he raised a total of $26 million for his campaign accounts, a huge amount that scared away many possible Republican challengers.

Political strategists had said that it was unlikely that Mr. Schumer could outpoll Mr. Moynihan, if only because it has traditionally been easier for Irish or Italian Catholic candidates to draw cross-party votes upstate and in the suburbs. Mr. Schumer's triumph challenges the notion that a Jewish liberal Democrat from New York City would have trouble upstate and in the suburbs.

Speaking to his supporters last night, Mr. Schumer said he felt honored by the size of his victory margin.

"Watching the returns roll in and reflecting on the past six years, I realized something tonight: it's more humbling to win by a lot than to win by a little," he said in his victory speech. "When you win by a lot, it means that voters from all parts of the state, from every walk of life and from so many different philosophies and ideologies are putting their faith and trust in you. It is a huge responsibility."

Despite Mr. Schumer's success, there was a sliver of good news for Mr. Schumer's main opponent, Mr. Mills, a three-term state legislator who gave up his seat in the Assembly to run. Mr. Mills, who phoned Mr. Schumer 20 minutes after the polls closed to concede defeat, managed a second-place finish, defying some predictions that he would fall to third place behind Dr. O'Grady.

"I congratulated him on his re-election to the United States Senate," Mr. Mills said in a concession speech to his supporters, drawing boos from the crowd, which he then sought to quiet. "The senator was extremely gracious, for which I am grateful. I congratulate him and we wish him the best."

For Dr. O'Grady, whose shoestring campaign drew interest if not votes, there was little to cheer, just a third-place drubbing. The Conservative Party had hoped to rattle the state Republicans and pull their leadership to the right, but in the end her poor showing may have undermined the Conservative Party's influence with Republican candidates in New York.

During the campaign, Mr. Schumer said he was only focusing on serving in the Senate, but he has made it clear that his final decision about the future may rest on the outcome of the national vote. Should Democrats lose seats and influence in the Senate, Mr. Schumer might be more likely to run for governor in 2006, political strategists said.

Over the course of his career in politics, which began when he was elected to the State Assembly when he was just 23 years old, Mr. Schumer has made it clear that he would like to serve as the state's chief executive. During his re-election bid, Mr. Schumer tried to bat away questions about his future, concerned that talk of running for governor might cut his margin of victory.

Still, he could not bring himself to deny that he would run in two years. "But I never say never," was how he responded when asked during one of two televised debates whether he would complete his second term.

The day began early for the candidates. Mr. Mills went with his family to vote in Orange County, and Mr. Schumer went to vote at Public School 321 in Brooklyn.

Before the results were clear, both sides tried to project a certain image yesterday - Mr. Schumer one of hopeful uncertainty and Mr. Mills one of hope - but they also gave away what they knew to be the likely outcome. By midday Mr. Schumer's aides were already planning a 15-county "thank you" tour, and Mr. Mills's aides had already contacted the Schumer campaign to ask how to phone the senator once the polls were closed.

From the start, challenging Mr. Schumer, a popular incumbent, seemed an uphill battle. The state Republican Party struggled to find a candidate until Mr. Mills volunteered. In the end, the state party offered Mr. Mills moderate support, helped him broadcast some television advertisements upstate, and lent his campaign a Jeep to ride around New York.

In the end, Mr. Mills said that at least he succeeded in getting to know party leaders around the state and, possibly, preparing for a future run for office.

"My friends," Mr. Mills said to his supporters last night, "I can tell you this is not my last campaign."


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: District of Columbia; US: New York; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: conservativeparty; howarddmills; mills; ogrady; schmuckeschumer; schumer
I regret to say New York seems to be a lost cause for the foreseeable future, if ever, for any kind of conservative philosophy, save fiscal conservatism which both dems and pubbies claim to observe. Schumer's attacks on Catholic judges and vote to ban virtually all rifle ammunition greater than .22 were not used at all. The notion that Schumer supposedly understands the significance of September 11, 2001 is laughable when the only effective defense on that date was by the militia of Flight 93 over Pennsylvania.

The Times is saying the traitor will give his concession speech at 1 PM, EST. Thank God for the fact we won't have a traitor for President. I'm saying prayers in thanksgiving for that!

Results for the New York State Assembly

Results for the New York State Senate

1 posted on 11/03/2004 8:33:16 AM PST by neverdem
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To: neverdem

Can't win em all, but at least Daschle is gone.


2 posted on 11/03/2004 8:34:08 AM PST by HarryCaul
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To: neverdem
............and fueling talk that he may soon become a candidate for governor......we can only hope that this be true. If he is gov of N.Y. he cannot be in the U.S. Senate can he?
3 posted on 11/03/2004 8:36:28 AM PST by B.O. Plenty
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To: neverdem

Look on the bright side...this keeps Hillary in "junior" senator status...


4 posted on 11/03/2004 8:38:30 AM PST by Tribemike (Here is the text of the article....)
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To: cyborg; Clemenza; Cacique; NYCVirago; The Mayor; Darksheare; hellinahandcart; NYC GOP Chick; ...

FReepmail me if you want on or off my New York ping list.


5 posted on 11/03/2004 8:39:44 AM PST by neverdem (Xin loi min oi)
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To: neverdem

New York only serves one purpose in the larger scheme of things in the U.S. The high cost of living and correspondingly high income levels in that state (along with all the other Northeastern "blue" states) ensure that the "real" United States has a steady stream of Federal revenue to pursue their own interests.


6 posted on 11/03/2004 8:39:54 AM PST by Alberta's Child (I made enough money to buy Miami -- but I pissed it away on the Alternative Minimum Tax.)
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To: neverdem

Most people I called had no clue who Mills was and even less clue about O'Grady. My prolife friends were adamantly opposed to Mills.

Campaigns run on advertising and the NYS Republicans did not do anything to help Mills get elected...In fact, by splitting the conservatives they did even more damage...I am fed up with NYS Republicans. I am glad the Reynolds, Kuhl and Naples won. Naples will pull it out BTW...Perky Higgins claimed victory too fast.


7 posted on 11/03/2004 8:46:32 AM PST by eleni121 (Four more years in Bush country!)
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To: neverdem

The way the MSM is playing it, you'd think that Obama and Schumer were the Presidential candidates. It's the only thing they can see that's good from this election.


8 posted on 11/03/2004 8:48:24 AM PST by asformeandformyhouse (Iwonderwhatthelongkeyatthebottomofthekeyboardisusedfor.)
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To: neverdem
Schumer has been VERY SOLID in the War on Terror.

As a conservative, you really can't hope for much more from a NY Senator.

9 posted on 11/03/2004 9:16:41 AM PST by dead (I've got my eye out for Mullah Omar.)
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To: dead
Schumer has been VERY SOLID in the War on Terror except when it comes to the right of self defense and the Second Amendment. I think that's a VERY BIG exception. And I also don't remember him saying much about illegal immigration, but I avoid listening to him like the plague. Maybe you can correct me about illegal immigration. If you can, I would appreciate it.
10 posted on 11/03/2004 9:51:45 AM PST by neverdem (Xin loi min oi)
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To: dead

Schumer has been on the wrong side on EVERYTHING except defense! But in my conversations with Republicans, defense was a key issue and you guessed it many Pubbies voted for Schumer because they had no idea who Mills or O'Grady were.

The fact remains that the Republican party in NYS did less than nothing to help Mills and by selecting Mills, shut out the conservatives completely. O'Grady never stood a chance in this scenario.


11 posted on 11/03/2004 10:17:07 AM PST by eleni121 (qeverything EXCEPT)
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To: dead

I voted for Schumer, as that has been the only liberal candidate I have ever voted for.


12 posted on 11/03/2004 10:41:46 AM PST by ma bell
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To: asformeandformyhouse

and it is not even news that these men got re-elected, they were shoo-ins... the news was SC, NC, LA, OK, and FL. All NEW GOP SENATORS.
... and CO which was a loss for the GOP.

... and SD Thune beating Daschle.

Schumer's win is not news. $12 million vs an unknown can produce such results. Look at Utah or Brownback in Kansas or other incumbent GOP senators who breezed to re-election.


13 posted on 11/03/2004 10:43:09 AM PST by WOSG (George W Bush / Dick Cheney - 4 MORE YEARS!)
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To: ma bell
I voted for Schumer, as that has been the only liberal candidate I have ever voted for.

May I ask why you voted for the most repulsive creature in the Senate, whose votes otherwise before September 11, 2001, makes him Mr. Uberliberal?

14 posted on 11/03/2004 11:40:21 AM PST by neverdem (Xin loi min oi)
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To: neverdem
whom did he oppose? a nobody i've never heard of. Why should I allow that vote become wasted where I can place it as a wake-up call? Schumer was going to win anyways, that is a given, so I did it as a wake-up.

Additionaly, he does work hard and is seen here in WNY/CNY. I'd rather have a liberal who treks up here to be seen and DOES SOMETHING, ANYTHING to this wretched WNY economy.

15 posted on 11/03/2004 12:05:40 PM PST by ma bell
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To: neverdem

Dasshole is gone ...your next Chuckie.


16 posted on 11/03/2004 12:24:06 PM PST by Lee Heggy (Never tell a lie--except for practice. Mark Twain)
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To: ma bell
whom did he oppose? a nobody i've never heard of. Why should I allow that vote become wasted where I can place it as a wake-up call? Schumer was going to win anyways, that is a given, so I did it as a wake-up.

Who woke up, and what are they supposed to do?

Additionaly, he does work hard and is seen here in WNY/CNY. I'd rather have a liberal who treks up here to be seen and DOES SOMETHING, ANYTHING to this wretched WNY economy.

I get it. A supposed conservative upstate NY is going to prosper by having one of the most despised liberals in the minority party in of the U.S. Senate beg the rest of the Congress for federal dollars, aka taxes from every state, so he can pander to his constituents, at the same time he continues to obstruct the other work of Congress and the President.

That makes a lot of sense to the now slightly more red states when the rest of the country is whining about federal deficits. Bush is now a lame duck who doesn't forget those who have crossed him. I wouldn't hold my breath hoping for more federal dollars. BTW, for a conservative, shouldn't New York's mess be New York's responsibilty?

17 posted on 11/03/2004 12:44:37 PM PST by neverdem (Xin loi min oi)
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To: neverdem
I go for the guy who gives the effort and not come around only for photo ops like Hillary has done.

Sorry, but unlike those who pledge blind allegiance, I'd rather have someone that TRIES yearround. Not someone who has never made an appearance here. I may not agree with their policies, but he DOES SOMETHING. Eventualy, that SOMETHING could work. The way this regions economy is, with a City Control Board, anything is better. Hillary was shit, so we could only look upward.

18 posted on 11/03/2004 1:20:09 PM PST by ma bell
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To: Alberta's Child
New York only serves one purpose in the larger scheme of things in the U.S. The high cost of living and correspondingly high income levels in that state (along with all the other Northeastern "blue" states) ensure that the "real" United States has a steady stream of Federal revenue to pursue their own interests.

I really don't understand why my liberal neighbors and the people they elect don't understand this. Hillary! and Schumer certainly haven't voted to lower the taxes of so-called "rich" New Yorkers. If you make $100,000 a year in New York City, you live in a small apartment or house with a small yard. If you make $100,000 - or even $50,000 -- a year in Oklahoma City, you live like a king.
19 posted on 11/03/2004 5:26:10 PM PST by conservative in nyc
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To: neverdem

I didn't vote for Schumer. I figured he would win in this craphole state. I hate New York and can't wait to leave.


20 posted on 11/03/2004 5:27:51 PM PST by 2nd_Amendment_Defender ("It is when people forget God that tyrants forge their chains." -- Patrick Henry)
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