Democrats Focus on Congressman From Upstate (NY)

NY Times ^ | October 4, 2006 | JONATHAN P. HICKS

[neverdem]

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee started to show campaign commercials yesterday that attack United States Representative John E. Sweeney, an upstate Republican in a competitive re-election battle.

Mr. Sweeney, who was first elected in 1998, is facing his first significant challenge since taking office, from Kirsten Gillibrand, a lawyer and political novice who has turned out to be a strong campaigner.

The 30-second commercial is being shown on stations in Albany. The 20th Congressional District is a largely rural and suburban area that includes all or parts of 10 counties and stretches from Poughkeepsie to Lake Placid, going west toward Cooperstown. National Democrats have been hesitant about devoting money to New York races, but they may see Mr. Sweeney as vulnerable, particularly as Republicans have been battered by bad news over the last week.

The commercial, which cost the committee about $60,000, criticizes Mr. Sweeney for his positions regarding the war in Iraq.

It states, “When it comes to Iraq, John Sweeney says: Stay the course with George Bush.”

It continues: “But in Congress, Sweeney voted against expanding health care for reserve and National Guard soldiers coming home from the war. Sweeney even opposed a bonus for troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, after voting to raise his own pay. Stay the course with John Sweeney? Only if you want more of the same.”

It is the first ad bought by the Democratic campaign committee in that congressional race, and it is also the latest indication that the party sees the seat as winnable.

[sgtbono2002]

I believe the worst thing about politicians are that most of them are lawyers. Cant get much lower than that, but they keep trying by being politicians.

[neverdem]

BRIAN ROSS given info and challenged to report Hillary's four fraudulent FEC reports before November

New York Democrat (Congressional Candidate) Billed Taxpayers for Phone Sex CallFReepmail me if you want on or off my New York ping list.

[Clintonfatigued]

I was thinking from the headline that it was Reynolds of suburban Buffalo. I think he's in trouble, what with his foolish press conference with children and opponent spending $2 million of his own money.

I think that Sweeney's opponent may have peaked.

[sergeantdave]

I really like the Finger Lakes region of New York. Gorgeous area. Too bad so many left-wing dingbats infest the area.

(Truth in Advertising statement: the left-wing infestation in my state is really bad, too.)

[Chode]

the only barking moonbats in the FingerLakes are in Ithaca, the city of Evil... the rest of the area deliver Republicans to office and at least Republican Votes for President.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

“But in Congress, Sweeney voted against expanding health care for reserve and National Guard soldiers coming home from the war. Sweeney even opposed a bonus for troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, after voting to raise his own pay. Stay the course with John Sweeney? Only if you want more of the same.”

This is pure Rat distortion.

[blake6900]

I believe the worst thing about politicians are that most of them are lawyers. Cant get much lower than that, but they keep trying by being politicians.

Bob Dole once said, "The trouble with Congress is it's made up mostly of lawyers...and not very good ones."

[sgtbono2002]

He was right about that.

[metmom]

It's only the cities that are liberal. Check out the state maps and if it weren't for NYC and Ithaca, we'd be a red state.

Congressman Walsh for the Syracuse area is Republican and seems to be pretty conservative. Congressman McHugh for the area around Lake Ontario and Watertown is likewise conservative.

[sergeantdave]

"...the rest of the area deliver Republicans to office ..."

Well, you see, I didn't know that.

My wife is from the Finger Lakes area - on the north end of Seneca lake. She grew up on a big farm and has more knowledge about chickens in her little finger than I do in my whole body.(She knows how to tell a happy chicken from an unhappy chicken - I can't do that.) She also has a Masters degree in music, while I can't tell the difference between a Mac truck and a Steinway, and I get stuck after playing the first two notes of "Chopsticks."

Women are smart in ways that men can never even begin to contemplate.

[sergeantdave]

I was corrected by Chode. (See nos. 6 & 11)

I thought that with Ithaca (THE CITY OF EVIL) most of the Finger Lakes region had fallen under the enemy camp. Well, Ithaca only occupies a small, tiny-teeny part of the region, as I discovered looking at the map.

And my wife grew up north of Seneca Lake, and she is not liberal at all.

It's my pleasure to meet both you and Chode from upstate New York, and I look forward to meeting again on FR.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[nuclady]

Unfortunately, check out Erie County..... it's blue, blue, blue. Thanks to all the civil servants and unions here. We're the only blue part of western NY. :-(

[metmom]

Oh, I know. We're from WNY originally and have family there so keep up with what's going on. Seems like all you have to do is look at the red/blue map and see where the cities are.

We're out in the country here in CNY. I don't know where a lot of people stand on a lot of issues but as far as gun ownership, well, the local school gives the kids the day BEFORE Thanksgiving off because it's opening day of deer season. So many kids and teachers are absent for hunting that they just close the school.

[Chode]

my pleasure... i live on the SOUTH end of Seneca.