Posted on 05/14/2006 9:51:56 PM PDT by neverdem
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Only a few years ago, John E. Sweeney was a rising star in New York Republican circles, a streetwise political operative who helped engineer the 1994 victory of a little-known state senator, George E. Pataki, over Gov. Mario M. Cuomo before going on to take a seat in Congress. There, his combative brand of politics made him a favorite of national Republican leaders, including President Bush.
But these days, with Congressional elections just six months away, Mr. Sweeney finds himself in the political battle of his life, as he faces his first significant electoral challenge since taking office in 1998, from a political novice who has not only turned out to be a surprisingly strong campaigner and fund-raiser but who also has assembled a seasoned campaign team closely tied to the vaunted Clinton operation.
The threat that independent analysts say Mr. Sweeney faces is one of the more intriguing and unexpected developments of this electoral season, since the congressman represents the solidly Republican 20th Congressional District and has emerged in recent years as one of the more prominent politicians in the state. Well liked even among his Democratic colleagues, the gregarious Mr. Sweeney has long been considered a potential candidate for higher office.
But now he finds himself battered by headlines about his own actions, including his recent attendance at a college fraternity party. He also faces the woes afflicting other Republicans around the country, who — as members of the party controlling the White House and Congress — are potentially vulnerable at a time when polls indicate that Americans are in a dark mood about the future of the nation.
Added to the mix is Mr. Sweeney's Democratic challenger, Kirsten Gillibrand, a lawyer and a tough and disciplined opponent.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
But now he finds himself battered by headlines about his own actions, including his recent attendance at a college fraternity party.
Gosh now you can't even go to a Frat Party. What is this world coming to. Was he at the Duke party or something? Why would attending a Frat Party cause headlines. Something doesn't smell right.
I bet he'll win easily too.
Tracing Lung Ailments That Rose With 9/11 Dust
Mayor Gives Scorn to Guns, and Money to Their Allies (Bloomberg)
FReepmail me if you want on or off my New York ping list.
He's toast
Sweeney is still favored, but the race is in play now.
Duuuude. What's Dean Wormer doing at the party? Why is he being embraced by Bernie Williams kid brother?
Yet another clinton mole.
"There's a shift happening right now in the district and the region," says Gillibrand, 39, a lawyer and a former [c]linton administration housing official. "People want new leaders who are accountable." http://www.gillibrand2006.com/node/177
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