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Ex-Rocker John Hall Wins Upset in NY Congressional Race
editor-publisher ^ | November 8, 2006 | editor-publisher

Posted on 11/08/2006 10:08:21 AM PST by freedomdefender

John Hall, leader of the rock group Orleans that recorded such hits as "Still the One" and "Dance With Me," has won a stunning upset in his race for Congress in upstate New York, narrowly defeating Republican incumbent Sue Kelly 51%-49%.

Hall's views on the differences between political and music journalists were recently profiled on E&P Online. At one point, he had to struggle to be taken seriously by the press as a policy man. He ended up gaining the endorsements of all four top dailies in his district.

The upset was more surprising, as this contest was never on the national Democratic Party's list of most likely pickups.

Hall closed his victory speech by singing Steven Van Zandt's song "I Am A Patriot." Numerous musicians played benefits for Hall throughout the campaign, though he was still badly outspent by his opponent. They included Bonnie Raitt, Steve Earle, Pete Seeger and Jackson Browne.

Hall, who ran as an antiwar candidate, is also an environmental activist and drew wide labor backing. He was a key organizer of the fabled "No Nukes" concert and movie in 1979.

He recently appeared on the Colbert Report and fared well, even singing "Still the One" with the host, in an appearance that was seen as drawing much interest in the campaign.


TOPICS: Politics/Elections; US: New York
KEYWORDS: johnhall; orleans
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To: Calvin Locke

I think this guy got swepat along with the tide. He's probably as surprised as anyone.


21 posted on 11/08/2006 10:31:48 AM PST by CaptRon (Pedecaris alive or Raisuli dead)
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To: nutmeg

That commercail was ridiculous. She also distanced herself from the Republican Party and the President (saying that the party did not like her for her stances) and bashed Wal-Mart as well.

And I had to waste my vote on this woman, because the alternative was worst. Shoot myself in the right foot or left?

At this point, all I can say is "good riddance."


22 posted on 11/08/2006 10:34:28 AM PST by deputac (NYPD & FDNY: The Other Twin Towers of New York)
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To: MNJohnnie

I know. Bush has caved. He sounds terrible to me on the radio. He actually still believes they are going to work with him. Fat chance George W. You had your chance. YOU and THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THREW CONSERVATIVES UNDER THE BUS. Now YOU AND CONSERVATIVES are going to pay for it. Thanks a lot. Since you are taking resignations from cabinet members, maybe your own might be thought about. If you are giving into the commies, you are not my president. These SOB's ARE NOT GOING TO WORK WITH YOU FOOL!! Get a grip, they are not going to work with you.


23 posted on 11/08/2006 10:35:05 AM PST by RetiredArmy (Pray for the military. They are stuck in the middle.)
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To: freedomdefender

He's about as Left wing as they come. This COngress should get interesting.


24 posted on 11/08/2006 10:35:35 AM PST by 1Old Pro
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To: MNJohnnie
1994 gave you Congresscritter Sonny Bono 2006 gives you another has been music man.

Sono Bono was the most articulate charismatic person the conservatives had going for them. I wish he was still around.

25 posted on 11/08/2006 10:37:08 AM PST by Always Right
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To: GSWarrior

Breaking on Drudge:

Bush to Appoint The Village People to the SCOTUS.


26 posted on 11/08/2006 10:39:18 AM PST by trumandogz
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To: GSWarrior

Are the fellas in this picture trying to TELL us something?


27 posted on 11/08/2006 10:39:32 AM PST by Riverman94610
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To: deputac
And I had to waste my vote on this woman, because the alternative was worst. Shoot myself in the right foot or left?

Don't feel bad... we in Connecticut had to waste our votes on Joe Lieberman to spare the country from Red Ned Lamont. Believe me, that is one thing I am celebrating today... Ned Lamont came on like a ton of bricks, but - thank God - faded in a wimper.

28 posted on 11/08/2006 10:40:56 AM PST by nutmeg (National security trumps everything else.)
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To: nutmeg

And this is what disappoints me so much about the GOP here in the NE. Can't they find one articulate, educated person to put forth the issues and explain it to the electorate? We have not had a viable Republican candidate in NYS since G-d nows when. They have all been corrupt, or out of their league, or just plain bad.


29 posted on 11/08/2006 10:46:00 AM PST by deputac (NYPD & FDNY: The Other Twin Towers of New York)
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To: deputac
The problem is that if typical NYS trends continue, Sue Kelly's seat has gone over to the dark side for the foreseeable future.

Downstate, first, we lost the seat in Lower Westchester to Nita Lowey - and she's been in office ever since. Then, we lost seats on Long Island - and we've never really come close to getting them back. We're down to 6 Republican House members out of 29 in New York - one from Long Island, one from Staten Island, and 4 Upstaters - and 3 of the 4 Upstaters barely squeaked out a victory.

The Republican Party in this state is in real trouble.
30 posted on 11/08/2006 10:55:38 AM PST by conservative in nyc
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To: conservative in nyc

I do not think the trend will continue if the GOP just gets the message out properly. Once you cross mid-way through Westchester County and move northward, you have the typical middle-calss family, two parents working, 2.5 kids. You are not going to get these votes unless you tell them the truth about tax cuts, pro-life issues and an end to government handouts.

Instead, the candidates I see running in these districts paint themselves as Dummocrat Lite, and who is going to vote for that when the other party is telling you that they represent your interests better (when their real intention is to take from you for the common good).


31 posted on 11/08/2006 11:15:13 AM PST by deputac (NYPD & FDNY: The Other Twin Towers of New York)
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To: conservative in nyc

We've hit bottom, and NY State is about to get what it deserves..BTW.wonder what Spitzer will do about Hevesi?


32 posted on 11/08/2006 11:16:56 AM PST by ken5050
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To: dead

Due to a lack of sleep I first read this title as "John Rocker elected . . .". I need a nap.


33 posted on 11/08/2006 11:21:38 AM PST by Clump
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To: deputac
I do not think the trend will continue if the GOP just gets the message out properly. Once you cross mid-way through Westchester County and move northward, you have the typical middle-calss family, two parents working, 2.5 kids. You are not going to get these votes unless you tell them the truth about tax cuts, pro-life issues and an end to government handouts.

Westchester is changing. Republicans used to have a lock on the county. Now, the Democrats control the county government. Hall won Westchester by almost 6,000 votes out of 45,000 cast.

I really think Sue Kelly's district is pretty much gone. But I'm pretty pessimistic this afternoon.
34 posted on 11/08/2006 11:22:56 AM PST by conservative in nyc
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To: ken5050
Spitzer has three options about Hevesi:

1) Do nothing, claiming the people have spoken and the election has vindicated him.

2) Refer the matter to the Republican State Senate. Since the rules require 2/3rds of the Senate to vote for removal, nothing happens unless some Democrats agree to remove him.

3) Pressure Hevesi to resign to save face.
35 posted on 11/08/2006 11:26:33 AM PST by conservative in nyc
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To: trumandogz

You mean they aren't there already?


36 posted on 11/08/2006 11:27:56 AM PST by VanDeKoik (Have a bit of humor today. You wont be able to stand this crap for 15 minutes if you dont!)
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To: nutmeg

Couldn't agree more with zelig as her campaign ad had us scratching our heads. Kelly was very popular here and her loss came as a shock, especially after listening to John Hall's liberal agenda and anti-war rhetoric during a local candidates forum. It's obvious the dems have made some headway in what was once a republican stronghold. When Hillary ran in 2000 there were no campaign signs to be found. That is no longer the case.


37 posted on 11/08/2006 11:52:41 AM PST by StarFan
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To: freedomdefender
Anyone else curious why this story is in a magazine that is ostensibly dedicated to coverage of the newspaper industry? John Hall has nothing to do with newspapers.

Could it be because maybe, just maybe, the MSM hates us?

38 posted on 11/08/2006 11:54:29 AM PST by Dont Mention the War (This tagline is false.)
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To: Always Right
Sono Bono was the most articulate charismatic person the conservatives had going for them. I wish he was still around.

Me too.

39 posted on 11/08/2006 11:55:46 AM PST by Dont Mention the War (This tagline is false.)
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To: stevio

As a child, I always found that album cover disturbing.


40 posted on 11/08/2006 11:56:11 AM PST by rabidralph
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