This race is close for one reason, and one reason only : Jack Davis, who used a NY loophole to put himself on the ticket as a "tea party" candidate, even though he's actually a democrat who has run as a democrat before.
He is taking 23% of the vote, showing that tea party faithful are sometimes as clueless as the mindless democrat voters. If those 23% were voting for the republican, she'd be a shoo-in.
This has nothing to do with medicare; the New York Times has run two articles on this theory of theirs, and their only mention of Jack Davis and his role in her problems was a one-sentence reference in their earlier article where they noted that the democrat had asked "Jack Davis, a millionaire businessman running with Tea Party support, to reject the plan".
They don't even show a poll suggesting that the medicare issue is swaying voters. They site a poll which says "In the special election for the 26th Congressional District seat, Republican Jane Corwin currently has a small lead, with the support of 36 percent of voters. Democrat Kathy Hochul is supported by 31 percent, and independent Jack Davis, running on the Tea Party line, has the support of 23 percent of voters, according to a Siena (College) Research Institute poll of likely 26th CD voters released today."
As you can see, the democrat is pulling 31%, to 60% for the two candidates who supposedly support Ryan's plan (although I can't find him saying that).
"Davis did run as a Democrat in three previous congressional races, but records from the Erie County Board of Elections show that Davis changed his affiliation to Republican in May of last year. In addition, Davis has said that if he's elected, he will caucus with the Republican party."
Is Jack a convert to conservatism, or did he switch last May because he thought he'd have a better shot winning as a "Tea Party" candidate than a Democrat?
So my guess is he'll switch to Democrat a week after he arrives, unless he decides being a "Tea Party" person who attacks the Tea Party at every turn is a better political move.
The question is, why are any Tea Party people voting for a guy who attacks Paul Ryan and opposes spending cuts?
Thank you for explaining the lie by the Ny Slimes.