Free Republic

Democratic Congressman Maurice Hinchley had an altercation with a reporter prior to his debate with his GOP challenger George Phillips last night when the journalist asked him questions about a real estate deal he will profit from using federal dollars: "Hinchey has previously insisted his only involvement in the project is as a partial owner of the land where it will be built. Last night, he said he has 'no financial interest' in the project, and pointedly told Kemble: 'What are you talking about...Are you trying to give the same phony stuff that are you put in the Freeman so...

Not that Ithaca Journal readers would know it from the reporting. They sniff at the notion that the GOP might make a concerted effort to push Maurice Hinchey out of Congress, then neglect to point out the rather troubling development for an incumbent of having a challenger surpass him in fundraising in an election year: Democratic Rep. Maurice Hinchey, meanwhile, is not a major GOP target in the 22nd Congressional District covering Ithaca and Binghamton and stretching east to Poughkeepsie on the other side of the Hudson River. Yes, yes, nothing to see here, just move along. Or — perhaps...