Ask and you shall receive...

Well it seems I have some sort of effect on Republicans, because the day after I post for people to go for Walsh's spot, several of them do. Including this blog's old friend Dale Sweetland. Because there's nothing that prepares you for running for Congress like losing a primary for a County Executive spot. Maybe we can get those wonderful "architectural windmills" all across the country. I also like the Post-Standard's description of another contender: "A 26-year-old punk rocker, David Gay, of Syracuse, who was the local coordinator of Ron Paul's presidential campaign, declared he also will run as a Republican." Gay is apparently a Medicare claims entry clerk who plans to primary for the spot if it isn't handed to him (when it isn't, perhaps). I admire the cojones, but there is also something to be said for the old start small and work your way up approach.

Nancy Lorraine Hoffman isn't running. She basically says the party leadership told her not to. A pity. I'd actually have to consider voting for her. I'm not saying I would, but I'd look into what she was saying.

Apparently some sort of free tuition program for Syracuse City school grads stalled in the state assembly. Some people would say, why just the city, and there is some validity to that question, but clearly something has to be done to fix inner city schools and since several colleges were already signed on board by Ms. Nancy Cantor, then I think it sounds like a good idea on it's face.

Interesting poll results in today's opinion section. When asked their opinion of Gov. Paterson, 51% said they didn't have enough info to have a favorable or unfavorable opinion. But when asked if he'd do an effective job, 75% said he'd govern effectively. So, does that mean like at least 26% didn't have enough info to form an opinion, but think he'll do a bang up job? And the more important question, how many of those people vote? As to my opinion of our new Gov? The only concern I've got so far has to do with a prior bill he proposed that advocated cops should shoot to wound. Anyone with even a slight knowledge of guns or law enforcement should be aware that would be totally unfeasible and would cost lives (certainly on the cop side if not on both sides).

Finally, I was going to end this post with "And in case you didn't dislike him enough already," and link to an article on how Walsh is considering becoming a lobbyist in retirement, but I couldn't locate the article online. But it was in the hard copy of the Post Standard. So that's that.

Well, if you're not doing anything this fall...

It appears Peter Capucilli will not be running for Jim Walsh's current congressional office. Believe he cited illness. And Randy Wolken has stated he will not change his previous decision to withdraw. Which means the Republican side of this race is completely open. It takes an election cycle to switch parties (as I found out), so that means both I and Tim Green wouldn't be able to switch in time (not that I for one would do such a thing), so if you're Republican and have plenty of time available this fall, I suggest you see what needs to be done to get you in this race. But if not and Dan Maffei just takes the spot I'm okay with that.

Travels...

Well, I'm out of town for a week for training, no access to a computer, but what really could go on in the CNY and related politics scene, except for ELLIOT SPITZER RESIGNING due to his involvement with a high class prostitute service!! Quick, someone get me internet access!

Seriously though, I was just talking the weekend before, with one of my friends who is a conservative (yes, I can be friends with conservatives) and we both stated we don't really like Governor Spitzer. And I think we both voted for him. Although the friend more to move Spitzer out of the AG's office, but still. For me though, it wasn't "Troopergate" that made me dislike Spitzer, as that didn't really surprise me. It wasn't the giving illegal immigrants licenses, as I saw that mainly as helping ID people and encouraging them to pay insurance, just poorly timed. It was Spitzer continuing Pataki's trend and NY's trend of slipping taxes and fees onto everything we buy. NY's taxes are among the highest in the nation anyway, and to slip in little fees on things that don't count as taxes but still chip away at our income is to continually doom the NY state economy.

So who exactly is David Paterson? I had no idea. So I did the obvious. I googled him. And I still have not much of an idea. But here's what I got. Before he was Lt. Governor, Paterson was a State Senator from Harlem. He was Senate Minority leader, which meant he had to be willing to negotiate with Joe Bruno in order to get anything accomplished. Yeah, Bruno isn't the guy I'd most like to negotiate with, but doing son in NY state is currently a prerequisite to moving things along, and Spitzer had already pissed Bruno off to no end, so this could be a positive for Paterson. Patersonfornewyork.com, which I'm assuming is an old campaign website (but don't quote me) lists that "Paterson has already ready made great strides in the area of Minority and Women Owned Enterprises, Stem Cell Research, Renewable Energy, and Economic Development." All things I'm generally for, although I'm not 100% sure on the stem cell research. Here is his Wikipedia page. I encourage you to look him up yourself and see if you can find more, although as always, pay attention to the source and make sure it's legit.

I also, will not seek my party's nomination...

Bob Andrews has told the Post-Standard he will not run for the 25th Congressional district spot opened by the retiring of Walsh. I'd just like to state that I will not either. Bob is supporting Peter Cappuccilli. As important as I think fried onions and other fair food is, I'm still leaning toward Dan Maffei at this point.

Apparently there is some sort of delay, and County Exec Joanie Mahoney may be able to rethink her predecessor's plan of putting a sewage treatment plant in our most vibrant area of Syracuse. Good.

State Senator DeFrancisco sent some sort of survey to my house. I'm going to go online and fill one out, because it never hurts to voice your opinion, and because there have been a couple of things I've meant to voice my opinion on and never gotten around to contacting politicians about.