From Urban Elephants
"Mondello Blames The Voters For GOP Deficiencies
....Third, Mondello could look at his own county.
Tom Suozzi. We're all being upstaged, effectively, by Tom Suozzi -- who is doing a better job as a fiscal (and social) conservative than most Republicans.
And he's winning.
News Copy (http://www.newscopy.org) had its own commentary on the Daily News story by Liz Benjamin on an e-mail blast circulated by Chairman Mondello.
The State GOP chairman did not call voters "deluded" but he did blame them.
Finally, Republicans have to stop blaming everyone but themselves."
and
The State of GOP and other thoughts
"... The New York State GOP needs to elect a new chair. The State needs someone who can steer the Party to principles that combine the conservative and small government principles of Ronald Reagan, as well as maintaining a degree of progressive ideas that Teddy Roosevelt championed. The new chair should lead the party, from all branches of government, in a direction that distinguishes us from Democrats. I don’t know much about Chairman Mondello, but he may be part of the Party’s problem. He’s from a county that was once a GOP stronghold (Nassau) and is now in Democrat control. That means everything Republicans have been doing in that county has been wrong. To have a State Chair from that county is simply ridiculous.
...Senator Dean Skelos sounded somewhat promising when I read a bio on him in the paper. Since he’s been leader, he has not impressed me. He’s also from Nassau County, which means he is the wrong choice to lead the Senate Republicans. I read today that he’s dangling money to Democrats to switch their party affiliation just to put the GOP back in control. If control means more of the same from the GOP Senate, the Democrats should wisely reject his offer. We need a leader who wants to put the party in a new direction, not prolong the agony of a dying breed of Republicans."
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
A Commment on the New Administration
The news media seems to be stuck on the "Team of Rivals" meme because President Obama wants to bring in Hillary Clinton and others.
What it really is is a "Team of COMPETENCE."
All of the people Obama has tapped are professionals who have the same essential ideas that he has.
After eight sad years, the adults are in charge again.
What it really is is a "Team of COMPETENCE."
All of the people Obama has tapped are professionals who have the same essential ideas that he has.
After eight sad years, the adults are in charge again.
Close the New York State Budget Gap by Cutting Leadership Stipends
Skelos and his fellow legislators will most likely propose ideas that will result in taxpayers and state employees being affected somehow. You really never see the legislators do some belt-tightening or sacrifice themselves.
How about all state legislators forgo their leadership stipends until the economic down-turn is over?
Just about every single member gets extra money for either being a chairman or ranking member on a committee.
As Majority Leader, Skelos gets an additional $41,500 on top of his $79,000 salary. Minority Ranking Members on committees get an additional $9000. Committtee Chairman get an additional $12,500 - $34,000.
Add up all the stipends from both houses and that's a savings of over $2million.
It's time the people who pass the bloated budgets sacrifice a little.
Will Skelos step up to the plate to save school funding by giving up his leadership stipend?
I'm not holding my breath.
How about all state legislators forgo their leadership stipends until the economic down-turn is over?
Just about every single member gets extra money for either being a chairman or ranking member on a committee.
As Majority Leader, Skelos gets an additional $41,500 on top of his $79,000 salary. Minority Ranking Members on committees get an additional $9000. Committtee Chairman get an additional $12,500 - $34,000.
Add up all the stipends from both houses and that's a savings of over $2million.
It's time the people who pass the bloated budgets sacrifice a little.
Will Skelos step up to the plate to save school funding by giving up his leadership stipend?
I'm not holding my breath.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Skelos' Bad Budget Idea
The 'King of Bad Ideas,' Dean Skelos got miffed at Newsday's Spin Cycle for writing that he brought no ideas to the table to solve the current budget crisis. Spin Cycle printed an update with ideas that Dean has.
One of those ideas is to increase revenue from Video Lottery Terminals (VLT) at Aqueduct and Belmont.
Yes, at a time when many taxpayers are having a hard time paying rent, mortgages and buying staples like food and clothes, Dean wants them to increase their spending on gambling to close the budget gap.
Don't pay that mortgage bill, go out and hit the slots!
Great idea, Dean.
One of those ideas is to increase revenue from Video Lottery Terminals (VLT) at Aqueduct and Belmont.
Yes, at a time when many taxpayers are having a hard time paying rent, mortgages and buying staples like food and clothes, Dean wants them to increase their spending on gambling to close the budget gap.
Don't pay that mortgage bill, go out and hit the slots!
Great idea, Dean.
Election Follow-up: Skelos' Big Gamble - The Donno Campaign
Dean Skelos really hates Craig Johnson. So much so that he dropped over $1Million into Barbara Donno's flailing campaign from the Republican Senate Campaign Committee.
And it wasn't just a loss, it was a big loss 56-44.
So how much did it cost Donno to get creamed like that? The final financial filings aren't in yet but her run so far cost $1,395,432. That ends up at $28 per vote for 49,050 votes.
Craig Johnson's re-election cost $657.052 which is $10 per vote for 63,470 votes.
I'm sure Upstate and Queens republicans would like to know if a personal grudge was worth the expense.
And it wasn't just a loss, it was a big loss 56-44.
So how much did it cost Donno to get creamed like that? The final financial filings aren't in yet but her run so far cost $1,395,432. That ends up at $28 per vote for 49,050 votes.
Craig Johnson's re-election cost $657.052 which is $10 per vote for 63,470 votes.
I'm sure Upstate and Queens republicans would like to know if a personal grudge was worth the expense.
Election Follow-up: Hannon and McElroy
Although Hannon pulled out a win to an virtually unknown Kristen McElory, he didn't do it impressively. If it weren't for the 2,882 voted he got from the Independence line and 4,216 from the Conservative line, Hannon woul dhave lost.
Straight single-party vote total was 51,580 for McElroy and 49,782 for Hannon.
For 2010, Hannon is on the endangered list.
Straight single-party vote total was 51,580 for McElroy and 49,782 for Hannon.
For 2010, Hannon is on the endangered list.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
New York Times asks Skelos What HIS Ideas are for Fixing State Budget
Skelos is a "Leader" who cannot lead when New York State needs it most.
"So Mr. Skelos, What’s Your Plan?
Gov. David Paterson tried bravely this week to get a handle on New York State’s budget deficit, before it spins completely out of control. But the forces that have given Albany its reputation for ineptitude — cowardice and partisanship — prevailed....
"Before Mr. Paterson and the legislative leaders could hammer out the final details, the Senate’s Republican leader, Dean Skelos, announced with great fanfare and unbelievable cynicism that he was prepared, then and there, to call for a vote on the governor’s draft plan. In raw, unmediated form, that plan was sure to lose. The governor had no choice but to cancel the proceedings and send everyone home.
The Republicans’ strategy is obviously to defer all the tough choices until next year when the Democrats will be running the whole show: the governor’s office, the Assembly and, at long last, the Senate. But while tactically shrewd in a narrow political sense, Mr. Skelos’s approach is fiscally irresponsible....
"Mr. Paterson is expected to announce his new budget for the next fiscal year in mid-December, a month ahead of schedule. At that point, the Legislature must turn its full attention to the issue. If the legislative leaders do not like the governor’s ideas, they have a responsibility to offer alternatives — not more political theater."
"So Mr. Skelos, What’s Your Plan?
Gov. David Paterson tried bravely this week to get a handle on New York State’s budget deficit, before it spins completely out of control. But the forces that have given Albany its reputation for ineptitude — cowardice and partisanship — prevailed....
"Before Mr. Paterson and the legislative leaders could hammer out the final details, the Senate’s Republican leader, Dean Skelos, announced with great fanfare and unbelievable cynicism that he was prepared, then and there, to call for a vote on the governor’s draft plan. In raw, unmediated form, that plan was sure to lose. The governor had no choice but to cancel the proceedings and send everyone home.
The Republicans’ strategy is obviously to defer all the tough choices until next year when the Democrats will be running the whole show: the governor’s office, the Assembly and, at long last, the Senate. But while tactically shrewd in a narrow political sense, Mr. Skelos’s approach is fiscally irresponsible....
"Mr. Paterson is expected to announce his new budget for the next fiscal year in mid-December, a month ahead of schedule. At that point, the Legislature must turn its full attention to the issue. If the legislative leaders do not like the governor’s ideas, they have a responsibility to offer alternatives — not more political theater."
Friday, November 14, 2008
NYC Republicans Call for Mondello Ouster as State Chairman
From Urban Elephants..
"Joe Mondello, resign now!
Actually, he should have resigned after whatshername lost her race to replace Mike Balboni in Nassau County. What happened to Balboni? He went to work for the now and forever disgraced Eliot Spitzer in "Homeland Security" (whatever that is) and gave up his seat. I don't know what he is doing now and don't care. In Queens we are down to one state senator despite being told that "we have more Republicans than in who knows how many counties". How did this happen? You may recall that we used to have three city councilmen and managed to lose two of those races about four years ago. Now we have lost our last city council seat in the Middle Village area - and lost big. The time will come when Senator Padavan will either retire or lose. Hopefully, he is grooming somebody to succeed him. And yes, we once had an assemblyman in Queens named Prescott. No more. And then there were none. And the county chairman and his cronies should consider stepping down also. I don't want to go into the scandals but it is very, very sad. I know some people did work very hard but it fell short."
"Joe Mondello, resign now!
Actually, he should have resigned after whatshername lost her race to replace Mike Balboni in Nassau County. What happened to Balboni? He went to work for the now and forever disgraced Eliot Spitzer in "Homeland Security" (whatever that is) and gave up his seat. I don't know what he is doing now and don't care. In Queens we are down to one state senator despite being told that "we have more Republicans than in who knows how many counties". How did this happen? You may recall that we used to have three city councilmen and managed to lose two of those races about four years ago. Now we have lost our last city council seat in the Middle Village area - and lost big. The time will come when Senator Padavan will either retire or lose. Hopefully, he is grooming somebody to succeed him. And yes, we once had an assemblyman in Queens named Prescott. No more. And then there were none. And the county chairman and his cronies should consider stepping down also. I don't want to go into the scandals but it is very, very sad. I know some people did work very hard but it fell short."
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Insult to Injury, Donno Loses Planedome Manor.. and She's the Mayor!!!
According to Dan Janison at Newsday "Skelos and crew dropped more than $800,000 on Barbara Donno's bid against Sen. Craig Johnson (D-Port Washington). She lost Plandome Manor, where she's mayor, early tallies say."
Board of Elections numbers show Craig Johnson beating Donno 335-326.
HA!
Board of Elections numbers show Craig Johnson beating Donno 335-326.
HA!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Ethics, Schmethics. Peter Schmitt Won't Cooperate
From Newsday's Spincycle
"The Ethics Board recently wrote Nassau Minority Leader Peter Schmitt (in Hofstra Chronicle photo) to say it was dropping an investigation into his alleged misuse of county employees and equipment after the Massapequa Republican refused to cooperate.
Legis. David Mejias (D-Farmingdale) had complained that Schmitt’s staff photographer allegedly took photos of Democratic lawmakers during a legislative session and then used them Republican attack ads.
If Mejias’ allegations were true, Schmitt misused county resources, the board wrote. However, “the board has determined that it does not have the resources or information to draw definitive conclusions,” it said, while scolding Schmitt for his “disregard for the ethics investigatory process.”
Schmitt denied that he was not responsive. “My staff and I corresponded with your office several times..” he wrote back.“I remained available to answer legitimate questions."
Said Mejias: "An ethical person would come forward and say, 'Tell me what you need.'"
"The Ethics Board recently wrote Nassau Minority Leader Peter Schmitt (in Hofstra Chronicle photo) to say it was dropping an investigation into his alleged misuse of county employees and equipment after the Massapequa Republican refused to cooperate.
Legis. David Mejias (D-Farmingdale) had complained that Schmitt’s staff photographer allegedly took photos of Democratic lawmakers during a legislative session and then used them Republican attack ads.
If Mejias’ allegations were true, Schmitt misused county resources, the board wrote. However, “the board has determined that it does not have the resources or information to draw definitive conclusions,” it said, while scolding Schmitt for his “disregard for the ethics investigatory process.”
Schmitt denied that he was not responsive. “My staff and I corresponded with your office several times..” he wrote back.“I remained available to answer legitimate questions."
Said Mejias: "An ethical person would come forward and say, 'Tell me what you need.'"
Friday, November 07, 2008
Jack Martins loses BIG to Carolyn McCarthy
I guess all those negative ads backfired.
2008
CAROLYN MCCARTHY............153,320 - 64%
JACK M MARTINS..............87,239 - 36%
Historical Numbers:
2006
McCarthy.............. 101,861 - 64%
Blessinger............. 55,050 - 35%
2004
McCarthy.............. 159,969 - 63%
Garner............. 94,141 - 37%
2002
McCarthy.............. 93,651 - 55%
O'Grady............. 72,882 - 43
2000
McCarthy.............. 136,703 - 60%
Becker............. 87,830 - 38%
1998
McCarthy.............. 90,256 - 52%
Becker............. 79,984 - 46%
1996
McCarthy.............. 127,060 - 57%
Frisa............. 89,542 - 40%
2008
CAROLYN MCCARTHY............153,320 - 64%
JACK M MARTINS..............87,239 - 36%
Historical Numbers:
2006
McCarthy.............. 101,861 - 64%
Blessinger............. 55,050 - 35%
2004
McCarthy.............. 159,969 - 63%
Garner............. 94,141 - 37%
2002
McCarthy.............. 93,651 - 55%
O'Grady............. 72,882 - 43
2000
McCarthy.............. 136,703 - 60%
Becker............. 87,830 - 38%
1998
McCarthy.............. 90,256 - 52%
Becker............. 79,984 - 46%
1996
McCarthy.............. 127,060 - 57%
Frisa............. 89,542 - 40%
Venditto in Denial or Half in the Bag
The Scene: GOP Election Night HQ
When: umm... Election Night
Who: Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto
---
News12's election blog Island Vote '08 had reporters out at locations around the Island. With video camera's in hand, they captured different moments of election night.
Below is the video of an interview with John Venditto. The question was how the party fared this year and he launches into a defense of the Nassau County republican party. I'm not sure if he knew what he was saying because it is far removed from reality"...I am really proud to be a Nassau County republican. You know for the past several election cycles, it's no secret..uh.. the republican organization on a nationwide basis, has been beset by many problems. yet through it all.. all of those election cycles, the Nassau County Republican Committee hasn't given any ground."
Umm.... John... you kind of forgot that last year Democrat Craig Johnson won a State Senate seat once held by a republican. And maybe you forgot Democrat Kathleen Rice beat republican DA Dennis Dillon. Or how about Harvey Levinson beating Charlie O'Shea for Assessor and Democrat Howard Weitzman beat Fred Parola for Comptroller. And then there's Dave Mejias who took a republican legislature seat and of course there is the Democrats controlling the Nassau Legislature and County Executive Tom Suozzi.
Since 1999, the republicans have been losing ground in Nassau County practically every year.
When: umm... Election Night
Who: Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto
---
News12's election blog Island Vote '08 had reporters out at locations around the Island. With video camera's in hand, they captured different moments of election night.
Below is the video of an interview with John Venditto. The question was how the party fared this year and he launches into a defense of the Nassau County republican party. I'm not sure if he knew what he was saying because it is far removed from reality"...I am really proud to be a Nassau County republican. You know for the past several election cycles, it's no secret..uh.. the republican organization on a nationwide basis, has been beset by many problems. yet through it all.. all of those election cycles, the Nassau County Republican Committee hasn't given any ground."
Umm.... John... you kind of forgot that last year Democrat Craig Johnson won a State Senate seat once held by a republican. And maybe you forgot Democrat Kathleen Rice beat republican DA Dennis Dillon. Or how about Harvey Levinson beating Charlie O'Shea for Assessor and Democrat Howard Weitzman beat Fred Parola for Comptroller. And then there's Dave Mejias who took a republican legislature seat and of course there is the Democrats controlling the Nassau Legislature and County Executive Tom Suozzi.
Since 1999, the republicans have been losing ground in Nassau County practically every year.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
How Real is This? "Open Letter to Nassau G.O.P. Executive Committee "
The bit about using the Nassau County Young Republicans sounds like what NCYR president Canzoneri wrote last month “The Nassau GOP needs a new direction and implement new strategies. We can no longer stand idle as we have done for over the past ten years. The YRs have been actively seeking new members since we were reformed in 2001, but we can’t do this alone.
“We need to use more than just WD-40 on this once powerful Republican machine. We need to get some replacement parts.”
I wonder who is running this "committee."
Personally, I am happy that Joe Mondello is party boss and I hope he continues for years to come.
“We need to use more than just WD-40 on this once powerful Republican machine. We need to get some replacement parts.”
I wonder who is running this "committee."
Personally, I am happy that Joe Mondello is party boss and I hope he continues for years to come.
COMMITTEE FOR NASSAU COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY REFORM
email: committee4GOPreform@yahoo.com
November 7, 2008
Dear Friend:
We have all watched the once great Republican Party in Nassau deteriorate over the past decade under the tenure of Chairman Joseph Mondello. We have all heard the empty excuses that have come out of Post Avenue regarding the reasons for the failures of the organization to be competitive in recent years. As a leader in the Republican Party, you have a fiduciary duty to the Party to act to bring about the change that is needed to give the Nassau Republican Party a fighting chance to attempt to regain credibility, attract new voters to our cause and achieve success in the future.
The excuses that we hear after every losing cycle are disturbing. The same old excuses, reported in the local newspapers after this year’s utter failure, should compel you to action, on behalf of your Party.
Mr. Mondello is responsible for carrying out many important matters on behalf of the Republican Party. However, his inability to lead our party invariably has resulted in failure.
For example, Mr. Mondello’s failure to employ new strategies, develop an attractive message or counter Democrat voter registration efforts have allowed the Democrat party to overtake Republican enrollment in the County for the first time in decades and perhaps longer. This is despite the very public, ongoing and long-standing efforts by the Democrat party to enroll tens of thousands of new voters. In addition, his failure to support and grow the Young Republican organization, once a farm system for future Republican leaders and candidates, has caused the Party difficulty in attracting this important segment of our County. The failure to reach out to Latino voters, and other minority groups and their voters, has caused our Party to surrender the support of those voters to the opposition.
As a sign of the failure of leadership, despite his long-held public stance against judicial cross-endorsement, he has been forced to give Party endorsement to Democrat and minor party judicial candidates in exchange for endorsement of a few Republican judicial candidates, in efforts to save at least some of our Republican judicial candidates from suffering the fate of most of our judicial candidates: defeat. The Party should never be in a position of endorsing candidates who do not adhere to important elements of our Party’s philosophy.
The Republican Committee has failed to expend sufficient resources to wage aggressive and successful campaigns in many races. Many Republican candidates have been forced to assume many of the fiscal and operational responsibilities without adequate Party support or the level of support that the Party once provided. In effect, once nominated, many of our Party’s candidates are left to their own devices to sink or swim.
Mr. Mondello’s complete lack of responsiveness to the executive committee, his failure to adjust our Party’s message and approach to changing times and demographics, and his general failure of leadership, have made it clear that he can no longer effectively function as the Chairman of the Nassau County Republican Committee. If we want the Republican Party in Nassau to survive and be competitive again (and hopefully be successful in the future), a change in leadership must occur soon.
I hope you agree that the future of the Nassau County Republican Party depends upon the selection of a new, dynamic and energetic leader. As one of our party’s fiduciaries, you must act to bring about the new leadership that the Party desperately needs.
Sincerely,
COMMITTEE FOR NASSAU COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY REFORM"
email: committee4GOPreform@yahoo.com
November 7, 2008
Dear Friend:
We have all watched the once great Republican Party in Nassau deteriorate over the past decade under the tenure of Chairman Joseph Mondello. We have all heard the empty excuses that have come out of Post Avenue regarding the reasons for the failures of the organization to be competitive in recent years. As a leader in the Republican Party, you have a fiduciary duty to the Party to act to bring about the change that is needed to give the Nassau Republican Party a fighting chance to attempt to regain credibility, attract new voters to our cause and achieve success in the future.
The excuses that we hear after every losing cycle are disturbing. The same old excuses, reported in the local newspapers after this year’s utter failure, should compel you to action, on behalf of your Party.
Mr. Mondello is responsible for carrying out many important matters on behalf of the Republican Party. However, his inability to lead our party invariably has resulted in failure.
For example, Mr. Mondello’s failure to employ new strategies, develop an attractive message or counter Democrat voter registration efforts have allowed the Democrat party to overtake Republican enrollment in the County for the first time in decades and perhaps longer. This is despite the very public, ongoing and long-standing efforts by the Democrat party to enroll tens of thousands of new voters. In addition, his failure to support and grow the Young Republican organization, once a farm system for future Republican leaders and candidates, has caused the Party difficulty in attracting this important segment of our County. The failure to reach out to Latino voters, and other minority groups and their voters, has caused our Party to surrender the support of those voters to the opposition.
As a sign of the failure of leadership, despite his long-held public stance against judicial cross-endorsement, he has been forced to give Party endorsement to Democrat and minor party judicial candidates in exchange for endorsement of a few Republican judicial candidates, in efforts to save at least some of our Republican judicial candidates from suffering the fate of most of our judicial candidates: defeat. The Party should never be in a position of endorsing candidates who do not adhere to important elements of our Party’s philosophy.
The Republican Committee has failed to expend sufficient resources to wage aggressive and successful campaigns in many races. Many Republican candidates have been forced to assume many of the fiscal and operational responsibilities without adequate Party support or the level of support that the Party once provided. In effect, once nominated, many of our Party’s candidates are left to their own devices to sink or swim.
Mr. Mondello’s complete lack of responsiveness to the executive committee, his failure to adjust our Party’s message and approach to changing times and demographics, and his general failure of leadership, have made it clear that he can no longer effectively function as the Chairman of the Nassau County Republican Committee. If we want the Republican Party in Nassau to survive and be competitive again (and hopefully be successful in the future), a change in leadership must occur soon.
I hope you agree that the future of the Nassau County Republican Party depends upon the selection of a new, dynamic and energetic leader. As one of our party’s fiduciaries, you must act to bring about the new leadership that the Party desperately needs.
Sincerely,
COMMITTEE FOR NASSAU COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY REFORM"
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Still Classy, Massapequa Republicans! More Vandalism on Election Night
I got a call from my wife election night around 1130pm. I was out at the Democratic Party Victory Party and she was home with the kids.
My wife tells me that she heard a loud noice outside our house and our dog got jumpy. We had someone walking around our backyard last summer so my wife was afraid it was someone who wanted to get into the house.
When she looked out the window, she saw the Krsten McElroy and Keith Scalia signs had been ripped from the front yard.
Like last time, this wasn't just stealing the signs, the Scalia sign was shoved under the windshield wiper again and the metal post was wrapped around the side mirror. The McElroy sign didn't make it to the car, it was left on the grass by the car. I'm pretty sure I know why the sign wasn't on the car. Whoever grabbed the sign dropped it because I had put half a tub of vasoline around the edges of the sign. The vandal got a handful of grease.
So once again a petty Massapequa republican full of hatred goes after my signs and my wifes car. I am clearly being targeted for intimidation.
And thanks for scaring my wife jackass.
My wife tells me that she heard a loud noice outside our house and our dog got jumpy. We had someone walking around our backyard last summer so my wife was afraid it was someone who wanted to get into the house.
When she looked out the window, she saw the Krsten McElroy and Keith Scalia signs had been ripped from the front yard.
Like last time, this wasn't just stealing the signs, the Scalia sign was shoved under the windshield wiper again and the metal post was wrapped around the side mirror. The McElroy sign didn't make it to the car, it was left on the grass by the car. I'm pretty sure I know why the sign wasn't on the car. Whoever grabbed the sign dropped it because I had put half a tub of vasoline around the edges of the sign. The vandal got a handful of grease.
So once again a petty Massapequa republican full of hatred goes after my signs and my wifes car. I am clearly being targeted for intimidation.
And thanks for scaring my wife jackass.
Sad Future for Nassau County Republicans
News12 has a Island Vote '08 blog where they posted mini videos reporters took during election night. One video is from a post about two young republican girls who were "in charge" of posting the nights election tally's on a big board at GOP headquarters.
Maybe they shouldn't have spoken to the reporter.
The older one says that they have been "republican since birth" because she was "brought up correctly."
Is this the future of the Nassau County Republicans?
Boy are they in trouble.
Here is the video
Maybe they shouldn't have spoken to the reporter.
The older one says that they have been "republican since birth" because she was "brought up correctly."
Is this the future of the Nassau County Republicans?
Boy are they in trouble.
Here is the video
Nassau County Senate and Assembly Election Results 2008
NYS Senate-District 5
Carl Marcellino* [R-I-C] 74,506 61%
Matthew Meng [D] 47,471 39%
NYS Senate-District 6
Kemp Hannon* [R-I-C] 56,880 52%
Kristen McElroy [D-WF] 53,524 48%
NYS Senate-District 7
Craig Johnson* [D] 63,470 56%
Barbara Donno [R-I-C] 49,450 44%
NYS Senate-District 8
Charles Fuschillo Jr.* [R-I-C] 70,144 61%
Carol Gordon [D-WF] 44,827 39%
NYS Senate-District 9
Dean Skelos* [R-I-C] 77,221 65%
Roy Simon [D] 42,127 35%
NYS Assembly-District 12
Joseph Saladino* [R-I-C-WF] 36,309 68%
Keith Scalia [D] 17,114 32%
NYS Assembly-District 13
Charles Lavine* [D-I-WF] 32,658 65%
George B. McMenamin [R-C] 17,658 35%
NYS Assembly-District 14
Robert Barra* [R-I-C-WF] 29,276 57%
Joseph Ferrara [D] 21,799 43%
NYS Assembly-District 15
Rob Walker* [R-I-C-WF] 28,999 60%
Stephanie Ovadia [D] 19,191 40%
NYS Assembly-District 16
Michelle Schimel* [D-I-WF] 31,707 63%
Matthew Mitchell [R] 18,557 37%
NYS Assembly-District 17
Thomas McKevitt* [R-I-C] 30,282 58%
John Pinto [D] 21,898 42%
NYS Assembly-District 18
Earlene Hooper* [D-I] 30,092 85%
Darren Bryant [R-C] 4,243 12%
Henry Conyers [WF] 913 3%
NYS Assembly-District 19
David McDonough* [R-I-C-WF] 31,460 62%
Howard Kudler [D] 19,142 38%
NYS Assembly-District 20
Harvey Weisenberg* [D-I-WF] 31,965 66%
Michael McGinty [R-C] 16,457 34%
NYS Assembly-District 21
Thomas Alfano* [R-I-C-WF] 29,580 62%
Alan Smilowitz [D] 18,032 38%
Carl Marcellino* [R-I-C] 74,506 61%
Matthew Meng [D] 47,471 39%
NYS Senate-District 6
Kemp Hannon* [R-I-C] 56,880 52%
Kristen McElroy [D-WF] 53,524 48%
NYS Senate-District 7
Craig Johnson* [D] 63,470 56%
Barbara Donno [R-I-C] 49,450 44%
NYS Senate-District 8
Charles Fuschillo Jr.* [R-I-C] 70,144 61%
Carol Gordon [D-WF] 44,827 39%
NYS Senate-District 9
Dean Skelos* [R-I-C] 77,221 65%
Roy Simon [D] 42,127 35%
NYS Assembly-District 12
Joseph Saladino* [R-I-C-WF] 36,309 68%
Keith Scalia [D] 17,114 32%
NYS Assembly-District 13
Charles Lavine* [D-I-WF] 32,658 65%
George B. McMenamin [R-C] 17,658 35%
NYS Assembly-District 14
Robert Barra* [R-I-C-WF] 29,276 57%
Joseph Ferrara [D] 21,799 43%
NYS Assembly-District 15
Rob Walker* [R-I-C-WF] 28,999 60%
Stephanie Ovadia [D] 19,191 40%
NYS Assembly-District 16
Michelle Schimel* [D-I-WF] 31,707 63%
Matthew Mitchell [R] 18,557 37%
NYS Assembly-District 17
Thomas McKevitt* [R-I-C] 30,282 58%
John Pinto [D] 21,898 42%
NYS Assembly-District 18
Earlene Hooper* [D-I] 30,092 85%
Darren Bryant [R-C] 4,243 12%
Henry Conyers [WF] 913 3%
NYS Assembly-District 19
David McDonough* [R-I-C-WF] 31,460 62%
Howard Kudler [D] 19,142 38%
NYS Assembly-District 20
Harvey Weisenberg* [D-I-WF] 31,965 66%
Michael McGinty [R-C] 16,457 34%
NYS Assembly-District 21
Thomas Alfano* [R-I-C-WF] 29,580 62%
Alan Smilowitz [D] 18,032 38%
Skelos Delusional Election Night
Skelos told Newsday last night "We'll be back. In two years, the dynamics of the city and the state will be different, and once that is out of the way we'll be able to come back."
Let's see, the city is overwhelmingly Democratic and that will not change in two years. The state is still a Democratic state and exactly what "dynamic" will change?
I guess he was trying to sound upbeat but he just came off delusional.
Let's see, the city is overwhelmingly Democratic and that will not change in two years. The state is still a Democratic state and exactly what "dynamic" will change?
I guess he was trying to sound upbeat but he just came off delusional.
Ding, Dong the.... oh that's not right... Barbara Donno Loses BIG
We'll have the cost per vote breakdown after the final reports from the campaigns. Donno ran the sleaziest campaign in quite some time in Nassau.
She deserved to lose and lose she did.
By 12 points.
Johnson....56%
Donno....44%
How does this affect her svengali Dean Skelos?
It's gonna be bad for him.
More on that in a separate post later.
She deserved to lose and lose she did.
By 12 points.
Johnson....56%
Donno....44%
How does this affect her svengali Dean Skelos?
It's gonna be bad for him.
More on that in a separate post later.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
YES WE DID!
Tonight one of Dr. King's dreams came true across this country "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
And thank you Nassau County for being a part of that dream come true
BARACK OBAMA-JOE BIDEN....................316,523
JOHN MCCAIN-SARAH PALIN ...................272,765
And thank you Nassau County for being a part of that dream come true
BARACK OBAMA-JOE BIDEN....................316,523
JOHN MCCAIN-SARAH PALIN ...................272,765
Election Day Programming Note
Posts will be sporadic today. Gonna be out and about helping my favorite candidates.
I'll have updates here and there and then a recap late tonight after the results are in.
Now go out and vote.
I'll have updates here and there and then a recap late tonight after the results are in.
Now go out and vote.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Do You Know Where to Vote? New York State Can Help.
Up to date information can be found at the link below which can confirm your registration status and voting location.
https://voterlookup.elections.state.ny.us/votersearch.aspx
https://voterlookup.elections.state.ny.us/votersearch.aspx
Skelos Doesn't Know His Own Job Limitations as Majority Leader
From the Binghamton Press&Sun-Bulletin:
"Senate tie -- 31 Republicans, 31 Democrats -- looms as chaotic possibility
Former Democratic Sen. Manfred Ohrenstein of Manhattan recalls what happened the last time the Senate was so closely divided it couldn't decide on a leader, in 1965.
"We couldn't do any work. We couldn't pass any bills," recalled Ohrenstein, who served in the Senate from 1961 to 1994. "We would come in every day, vote on who should be the leader, fail to agree, and then adjourn."
The deadlock was finally broken after a month, when then-Gov. Nelson Rockefeller directed some fellow Republicans to vote for Democrat Joseph Zaretzky of Manhattan, who was then elected the leader."
"Normally, the lieutenant governor would break a tie, much as the vice president does in Washington when the U.S. Senate is deadlocked. But since former Gov. Eliot Spitzer quit in disgrace in March and then-Lt. Gov. David Paterson took his place, the state hasn't had a lieutenant governor -- and won't until January 2011.
Scott Reif, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, R-Nassau County, noted that Skelos as majority leader is the acting lieutenant governor, and therefore could break a tie.
"It is clear that the majority leader -- as acting lieutenant governor -- has the authority to break all ties on procedural votes," he said.
But Gerald Benjamin, a State University of New York at New Paltz professor and the state's leading academic expert on state government, pointed out that Skelos will no longer be majority leader in January -- his term expires at the end of this year and a new leader will be elected.
"He wouldn't be the majority leader," Benjamin said of Skelos, in case the chamber is split evenly next year."
"Senate tie -- 31 Republicans, 31 Democrats -- looms as chaotic possibility
Former Democratic Sen. Manfred Ohrenstein of Manhattan recalls what happened the last time the Senate was so closely divided it couldn't decide on a leader, in 1965.
"We couldn't do any work. We couldn't pass any bills," recalled Ohrenstein, who served in the Senate from 1961 to 1994. "We would come in every day, vote on who should be the leader, fail to agree, and then adjourn."
The deadlock was finally broken after a month, when then-Gov. Nelson Rockefeller directed some fellow Republicans to vote for Democrat Joseph Zaretzky of Manhattan, who was then elected the leader."
"Normally, the lieutenant governor would break a tie, much as the vice president does in Washington when the U.S. Senate is deadlocked. But since former Gov. Eliot Spitzer quit in disgrace in March and then-Lt. Gov. David Paterson took his place, the state hasn't had a lieutenant governor -- and won't until January 2011.
Scott Reif, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, R-Nassau County, noted that Skelos as majority leader is the acting lieutenant governor, and therefore could break a tie.
"It is clear that the majority leader -- as acting lieutenant governor -- has the authority to break all ties on procedural votes," he said.
But Gerald Benjamin, a State University of New York at New Paltz professor and the state's leading academic expert on state government, pointed out that Skelos will no longer be majority leader in January -- his term expires at the end of this year and a new leader will be elected.
"He wouldn't be the majority leader," Benjamin said of Skelos, in case the chamber is split evenly next year."
Handing Out Taxpayer Funded Mailer with Campaign Handouts? That's Our Joe Saladino
Assemblyman Joe Saladino is having a banner day here at Nassau GOP Watch.
Tonight he was at the Waldbaums on Hicksville Road in Massapequa around 630pm "greeting" shoppers as they entered and exited the supermarket. He was handing out his little camapaign flier asking for votes on 'Row B'. He was also handing out another piece of paper which turns out to be a taxpayer funded mailer.
Saladino is using taxpayer money to fund his re-election. Using those mailers paid for with YOUR money to campaign is a new low.
Why does Saladino think he can get away with this misuse of taxpayer money?
Who exactly does Saladino think he is?
The 12th Assembly District is overwhelmingly republican so maybe he thinks it's the Wild West and he can do whatever he wants.
Kurt Ludwig the former Commissioner for the South Farmingdale Water District learned the hard way that elected officials are now being held to account for their actions.
Here is Saladino's Campaign piece:
And here is the taxpayer funded piece he was handing out too...
Tonight he was at the Waldbaums on Hicksville Road in Massapequa around 630pm "greeting" shoppers as they entered and exited the supermarket. He was handing out his little camapaign flier asking for votes on 'Row B'. He was also handing out another piece of paper which turns out to be a taxpayer funded mailer.
Saladino is using taxpayer money to fund his re-election. Using those mailers paid for with YOUR money to campaign is a new low.
Why does Saladino think he can get away with this misuse of taxpayer money?
Who exactly does Saladino think he is?
The 12th Assembly District is overwhelmingly republican so maybe he thinks it's the Wild West and he can do whatever he wants.
Kurt Ludwig the former Commissioner for the South Farmingdale Water District learned the hard way that elected officials are now being held to account for their actions.
Here is Saladino's Campaign piece:
And here is the taxpayer funded piece he was handing out too...
Jack Martins Ready to Get Creamed By McCarthy
Mineola Mayor Jack Martins continues to "approve" factually incorrect negative ads against Congresswoman McCarthy.
É muito desesperado.
É muito desesperado.
NY State Republicans Abuse Boy Scouts on Saladino's Behalf
The Boy Scouts are such a great group of young men who give of themselves to help their communities. It is always important that they receive the accolades they deserve. They do not deserve to be used in political propaganda like the one out in the mail now. According to Cub Scout policies "Section 8 page 3 of the Policies of Cub Scouting:- The Scouting movement shall not be involved in any question of political character (ie. involving elections or administrative or legislative matters) other than color guard or 'get-out-the-vote' activities."
That didn't stop the NY State Republicans using a local Cub Scout Pack in a mailing for Joe Saladino. The scouts were planting dune grass to protect out barrier beaches and end up in a partisan mailing.
Saladino and GOP Boss Joe Mondello should be ashamed and they owe those scouts an apology.
That didn't stop the NY State Republicans using a local Cub Scout Pack in a mailing for Joe Saladino. The scouts were planting dune grass to protect out barrier beaches and end up in a partisan mailing.
Saladino and GOP Boss Joe Mondello should be ashamed and they owe those scouts an apology.
Would You Take Campaign Contributions From a Mortgage Scammer? Joe Saladino Did.
And he hasn't given the money back.
HTFC a sub-prime lender which is being sued by GMAC for selling bad mortgages and made front-page news in Newsday is a contributor to Assemblyman Joe Saladino's campaign.
HTFC CEO Aaron Wider contributed $3400 last year and was also a sponsor of Saladino's 2007 Marine and Outdoor Recreation Expo and Music Festival.
Saladino also received the exact same amount the same day from the massapequa-based company of an HFTC account executive.
According to Newsday "By all appearances, Aaron Wider is the chief executive of a flourishing mortgage bank in Garden City, issuing more than $33 million in home loans to buyers across Nassau and Suffolk counties over the past four years.
A closer look at his lending practices, however, reveals that many of these loans relied on faulty appraisals and exaggerated loan applications, leaving behind angry homeowners who are struggling to pay mortgages on overpriced homes.
"I trusted him, I felt like he was an honest person," said Robin Fitzgerald, who negotiated with Wider to pay $805,000 for a home in North Massapequa in 2005 that a later appraisal valued at $545,000. Fitzgerald is now facing foreclosure. "I wasn't familiar with the prices of houses here. I'm a first-time homeowner."
Along with a handful of associates, Wider bought and sold houses and issued mortgages for at least 30 properties, pushing the prices of some homes to as much as $300,000 above similar sales in the area, a Newsday investigation has found. Most of the time, the houses were sold twice on the same day."
"One of his bank's biggest borrowers was Wider himself, who received $10.8 million in home loans. Banks have begun foreclosure proceedings against the owners of at least 12 of these homes, exacerbating an already rising foreclosure rate in East Massapequa, the community where most of Wider's activity has been concentrated.
Wider's bank, HTFC Corp., is being sued in federal court by two large banks it sold millions of dollars in loans to -- Pennsylvania-based GMAC Bank and a subsidiary, Minnesota-based Residential Funding Company -- which charge in court records that the loans were fraudulent."
Wider preyed on Saladino's constituents but Saladino still keeps the money.
When Saladino had to opportunity to vote on A08972C - New York state responsible lending act of 2008 "to regulate subprime and nontraditional home loan lending," Saladino DID NOT VOTE.
Newsday outlines one sale in N. Massapequa "One example of Wider's actions is the Fitzgerald house at 1004 North Broadway -- an ordinary high ranch in the middle-class neighborhood of North Massapequa, with a stone facade and a view of a busy street. On a single day in April 2005, the house inexplicably skyrocketed in value.
First, Wider bought it for $475,000, Nassau County property records show. Then he transferred the property to a real estate trust, with a trustee who was Wider's personal lawyer.
The same day, the trust sold the house to a one-time account executive at Wider's bank for $750,000. At the same time, HTFC issued the account executive two loans totalling $700,000."
And Wider's background? "Lawsuits have followed Wider since he began investing in real estate at least five years ago. According to one federal suit that was settled in 2005, Wider's bank issued loans in the name of four dead people in the Chicago area, then sold those loans to another bank. Wider's ex-wife has sued him. In a Nassau County case that also was settled, she said he talked her into using her credit to buy several homes in the Bronx and Cleveland then never paid the mortgages as he promised."
Would YOU take campaign money from him?
Saladino did and he doesn't seem to care.
Saladino's opponent Keith Scalia is running a clean money campaign. Because that is what we need to get the very best candidates in office, not the best funded candidiates.
HTFC a sub-prime lender which is being sued by GMAC for selling bad mortgages and made front-page news in Newsday is a contributor to Assemblyman Joe Saladino's campaign.
HTFC CEO Aaron Wider contributed $3400 last year and was also a sponsor of Saladino's 2007 Marine and Outdoor Recreation Expo and Music Festival.
Saladino also received the exact same amount the same day from the massapequa-based company of an HFTC account executive.
According to Newsday "By all appearances, Aaron Wider is the chief executive of a flourishing mortgage bank in Garden City, issuing more than $33 million in home loans to buyers across Nassau and Suffolk counties over the past four years.
A closer look at his lending practices, however, reveals that many of these loans relied on faulty appraisals and exaggerated loan applications, leaving behind angry homeowners who are struggling to pay mortgages on overpriced homes.
"I trusted him, I felt like he was an honest person," said Robin Fitzgerald, who negotiated with Wider to pay $805,000 for a home in North Massapequa in 2005 that a later appraisal valued at $545,000. Fitzgerald is now facing foreclosure. "I wasn't familiar with the prices of houses here. I'm a first-time homeowner."
Along with a handful of associates, Wider bought and sold houses and issued mortgages for at least 30 properties, pushing the prices of some homes to as much as $300,000 above similar sales in the area, a Newsday investigation has found. Most of the time, the houses were sold twice on the same day."
"One of his bank's biggest borrowers was Wider himself, who received $10.8 million in home loans. Banks have begun foreclosure proceedings against the owners of at least 12 of these homes, exacerbating an already rising foreclosure rate in East Massapequa, the community where most of Wider's activity has been concentrated.
Wider's bank, HTFC Corp., is being sued in federal court by two large banks it sold millions of dollars in loans to -- Pennsylvania-based GMAC Bank and a subsidiary, Minnesota-based Residential Funding Company -- which charge in court records that the loans were fraudulent."
Wider preyed on Saladino's constituents but Saladino still keeps the money.
When Saladino had to opportunity to vote on A08972C - New York state responsible lending act of 2008 "to regulate subprime and nontraditional home loan lending," Saladino DID NOT VOTE.
Newsday outlines one sale in N. Massapequa "One example of Wider's actions is the Fitzgerald house at 1004 North Broadway -- an ordinary high ranch in the middle-class neighborhood of North Massapequa, with a stone facade and a view of a busy street. On a single day in April 2005, the house inexplicably skyrocketed in value.
First, Wider bought it for $475,000, Nassau County property records show. Then he transferred the property to a real estate trust, with a trustee who was Wider's personal lawyer.
The same day, the trust sold the house to a one-time account executive at Wider's bank for $750,000. At the same time, HTFC issued the account executive two loans totalling $700,000."
And Wider's background? "Lawsuits have followed Wider since he began investing in real estate at least five years ago. According to one federal suit that was settled in 2005, Wider's bank issued loans in the name of four dead people in the Chicago area, then sold those loans to another bank. Wider's ex-wife has sued him. In a Nassau County case that also was settled, she said he talked her into using her credit to buy several homes in the Bronx and Cleveland then never paid the mortgages as he promised."
Would YOU take campaign money from him?
Saladino did and he doesn't seem to care.
Saladino's opponent Keith Scalia is running a clean money campaign. Because that is what we need to get the very best candidates in office, not the best funded candidiates.
What Spooked Kemp Hannon?
On Sunday, a new Siena poll gives Kemp Hannon a commanding lead of 56% - 30% over Democrat Kristen McElroy with 15% undecided. This seems to be a lead McElroy can't break put of.
I am not dismissing the numbers in the poll but if these are the real numbers, why did Hannon have to go on the air with negative tv ads?
Hannon could have continued on with positive mailings and tv ads never mentioning McElroy at all. But he did mention her. He went after her. A candidate just doesn't go negative with a lead like the Siena poll is showing.
What numbers are Hannon seeing that we don't know about.
The poll was conducted between October 29th and November 1st and this is the first time Siena polled this race.
On October 28th, Hannon went on the air with the anti-McElroy ads.
McElory did not respond until October 31st.
Did the Hannon ad have an affect on the polling?
Like I said, I'm not dismissing the Siena poll but an answer to the question "why did Hannon go negative?" might be more of a window into the race.
I am not dismissing the numbers in the poll but if these are the real numbers, why did Hannon have to go on the air with negative tv ads?
Hannon could have continued on with positive mailings and tv ads never mentioning McElroy at all. But he did mention her. He went after her. A candidate just doesn't go negative with a lead like the Siena poll is showing.
What numbers are Hannon seeing that we don't know about.
The poll was conducted between October 29th and November 1st and this is the first time Siena polled this race.
On October 28th, Hannon went on the air with the anti-McElroy ads.
McElory did not respond until October 31st.
Did the Hannon ad have an affect on the polling?
Like I said, I'm not dismissing the Siena poll but an answer to the question "why did Hannon go negative?" might be more of a window into the race.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Blind Item: Crass Act Edition
What insecure, legacy elected official campaigned at a firefighters funeral?
Even would-be supporters were appalled.
Stay Classy, Massapequa Republicans!
I came home last night to a little vandalism. When I left my house in the aftrenoon, I had two Kristen McElroy for Senate signs on my front lawn. When I returned, the signs were ripped up and shoved under the windshield wipers of my wifes car.
Now I have had signs stolen in the past. That seems to be the thing nassau republicans like to do. It's hard to figure out why a name on a sign freaks them out so much. Why are they so scared to see McElroy's name on a sign?
Were these fervent Hannon supporters or just Democrat haters?
Previous thefts from my property tended to be a complete disappearance of the signs. This time however the anger and violence of the ripping of the signs and then what could be be described as an attempt at intimidation by jamming the signs under the windshield wipers makes me think it's at a new level. And my kids asked "why are your signs ripped up on mommy's car?"
I have a replacement sign on the side since I figured the cowardly republicans would go after my signs again.
So keep stealing signs you frightened little republicans, we are going to win elections anyway.
Now I have had signs stolen in the past. That seems to be the thing nassau republicans like to do. It's hard to figure out why a name on a sign freaks them out so much. Why are they so scared to see McElroy's name on a sign?
Were these fervent Hannon supporters or just Democrat haters?
Previous thefts from my property tended to be a complete disappearance of the signs. This time however the anger and violence of the ripping of the signs and then what could be be described as an attempt at intimidation by jamming the signs under the windshield wipers makes me think it's at a new level. And my kids asked "why are your signs ripped up on mommy's car?"
I have a replacement sign on the side since I figured the cowardly republicans would go after my signs again.
So keep stealing signs you frightened little republicans, we are going to win elections anyway.
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