The shape of the race

Scott Murphy, the new Democratic candidate in the 20th Congressional District, will try to portray himself as uniquely qualified at a time of economic crisis, as an experienced financial, business and political operator who can get more done for the district than a career politician like Jim Tedisco. The National Republican Congressional Committee is painting a different picture of Murphy, releasing a statement tonight saying he "should start explaining his questionable history when it comes to issues of taxes and past business dealings.  At the end of the day, voters will understand the clear difference between Scott Murphy's background of standing with Wall Street and Jim Tedisco's strong record as an advocate for the middle-class."
Because Wall Street is in New York City, and New York City is the powerhouse of the state's now dominant liberal politics, liberals there have lined up with the financial establishment. One of the problems NYC liberals have with Kirsten Gillibrand is that she voted against last year's Wall Street bailout. But, as Gillibrand knew, there's no reason to think Wall Street is popular in this congressional district. Upstate voters, like most Americans, are more likely to be outraged at the plutocrats running failed financial institutions who use taxpayer money to pay themselves million-dollar bonuses. So Tedisco has room to go left on the issue. But he needs to avoid coming across as too unrelentingly negative, at a time when voters want real solutions to economic problems.
Tedisco also could stake out a middle ground on the federal stimulus, calling for smarter, more targeted spending than the Democrats' bill, providing assistance and incentives for states to hold down property taxes.

Comments

[Horatio]

Unfortunately, all Tedisco will need to do to win this seat is maintain a pulse and make sure John Sweeney ain't working for him(as he is rumored to be). There's a chance the Dems could pull a tortoise-and-the-hare move with him, but the odds of that are like shooting the moon.

[claudja]

The man who once thought Puerto Rican was a language in Congress? How depressing. But at least the state Legislature will be rid of his angry puss. From steamrollee to steamroller in just one year.

[Jake Gittes]

Tax Cheat Scott Murphy was caught today by Glens Fall Post Star columnist Maury Thompson in some bizarre Chinatownesque (The movie) lie about the true nature of his relationship to a local district attorny.

Here's the link http://www.poststar.com/blogs/?p=17094&cat=259

In a tape-recorded telephone interview on Friday, The Post-Star asked Murphy, “I know the question will come up from some. What relation are you to Kate Hogan?”

He responded, “Sure — My wife, Jennifer, is Kate’s sister.”

Murphy said Monday that he misspoke on Friday.

What a wack-job!!!

[Brian]

Jake: A man who's clueless about his wife's relatives? Didn't we had enough of such trivialities during the presidential campaign? If that's the best the GOP can come up with, then I guess it's a good thing for them that the snake oil salesman they're running (who doesn't even live in the district) has such a big edge in name recognition.

[Jake Gittes]

Seems like Murphy was trying to initially create the impression that Republican Warren County D.A. was his wife's sister in the inference that she's supporting him. In fact, she's not that closely related.

The whole thing is bizarre.

[Terry O'Neill, Esq.]

JIM TEDISCO

Minority Leaders don't get much attention.
They've gotta work harder for media mention.
Out-showing them all, we've got Jimmy Tedisco
Whose name has got known from Maine out to Frisco.
How does he do it? How's he get press
When Republican fortunes are in such a mess?
He's fun and he's clever and he sees his main chance.
When the cat is distracted, you'll see this mouse dance.
Good humored is he, no angry curmudgeon.
Loved how he stoked up Lou Dobbs' highest dudgeon.
Yes, off to DC we're about to send Jim
And Washington soon will be hearing from him.

[Bob Conner]

TypePad
Hey Terry: How come those modern laureate types can't make their poems rhyme and scan? I reckon Jim should take your verse's advice by maintaining good humor.