Democrats in the current lame-duck session passed a long-overdue repeal of the military's Don't Ask Don't Tell policy, which will end the persecution of thousands of gay people who want to serve our country.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was a leader in making DADT repeal happen, but Chris Gibson, the Army veteran who will represent Gillibrand's former Congressional district next year, doesn't like it.
Gibson still won't come out and say that he opposes DADT, though he obviously does, so he tells Susan Arbetter that there will be problems in implementing this overwhelmingly popular policy, among the general public AND among the military.
Gibson's basic problem is that officers like he was will have to spend some time learning how not to discriminate against gay service members.
He seems to think that that will take longer than a short briefing of officers and noncoms -- an hour or so, tops -- repeating the basic message, "Don't discriminate against gay people."
Gibson is playing to his right-wing base on this, and hoping that the non-right-wing majority in his district will not remember in November 2012.
But, once he's in Congress, Gibson will make plenty of far-right votes that will ensure that he will be a one-term Congressman.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
The economy is always the No. 1 issue
Lots of Democrats nationally, and a few locally, suffered during the recent election from the sorry fact of 10 percent unemployment.
Trying to argue that national Democrats inherited the Great Recession from the Bush Republicans, and did what they could to make things better, didn't convince many voters.
Because, as Atrios says, the priority remains, after almost two years of Democrats running the show, to "Fix the Economy":
"Here's my unsolicited advice for the administration and the Dems: fix the goddamn economy. At least outline a plan to fix it. If Republicans won't pass it, blame them.
"Alternatively, you could not fix the economy and try to get credit for 'cutting the deficit' or some other crap that no one actually gives a shit about, least of all teabaggers or Republicans."
Atrios' national-level advice applies to Democrats at the state, county and municipal levels -- do something effective to fix the economy.
Now.
Trying to argue that national Democrats inherited the Great Recession from the Bush Republicans, and did what they could to make things better, didn't convince many voters.
Because, as Atrios says, the priority remains, after almost two years of Democrats running the show, to "Fix the Economy":
"Here's my unsolicited advice for the administration and the Dems: fix the goddamn economy. At least outline a plan to fix it. If Republicans won't pass it, blame them.
"Alternatively, you could not fix the economy and try to get credit for 'cutting the deficit' or some other crap that no one actually gives a shit about, least of all teabaggers or Republicans."
Atrios' national-level advice applies to Democrats at the state, county and municipal levels -- do something effective to fix the economy.
Now.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Some silver linings
This year's elections were very disappointing at the national level, with Republicans winning the House and six net Senate seats.
Here in Rensselaer County, Congressman Scott Murphy lost, as did Assemblyman Tim Gordon.
But at the local level, it was generally a great night for Rensselaer County Democrats.
In East Greenbush, two Democrats -- Phil Malone and Sue Mangold -- won town board seats after a nasty, well-funded campaign waged by County Legislator Mike Cristo and perennial candidate Ann Taylor.
The result was close, with second-place finisher Mangold just 147 votes in front of Taylor, and Cristo a distant fourth.
Democrats now have a 4-1 majority on the town board.
Out in Stephentown, William Jennings won a town board seat with 56.7 percent of the vote, and Democrats thereby won a town board majority for the first time in generations, maybe the first time ever.
In Schodack, Linda Underwood lost her bid to become the only Democrat on the town board, but got 47 percent of the vote, a dramatic improvement over last year's town board races.
These results, while specific to the towns involved, bode well for next year, when there will be important local elections all over the county.
City/town committees are already preparing for 2011, recruiting candidates and planning fund-raisers. As always, they'll need all the help they can get, so please do what you can to keep the Democratic momentum going.
Here in Rensselaer County, Congressman Scott Murphy lost, as did Assemblyman Tim Gordon.
But at the local level, it was generally a great night for Rensselaer County Democrats.
In East Greenbush, two Democrats -- Phil Malone and Sue Mangold -- won town board seats after a nasty, well-funded campaign waged by County Legislator Mike Cristo and perennial candidate Ann Taylor.
The result was close, with second-place finisher Mangold just 147 votes in front of Taylor, and Cristo a distant fourth.
Democrats now have a 4-1 majority on the town board.
Out in Stephentown, William Jennings won a town board seat with 56.7 percent of the vote, and Democrats thereby won a town board majority for the first time in generations, maybe the first time ever.
In Schodack, Linda Underwood lost her bid to become the only Democrat on the town board, but got 47 percent of the vote, a dramatic improvement over last year's town board races.
These results, while specific to the towns involved, bode well for next year, when there will be important local elections all over the county.
City/town committees are already preparing for 2011, recruiting candidates and planning fund-raisers. As always, they'll need all the help they can get, so please do what you can to keep the Democratic momentum going.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Vote Row A ALL the way
a little reminder...
EVERY DEMOCRAT on the ballot
needs the benefit of your voice.
Just because they are listed at the end doesn't mean they aren't important.
On the contrary.
Those holding the offices listed at the bottom of the ballot
have a greater impact on your everyday life than those at the top.
If you don't vote for the candidates at the end of the ballot, it doesn't matter a whole lot that you voted for those at the top.
It's that simple.
On November 2, make sure all the candidates get your attention.
Especially the really important ones (they save those for the end).
Below the federal and state races, there are several important municipal contests in Rensselaer County this year.
In both East Greenbush and Stephentown, town board races will determine control of the board.
East Greenbush Republicans have run a relentlessly negative campaign for months, and have little positive to offer the town except more of that. So voters should be sure to look for and fill in the circles of Democratic candidates Phil Malone and Sue Mangold.
Stephentown could have its first Democratic board majority in forever, if voters elect William Jennings at the bottom of the ballot.
In Schodack, Linda Underwood is running to be the only Democrat on that town board, and provide some checks and balances.
Several judge/justice positions are way down the ballot this year -- please find and support Chuck Thomas for Troy City Court Judge, Diane Schilling for East Greenbush Town Justice, and Rebecca Snyder for Grafton Town Justice.
And Sand Lake voters should support Eileen Biggins for Receiver of Taxes.
Of course, we encourage voters to vote Row A all the way, but that is no longer a simple matter of hitting every lever on the top ballot line. With the new paper ballots, voters have to be sure to carefully go through the ballot to the end, and fill in all the circles for all our Democratic candidates.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Top Dems rally for Scott Murphy
In the last week of a vitally important election campaign, some big-name Democrats will be doing local events for NY-20 Rep. Scott Murphy.
On Saturday, our next Governor, Andrew Cuomo, will be appearing with Murphy (and excellent state Senate challengers Joanne Yepsen and Susan Savage) at Lakeside Farms and Cider Mill on Schauber Road in Ballston Lake at 11 a.m.
On Sunday, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who won NY-20 twice before being appointed to the Senate, will join Murphy at the Country View Diner on Route 7 in Brunswick at 2:45 p.m.
And on Monday morning, Bill Clinton will rally with Murphy at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga Springs at 7:30.
This is a unique opportunity to see three national-level Democrats in three days -- FOR FREE!
The Clinton event does requires a ticket, but that's easily done by contacting County Chairman Tom Wade.
This confluence of Democratic starpower re-emphazsizes that NY-20 is an extremely important race this year.
Attending some or all of at these events will help Democrats retain their House majority.
And be lots of good Democratic fun.
On Saturday, our next Governor, Andrew Cuomo, will be appearing with Murphy (and excellent state Senate challengers Joanne Yepsen and Susan Savage) at Lakeside Farms and Cider Mill on Schauber Road in Ballston Lake at 11 a.m.
On Sunday, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who won NY-20 twice before being appointed to the Senate, will join Murphy at the Country View Diner on Route 7 in Brunswick at 2:45 p.m.
And on Monday morning, Bill Clinton will rally with Murphy at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga Springs at 7:30.
This is a unique opportunity to see three national-level Democrats in three days -- FOR FREE!
The Clinton event does requires a ticket, but that's easily done by contacting County Chairman Tom Wade.
This confluence of Democratic starpower re-emphazsizes that NY-20 is an extremely important race this year.
Attending some or all of at these events will help Democrats retain their House majority.
And be lots of good Democratic fun.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
June O'Neill to speak at county Democratic event
June O'Neill, New York State Democratic Committee executive committee chair, will address the Rensselaer County Democratic Committee's annual Fall Celebration on Wednesday.
O'Neill is a former state party chair and the longtime chair of the St. Lawrence County Democratic Committee. During her tenure as state chair, she oversaw nine successful special elections for state legislative seats as well as the first Democratic majority in the state Senate since 1965
The Fall Celebration will from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Franklin Terrace Ballroom on Campbell Avenue in Troy. Tickets are $85, $150 per couple, and include a stations buffet, wine, beer and soda.
Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased online at the Rensselaer County Democratic Committee website, or at the door.
For information, call 235-1772.
Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased online at the Rensselaer County Democratic Committee website, or at the door.
For information, call 235-1772.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Gibson's tea party supporters harass Democrats
Over at The Albany Project, acosta has a first-person account of what it was like outside the Murphy/Gibson debate in North Greenbush Thursday night.
In two words, not pretty:
"I showed up with friends to the visibility outside the Murphy v. Gibson debate this past Thursday at WMHT in support of Congressman Murphy. It was terrifying.
"There were much more than 100, possibly 150, Gibson supporters versus our small group of 25 or so Murphy supporters. They were just as nasty, disrespectful and vitriolic as their counterparts across the country. They shouted at us and over us. They approached us and went after us personally with awful comments and even veiled threats.
"When Congressman Murphy came out to greet us, they were disrespectful and yelled at him inches from his face. He was calm and cool. One protester felt triumphant after Scott went inside and shouted "eh, he's scared. Look at him shaking in his boots." Wait, was that his goal? To intimidate? So much for democracy. Move to Afghanistan if you enjoy that tactic."
Gibson is the tea party candidate in NY-20, and his angry supporters seem to be channelling Crazy Carl Paladino in the thuggish harassment department.
Didn't help Paladino much, and this won't help Gibson, either.
Because most voters do not like thuggish street bullies.
In two words, not pretty:
"I showed up with friends to the visibility outside the Murphy v. Gibson debate this past Thursday at WMHT in support of Congressman Murphy. It was terrifying.
"There were much more than 100, possibly 150, Gibson supporters versus our small group of 25 or so Murphy supporters. They were just as nasty, disrespectful and vitriolic as their counterparts across the country. They shouted at us and over us. They approached us and went after us personally with awful comments and even veiled threats.
"When Congressman Murphy came out to greet us, they were disrespectful and yelled at him inches from his face. He was calm and cool. One protester felt triumphant after Scott went inside and shouted "eh, he's scared. Look at him shaking in his boots." Wait, was that his goal? To intimidate? So much for democracy. Move to Afghanistan if you enjoy that tactic."
Gibson is the tea party candidate in NY-20, and his angry supporters seem to be channelling Crazy Carl Paladino in the thuggish harassment department.
Didn't help Paladino much, and this won't help Gibson, either.
Because most voters do not like thuggish street bullies.
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