As someone who was born and raised in New York and spent some time in the Assembly Chamber while my father served as an Assemblyman for the 137th/138th District (Niagara County). I have been really amused with the fall from grace of soon to be ex-Governor Eliot Spitzer.
As I write this the New York Post has issued an update indicating that Spitzer will stay on just a little longer.
I have no doubt that the NY Legislature will take an impeachment action against Spitzer, unless Spitzer resigns.
This comment from the Buffalo News attributed to an aide of the Governor's seems to sum it up pretty well:
Among his senior staff, Monday's sense of shock and sadness had, overnight, fallen to anger.
"Idiot," was all one top aide said.
One of my favorite bloggers has the best title for his post "Eliot Mess". Lex goes on to show the point/counter point as to what the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times has said on the same story.
A quick search around the net, the title for Eliot Mess will be used fairly often. Here is one.
Let's face it this guy is not well liked by the members of both parties in the State House and a few of the state's newspapers have wondered where all the hope and promise he had proscribed for the state when he was elected back in November of 2006.
As having family still sprinkled around the state, its been pretty clear that his approval was going down hill, what I didn't realize how fast it had plummeted. He was elected with nearly 70% of the vote and just a few days ago I had seen a story indicating that his approval rating was less than 30% with a negativity rating of 70%.
There is an underlying story here as well, the State is currently in the budget negotiations for FY 2008/2009. That budget needs to be in place by April 1st or they will have to get supplementary appropriations. So, if there is a pet project that the Governor Spitzer wants, it might be a hard sell for him while he is under this black cloud of possible criminal behavior. The constituency might be better served if he resigns and let Lt. Governor Patterson pick up the mantle of moving New York forward.
The other side plot to this is that Spitzer is a Super Delegate for Hillary Clinton, she doesn't need this distraction as well as losing the Super Delegate at this juncture in the Presidential delegate race.
I wonder if Ted Strickland has called to offer his counsel as a minister to help Spitzer through this tough time.
The more I read, I think the aide sums it up the best, what an idiot!
UPDATE MARCH 12, 2008:
Just received word via WIVB-TV (Buffalo) and the AP that Governor Spitzer will resign today effective Monday, March 17, 2008.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Did this Influence the Election?
Saw this piece on Cox.net news page.
It sounds like its a new development in voting, however, it happens a lot more than people think. I have said a few times that I did this in 2004.
The problem will be for the GOP to maintain contact with those 16,000 voters during the remaining portion of this election year. The downside for these voters is that they have just increased the amount of campaign literature and phone calls for the November General Election.
Hopefully, none of these 16,000 are precinct or other committee people, that would be bad news for the party as well.
(Cleveland, OH) -- Thousands of Republican voters in Cuyahoga County are newly-minted Democrats. The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections says 16-thousand GOP members jumped parties for last week's primary election, but it's not necessarily good news for county Democrats. Elections officials may investigate some Republicans who they believe crossed over to influence the Democratic presidential race in Ohio. Cuyahoga County GOP leaders say national and local talk-radio hosts are to blame for the party-jumping.
It sounds like its a new development in voting, however, it happens a lot more than people think. I have said a few times that I did this in 2004.
The problem will be for the GOP to maintain contact with those 16,000 voters during the remaining portion of this election year. The downside for these voters is that they have just increased the amount of campaign literature and phone calls for the November General Election.
Hopefully, none of these 16,000 are precinct or other committee people, that would be bad news for the party as well.
Winter Wonderland in a Lakewood March!
Looking North towards Lake Erie:
Looking South towards Lake Avenue:
Snowdrift in front of car and garage:
Some perspective as to the depth of the snow in our front yard:
Took about 2+ hours to clear the walkways and portions of the driveway. A neighbor had their driveway plowed, so I paid them to clear my driveway as well:
The worst snow drifts were above the knee deep. The rest were just below the knee or about 19 inches.
There has been sporadic reports in Lakewood that residents got mail, well the mailman didn't arrive on our door step Saturday. But, Saturday was neither fit for man 'nor beast!
My guess this snow will be gone by the weekend.
Looking South towards Lake Avenue:
Snowdrift in front of car and garage:
Some perspective as to the depth of the snow in our front yard:
Took about 2+ hours to clear the walkways and portions of the driveway. A neighbor had their driveway plowed, so I paid them to clear my driveway as well:
The worst snow drifts were above the knee deep. The rest were just below the knee or about 19 inches.
There has been sporadic reports in Lakewood that residents got mail, well the mailman didn't arrive on our door step Saturday. But, Saturday was neither fit for man 'nor beast!
My guess this snow will be gone by the weekend.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Mapping the Primary Results for the Democrats
Here is what is gained from the exit polling:
In Ohio, which has been hard hit by the economy, Clinton won solid victories among men (11%) and women (32%). She also won heavily among voters over 65 (67% to 31%) but lost among younger voters (67% to 32%), precisely what we have seen before. She won a small victory among voters under $100,000 (51% to 48%) and lost narrowly among richer voters (54% to 46%). Education gave the usual picture, with HS graduates heavily tilting to Clinton (by 27%) and people with college and postgraduate degrees going for Obama strongly. The two candidates split the Protestant vote evenly but Clinton won by 19% among Catholic voters. Ohio does not have many Latinos, so something else is going on here. Interestingly enough, union membership didn't make much difference.
From: www.electoral-vote.com
Also, what interesting to see from this same website is how the country is split between Obama and Clinton.
Pink is Clinton, Purple is Obama. The other colors are either up coming primaries or no delegates selected (Florida and Michigan).
Bookmark this website if you would like to follow along the races.
Well I was wrong!
I had anticipated Obama to sweep Texas and Ohio, but that is not the case.
So the Democrats continue to fight for the nomination.
For the GOP that is great news, because it eases the campaign and the fundraising.
Kucinich has has staved off the rest of the contenders in a much stronger fashion than I had expected. He still will have to face Jim Trakas in November.
Tomorrow John McCain will get the endorsement of George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States.
Its time for the rank and file Republicans to begin the work necessary to retain the White House.
So the Democrats continue to fight for the nomination.
For the GOP that is great news, because it eases the campaign and the fundraising.
Kucinich has has staved off the rest of the contenders in a much stronger fashion than I had expected. He still will have to face Jim Trakas in November.
Tomorrow John McCain will get the endorsement of George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States.
Its time for the rank and file Republicans to begin the work necessary to retain the White House.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Time for the Ground Game!
This is where a good campaign organization can pay off. Today here in Cleveland the weather is not the greatest. If this were the General Election, than the GOP would be excited since historically GOP voters are like the mailman, neither sleet nor snow will keep me from my appointed rounds.
But, its just the Primary, this is where the Clinton campaign must shine to have a chance of stemming the tide of Obama mania.
On my way into work I drove by some of the polling locations to see if there was any action. It appeared to be the post morning rush hour, since I didn't see many supporters standing outside the polling locations.
I did see Obama supporters standing on the corner at Starbucks near W117th Street in Cleveland urging people to call the campaign or to vote.
Cleveland.com and Channel 5 are both indicating that there is heavy turnout and that the centralized pick up has been smoothly handled.
There is also anecdotal stories relating to the tabs on the ballots and whether or not the votes will be counted if removed.
I have a contact in the BOE and I am waiting to see if he will respond to my queries regarding to how things might be going.
Now its past the noon hour, so all the campaigns should have been to the polling locations to review the list of people who have voted and then match them up to their voting lists. Once they identify who has yet to vote, the calls will go out to stir them into voting and making sure they have transportation to the polls. This the essence of the ground game!
After 3 pm the next rounds of voter list will be out and then its the final push from all the campaigns to get out the vote.
The BOE is indicating that over 60,000 absentee ballots have already been scanned and ready to be tabulated, so essentially at 7:45pm we should have a good indication of how things might turn out.
Will update if given new information.
But, its just the Primary, this is where the Clinton campaign must shine to have a chance of stemming the tide of Obama mania.
On my way into work I drove by some of the polling locations to see if there was any action. It appeared to be the post morning rush hour, since I didn't see many supporters standing outside the polling locations.
I did see Obama supporters standing on the corner at Starbucks near W117th Street in Cleveland urging people to call the campaign or to vote.
Cleveland.com and Channel 5 are both indicating that there is heavy turnout and that the centralized pick up has been smoothly handled.
There is also anecdotal stories relating to the tabs on the ballots and whether or not the votes will be counted if removed.
I have a contact in the BOE and I am waiting to see if he will respond to my queries regarding to how things might be going.
Now its past the noon hour, so all the campaigns should have been to the polling locations to review the list of people who have voted and then match them up to their voting lists. Once they identify who has yet to vote, the calls will go out to stir them into voting and making sure they have transportation to the polls. This the essence of the ground game!
After 3 pm the next rounds of voter list will be out and then its the final push from all the campaigns to get out the vote.
The BOE is indicating that over 60,000 absentee ballots have already been scanned and ready to be tabulated, so essentially at 7:45pm we should have a good indication of how things might turn out.
Will update if given new information.
Monday, March 03, 2008
BACK TO CHAPPAQUA
All the vote counting will probably go into the early morning hours. The County BOE has indicated that over 100,000 absentee ballots went out for voting.
Just this weekend and today nearly 1000 votes were cast at the BOE on Euclid.
What does this all mean, Ohio is once again the "Heart of it all" for the 2008 Primary season.
As I have said in an earlier post I voted in early February, so I have been able to sit back watch and listen to the Obama and Clinton campaigns.
They have talked about issues, they have talked about their differences and they have even squabbled about who said what.
The question remains who do the Democrats want to be their standard bearer in November against John McCain.
Who does the rank and file Democrat feel can bring change to America; Who can get us out of the Iraq war as fast as possible: Who is going to listen to the common man and not the special interest.
That person for Ohio is Barack Obama.
This is by no means a easy victory for Obama, as I said earlier the votes will counted until well after midnight, but I believe the Obama will end up 8 - 10 percentage points higher than Hillary Clinton.
I also believe that Obama will continue his winning streak and end Clinton's campaign for the Presidency by sweeping the other three states up for grabs tomorrow.
This campaign season will be studied by Poli Sci folks for a long time as to determine how the presumptive Democratic candidate got smoked when the Primaries came a calling.
I think in the short term, the political historians will say that America has grown weary of the Clintons and that Obama was there at the right time with the right message.
So, let the VEEPS Sweepstakes begin!
Just this weekend and today nearly 1000 votes were cast at the BOE on Euclid.
What does this all mean, Ohio is once again the "Heart of it all" for the 2008 Primary season.
As I have said in an earlier post I voted in early February, so I have been able to sit back watch and listen to the Obama and Clinton campaigns.
They have talked about issues, they have talked about their differences and they have even squabbled about who said what.
The question remains who do the Democrats want to be their standard bearer in November against John McCain.
Who does the rank and file Democrat feel can bring change to America; Who can get us out of the Iraq war as fast as possible: Who is going to listen to the common man and not the special interest.
That person for Ohio is Barack Obama.
This is by no means a easy victory for Obama, as I said earlier the votes will counted until well after midnight, but I believe the Obama will end up 8 - 10 percentage points higher than Hillary Clinton.
I also believe that Obama will continue his winning streak and end Clinton's campaign for the Presidency by sweeping the other three states up for grabs tomorrow.
This campaign season will be studied by Poli Sci folks for a long time as to determine how the presumptive Democratic candidate got smoked when the Primaries came a calling.
I think in the short term, the political historians will say that America has grown weary of the Clintons and that Obama was there at the right time with the right message.
So, let the VEEPS Sweepstakes begin!
PRIMARY DAY 2008 - 10th District
Tomorrow is the deciding day for Dennis Kucinich, will he remain the incumbent for the 10th District Congressional race or will he be going home.
This contest was essentially decided when the ballot came out with 5 names:
Rosemary Palmer
Barbara Ann Ferris
Thomas O'Grady
Joseph Cimperman
Dennis Kucinich
If this was a straight up race with Kucinich vs Cimperman or O'Grady then there might be a different outcome.
Even though Cimperman has put a lot of money into this campaign and there is a lot of frustration with Kucinich, I still see the vote split between Palmer, Ferris, O'Grady and Cimperman, which puts Kucinich up against the GOP nominee in the fall.
Take Kucinich +/- 5% difference between he and Cimperman.
Who will Dennis! meet in November, Jim Trakas.
The GOP race was over for Jason Werner as soon as Trakas announced. Werner will be lucky if he garners even 10% of the vote.
With Kucinich/Trakas race the big question will be, will those Democrats who were frustrated with Kucinich stay on the Democratic side or will they cross over to Trakas.
Time will tell.
If Cimperman is able to knock off Kucinich, than that will be the second story for Wednesday. The money race from both congressional campaigns will most likely flow in from Washington.
This contest was essentially decided when the ballot came out with 5 names:
Rosemary Palmer
Barbara Ann Ferris
Thomas O'Grady
Joseph Cimperman
Dennis Kucinich
If this was a straight up race with Kucinich vs Cimperman or O'Grady then there might be a different outcome.
Even though Cimperman has put a lot of money into this campaign and there is a lot of frustration with Kucinich, I still see the vote split between Palmer, Ferris, O'Grady and Cimperman, which puts Kucinich up against the GOP nominee in the fall.
Take Kucinich +/- 5% difference between he and Cimperman.
Who will Dennis! meet in November, Jim Trakas.
The GOP race was over for Jason Werner as soon as Trakas announced. Werner will be lucky if he garners even 10% of the vote.
With Kucinich/Trakas race the big question will be, will those Democrats who were frustrated with Kucinich stay on the Democratic side or will they cross over to Trakas.
Time will tell.
If Cimperman is able to knock off Kucinich, than that will be the second story for Wednesday. The money race from both congressional campaigns will most likely flow in from Washington.
PRMARY DAY 2008
Thank God its here -- Perhaps now Joe Cimperman will quit calling me everyday to get my vote!
Since I already voted a month ago I have more or less just been a somewhat dispassionate listener to all the candidates.
There are really only three races that I have been following here in Cuyahoga County, they are:
1) Common Pleas Judge (Democratic)race (term commencing 2/9/09) between Deena Calabrese, James Satola and Patrick Talty.
2) 10th Congressional District race on both sides of the aisle
3) Democratic Presidential Race
I have also been curious about the Court of Appeals race with Judge Carroll in it. The question for Judge Carroll is that can he leap over the other three for the nod. Its my guess that his role as a Muni-Judge could be a detriment. My bet will be on Stuart Friedman getting the nod.
As to the 2/9/09 Common Pleas Judicial race, this is between a Bill Mason protege (Calabrese), a guy who seems to be a professional candidate (Talty) and my colleague, James Satola.
I will be upfront I am biased in this race, I would really like to see Jim get this nod for November. Vote Satola!
The other two races I will do in follow up posts, they each deserve their own.
Since I already voted a month ago I have more or less just been a somewhat dispassionate listener to all the candidates.
There are really only three races that I have been following here in Cuyahoga County, they are:
1) Common Pleas Judge (Democratic)race (term commencing 2/9/09) between Deena Calabrese, James Satola and Patrick Talty.
2) 10th Congressional District race on both sides of the aisle
3) Democratic Presidential Race
I have also been curious about the Court of Appeals race with Judge Carroll in it. The question for Judge Carroll is that can he leap over the other three for the nod. Its my guess that his role as a Muni-Judge could be a detriment. My bet will be on Stuart Friedman getting the nod.
As to the 2/9/09 Common Pleas Judicial race, this is between a Bill Mason protege (Calabrese), a guy who seems to be a professional candidate (Talty) and my colleague, James Satola.
I will be upfront I am biased in this race, I would really like to see Jim get this nod for November. Vote Satola!
The other two races I will do in follow up posts, they each deserve their own.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Barack Obama on Infrastructure
Today I was listening to POTUS '08 on XM Radio, they were covering a rally for Barack Obama in Texas.
I have finally heard something new from him. Its his ideas for repairing the country's roads and highways.
He pledges 60 Billion dollars over 10 years, so if you break that down, that equates to 6 Billion dollars per year, divide that by 50 states equals 1.2 Billion for each state, that equates to 2 Euclid Corridor projects (200 Million) and 1 Innerbelt project (currently estimated at 850 Million)every year.
But wait there's more:
Divide Ohio's share by 88 counties and that equals to 13.6 million dollars for each county. There roughly 72 cities and towns in Cuyahoga, an equal share would bring in 189,393 dollars per year.
Lakewood's share of $189,393 dollars would be 2 to 3 deep grind and overlays every year. No work on the sewers. Those repairs will be reaching nearly a million dollars per street every year that nothing is accomplished.
There is the Hope and Change America is looking for in 2008.
The only thing I haven't heard yet from Obama or Clinton is that they are going to put 100,000 more cops on the street!
These types of programs are a farce for the election year hype!
UPDATE:
Someone from Austin Texas dropped in this youtube clip in the comment section which has nothing to do with my post on the Obama's highway initiative.
Since this clip is on NAFTA, perhaps the Obama supporter can clarify the point that Obama will not really pull out of NAFTA as he stated in the debate in Cleveland last week.
I have finally heard something new from him. Its his ideas for repairing the country's roads and highways.
He pledges 60 Billion dollars over 10 years, so if you break that down, that equates to 6 Billion dollars per year, divide that by 50 states equals 1.2 Billion for each state, that equates to 2 Euclid Corridor projects (200 Million) and 1 Innerbelt project (currently estimated at 850 Million)every year.
But wait there's more:
Divide Ohio's share by 88 counties and that equals to 13.6 million dollars for each county. There roughly 72 cities and towns in Cuyahoga, an equal share would bring in 189,393 dollars per year.
Lakewood's share of $189,393 dollars would be 2 to 3 deep grind and overlays every year. No work on the sewers. Those repairs will be reaching nearly a million dollars per street every year that nothing is accomplished.
There is the Hope and Change America is looking for in 2008.
The only thing I haven't heard yet from Obama or Clinton is that they are going to put 100,000 more cops on the street!
These types of programs are a farce for the election year hype!
UPDATE:
Someone from Austin Texas dropped in this youtube clip in the comment section which has nothing to do with my post on the Obama's highway initiative.
Since this clip is on NAFTA, perhaps the Obama supporter can clarify the point that Obama will not really pull out of NAFTA as he stated in the debate in Cleveland last week.
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