The Corning Leader reports that Tom Reed sent a letter to state and federal representatives, including Eric Massa, to request over $5 million in stimulus funds for Corning. Reed now says that he doubts that he would accept that money.
Sun, 09/27/2009 - 10:08 — David Ditch (not verified)
Something like "I opposed the stimulus, but since it was already approved I felt it was important to get some of it back for our residents to pay for important projects", would be a very reasonable thing to say. This is really, really not the way to explain it. And what, did he think that his stimulus request and the grant weren't going to come out?
And naturally the entire local GOP instantly backed him over a year before the election.
Sometimes it's painful to be a right-winger...
Sun, 09/27/2009 - 14:48 — Rottenchester
Yes -- there are many ways to explain what was a very reasonable decision. Reed didn't seem to want to say something reasonable, and I don't understand why.
BTW -- it's not just the local GOP -- the national GOP seems to have taken him in as a candidate very quickly.
Sun, 09/27/2009 - 16:31 — David Ditch (not verified)
I can somewhat understand why they're backing him. Mayor of the biggest city/town in the district, with the strong backing of the last really successful southern-tier Republican. He's got money to self-finance and almost certainly has better connections for fundraising than any other interested Republican. And it's exactly that sort of calculus that got the GOP into such a deep hole.
Sun, 09/27/2009 - 16:52 — Time for New Blood (not verified)
The local Chairs may be backing Reed, but that is not necessarily the consensus of GOP constituents. First, Reed is proving himself to be nothing more than another crony groomed by an antiquated machine. This is a problem with candidates in both parties. We need Americans who are not independently wealthy and neither vested, nor versed in the self-serving rules of the political gambit to stand up and fun for offices at all levels. Both parties have betrayed their founding principles, and ultimately the people they purport to represent. Second, Reed is a dream come true for Massa. There is no way that he can exert the tenacity and vigor that Massa puts into his work. I do not care for Massa either, as he seems to continually cut off his nose to spite his face. Third, Reed is coming out as a moderate-republican. This is what turns so many people off to the GOP. I for one think both parties need to take a step back and look at the cornerstones upon which our Republic was erected. Finally, Reed was not property vetted. The endorsements came way to quick and Reed is already providing more than enough fodder for him to be brought down a notch. Much of what we are finding out about him now will come out in full force about a year from now when Reed and Massa are gearing up for the 2010 General Election. The best thing that could happen for the 29th, and the country as whole, is to have individuals come out of the wood-work to represent the interests of the average citizen. Focusing on a return to true liberties and legislation that is in fidelity with an individual's right to make or break their own life.
Sun, 09/27/2009 - 20:58 — up in prattsburgh (not verified)
You know, I do wish we could have a GOP primary, after all. I always liked Phil Roche, former head of Steuben Legislature...or the young woman Assemblyman (State Senator?) from Cattaraugus?
Sun, 09/27/2009 - 22:11 — Time for New Blood (not verified)
It is my understanding that none of the "Big Guns" are getting in because they expect the 29th to be dissolved sometime in 2011 after the census is complete. This is almost a certainty if Democrats hold their majority in the Assembly and the State Senate. This means that a Big Gun would have to invest all of their time, energy and money for a position that potentially has a two-year shelf life. They are much more comfortable doing what they and do not want to risk being unemployed by the time 2012 rolls around. In any event, the 29th is the perfect place for a groundswell of new opportunity for those of us who truly want to be heard to speak up. The Senator in Cattaraugus is Senator Cathy Young. She is planning on running for her state senate seat again. I'm not aware as to whether Phil Roche is contemplating a run. It is doubtful since Reed is from Steuben County and seems to have locked up the Old Guard and the Party Hacks.
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 06:54 — Rottenchester
I agree. Here's the logic of it from my point of view:
1. Only a Southern Tier candidate can beat Massa.
2. Southern Tier politics are generally machine politics because one party dominates. This means that new blood starts at the bottom and everyone moves up when someone at the top retires. The "top" used to be the 29th seat, but since Massa won it, the top is State Senate.
3. The 29th seat will be re-districted in 2012 when NY loses one or two (or three) seats in the House. Those seats will come from Western and Central NY, since that's where the population loss is happening. Since the NYS Assembly and Senate will likely be Democratic (barely) in 2012, and because Republican registration is down, it's likely that redistricting will favor Democratic incumbents.
If you put this all together, you realize that the machine candidate is going to be someone who is relatively new and inexperienced, because only that person has very little to lose. The rest all want to guard their rung on the ladder.
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 01:27 — up in prattsburgh (not verified)
Reed---or "Tom Greed," as I see from Elmer's conveyance of Bob Rolfe's column--will be perfectly positioned to succeed George Winner for State Senate, or Assemblyman Baccales, or even run for a judgeship or the DA spot in Steuben County....when this is all over and he has raised his name ID down in our neck of the woods. However, he really IS kinda getting "beat up" by his own doing. This Masonic Lodge loan/financing...hmmmm...
Comments
Something like "I opposed the stimulus, but since it was already approved I felt it was important to get some of it back for our residents to pay for important projects", would be a very reasonable thing to say. This is really, really not the way to explain it. And what, did he think that his stimulus request and the grant weren't going to come out?
And naturally the entire local GOP instantly backed him over a year before the election.
Sometimes it's painful to be a right-winger...
Yes -- there are many ways to explain what was a very reasonable decision. Reed didn't seem to want to say something reasonable, and I don't understand why.
BTW -- it's not just the local GOP -- the national GOP seems to have taken him in as a candidate very quickly.
I can somewhat understand why they're backing him. Mayor of the biggest city/town in the district, with the strong backing of the last really successful southern-tier Republican. He's got money to self-finance and almost certainly has better connections for fundraising than any other interested Republican. And it's exactly that sort of calculus that got the GOP into such a deep hole.
The local Chairs may be backing Reed, but that is not necessarily the consensus of GOP constituents. First, Reed is proving himself to be nothing more than another crony groomed by an antiquated machine. This is a problem with candidates in both parties. We need Americans who are not independently wealthy and neither vested, nor versed in the self-serving rules of the political gambit to stand up and fun for offices at all levels. Both parties have betrayed their founding principles, and ultimately the people they purport to represent. Second, Reed is a dream come true for Massa. There is no way that he can exert the tenacity and vigor that Massa puts into his work. I do not care for Massa either, as he seems to continually cut off his nose to spite his face. Third, Reed is coming out as a moderate-republican. This is what turns so many people off to the GOP. I for one think both parties need to take a step back and look at the cornerstones upon which our Republic was erected. Finally, Reed was not property vetted. The endorsements came way to quick and Reed is already providing more than enough fodder for him to be brought down a notch. Much of what we are finding out about him now will come out in full force about a year from now when Reed and Massa are gearing up for the 2010 General Election. The best thing that could happen for the 29th, and the country as whole, is to have individuals come out of the wood-work to represent the interests of the average citizen. Focusing on a return to true liberties and legislation that is in fidelity with an individual's right to make or break their own life.
You know, I do wish we could have a GOP primary, after all. I always liked Phil Roche, former head of Steuben Legislature...or the young woman Assemblyman (State Senator?) from Cattaraugus?
It is my understanding that none of the "Big Guns" are getting in because they expect the 29th to be dissolved sometime in 2011 after the census is complete. This is almost a certainty if Democrats hold their majority in the Assembly and the State Senate. This means that a Big Gun would have to invest all of their time, energy and money for a position that potentially has a two-year shelf life. They are much more comfortable doing what they and do not want to risk being unemployed by the time 2012 rolls around. In any event, the 29th is the perfect place for a groundswell of new opportunity for those of us who truly want to be heard to speak up. The Senator in Cattaraugus is Senator Cathy Young. She is planning on running for her state senate seat again. I'm not aware as to whether Phil Roche is contemplating a run. It is doubtful since Reed is from Steuben County and seems to have locked up the Old Guard and the Party Hacks.
I agree. Here's the logic of it from my point of view:
1. Only a Southern Tier candidate can beat Massa.
2. Southern Tier politics are generally machine politics because one party dominates. This means that new blood starts at the bottom and everyone moves up when someone at the top retires. The "top" used to be the 29th seat, but since Massa won it, the top is State Senate.
3. The 29th seat will be re-districted in 2012 when NY loses one or two (or three) seats in the House. Those seats will come from Western and Central NY, since that's where the population loss is happening. Since the NYS Assembly and Senate will likely be Democratic (barely) in 2012, and because Republican registration is down, it's likely that redistricting will favor Democratic incumbents.
If you put this all together, you realize that the machine candidate is going to be someone who is relatively new and inexperienced, because only that person has very little to lose. The rest all want to guard their rung on the ladder.
Reed---or "Tom Greed," as I see from Elmer's conveyance of Bob Rolfe's column--will be perfectly positioned to succeed George Winner for State Senate, or Assemblyman Baccales, or even run for a judgeship or the DA spot in Steuben County....when this is all over and he has raised his name ID down in our neck of the woods. However, he really IS kinda getting "beat up" by his own doing. This Masonic Lodge loan/financing...hmmmm...