Bloomberg asks for insults

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From The PolitickerNY:

“The Bloomberg administration wants to dive into social media, even if it means being insulted on a more regular basis … “I don’t think we can have it both ways. I don’t think we can create an open dialogue and try to protect ourselves from insult at the same time,” said newly appointed Deputy Mayor for Operations Stephen Goldsmith. “I’m for an open dialogue, I’m not too worried about where the angry comments get registered.” …”

Perhaps not, but the sheer volume of them might be considerably more than he’s expecting.

Democrat supermajority in doubt

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I previously speculated that the Democrats would lose their supermajority in the Assembly.  They are now publicly admitting they’re concerned about that happening too.

With a weakened Shelly and embolden opposition, this would affect gun control legislation in the next session.

Brady endorsements

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The Brady’s have updated their list of endorsements for New York.  They’re going with both incumbents for Senate, all incumbents for Congress except in CD-20, CD-22, CD-23, CD-24, CD-26, CD-27 and CD-29, plus Eric Schneiderman for DA.

What little money their PAC has been distributed as follows: $1000 for Kirsten Gillibrand, $250 for Dan Maffei and $250 for Michael McMahon.

McCarthy endorsement

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The Long Island Herald has endorsed Carolyn McCarthy for re-election:

“… In this race, we encourage voters to return McCarthy to an eighth term because we believe that she has been, and will continue to be, an effective representative … A focus on gun control has paid off for McCarthy, who entered politics in 1997 on a one-issue platform. Two years ago she authored a bill that was signed into law, requiring the National Instant Criminal Background Check System to stop convicted criminals and those with a history of mental illness from buying guns …”

McCarthy herself doesn’t think she’s been very effectively lately according to this article from RealClearPolitics last year:

“Frustrated liberals are asking why a Democratic-controlled Congress and White House can’t manage to close the Guantanamo prison or keep new gun-rights laws from passing … “We’ll probably end up passing more gun bills” that expand owners’ rights “than we did during the Republican administration,” said Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y., a leading gun control advocate. “That is what surprises me.” …”

Plus, if she’s been so effective, then why are local Democrats worried about voter turnout?

The bottom line is McCarthy is hardly a powerbroker.  She isn’t prime sponsor of any major legislation and her signature issue, gun control, is going nowhere.  No matter what the media says, she’s still largely a single issue representative.  The Herald’s endorsement is just a weak attempt to pump up her failing career.

Oneida’s attacking Townsend on microstamping

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A 3rd mailer has gone out attacking David Townsend, this one hitting him for voting against the microstamping bill.

This raises some questions, so we fired off a press release requesting a public response from both the Oneida Indians and Robert Maciol’s campaign.

Hall freefall

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John Hall & Nan Hayworth are tied in CD-19.  This is one race where NRA’s endorsement of Hayworth could be the deciding factor in who wins the election.

Bloomberg trying to inject antigun politics

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I haven’t really seen any candidate other than Eric Schneiderman talk up the antigun agenda.  So, predictably, Mayor Mike is out with a new study likely timed to coincide with the elections.  His op-ed over at CNN is titled, “Stop spread of illegal guns from states with weak laws“:

“A handful of states with weak gun laws are the largest contributors to the U.S. market for illegally trafficked guns. That’s the alarming finding of “Trace the Guns: The Link Between Gun Laws and Interstate Gun Trafficking,” a new groundbreaking report issued by Mayors Against Illegal Guns … “Trace the Guns” should serve as a clear road map for how we can more effectively fight illegal gun trafficking, support police and protect public safety — and mayors around the country will be urging lawmakers in state capitols and in Washington to take action …”

This is so lame.  He’s done the same thing the last few election cycles and nobody paid any attention to him.  With all signs pointing to Democrats getting wiped out across the country next month combined with NRA being all over the place with their endorsements and political ads, how anyone possibly think such a wildly unpopular agenda will be taken up by politicos at this time?  It makes no sense.

Oneida’s attacking Townsend on gun votes

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The Oneida Indians have sent out mailers opposing David Townsend’s campaign for Oneida Co. Sheriff.  One makes reference to his voting against gun control bills while in the Assembly including microstamping, another says his opponent Robert Maciol supports Mayors Against Illegal Guns.  Maciol says the advertisements were made with his knowledge.

More attention for McCarthy’s opponent

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The national GOP seems to be taking a little more interest in Fran Becker’s challenge to Carolyn McCarthy.  He’s moved up a step in their “Young Guns” program.  That should help him raise funds for his campaign.