I gotta vote with the NRA

On: By: admin

Good news at the federal level:

“… University of New Hampshire Professor of Politics, Andrew Smith, says Democrats started moving away from a strong anti-gun stance in the 90’s when many in the party blamed the issue on massive political losses in Congress …  The slow political shift has frustrated some Democrats that have long fought for tougher gun laws, like New York Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy … “They’ve been very open about saying… ‘Carolyn, if the NRA comes against a bill, I gotta vote with the NRA.’ They’re not going to take that chance. I understand that,” said McCarthy of her Democratic colleagues. “Does it bother me? Of course, it bothers me because I’m not trying to take away anyone’s right to own a gun.” …”

At least some of the Democrats are wising up to what a political stinker gun control is.  As for McCarthy, her last statement is an outright, boldfaced, bullshit lie.  Her one, and only one, goal is a total prohibition on private firearms ownership that is enforced at gun point by the police.  That is what her entirely political career has always been about and always will be about.  She just will not say it in public.  She knows what she is doing is wrong.  She knows what she is doing is harmful.  She does not care one bit.

Identifying the problem

On: By: admin

Today’s Poughkeepsie Journal has an article, “Cuomo, Lazio raise and spend millions“, which clearly identifies the problem with Rick Lazio’s campaign.  Well, one of them anyway.  His main problem is he’s an antigun RINO, but beyond that we have this:

“… In the state’s gubernatorial race, former Rep. Rick Lazio has spent nearly as much money over the last six months as opponents Andrew Cuomo and Carl Paladino, despite Lazio’s anemic fundraising … Lazio reported spending $1.6 million between January and July … A large portion of that money went to political consultant Arthur Finkelstein, a longtime GOP operative.  Consultants have been paid $534,000 by Lazio’s campaign this election cycle …”

That’s outrageous.  He blows a third of his cash on political hacks and what does he get?  According to the latest poll numbers:

“… Cuomo earns 58% of the vote against Lazio and Paladino. Lazio, a former congressman and unsuccessful Senate candidate in 2000, picks up 27% support, with nine percent (9%) undecided … Paladino, a wealthy Buffalo businessman, in turn, captures 29% of the vote …”

Clearly the money was well spent.

I’d like to make an offer to Team Lazio.  Dump Finkelstein and hire me instead.  Give me $100,000 and I’ll drive your campaign into the ground faster and cheaper than the clowns running it now.

Where’s the antis support?

On: By: admin

Eric Schneiderman is crowing about receiving his 100th endorsement.

Absent from all this is any mention of any support from New Yorkers Against Gun Violence or the Brady Campaign.  NYAGV mouthpiece Jackie Hilly did make a personal $250 contribution and NYAGV co-founder Barbara Hohlt donated $500 last month, but I have not seen evidence of organized support from any antigun organization either in the form of cash, mailings or GOTV efforts and he’s the guy who carried their water in the Senate for years.  Mayor Mike gave a bundle of cash to Dan Donovan so I don’t see him supporting Schneiderman.  If gun control is so popular with the public, why doesn’t it translate into support for their leading man?

News of the day

On: By: admin

The NSSF is pushing a federal bill to study the viability of microstamping technology.

A New York City law firm is gloating about getting a charge of carrying a loaded firearm reduced to a violation for a traveler transporting a pistol in their luggage at LaGuardia Airport.  I don’t know why they didn’t go for outright dismissal under the FOPA.

Someone is taking a cheap shot at Greg Ball over his press release calling for keeping pistol license information confidential.

The Assembly Republicans are looking for votes this fall.  The latest newsletter from their Sportsman Caucus highlights Brian Kolb receiving the Legislator of the Year Award and mentions “Speaking at a meeting of the Washington County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs early this spring to discuss Second Amendment legislation …”

Congressional approval is at 11%.  That’s change we can all believe in.

Celebrity jerks for Schneiderman

On: By: admin

Alec Baldwin is supporting Eric Schneiderman:

“… “In addition to his prolific career in film, television, and on stage, [Baldwin is] actively involved in environmental advocacy, animal rights, gun control issues, and support for campaign finance reform. Baldwin cited Schneiderman’s independence and dedication to these issues in making his endorsement,” the campaign said …”

Nobody gives a shit what Alec Baldwin thinks.  It’s that simple.  His endorsement is worth, at best, one vote, his own.

Thank Bush

On: By: admin

I had many problems with George W. Bush’s administration, but his choices of Sam Alito and John Roberts for SCOTUS were dead on and will benefit us for generations to come.

Likewise Chairman Zero’s nominations will haunt us for generations to come:

“The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the nomination of Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court, clearing the way for President Barack Obama’s second pick for the high court to be confirmed by early August …  Republicans also have raised concerns about memos she wrote as a law clerk to former Justice Thurgood Marshall. In one 1987 memo, she urged Marshall to vote against hearing a Washington man’s appeal in a gun control case. She said she was “not sympathetic” to his claim his rights were violated when he was convicted for carrying an unlicensed pistol …”

I don’t see NRA as being able to stop this either despite their broadcast and print advertisements against her nomination.

Lazio-Paladino primary set

On: By: admin

Rick Lazio is not challenging Carl Paladino’s petitions so there will be a Republican primary on Sept. 14.  That’s a bit surprising since petitions gathered by challengers running against candidates blessed by the political machine are routinely challenged on any and all grounds.

Anybody but him

On: By: admin

Latest polling shows Kathleen Rice is far ahead of the pack in the race for the Democrat nomination for state Attorney General.  As long as Eric Schneiderman loses that’s all that matters.

Parment retiring

On: By: admin

Bill Parment will not be running for re-election this year.  That means big game rifle hunting will likely be expanded to the county in the next year or so.

Loser Lazio

On: By: admin

Rick Lazio has less than $700K in campaign account.  For a statewide candidate that’s pathetic.  On the positive side with no money he won’t be inundating the airwaves with annoying ads for the next couple of months until primary day.

Here is a good quote from Carl Paladino’s campaign which sums things up nicely:

“… “He can’t raise money, he has no message, his campaign is in disarray and it’s time for him to take a second look,” Paladino campaign manager Michael Caputo said of Lazio …”

All of which happens to be true.  Lazio is a joke and has been from the start.  There is no way the Republicans cannot have noticed this.  According to Fred Dicker they haven’t:

“… Many GOP insiders predict the hard-driving Paladino, who promises to spend $10 million of his own money and has strong ties to the highly motivated Tea Party movement, can beat Lazio in the primary …”

Andrew Cuomo is now even publicly entertaining the possibility Paladino will be his opponent as reporter Jimmy Vielkind notes over at CapCon:

“… “Jimmy, one of the opponents is a multi-millionaire who has said he can put his hand in his own pocket and spend millions of dollars,” Cuomo said … It’s interesting to me that Cuomo is now acknowledging Paladino may be his opponent in a general election …”

If they were smart, which is a very big if, the establishment Republicans would take a good hard look at the way Paladino is running his campaign.  Sure, he’s rough around the edges and no, he won’t appeal to all people, but at least he takes positions on issues and tries to organize people around them.  All Lazio seems to do is attack Cuomo.  I do not see him giving anybody a reason to vote for him.