In response to a comment by “Rottenchester” in the post, Sometimes We Are Blessed, the following are transcripts of recent calls I’ve received from the NRCC in support of Rep. Kuhl’s candidacy. The first is a complete transcript. The second is a partial transcript, as I picked up the phone mid-message to talk to the caller. Either the caller didn’t engage with the recipients, or it was an automated call (although it didn’t sound automated – I could be wrong).
October 31, 2006
October 30, 2006
Newest Poll Results for NY-29
The new, independent Majority Watch Poll results are out. 1004 Interviews were taken from 10/24 – 10/26/06; MoE is +/- 3.09%.
Results are 53% Massa / 42% Kuhl. Last poll results were 52% Massa / 40% Kuhl.
What suprised me was the change in the Southern Tier area of the District. Last poll results had Rep. Kuhl up +1; this poll has Mr. Massa up +2 for the area. However, Massa did drop 6 points in the northern area of the district; +20 now vs +26 from the last poll.
Sometimes We are Blessed
Living where we do – in a media market that serves Buffalo vs. Rochester, Corning, or Elmira – can sometimes be more of a blessing than a hinderance in this election season. While we are being bombarded with Tom Reynolds and Jack Davis Congressional television commercials, we are not being subjected to the nasty, negative commercials for our own district, (However, we are receiving the deceptive telephone calls and mailings.)
So why the distorted, negative advertising, and what are we missing?
… Carl Forti, with a similar budget to protect the GOP majority, was playing defense. His own polls showed a growing number of House Republicans in serious trouble. Forti, 34, had little choice but to buy ads to protect suddenly at-risk Reps. Charles Bass (N.H.) and John R. “Randy” Kuhl Jr. (N.Y.).
Nice Work
Rochester Turning has a great piece of research on their site. Its worth the time to go and take a look:
Randy Kuhl on Social Security — lying or just forgetful?
Let’s do a “Reverse Randy”, and instead of taking statements out of context, we’ll put Kuhl’s statements IN context. …
Allow me to walk you through it. Kuhl spent most of 2005 trying to privatize Social Security, even going so far as to introduce a bill (HR 3913), on his own, that would allow a board of presidential appointees to invest the Social Security surplus without any restrictions. …
It’s interesting that Rep. Kuhl chooses to attack Eric Massa’s stand on social security, (faulty as it is), given Rep. Kuhl’s history with the subject. Maybe he’s banking on the chance that most don’t know what is going on here. (Unfortunately, I’d guess that most don’t.)
7 Days @ Minimum Wage – Day 7
The last story in this series: Day 7 – Mallory
On Day 7, Mallory shares her story of dreaming of a better future of education and independence, but facing no opportunities on a minimum wage paycheck.
This linked page contains all links for the prior six chapters.
This is my last plea for your involvement prior to election day.
Tell Congress: It’s Time for a REAL Vote to Raise the Minimum Wage. Send a letter to tell your U.S. representative and senators that when they get back to work after the election, they must put a clean vote to raise the minimum wage at the top of their agenda.
The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) and the AFL-CIO are partners in a grassroots movement to do what the U.S. Congress refused to do. We urge voters in Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Nevada and Ohio to raise the minimum wage by voting “Yes” on November 7.
For more information, visit:
ACORN
AFL-CIO
ROSEANNE BARR
Please support this effort.
October 29, 2006
Weekly News Roundup – 10/29/06
In case you may have missed any of these articles. Covering mainly Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties, but WNY regional, state, and national topics of interest are also added.
LOCAL
Massa says Kuhl taking the low road in race
With the 29th Congressional District race entering its final 10 days, negative advertising and charges and countercharges are mounting.
Democratic challenger Eric Massa charged U.S. Rep. John R. “Randy” Kuhl Jr. with violating an agreement to refrain from negative ads, and called him “a liar” for misrepresenting his position on Social Security in his latest television ads and mailings.
Health Department ‘frustrated’ by delay in flu vaccine supply
OLEAN – Cattaraugus County Health Department Community Supervising Health Nurse Mary Anne Power said she is frustrated by the delay in delivery of the department’s remaining influenza vaccine supply.
October 28, 2006
7 Days @ Minimum Wage – Day 6
On Day 6, Amanda talks about missing the opportunity to do “normal” things with her family, like go to the movies or buy birthday presents for her siblings, because her minimum wage paycheck doesn’t cover the things she needs.
Day 1 – Paul & Susan
Day 2 – Erin
Day 3 – Jeffrey
Day 4 – Jessica
Day 5 – Chris
Will you contact Congress or talk to friends/family in Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Nevada and/or Ohio to have them vote “Yes” on November 7 to increase the minimum wage?
A Promise Made, A Promise Broken
Do you Pledge to not engage in negative campaigning and advertising?
(Rep.) Kuhl – Absolutely not (meaning he will not run a negative campaign). I have never run a negative campaign and never will.
I heard the above words spoken in real time, on October 10, 2006, during the debate for Rep. Kuhl and Eric Massa held in Elmira, NY.
October 27, 2006
The Bush Administration Tax Cuts
Did you know:
45.8% of the benefits from a reduction in capital gains and dividends went to people with incomes over $1 million. There were 284,000 taxpayers in this income group. This is .19% of all taxpayers.
10.8% of the benefits went to people with incomes between $500,000 and $1 million. There were 593,000 taxpayers in this income group. This is .40% of all taxpayers.
7 Days @ Minimum Wage – Day 5
On Day 5, Chris tells a shocking American tale of day to day existence on the edge of homelessness. Without a regular 9-to-5 job, Chris searches for work everyday. If he can’t make $35 a day, he will lose his room and be forced onto the streets.
Day 1 – Paul and Susan
Day 2 – Erin
Day 3 – Jeffrey
Day 4 – Jessica
As I have been urging you throughout this series, please view these videos and take action “to tell your U.S. representative and senators that when they get back to work after the election, they must put a clean vote to raise the minimum wage at the top of their agenda”.
149th NYS Assembly Debate 10/24/06 (Part 3)
Seasonal workers on Western NY, and are they treated fairly?
Linda Witte: It is one of the things to look at. It is a regional problem. If they come here to do jobs, you have to treat them fairly. You have to look at what they are doing for us. There is nothing wrong with seasonal workers coming here and being treated fairly, and this includes their children and taking care of them if they become ill.
Joe Giglio: They are vital to our economy and farms. They are treated fairly. It is important that we protect all workers. The farmers need their help – it is an important relationship.
149th NYS Assembly Debate 10/24/06 (Part 2)
Wind generation for Cattaraugus County and NY State?
Joe Giglio: I am in favor of alternate fuels here in Catt. Co. It might be the way to go. We should get it up and running.
Linda Witte: I would like to support it, but it needs to be something that farmers are a part of. It is frustrating when government comes in and makes decisions that comes back to us and says “why are you complaining?”. Zoning laws must be updated, but it has to be done carefully. You have to take into consideration the people you are going to affect. I support it with the people’s involvement.
149th NYS Assembly Debate 10/24/06 (Part 1)
The NYS Farm Bureau sponsored a debate in Great Valley, NY this past Tuesday night between Assemblyman Joe Giglio, challenger Linda Witte, Warren Schmidt (representing Rep. Randy Kuhl), and Joe Meisch (representing Eric Massa). Below are my notes from the debate. The following is not fully verbatim. Due to the length of the transcription, I have divided it into three separate posts.
October 26, 2006
7 Days @ Minimum Wage – Day 4
Day 4: Jessica
Jessica, an educated mom of four, tells her life-story of struggle to get ahead and make a future for her family. Jessica does everything she can to break out of a daily cycle of pain inflicted by having to scrape by on the minimum wage.
Day 1 – Paul and Susan
Day 2 – Erin
Day 3 – Jeffrey
I’m going to say it again: “Tell Congress: It’s Time for a REAL Vote to Raise the Minimum Wage. Send a letter to tell your U.S. representative and senators that when they get back to work after the election, they must put a clean vote to raise the minimum wage at the top of their agenda.” And don’t forget to tell your friends and family in “Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Nevada and Ohio to raise the minimum wage by voting “Yes” on November 7″.
Reception for Mrs. Silda Spitzer
I had the opportunity to attend the reception for Mrs. Silda Spitzer, wife of Eliot Spitzer, this past Tuesday evening at Holiday Valley, Ellicottville, NY. Due to illness, Mrs. Beverly Massa, wife of Eric Massa, could not attend.
Mrs. Spitzer relayed that this was the 36th New York County that she has visited. She is inspired by going and seeing what people are doing in their communities to make things work, and what is different, unique and special in these areas.
October 25, 2006
7 Days @ Minimum Wage – Day 3
Jeffrey shares his story of taking care of his newborn son with his minimum wage paycheck. After paying for rent, diapers, formula, and the electric bill, there is little left for groceries.
As Ms. Barr says:
Its not about teenagers working for pocket change at a hamburger joint, because 70% of people working at the minimum wage are adults with family responsibilities.
If you have seen these posts this week but haven’t clicked and watched the videos, I challenge you to do so. Please don’t make assumptions about our citizens who earn the minimum wage. These are real people with real stories to tell, and we all need to hear these hard truths.
Five Events – Two Days; New Massa Ad
I’ve attended five events in the past few days – three for Eric Massa, one for Silda Spitzer, and the debate last night with Joe Giglio, Linda Witte, and surrogates for Eric Massa and Rep. Randy Kuhl. All are energized and are running “full steam ahead” in anticipation of the election that is now less than two weeks away.
This post will cover the three Massa events. I’m writing separate posts regarding Mrs. Spitzer’s event and last night’s debate.
October 24, 2006
7 Days @ Minimum Wage – Day 2
I encourage you to visit the site and watch the video every day during this campaign. Comments are allowed at the site for each day’s viewing.
Day 2’s video:
“On Day 2, Erin talks about needing to work increasing hours at her minimum wage, grocery store job to make ends meet.
Day 1’s video can be found here.
Again, if you have friends and/or relatives that live in Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Nevada and/or Ohio, ask them to vote “Yes” on November 7. to raise the minimum wage.
Clinton Spencer Debate from 10/22/06
Below are my notes from the above debate, shown on C-Span on Monday evening, 10/23/06. I missed the first 8-10 minutes of the broadcast. Transcription is not verbatim. (Note – this is a very long post.)
Here is a news account of a segment that I had missed:
Spencer, a conservative who has repeatedly accused Clinton of focusing on national ambitions and shortchanging New York concerns, startled observers when he praised Clinton’s experience and qualifications for higher office, including her years as first lady. (more…)
October 23, 2006
Mrs. Spitzer and Mrs. Massa In CattCo.
Tuesday, October 24; 5:00 pm. – 6:00 pm.
Holiday Valley – Main Chalet – Ellicottville
Reception for Silda Spitzer (Mrs. Eliot Spitzer) and Beverly Massa (Mrs. Eric Massa)
Free & Open to the Public – hors d’oevres & beverages provided
The last Massa-Kuhl Debate will be shown on (Olean area) Time-Warner Cable, channel 6, Wednesday 10/25, 7:30 pm; and Thursday, 10/26, 8:30 pm.
The Rural Patriot 