tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29018832228765275452024-02-06T22:00:24.782-05:00Eye on the VoteNews 8 Now/Fox Rochester Campaign '08 blog.Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901883222876527545.post-65496597625768189292008-05-30T13:28:00.003-04:002008-05-30T13:32:53.753-04:00Republican drops out of one Congressional race; not joining anotherDavid Bellavia is dropping out of New York's 26th congressional race, and he is dismissing all talk that he might run for New York's 28th.<br /><br />The Batavia native is an Iraq war vet and an author. He was campaigning for Tom Reynolds' soon-to-be-vacant seat, before Republican support swung behind Chris Lee. Bellavia was mentioned as a possible Republican opponent for Louise Slaughter, but he has ruled that out.Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901883222876527545.post-84888218886848302402008-05-28T10:46:00.002-04:002008-05-28T11:03:14.788-04:00Bellavia to take on Louise?<div>According to the Buffalo News, David Bellavia is being urged by some in the Republican Party to focus on winning another district, the 28th, held by Louise Slaughter.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>In the two months since comparing Barack Obama to Tiger Woods, Bellavia has gone from GOP frontrunner in the 26th District, to being replaced in the conversation by Chris Lee. Both were seeking the seat held by retiring Rep. Tom Reynolds.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Bellavia lives in Batavia, which is not part of the 28th district. That's not a problem. Candidates for the U.S. House need only live in New York.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The move would essentially hand Lee the nomination, and it would find a candidate for the GOP to run against Slaughter. The aptly-named Slaughter has won her last two re-election campaigns in a landslide, each by more than 70% of the vote.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>- In other news from NY's 26th, Alice Kryzan is opening her new campaign headquarters Thursday in Williamsville. She's seeking the Democratic nod, as are Jon Powers and Jack Davis.</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiaP8vrwb5x8qzR7F2qIGIpQdiIjff2LjHblTak0DGKGImh0P9Ec2Xm3u7_0gv00JOQyKdo_G1vnIEx0M1tKbEe6vsi4wIaFl1TBWQccBWLqnr7Zzvv8pCUuUGiaDUvmOwT91C-8k_7bhd/s1600-h/sweetlandmick.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205444403369806050" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiaP8vrwb5x8qzR7F2qIGIpQdiIjff2LjHblTak0DGKGImh0P9Ec2Xm3u7_0gv00JOQyKdo_G1vnIEx0M1tKbEe6vsi4wIaFl1TBWQccBWLqnr7Zzvv8pCUuUGiaDUvmOwT91C-8k_7bhd/s200/sweetlandmick.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>- This is a stretch, but this week's Dale Sweetland lookalike is Mick Hucknall of Simply Red.</div>Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901883222876527545.post-16499308038874872992008-05-20T11:39:00.003-04:002008-05-20T11:53:16.826-04:00Endorsement for Jon PowersHe's one of three Democrats vying for the Congressional seat being left vacant by Republican Rep. Tom Reynolds. Now, Jon Powers will be on the ballot in November.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyV4PC7pUOgmObThczTvNeV8Py6oY8K7gtLEbAJMfYtBag7lJfQUWSQChF-W_OEC5-4lIq9GX5e9wzqSTvEvflOGpXSgUgfTyvGiKAVD5KMV1PTwWqSMGV3Vxf8HXrO-vpm4RJe5s9sDi/s1600-h/powerswf.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202488595559508290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyV4PC7pUOgmObThczTvNeV8Py6oY8K7gtLEbAJMfYtBag7lJfQUWSQChF-W_OEC5-4lIq9GX5e9wzqSTvEvflOGpXSgUgfTyvGiKAVD5KMV1PTwWqSMGV3Vxf8HXrO-vpm4RJe5s9sDi/s200/powerswf.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div></div><br /><div>Tuesday, Powers received the endorsement of the Working Families Party. Powers, and the other two Dem candidates, Alice Kryzan and Jack Davis, made their pitches to the WF advisory committee this past weekend.</div><br /><div>Powers is from Clarence in Erie County, which is also the hometown of Reynolds.</div></div>Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901883222876527545.post-80433376609122748662008-05-19T10:48:00.005-04:002008-05-19T11:36:12.056-04:00<strong>Honor for Maggie</strong> - Monroe Co. executive Maggie Brooks is now an honorary co-chair of Rep. John "Randy" Kuhl's re-election campaign. Kuhl represents New York's 29th in Congress; a district that stretches from the Pennsylvania border to the Rochester suburbs. It looks like this move is trying to create momentum in two distinct and different regions of the district. I write that because the honor is also going to Amo Houghton, Kuhl's predecessor. Houghton remains a saint in the Southern Tier. Interesting that he'd be paired with Brooks, who for better or for worse, is tied to her FAIR plan in the public conciousness.<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Super Tuesday</strong> - School budget voting day is Tuesday. For you, it's voting yes or no on a budget that likely raises your taxes. For us who work in a newsroom, the sudden avalanche of faxes and barrage of phone calls from school districts is a nice mid-year tune-up for November. Last year, budgets were voted down in Greece and Naples. This year, the budget that's almost <a href="http://www.rochesterhomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=15741">sure to fail is Canisteo-Greenwood</a>, but there will be a few surprises.<br /><br /><strong>Sweetland Switch</strong> - <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh671IhM1HyfKq_IyWhFYNWianHul4AXwwKXFZgG3afpBY1PYrHxhy5oaIeUwOW1ZAz9TGHRRww887r_zD_N1jEymxKO8rMHe25KvsVhXdDT0JXRJ__GhlgB0MmzFUdI9KAcWNyPwRUb0aY/s1600-h/sweetlandscorpio.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202105965513042210" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh671IhM1HyfKq_IyWhFYNWianHul4AXwwKXFZgG3afpBY1PYrHxhy5oaIeUwOW1ZAz9TGHRRww887r_zD_N1jEymxKO8rMHe25KvsVhXdDT0JXRJ__GhlgB0MmzFUdI9KAcWNyPwRUb0aY/s200/sweetlandscorpio.JPG" border="0" /></a>It's a good look for Dale Sweetland, the Republican candidate for Jim Walsh's 25th Congressional seat. I'm talking about the red goatee to match the cropped hair. Reminds me of Hank Scorpio, Homer Simpson's short-lived but awesome boss. If you spot any famous lookalikes of Dale, or any of the candidates, let me know.Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901883222876527545.post-10899841166672854212008-05-16T11:33:00.002-04:002008-05-16T11:38:18.580-04:0056th State Senate race set<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4J5p0mI5CNeNc5fBNTuV3ZyHd86ouYS0n7W036uMu8jA98sDlzCecKtD6p-FWAdQuO6rkon89AM-R748XbFNvks58KADsZL1z7VjHVA22WJT2Zr0clfr9whGhjHTiAklNoJr9QWqvPxN/s1600-h/sandyfrankel.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201000462405888274" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4J5p0mI5CNeNc5fBNTuV3ZyHd86ouYS0n7W036uMu8jA98sDlzCecKtD6p-FWAdQuO6rkon89AM-R748XbFNvks58KADsZL1z7VjHVA22WJT2Zr0clfr9whGhjHTiAklNoJr9QWqvPxN/s200/sandyfrankel.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Brighton town supervisor Sandy Frankel ended her campaign for the New York State Senate Thursday night, making her intentions clear at the Monroe Co. Democratic Convention.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Frankel said that fellow Democrat Rick Dollinger has the party votes to be the designated candidate, and that she was removing her name from consideration in the name of party unity.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>That means the race for the 56th State Senate seat is set. Dollinger will face off with the incumbent, Republican Joe Robach of Greece.</div>Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901883222876527545.post-24915675081663197622008-05-15T09:37:00.006-04:002008-05-16T11:33:13.945-04:00Dean of Democrats in Rochester Thursday (Updated)<strong>Howard's Here (UPDATED)</strong> - Howard Dean is in Rochester Thursday night for the Monroe Co. Democratic Convention. The chairman of the Democratic National Committee is in Syracuse Thursday morning, in a show of support for Dan Maffei, running for the 25th District seat in Congress. Tonight in Rochester, several Dem candidates will be officially given the party nod, like judge candidate and current assistant district attorney Joanne Winslow, and county clerk candidate Tom Hasman.<br /><br />The big story, of course, is Howard Dean steering the Democratic ship. No surprise, <a href="http://rochesterhomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=15865">he remained neutral on the Democratic Primary</a>.<br /><br /><strong>'Elo Guv'nah (UPDATED) </strong>- Gov. David Paterson gave News 8's Evan Axelbank an exclusive 1-on-1 interview Wednesday. Paterson said he is still supporting Clinton, and that anything can happen. When asked to name a scenario where Clinton would be the nominee, he balked. Evan has posted more interesting insights from the Governor <a href="http://rochesterhomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=15864">here</a>, and <a href="http://rochesterhomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=15862">here</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Tough Tapdance</strong> - The most interesting endorsement of Barack Obama on Wednesday didn't come from John Edwards. In fact, it wasn't really an endorsement at all. The New York branch of NARAL, the National Abortion Rights Action League, broke with it's parent organization by not throwing it's support behind either Obama's or Hillary Clinton's limping campaign.<br /><br />NARAL NY is just one example. It's in a bind, like a lot of local and statewide organization branches and elected officials. NARAL can't appear to bite the hand of Hillary; however, the longer the organization waits, the more irrelevant-seeming the endorsement becomes.<br /><br />Of course, there's the irony of a pro-choice organization choosing not to choose.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Sweetland Sweep</strong> - Republican Dale Sweetland, running against <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOW4pnmD4-xqPMu1_4Cb6-yVg7O3jFKOrx22YRma-7O5Nnwm2f-2uLdugGb6egkcBCoVvYeE33q3Fmz4wAXXColnd4ZdpMeF29i4ejk-bkvTVgCjVuhhO9Kj-8mOYJM7g8F95xUV4jmtQ/s1600-h/sweetlandhudson.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200620937620777218" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOW4pnmD4-xqPMu1_4Cb6-yVg7O3jFKOrx22YRma-7O5Nnwm2f-2uLdugGb6egkcBCoVvYeE33q3Fmz4wAXXColnd4ZdpMeF29i4ejk-bkvTVgCjVuhhO9Kj-8mOYJM7g8F95xUV4jmtQ/s200/sweetlandhudson.JPG" border="0" /></a>Dan Maffei for the 25th Congressional seat, has recieved the endorsement of the Wayne Co. Republican Party. This is the seat that will be up for grabs when Jim Walsh retires this year. Sweetland is from Fabius in Onondaga County, where he was a county legislator. Sweetland (on the left) also bears an uncanny resemblance to British boxer Nigel "The UK Hammer" Hudson (on the right).Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901883222876527545.post-27639228357609671082008-05-14T10:13:00.006-04:002008-05-14T16:09:58.456-04:00Can Hillary make it to the finish line?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76FyTCsBesaDuoejKtOGGjdtPse8jFF_5Qnq1dhmh-Mj9jUBLnLrjZEzTzZsvodCmX0dyeyYL2xoRkbxezQFsQzwFvoJbjwSxze2F225SpwbzRhXLb6RS7C32R7IjwG65eCwu7DDlS69Z/s1600-h/juliemoss.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200239630424238322" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76FyTCsBesaDuoejKtOGGjdtPse8jFF_5Qnq1dhmh-Mj9jUBLnLrjZEzTzZsvodCmX0dyeyYL2xoRkbxezQFsQzwFvoJbjwSxze2F225SpwbzRhXLb6RS7C32R7IjwG65eCwu7DDlS69Z/s200/juliemoss.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />That's the big question Wednesday morning. A big win in West Virginia Tuesday didn't change the math for Hillary Clinton. The New York Senator is huddled with her campaign staff, trying to figure out if she has the money to see this race to the end.<br /><br />Trailing in delegates, superdelegates, and the popular vote, reality has to have set in to Clinton's supporters, who at best can hope for a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRB1p89k7_I">Julie Moss finish</a>.<br /><br />In the 1982 Ironman Triathlon, Moss led the way, and was within sight of the finish line when her body just couldn't take any more. She collapsed several times. As she struggled to stand up, or even remain conscious, her friend and chief rival passed her, and crossed the finish line seconds later. Moss did not give up and made it to the end.<br /><br />With no hope of overtaking Barack Obama, the best Hillary can hope for is an Ironman-like finish to inspire the Democrats.Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901883222876527545.post-7567153851484846492008-05-12T10:16:00.005-04:002008-05-12T16:13:31.197-04:00In case you missed it...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmMcamPveS7uQKr4an-n0SOmlXLNcIXmSa-y6MYd384DIyScEtUj6g6ACo1mH5B9UU7nAPGcxFXAGMiao2Vjj9EPJ83yzNcntZYN_I06vkdGe7z00FZY3n7N0XbboFL4f9wzx_YkTAsVd/s1600-h/dollinger510.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199520068783335650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmMcamPveS7uQKr4an-n0SOmlXLNcIXmSa-y6MYd384DIyScEtUj6g6ACo1mH5B9UU7nAPGcxFXAGMiao2Vjj9EPJ83yzNcntZYN_I06vkdGe7z00FZY3n7N0XbboFL4f9wzx_YkTAsVd/s200/dollinger510.jpg" border="0" /></a>R<strong>ick's Rolling</strong> - Rick Dollinger's campaign to return to Albany got a big boost Saturday. Dollinger now has the backing of the Monroe Co. Democratic Party. He's seeking the 56th District seat in the state Senate, held by Joe Robach, a Republican. Dollinger spent 10 years in the state Senate. Brighton town supervisor Sandy Frankel and Rochester City School District board member Willa Powell were also looking to run against Robach as Democrats.<br /><div><br /><strong>Et tu, SNL? </strong>- Saturday Night Live has had a knack for making me cringe (I will always hold a grudge against the show for unleashing Will Ferrell on the world). You have to see Amy Poehler's sendup of Sen. Hillary Clinton and her underlying campaign strategy that kicked off the show this weekend. Absolutely brutal, in a "they went there" way. The wince-worthy clip of the weekend has plenty of Hillary supporters <a href="http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0508/Even_SNL.html#comments">upset.</a> It's a surprising turn of events. Two months ago, SNL seemed to be in Clinton's pocket, as skits made it seem like Clinton was the underdog as the press fawned over Obama, and Tina Fey openly cheered on Hillary from the Weekend Update desk. You're going to have to watch the clip and decide for yourself. You can catch it and other videos at SNL's <a href="http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/politics/">new election website</a>.</div>Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901883222876527545.post-7277287655532688172008-05-09T10:12:00.003-04:002008-05-09T11:04:25.630-04:00Democrats attack Dinolfo; name challenger for Monroe Co. Clerk<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryruVvAmDF_braocyAM6OguHfs58hcwrpyvIotpH5Uho-HkEyIKUppxSJrTrT5WkmPWR02-5VRcswY_CQksd2cUlBZyWhrOD9vf3b8hWWNjKzIB3qtTihooM8fH2GvrXo71SHC3mvTVFh/s1600-h/dinolfo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198390403035357842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryruVvAmDF_braocyAM6OguHfs58hcwrpyvIotpH5Uho-HkEyIKUppxSJrTrT5WkmPWR02-5VRcswY_CQksd2cUlBZyWhrOD9vf3b8hWWNjKzIB3qtTihooM8fH2GvrXo71SHC3mvTVFh/s200/dinolfo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://rochesterhomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=15746">Monroe County Democrats named a candidate for the office of county clerk Friday morning</a>, and in the process, took plenty of shots at the current clerk, Cheryl Dinolfo.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Assemblyman Joe Morelle, who chairs the county Dems, said that Dinolfo's actions are nearly always "in the best political interest of the clerk and her party."</div><div></div><div></div><br /><div>Morelle points to one of the lesser-publicized aspects of the FAIR plan - the plan to reroute county sales tax money to the state, to pay for the county's Medicaid debt. Auto registration fees were doubled, and collecting those fees is done by the clerk. Morelle said Dinolfo was silent on the issue, and that's not all.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>"One of the telling moments is the appeal of the county clerk that people not utilize more efficient ways of getting their automobilies re-registered," said Morelle. "Instead of using the Internet and mail, which would save taxpayers money, her appeal was still do it at the Monroe County Clerk's office, because we need the money."</div>Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901883222876527545.post-85623900462929217162008-05-08T16:46:00.003-04:002008-05-08T16:52:27.099-04:00Schumer: Let Hillary decide<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOn7rQlXG1a34sHrZKOLLz7V_gqBtxQCSjYY6T8gGZkYNbCqNuGloFyh-rSLYC6LBKbHxeRdW2GKQ9UmLVNdXsrUUe0EdGdYPnCbfZfMpJulJAwfCCRui-LUrG-CGKbhpANij5BPk_8id/s1600-h/schumer508.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198112423084441010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOn7rQlXG1a34sHrZKOLLz7V_gqBtxQCSjYY6T8gGZkYNbCqNuGloFyh-rSLYC6LBKbHxeRdW2GKQ9UmLVNdXsrUUe0EdGdYPnCbfZfMpJulJAwfCCRui-LUrG-CGKbhpANij5BPk_8id/s200/schumer508.JPG" border="0" /></a>New York Senator Charles Schumer is backing his fellow Democratic senator's decision to stay in the race, and to not bow down to pressure to drop out.<br /><div></div><br /><div>"Bottom line, is this is still a close race, and Hillary Clinton has worked long and hard, and I think she deserves the space to make her own decision," Schumer told News 8 Now on Thursday afternoon. "I've spoken to her, I've told her that I'm not pushing her to do anything quickly, and let's see what happens here."</div>Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901883222876527545.post-61929768438023301782008-05-08T10:47:00.002-04:002008-05-08T10:51:57.534-04:00Advisors urging Clinton to bow out gracefully<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_-F8tKFSIKWQ3WvFi1nd_Wg3PtE5MKSVPNFEXy1RrficCJOCiq-jAhUWj7BM2AJ2N6gFWgGmL74hGnzAIKvJgp1G2q_ivGc8hYEgPdT4ZnM2FboLQrRi_v3x7zGM0gUpsVwNInuOt_kl/s1600-h/hillarywva.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198018814272224674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_-F8tKFSIKWQ3WvFi1nd_Wg3PtE5MKSVPNFEXy1RrficCJOCiq-jAhUWj7BM2AJ2N6gFWgGmL74hGnzAIKvJgp1G2q_ivGc8hYEgPdT4ZnM2FboLQrRi_v3x7zGM0gUpsVwNInuOt_kl/s200/hillarywva.JPG" border="0" /></a> While Hillary Clinton is in West Virginia Thursday morning, some close to her campaign are suggesting her effort there should be nothing more than symbolic.<br /><br />CBS News is reporting several top advisors are suggesting Clinton stay in through West Virginia, Kentucky, and Oregon, and then gracefully bow out.<br /><br />There are only 6 primaries left, and her opponent in the Democratic primary, Barack Obama, has a virtually insurmountable lead in delegates and total votes. Since Pennsylvania, Obama has picked up 26 superdelegates to Clinton's 14.Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901883222876527545.post-76644389088434427292008-05-07T13:58:00.002-04:002008-05-07T14:04:36.735-04:00Sen. Clinton not going anywhere<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3cN8Wv1AoQYHS_sQRXDRqzJkbI75rA4tM7lTmukESXA1VHvO1e0aNKx0K7MtLlybc68W6AlJ7TeMaVr4zIFgME22C7pc1H5XOn_u3_TDlLZ7y347F-4TVgUtHm7FMROncmrv3r59dKdi/s1600-h/clintonwva.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197697043912342930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3cN8Wv1AoQYHS_sQRXDRqzJkbI75rA4tM7lTmukESXA1VHvO1e0aNKx0K7MtLlybc68W6AlJ7TeMaVr4zIFgME22C7pc1H5XOn_u3_TDlLZ7y347F-4TVgUtHm7FMROncmrv3r59dKdi/s200/clintonwva.JPG" border="0" /></a> Campaigning in Sheperdstown, West Virginia, on Wednesday afternoon, Sen. Hillary Clinton said she's not going anywhere.<br /><br />"I'm staying in this race until there's a nominee," said Clinton. "I obviously am going to work as hard as I can to become that nominee. That is what I've done. That is what I'm going to continue to do. I believe that I'm a stronger candidate and I believe I will be a better president."<br /><br /><strong>On a split within the Democratic party -</strong> "We traditionally have gone longer than you've seen in the last couple of cycles, and there isn't any problem closing ranks and unifying."<br /><br /><strong>Is the process putting the Democrats at a disadvantage? -</strong> "What matters is what strength you have going into the general election. Look, if we had the rules the Republicans had, I'd already be the nominee. If they had our rules, they'd still be fighting it out. Republicans look from the general election backwards. 'How do we get to 270 electoral votes.' We have a much more complicated process, and we're toward the end of it."<br /><br /><strong>Why 'big states' are her strategy - </strong>"If you look at what I've won - Texas to Ohio to Pennsylvania to Indiana - certainly 3 out of those 4 are states we have to win, and I intend to do that."Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901883222876527545.post-27314174355521772002008-05-07T09:41:00.003-04:002008-05-07T11:22:43.144-04:00IN & NC Aftermath: Clinton's money running dry?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENJymSdj3eSECCtDm6JPb-nwSpJiEjHfm2G982MAEi_QRZRvQG5G19Z8f2TEHbUoaIp8wF6-g9plRBqiwu8dAWOuDEdlISf0oHjRLgBiYrDb0ClhvgPGrrsAb4q_HW8NLe0Bwrysou2jO/s1600-h/Clinton,+Hillary+Rodham.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197653948210494850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENJymSdj3eSECCtDm6JPb-nwSpJiEjHfm2G982MAEi_QRZRvQG5G19Z8f2TEHbUoaIp8wF6-g9plRBqiwu8dAWOuDEdlISf0oHjRLgBiYrDb0ClhvgPGrrsAb4q_HW8NLe0Bwrysou2jO/s200/Clinton,+Hillary+Rodham.jpg" border="0" /></a>Tuesday night did not go as Hillary Clinton and her supporters had hoped, and it looks like the New York Senator is running out of money.<br /><br />She has loaned her own campaign $6.4 million over the last month. While that's not a harbinger of doom (she also loaned herself $5 million in February, during a very successful stretch), it strengthens Sen. Barack Obama's lead in both delegates and money. Obama has a war chest in the $40 million range.<br /><br />According to the CBS News delegate simulator, Obama leads Clinton in delegates - by a count of 1,844 to 1,688 - a difference of 156.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qT6FVkDRyRi-Q8PQnvKUnJi61XD-OCrVZ0xrwD0G6jG6rn6mtAvmnX9vAmXWLnYVB05IvNgMKQtjthpJu4AxJj7ASKjOrYyfYOnNlXleAt6katViBFWtEj0y7WlzuTeKAwTHW1BrNU_l/s1600-h/Clinton,+Hillary+Rodham.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0frFXITPnlHR2O8eYcsuy_a01mf0XZc7PoYztkw8OvTZfDZv4kBZ3RBTy1-vGpTSNjBoXsR-uDXzFUYz6Xe9XXvjwqd2e9-9q3MWTuxUXmYabooquhmCwFXvk2f-zMsknekEYdM7DNyK/s1600-h/Clinton,+Hillary+Rodham.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901883222876527545.post-40924581604413417992008-05-06T10:13:00.004-04:002008-05-06T10:34:00.188-04:00Republican opponent for Morelle emerges<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzo-mc3rVMWzc6z8GiBUF4dx6dldRDW-L7sde-2c_7kEyrOw2QxAE065CFWFBSCGBorQtMYcbyYYGtOq6OmaJTEk5PRGkd02BpCSAH3F_e4-oGAeZrTkSj3XQ-iczRJgukEYucYp2mTEc/s1600-h/trapani_sam.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197270007646718738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzo-mc3rVMWzc6z8GiBUF4dx6dldRDW-L7sde-2c_7kEyrOw2QxAE065CFWFBSCGBorQtMYcbyYYGtOq6OmaJTEk5PRGkd02BpCSAH3F_e4-oGAeZrTkSj3XQ-iczRJgukEYucYp2mTEc/s200/trapani_sam.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>It's Sam Trapani, who announced Monday he is taking on Joe Morelle for the 132nd Assembly District seat.</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Trapani is a local businessman. He owns Springwaters, Inc., a bottled spring water maker; and Rowe Engineering, an electronics design company.</div><div><br />In a statement, Trapani said he's taking on Morelle because of the Assemblyman's campaigning for the job of state comptroller, when Alan Hevesi resigned in 2006 for a scandal in which he used state employees to chauffeur his ailing wife. Hevesi was later <a href="http://rochesterhomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=9069">sentenced</a>, and Morelle <a href="http://rochesterhomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=8822">did not make the final cut </a>of comptroller candidates.</div><div> </div><div>Morelle has held the seat for 18 years, and also chairs the Monroe Co. Democratic Committee. The 132nd District covers part of the east side of Rochester, and a section of city extending north to Charlotte; plus the towns of Irondequoit and Brighton.</div><div> </div><div>One interesting thing about Trapani's campaign is that he has a <a href="http://www.samtrapani.com/AboutSam.htm">website ready to go</a>. Many of the candidates running for office on the state level aren't looking to the web, at least, not this early in the game. Republican Chris Lee has also launched a website, which can be found <a href="http://chrisleeforcongress.com/index.asp">here.</a> We're still waiting on one from Dale Sweetland.</div>Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901883222876527545.post-49552433609552159462008-05-05T11:30:00.002-04:002008-05-05T11:39:24.609-04:00GOP endorsements; Clintons getting busy<ul><li>The two retiring Republican congressmen both gave their endorsements out Monday morning. Jim Walsh is backing Dale Sweetland, a longtime legislator from Onondaga County. Bob Oaks, an assemblyman from Lyons, has given up his campaign in lieu of that endorsement.</li><li>Meanwhile, Tom Reynolds is backing Chris Lee, a businessman from Erie County. Lee just entered the race last week. What's interesting about this move is the position it puts David Bellavia in. The Iraq war veteran had been the only Republican in a crowded field of Democrats. He caught a lot of flak back in April for <a href="http://rochesterhomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=15295">comparing Barack Obama to Tiger Woods.</a> Perhaps Reynolds was waiting for someone else - anyone else - to try and keep the seat in Republican hands.</li><li>All eyes are on Indiana and North Carolina, as Barack Obama and New York Senator Hillary Clinton try to squeeze out last minute votes. Hillary's on Letterman Monday night. Bill has 9 campaign stops on Monday alone. </li></ul>Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901883222876527545.post-80229872552648905842008-04-22T10:32:00.003-04:002008-04-22T10:46:20.496-04:00We're back!We're checking in for the first time since the New York primary 10 weeks ago. The focus for the last month has been on Pennsylvania, and polls show New York Senator Hillary Clinton with an advantage so far in PA.<br /><br />Speaking of pollsters, the "rockstar" of the polling world is in Rochester today. John Zogby. He's speaking at a Rotary luncheon and we're trying to turn the tables on him and ask him the questions for once.<br /><br />Look for our election coverage to ramp up on RochesterHomepage.net, as the election season comes around into full swing.Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901883222876527545.post-22292815652828237212008-02-06T04:02:00.000-05:002008-02-06T04:16:01.462-05:00Signing off.Here's the early returns this morning.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Democrats-</span><br />Clinton - California<br />Obama - Alaska, Missouri<br />New Mexico is too close to call.<br /><br />Clinton has 740 delegates; Obama has 659. 2,025 are needed to secure the nomination.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Republicans-</span><br />Romney - Colorado, Alaska<br />McCain - California, Missouri<br /><br />McCain has 575 delegates, Romney has 250, Huckabee has 170 (love those even numbers). 1,191 are needed to secure the nomination.<br /><br />- Some of Ron Paul's biggest supporters were in Rochester for a concert Tuesday night. The U.S. Bombs, a longtime skate-punk band from California, are about halfway through their "Ron Paul: Revolution Tour '08." They played a great set at the Bug Jar on Monroe Avenue, but did not address the events of Super Tuesday at any point. Paul has 16 delegates, by the way.Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901883222876527545.post-50667617679675729462008-02-05T23:28:00.000-05:002008-02-06T04:16:15.381-05:00The waiting is the hardest partWhy not reference a Tom Petty song after his excellent performance at the Super Bowl?<br /><br />All eyes are on California right now, as both parties are half an hour into counting the votes.<br /><br />It's time for us to take a break. Check back in early tomorrow morning, when the final results and delegate count should be in.Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901883222876527545.post-4739173088675359932008-02-05T23:17:00.000-05:002008-02-05T23:39:12.144-05:00Final numbers in from Monroe Co. (R)John McCain is the big winner nationally, but Mitt Romney did very well in Monroe County. Here are the final numbers:<br /><br />McCain - 15,767<br />Romney - 14,131<br />Huckabee - 4,950<br />Paul - 2,640<br />Giuliani - 1,429<br /><br />Romney just won the Montana and Minnesota caucuses.<br /><br />Obama has taken the Colorado primary and the Idaho caucuses. Clinton has won Missouri.Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901883222876527545.post-70147271855803112232008-02-05T22:35:00.000-05:002008-02-05T22:51:41.476-05:00Breaking down NY and Western NYNew York's already been called for McCain and Clinton. Let's take a look at the numbers and see how Western New York voted.<br /><br />- Maybe a lot of people saw the <a href="http://rochesterhomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=14390">"Mitt Mobile"</a> in the past few months. With 85% of Western New York reporting, Romney has more than 30% of the vote. It's irrelevant, since New York is winner-take-all.<br /><br /><br />- Mike Huckabee (whose victory in Georgia just caused a ripple throughout the newsroom) is getting a very respectable 15% of the vote in WNY.<br /><br /><br />- Barack Obama's campaign has a right to cheer. With more than 80% reporting, he's getting nearly 40% of the vote. That's going to mean delegates his campaign wasn't counting on. Curt Smith said it's a "tremendous night" for him.<br /><br /><br />McCain has taken Arizona.Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901883222876527545.post-75579741832483816652008-02-05T22:29:00.000-05:002008-02-05T22:35:49.635-05:00One big prize leftGuess which state?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EX8WtQL6sXjnnpQnyRWJoRwSab8FC9eFIlAAYVYLEd5TwQaeBQIj2HUCFj_mE5kqHN3Kzpb2NzrIF_JN0-bMk0IIVC3EawTbfkTFsN4ToiPCMwg8IQu667QFNLBdMZFLn5MsYPkjN_Rf/s1600-h/11p.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163705683042379794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EX8WtQL6sXjnnpQnyRWJoRwSab8FC9eFIlAAYVYLEd5TwQaeBQIj2HUCFj_mE5kqHN3Kzpb2NzrIF_JN0-bMk0IIVC3EawTbfkTFsN4ToiPCMwg8IQu667QFNLBdMZFLn5MsYPkjN_Rf/s320/11p.JPG" border="0" /></a>Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901883222876527545.post-59903445900516897662008-02-05T22:10:00.001-05:002008-02-05T22:16:31.333-05:00California dreamingCurt Smith said the Democratic race will be "a long marathon. Hillary Clinton with a victory in New York, but not a stunning victory. Barack Obama won by a bigger percentage in his home state of Illinois. We won't know until we get to California. I do think Clinton will emerge with a slight edge after tonight."<br /><br />North Dakota, Connecticut, and Utah go to Obama.<br /><br />Romney looks to be the loser of the night, unless he pulls off a victory in California. He's won two states so far (Massachusetts and Utah, neither a surprise). Mike Huckabee may emerge as tonight's big winner, because of his victories in the South, and his fight in close races that haven't been called yet, like Missouri.Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901883222876527545.post-27046041430971618192008-02-05T21:56:00.000-05:002008-02-05T21:58:24.679-05:00Polls close in 3 more states<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLPjBN60BdSrip6TeolbStcUaILA3XAAL1KVnoHY4oxmiDIUTsGVk0bHhDF9h9LpjJbqMczLwvE2yDc5N20RkTosfNGxhjmLY3jvov9pKCugu_haQ4IaHCgAEsGSv8s3bcCfHh8b47ago/s1600-h/10p.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163696126740146146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLPjBN60BdSrip6TeolbStcUaILA3XAAL1KVnoHY4oxmiDIUTsGVk0bHhDF9h9LpjJbqMczLwvE2yDc5N20RkTosfNGxhjmLY3jvov9pKCugu_haQ4IaHCgAEsGSv8s3bcCfHh8b47ago/s320/10p.JPG" border="0" /></a>Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901883222876527545.post-40293550921975827862008-02-05T21:48:00.001-05:002008-02-05T21:52:24.181-05:00A tale of two campaign partiesJust got off the phone with News 8's Kevin Jolly. He's at 289 on Alexander Street in Rochester, where the local Hillary Clinton campaign has gathered to watch tonight's results.<br /><br />Kevin said the mood is surprisingly subdued, considering Clinton's victory in New York. He said most of the people inside are gathered at the bar, and are being quiet.<br /><br />It's quite a contrast with the local Obama campaign, who watched tonight's results unfold at Nathaniel's on Exchange Boulevard in Rochester. Kevin said every Obama victory was met with a resounding cheer. The mood was very upbeat.<br /><br />It seems like Clinton and Obama are splitting states. New Jersey went to Clinton; moments later Alabama went to Obama.Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901883222876527545.post-10709120351640311312008-02-05T21:35:00.000-05:002008-02-05T21:43:44.625-05:00Local McCain campaign takes victory in strideJecoliah Ellis is at Don's Original in Penfield, where about 25 local McCain supporters gathered to watch tonight's results. Jecoliah says the atmosphere is relaxed, and that no one was surprised when it was announced that McCain took New York.<br /><br />Completely off-topic- the best contest of the night might be the St. John Fisher-Nazareth men's basketball game. It looks like Naz, who was up 15 at halftime, will hold off a furious Fisher rally.Zach Smalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092102717161918952noreply@blogger.com0