Greetings from Upstate New York!

Written by: Kelly Keck on Jul 25, 2006 11:09 AM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA-Link Organizers

I have garnered a steady stream of endorsements lately, most recently from .S. Congressman Maurice Hinchey.

keckforassembly.com/xoops/module...

Here is what Mr. Hinchey has to say:

"It is refreshing to see a man like Kelly Keck stepping up to serve the residents ofNew York's 107th Assembly District. His passion for reform, coupled with his genuine honesty, makes him a strong candidate for public office. Trained as an educator, he is committed to making sure his constituents are informed and equipped with the tools necessary to raise their voices on issues they hold most dear. His vision of a transparent government that is accountable to the people and not beholden to corporate giants is just what every New Yorker deserves."

And Mr. Hinchey is Right! I am not afraid to stand up for what I believe in. I am willing and able to challenge the status quo and fight for the residents of the 107th district! Recently I attended the hearings convened by New York State Senate Republicans regarding the proposed NYRI power line project. Not satisfied with the rhetoric from GOP Senators voicing opposition to the project, I did a little research.

keckforassembly.com/xoops/module...

I agree with Mr. Seward about the exploitation of Upstate New York, but I would disagree with his characterization and would argue that it is corporate interests that are exploiting Upstate New York.

I would also like for Mr. Seward to explain this from the his campaign disclosure report:

ENERGY ACTION FUND 400.00 20-MAR-03 2003 FRIENDS OF SENATOR SEWARD
ENERGY ACTION FUND 300.00 01-MAR-01 2001 FRIENDS OF SENATOR SEWARD
ENERGY ACTION FUND 300.00 07-APR-00 2000 FRIENDS OF SENATOR SEWARD
ENERGY ACTION FUND 300.00 09-APR-99 1999 FRIENDS OF SENATOR SEWARD
ENERGY FOR NY PAC 400.00 13-FEB-03 2003 FRIENDS OF SENATOR SEWARD
ENERGY FOR NY PAC 400.00 01-MAR-02 2002 FRIENDS OF SENATOR SEWARD

From Assemblyman Clifford Crouch's campaign disclosure report:

ENERGY ACTION FUND 80.00 13-SEP-99 2000 FRIENDS OF CLIFF CROUCH
ENERGY ACTION FUND 100.00 08-SEP-05 2006 FRIENDS OF CLIFF CROUCH
ENERGY ACTION FUND 250.00 20-MAR-01 2001 FRIENDS OF CLIFF CROUCH
ENERGY ACTION FUND 25.00 26-MAY-00 2000 FRIENDS OF CLIFF CROUCH
ENERGY ACTION FUND 175.00 09-MAR-00 2000 FRIENDS OF CLIFF CROUCH
ENERGY ACTION FUND 250.00 26-APR-02 2002 FRIENDS OF CLIFF CROUCH
ENERGY ACTION FUND 50.00 04-JUN-99 1999 FRIENDS OF CLIFF CROUCH
ENERGY ACTION FUND 175.00 08-FEB-99 1999 FRIENDS OF CLIFF CROUCH
ENERGY ACTION FUND 250.00 15-MAY-03 2003 FRIENDS OF CLIFF CROUCH
ENERGY ACTION FUND 140.00 27-OCT-99 2000 FRIENDS OF CLIFF CROUCH
ENERGY ACTION FUND 100.00 24-JAN-05 2005 FRIENDS OF CLIFF CROUCH

It didn't take long to discover that State Senator Seward and most of the Republican Senators (and yes, my opponent Assemblyman Crouch too) accepted campaign contributions from the very same company they now vow to "Stop". Ridiculous? No, sadly this is politics as usual! This is why I need your help.

Once elected, I promise to be a strong voice for change! I will stand up to the corporations as I fight for CLEAN ELECTIONS and real campaign finance reform in New York State. If we remove the financial influence of huge corporations, elected officials will be forced to serve the constituency that elected them. My campaign will not accept donations from powerful corporations that hope to buy votes on the floor of our legislative bodies. My campaign will be funded by people like you giving $10, $20 or $107 a month. Please consider sending your (one-time or monthly) donation today!

Even if you do not live in the 107th district, your generosity will help us serve as an example for honest candidates nationwide! Together, district by district, we can return our government to the hands of the average citizen. The United States Constitution reads "We The People" not "We the corporations." Let's show the world that we understand what that means by shutting down the corporate mega-buck machine that dominates New York and national politics!

Thank you in advance for your continued support!

Kelly Keck
Democratic candidate for the 107th NYS Assembly District

Your contribution can be made via Paypal at:

www.keckforassembly.com...

Or sent to:

Keck For Assembly
2515 Tower Mountain Road
Stamford, NY 12167

P.S. George Washington once said "Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder."

Greetings from Upstate New York!

Written by: Kelly Keck on Jul 25, 2006 10:10 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for New York

I have garnered a steady stream of endorsements lately, most recently from .S. Congressman Maurice Hinchey.

keckforassembly.com/xoops/module...

Here is what Mr. Hinchey has to say:

"It is refreshing to see a man like Kelly Keck stepping up to serve the residents ofNew York's 107th Assembly District. His passion for reform, coupled with his genuine honesty, makes him a strong candidate for public office. Trained as an educator, he is committed to making sure his constituents are informed and equipped with the tools necessary to raise their voices on issues they hold most dear. His vision of a transparent government that is accountable to the people and not beholden to corporate giants is just what every New Yorker deserves."

And Mr. Hinchey is Right! I am not afraid to stand up for what I believe in. I am willing and able to challenge the status quo and fight for the residents of the 107th district! Recently I attended the hearings convened by New York State Senate Republicans regarding the proposed NYRI power line project. Not satisfied with the rhetoric from GOP Senators voicing opposition to the project, I did a little research.

keckforassembly.com/xoops/module...

I agree with Mr. Seward about the exploitation of Upstate New York, but I would disagree with his characterization and would argue that it is corporate interests that are exploiting Upstate New York.

I would also like for Mr. Seward to explain this from the his campaign disclosure report:

ENERGY ACTION FUND 400.00 20-MAR-03 2003 FRIENDS OF SENATOR SEWARD
ENERGY ACTION FUND 300.00 01-MAR-01 2001 FRIENDS OF SENATOR SEWARD
ENERGY ACTION FUND 300.00 07-APR-00 2000 FRIENDS OF SENATOR SEWARD
ENERGY ACTION FUND 300.00 09-APR-99 1999 FRIENDS OF SENATOR SEWARD
ENERGY FOR NY PAC 400.00 13-FEB-03 2003 FRIENDS OF SENATOR SEWARD
ENERGY FOR NY PAC 400.00 01-MAR-02 2002 FRIENDS OF SENATOR SEWARD

From Assemblyman Clifford Crouch's campaign disclosure report:

ENERGY ACTION FUND 80.00 13-SEP-99 2000 FRIENDS OF CLIFF CROUCH
ENERGY ACTION FUND 100.00 08-SEP-05 2006 FRIENDS OF CLIFF CROUCH
ENERGY ACTION FUND 250.00 20-MAR-01 2001 FRIENDS OF CLIFF CROUCH
ENERGY ACTION FUND 25.00 26-MAY-00 2000 FRIENDS OF CLIFF CROUCH
ENERGY ACTION FUND 175.00 09-MAR-00 2000 FRIENDS OF CLIFF CROUCH
ENERGY ACTION FUND 250.00 26-APR-02 2002 FRIENDS OF CLIFF CROUCH
ENERGY ACTION FUND 50.00 04-JUN-99 1999 FRIENDS OF CLIFF CROUCH
ENERGY ACTION FUND 175.00 08-FEB-99 1999 FRIENDS OF CLIFF CROUCH
ENERGY ACTION FUND 250.00 15-MAY-03 2003 FRIENDS OF CLIFF CROUCH
ENERGY ACTION FUND 140.00 27-OCT-99 2000 FRIENDS OF CLIFF CROUCH
ENERGY ACTION FUND 100.00 24-JAN-05 2005 FRIENDS OF CLIFF CROUCH

It didn't take long to discover that State Senator Seward and most of the Republican Senators (and yes, my opponent Assemblyman Crouch too) accepted campaign contributions from the very same company they now vow to "Stop". Ridiculous? No, sadly this is politics as usual! This is why I need your help.

Once elected, I promise to be a strong voice for change! I will stand up to the corporations as I fight for CLEAN ELECTIONS and real campaign finance reform in New York State. If we remove the financial influence of huge corporations, elected officials will be forced to serve the constituency that elected them. My campaign will not accept donations from powerful corporations that hope to buy votes on the floor of our legislative bodies. My campaign will be funded by people like you giving $10, $20 or $107 a month. Please consider sending your (one-time or monthly) donation today!

Even if you do not live in the 107th district, your generosity will help us serve as an example for honest candidates nationwide! Together, district by district, we can return our government to the hands of the average citizen. The United States Constitution reads "We The People" not "We the corporations." Let's show the world that we understand what that means by shutting down the corporate mega-buck machine that dominates New York and national politics!

Thank you in advance for your continued support!

Kelly Keck
Democratic candidate for the 107th NYS Assembly District

Your contribution can be made via Paypal at:

keckforassembly.com/xoops/...

Or sent to:

Keck For Assembly
2515 Tower Mountain Road
Stamford, NY 12167

P.S. George Washington once said "Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder."

State Sen. Meier declares candidacy to fill Boehlert's seat

Written by: Kelly Keck on Mar 21, 2006 5:27 PM EST

Linked to groups: Democracy for Otsego and Delaware Counties

www.thedailystar.com/news/storie...

03/21/06

Becomes sixth candidate in the 24th District

By Tom Grace


Cooperstown News Bureau


COOPERSTOWN -- State Sen. Raymond Meier, R-Western, said Monday that he is running to succeed retiring Congressman Sherwood Boehlert, R-New Hartford.


Boehlert, a 12-term incumbent representative, announced Friday that he is retiring at the end of this year.


Meier, 53, is the sixth candidate and second Republican to join the race. He announced his candidacy in Utica and Binghamton on Monday, stating, "We are at a critical time in the history of our country, when we face major national challenges to restrain government spending and develop a sound policy with regard to our engagement in Iraq.


"Across the district, we need to bring down the high costs of energy that are crippling families, farms and businesses while bringing new job growth to our region," he said.


Meier, a lawyer with the Utica firm of Saunders, Kahler, Amoroso and Locke, was elected to the state Senate in 1996. He served as Oneida County executive from 1991 to 1996 and was a member of the Oneida County Legislature from 1986 to 1991.


According to the senator's website, he is one of only two Republicans in New York state to serve on the Platform Committee at the 2004 Republican National Convention, which re-nominated President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.


Meier had long been rumored a potential successor to Boehlert, and within hours of the congressman's retirement speech Friday, Meier's staff had sent public notice that he would make a major speech Monday.


Meier's decision sets up a potential Republican primary, as Brad Jones, another Republican, said his campaign has been well-received.


"I don't think people want another career politician," said Jones, the former mayor of Seneca Falls and the general manager of ITT Industries, Gould Pumps in Auburn.


"Mr. Boehlert is a liberal-moderate and a career politician," Jones said Monday. "Mr. Meier is a conservative, as I am, but he's a career politician, too, and I think people may be tired of career politicians."


Jones said that during a recent campaign event, the issue of term limits came up, and "I saw the biggest gleam in their eyes when I said I favor term limits and if elected, I wouldn't serve more than six years."


Four Democrats -- Bruce Tytler, Leon Koziol, Michael Arcuri and Les Roberts -- also are running, setting up an almost certain Democratic primary.


Roberts, who lives in Chenango County, attended Boehlert's media conference last week and said his campaign expects to raise $150,000 by the end of March. Arcuri, Oneida County's district attorney, said his campaign is "closing in on $100,000."


The 24th Congressional District was home to 391,870 voters in November 2005. According to the state Board of Elections, there were 165,682 Republicans, 126,014 Democrats, 72,007 unaffiliated, or independent, voters, 15,053 members of the Independence Party, 5,765 Conservatives, 2,875 Liberals, 1,774 members of the Green Party, 1,415 members of the Right To Life Party, 1,067 members of the Working Families Party, 40 Libertarians, and three members of the Marijuana Reform Party.


On the heels of Meier's entry in the race, a spokesman for the state Democratic Committee accused him of evading federal campaign laws by running a barrage of advertisements recently that were paid for by his state Senate campaign committee.


Monday night, Meyer said that "those were done before Congressman Boehlert said he was retiring, and for all I knew at that time, I was running for the (state) Senate."


Meier said his campaign has run advertisements at other times between elections.


"I think it's interesting they couldn't find a local Democrat to say anything bad about me; they had to have this paid operative do it," he said.

Several seats contested in today's village elections

Written by: Kelly Keck on Mar 21, 2006 5:25 PM EST

Linked to groups: Democracy for Otsego and Delaware Counties

03/21/06

Staff Report

Although most villages in the area have uncontested elections today, Cooperstown has three offices at stake.


A field of four is vying for two seats on the village board of trustees, and an incumbent village justice is being challenged.


Republican Mayor Carol Waller is running unopposed for a third term.


Incumbents Grace Kull, a Democrat, and Lee Malone, a Republican, are being challenged by Daniel Naughton, an independent, and Democrat Milo Stewart. The top two vote-getters get elected.


Justice Enid Hinkes, a Democrat, is being challenged by Republican Gary Kuch for the position of village justice.


In Delaware County, only Stamford and Walton have contested races.


Stamford incumbents Anne Slatin and Paul P. "Pat" Power Jr. are being challenged by James Kopp and John Sanzone for their village trustee seats. They are all independents.


Three candidates in Walton are seeking two seats on the board of trustees. Independents Jeffrey Harris, Theresa O'Leary and Michael Freeman are vying to replace outgoing trustees David Breese and Richard Moore.


Walton also will have a proposition on today's ballot.


Voters will be able to voice their opinion on Proposition 1, which amends the village's games-of-chance law.


The proposition calls for the legalization of games of chance, such as raffles, for nonprofit organizations. It will also allow games of chance to be held on Sunday.


Afton has the only contested race in Chenango County.


With Mayor Gerard Matthews not seeking re-election, Sally M. Muller and Patricia Stafford are seeking his post.


There are uncontested races in 16 other area villages.


Polls are open in most villages from noon to 9 p.m.

JUST PUT SOMEONE ON THE BALLOT: Political Strategy 101

Written by: Kelly Keck on Mar 21, 2006 1:44 PM EST

Linked to groups: Democracy for Otsego and Delaware Counties

www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/...

When you are overwhelmingly outnumbered in your district it is a very very shrewd move to "just put someone on the ballot". It annoys me that so few Democrats are aware of this tactic--it really is Political Strategy 101 and we have seen the Republicans make it work many times over in the last twenty (forty) years.

For example, the Republicans in MA always run someone against Ted Kennedy. They always lose by wide margins. 1964: 74-25; 1970: 62-37; 1976: 69-29; 1982: 60-38; 1988: 65-35; 1994: 58-41; 2000: 73-13-12 (the libertarians ran a candidate who apparently didn't take many votes from the Blue Team).

1994 was the Mitt Romney year, which Rs correctly celebrated as a victory, because they broke 40%. It gave Mitt statewide name recognition for his successful governor's race and now he's running for the Red Team presidential nomination. On the strength of a 17 point loss!!!

"Just putting someone on the ballot" in a state/district/county/city where you believe you are overwhelmingly outnumbered helps the party and the individual candidate in a whole host of ways:


It allows the party to measure and identify (hard) core support. You find out who will turn out to vote for anyone running against a candidate or party they despise.


It can generate new volunteers, new donors, new addresses and phone numbers for mailing lists.


It gives name recognition to a fresh face candidate in case s/he wants to run again for a different office or in a more winnable race. You've heard of "run twice to win once"? Bobby Jindal is a prime example of this.


It builds party organizational structure and strengthens party communication networks in ways that benefit future candidates. Deval Patrick is reaping great rewards from the progressive activist network built by Robert Reich when he ran for governor and lost in 2002.


Sometimes when you are a novice candidate it actually helps to run as an extreme long shot so that everyone involved knows it's basically just practice and can concentrate exclusively on mastering the process. Sometimes when the stars are perfectly in alignment you do luck out and win, but there is no shame in starting with the assumption that the first campaign is a practice run, because right now there is no school to go to (at least not on the Democratic side!) to learn how to be a political candidate. A practice run campaign is the only way to gain certain kinds of essential political experience:


You learn the basics of how the political system works in your area. what is the process to get a candidate on the ballot? caucus system, town meeting, straw poll? when are the filing deadlines, where are the official election offices, etc.


If you need to collect signatures, you get practice in doing that. You find out what the petitions have to look like, how many signatures you need, the best places to get signatures, etc. and collecting signatures is a great way to practice one-on-one conversation with supporters (and detractors).


You find out who the people are who have been involved in grassroots-level politics for a while in your area and are in a position to help (or hurt) you. You also find out who are the corresponding people on the other side of the aisle. Know your enemy.


You learn a lot of basics about media relations. You learn the names of the appropriate contacts on the political beat for the major media outlets in your area. Not the faces on TV and the bylines in the paper, but the name of the op-ed page editor, the person who assigns political coverage stories for the local news station, the guest booker for the local radio talk shows.


You learn about how to handle the print media. You learn how to write the kind of press release that gets printed. You learn how to get newspapers to show up at campaign events. You learn ways to get your events in the paper without paying for advertising.


You learn how to handle the electronic media. You learn how to scene-set for effective TV coverage--how to create a backdrop that makes your event visually interesting. You learn how to give a pithy TV or radio interview. You become accustomed to live microphones and more aware of which camera is on.


You get vetted by the media so that any embarrassing stuff about you can come out and be dealt with in the "meaningless" campaign so that when you are really grabbing for the brass ring there are no surprises left.


The concession speech is the most important part of a "losing" campaign. You learn how to give the kind of concession speech that makes people remember you and actually sets the stage for your repeat run for the same or higher office.


If you wait to even run a candidate until you think you have a realistic chance to win, you miss the opportunity to see how your minority support is fluctuating over time. If you run "losing" candidates over a period of generations as the Republicans did, you get to see the line move. In one election you get 20%, but eventually you break through to 30%, and then reach the critical threshold of 40%. As each milestone is passed, the party remains energized even in "losing" years, and people are filled with hope because they see the numbers are moving in the right direction.

From a psychological standpoint I think all this is a serious contributing factor to why Joe and Jane Redvoter do not respect the Democratic party. It hangs a very submissive/cautious/wimpy label on the whole party when the prevailing "wisdom" among party leadership is advising people "wait to run until you (we!) are sure you can run to win." Or, "Well, we don't have any support in that city/county/district/state so let's not even try." Or, "We have to concede that area to the Rs because we haven't won there in a generation, so let's give up without a fight." Meanwhile, for forty years the Rs created the impression of courage, power, and conviction by saying: "I don't care if only 20% of the voters in this district support me, I'm going to be a candidate to give them someone to vote for and let them know someone is speaking for them and standing up for what they, and I, believe is right." (Pause to put on asbestos protective gear.) People who believe in traditional sex roles would even call the first mindset "feminine" and the second mindset "masculine." Don't shoot the messenger! I'm just explaining how traditionalist thinkers think. Of course I know there are women who have done the latter. We should all be proud as hell of Francine Busby for having the courage to run in 2004. Finally a Dem who passed Political Strategy 101!

NO UNCONTESTED SEATS NO UNCONTESTED SEATS NO UNCONTESTED SEATS G-D DAMMIT! Dems MUST learn this basic lesson in 2006 so that we can have a lot more people seasoned and ready to run in 2008 and beyond. The enemy will teach you how to defeat him! If we had grasped this simple point earlier we would be in better shape with lots of pre-tested candidates ready to take advantage of the perfect storm political climate sweeping the across the country today.

Well, no point in complaining about not having done this earlier. Let's do it NOW. There is no other way to measure the level of R disaffection and whether that disenchantment is moving people to Democrats or not. I can't figure out how to get the Radical Russ map to animate (If someone else knows how to post it, please leave it in a comment), so please click over to his site and meditate on the map for a while. In Delaware Dem's words: "Look at the wave of deep blue wash over our land!" The mission field is ripe and we need candidates to gather in the abundant harvest.

All we need to do is take advantage of the Republicans' own very successful propaganda that told their base George W Bush was the best (!) and the brightest (!!!) example of the core values of the Republican party. It is a short step to connect disapproval of Bush to disapproval of the Rpug party in general. If we do that, we could win in places where we haven't won since Lyndon Johnson.

So this is just a short list of reasons why it is important to "just put someone on the ballot." If I had more time I could come up with more, and maybe in the comments other people will say some of the obvious things I missed or left out. I haven't even mentioned the importance of entering the political blogosphere!

Fifty state strategy! Howard Dean is right! Make them fight/spend money/burn resources/defend their policies/and sweat for every single race! Even running a losing campaign helps the party. If there is an uncontested R in your district, put your own name on the ballot if you have to. Just do it. Anything can happen. Learn from the example of Francine Busby. You'll see for yourself why it benefits the progressive cause in the short run and the long run.

Have I said lately NO UNCONTESTED SEATS??!!

*Just put someone on the ballot!*

More than 300 protest war in Cooperstown

Written by: Kelly Keck on Mar 20, 2006 5:13 PM EST

Linked to groups: Democracy for Otsego and Delaware Counties

www.thedailystar.com/news/storie...

03/20/06

Staff Report

An anti-war march and rally in Cooperstown on Sunday to mark the third anniversary of the start of the Iraq war Star photo by Anita Briggs Marchers walk down Main Street in Cooperstown on Sunday holding signs protesting the U.S.-led war in Iraq. attracted 10 times as many people as one at this time last year, an organizer said.


More than 300 people participated, co-organizer Adrian Kuzminski said Sunday night. That attendance figure was confirmed by a Daily Star photographer.


About 30 people turned out to mark the second anniversary of the war last year, he said.


"I think large numbers of people are becoming aware of this administration's policies," Kuzminski said. "There were many new faces."


Kuzminski said most people who marched through Cooperstown at 1 p.m. and then attended a rally at Templeton Hall on Pioneer Street would like to see an immediate withdrawal from Iraq.


Although the war took center stage at the event, organizers said several other issues such as peak oil, the environment and threats to civil liberties were discussed by about 20 people during an open-mike session at the hall.


Kuzminski, who has lived in the area for 30 years, said Sunday's event was likely the largest of its kind ever in Cooperstown.


Other anti-war events were held in Delhi and Cherry Valley on Saturday.

Kirsten Gillibrand will put district first

Written by: Kelly Keck on Mar 18, 2006 5:11 PM EST

Linked to groups: Democracy for Otsego and Delaware Counties

www.thedailystar.com/opinion/let...

It doesn't take much investigative reporting to suspect that Rep. John Sweeney is engulfed in the corruption in Washington. Remember the Card brothers, Brad and Andrew. Need I say more?


Thankfully, we have a choice as to who represents us.


Let's be courageous and choose transparency, honesty and fair representation over secrecy, lies and lobbyists.


I invite you to get to know 20th District U.S. Congress candidate Kirsten Gillibrand and you will see:


Kirsten is a dedicated, intelligent lawyer who believes in, and advocates for, accountability, responsibility and trust in our government at all levels.


Kirsten is not a "card"-carrying member of the culture of corruption that plagues all three branches of our corporate government.


Kirsten is locally focused and believes in fairness for all with positions on things like tax cuts for middle-class families (not the wealthiest 1 percent), affordable health care, a solution to the high oil and gas prices, ethics reform, rural community economic viability, affordable prescription drugs and more.


Kirsten is not a left-wing liberal fanatic.


Kirsten is a fair, honest, thoughtful human being who chose to pursue public service with the residents of the 20th District in mind, not her wallet!


Please don't wait until October to review the issues. Research Mr. Sweeney's ties to the most scandalous administration in history and join Kirsten now as she lends a voice to the voiceless. She has already made several appearances in Delaware County and is very concerned with hearing from as many district residents as possible during future scheduled visits (including March 25 in Stamford). She is accessible and accountable to us all and truly interested in what we think and how we feel. How refreshing is that in politics!


David J. Turan , Stamford

Clinton's war stance unpopular with significant number in party

Written by: Kelly Keck on Mar 18, 2006 5:05 PM EST

Linked to groups: Democracy for Otsego and Delaware Counties

hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/N/...

Mar 18, 12:33 PM EST

Clinton's war stance unpopular with significant number in party

By MARC HUMBERT
AP Political Writer

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- It wasn't so much the nine votes. It was the applause that told the story.

Hillary Rodham Clinton's continued refusal to call for a withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq has left her with two long-shot opponents challenging her for the Democratic Senate nomination this year. More problematic is the discomfort the stance is causing among many of her supporters.

That was evident at a gathering of the state's Democratic Rural Conference earlier this month at a hotel on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca.

The conference is made up of party activists from the 41 counties of the state that are not part of the New York City region or the state's more urban upstate counties. In other words, the more conservative Democrats of New York state.

Featured at the event was a straw poll that Saturday of delegates for the various statewide races, including U.S. Senate.

Clinton spoke to the delegates Friday night and, as expected, received a rousing welcome. It didn't hurt, of course, that state Comptroller Alan Hevesi pumped up the crowd by calling on the delegates to work hard for her re-election.

"We have to get out and make sure she is re-elected to that two-year term," Hevesi said in a joke not lost on an audience well aware that Senate terms run six years and that Clinton leads national polls among potential 2008 Democratic presidential contenders.

But the next morning, the delegates got to hear from one of Clinton's anti-war challengers, labor activist Jonathan Tasini. He got a very warm welcome.

"I entered this race because I refused to be silent about the immorality of the war in Iraq," said Tasini, a former president of the National Writers Union. It was one of many lines in a short speech that drew applause from the rural Democrats.

There were also cheers when he called for President Bush and Vice President Cheney, as leaders of "the party of evil," to be impeached.

And more applause after he declared: "Bring the troops home now."

There was no applause, however, when he told delegates that "the people who support the war and voted for the war must be held accountable."

Clinton voted for the war, although she has been highly critical of Bush's handling of it. Despite that criticism, she has agreed with the president that it would be a mistake to set a timetable for troop withdrawal.

When the votes were counted, Clinton had 126, Tasini nine.

To put that in perspective, Tasini got two more votes than Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi received in the straw poll on the governor's race - a test won by state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, 148-7. Of course, the Spitzer camp worked the vote hard. Clinton, who didn't even hang around for the Saturday vote, did not.

The kind reception for Tasini didn't come as a surprise to many Democrats.

Even before the straw vote session began, Daniel McNamara of South Colton said the war in Iraq was one of the top issues on the minds of voters in his St. Lawrence County area just south of the Canadian border. Other Democrats said communities are increasingly feeling the pain personally of the war as the U.S. death toll mounts.

In her recent stops across New York and in other parts of the country, Clinton has often been greeted by anti-war protesters.

On March 10, as more than 200 Albany-area business executives listened to a panel discussion on job creation, her other anti-war challenger for the Senate nomination, Steve Greenfield, disrupted the event by shouting: "When are our troops coming home from Iraq?"

"We'll discuss it later," said Clinton, sitting with the panel. "We're going to move on."

Asked to leave by a security guard, Greenfield did so without incident.

Outside the ballroom, a couple dozen students chanted anti-war slogans that could be heard inside.

While polls indicate Clinton is headed for what could be an easy re-election, her war stance could become more of an issue if she does seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008.

So far, it is just background noise. But the noise is applause and cheers and chants. It is not in support of her position.

---

Marc Humbert has covered New York state politics for The Associated Press for more than 25 years. He can be reached via e-mail at: mhumbert(at)ap.org.

© 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.

N.Y. 24: Boehlert Rebuffs Entreaties, Sets Off Gavel Race

Written by: Kelly Keck on Mar 18, 2006 4:48 PM EST

Linked to groups: Democracy for Otsego and Delaware Counties

www.cqpolitics.com/2006/03/ny_24...

N.Y. 24: Boehlert Rebuffs Entreaties, Sets Off Gavel Race
By Marie Horrigan | 3:56 PM; Mar. 17, 2006
Despite the entreaties of GOP leaders worried about holding his seat, House Science Chairman Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y., announced Friday that he will retire at the end of this Congress.

Boehlert, a moderate who represents the 24th District in central New York, said his decision to depart after 12 terms "was not taken lightly nor was it made in haste."

Boehlert discussed his plans with President Bush on Air Force One earlier this week after Bush visited Canandaigua, a town just east of the 24th.

His retirement throws in play a seat formerly considered safe for Republicans. CQPolitics.com is changing its rating of the race to No Clear Favorite.

Boehlert is the 25th House member, and the 17th Republican, to announce plans to retire or seek other office in a year when Democrats see their best chance yet to regain control of one or both chambers of Congress.

Because of the GOP's six-year term limits for committee chairmen, Boehlert must relinquish his gavel at the Science Committee at the end of this Congress. It was not clear whether he had sought or received any promises that he could claim the chairmanship at the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee if he ran again and Republicans remained in control. He currently is third in seniority on that panel.

Boehlert turns 70 on Sept. 28 and had triple bypass surgery in 2004.

Ralph M. Hall of Texas, the Republican next in line on the Science Committee, is "very interested in the chairmanship," according to aide Leslee Gilbert. Hall has been on the committee for a quarter-century and was ranking Democrat for three years before he changed parties in January 2004.

Two days ago, before Boehlert's decision was announced, Hall said he thought he has a good chance to claim the Science gavel. "I don't think they would jump over me" to give a less senior member the chairmanship, he said. "I have the Speaker's word that seniority will play a major role in deciding who is picked."

When asked if he would think about retiring if he did not get the chairmanship, Hall, 82, replied, "I wouldn't let a little old decision like that fail to allow me to represent my people in Congress."

Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., currently fifth in seniority among panel Republicans, is also interested in the chairmanship, according to his spokesman, Rebecca Rudman. He has been a chairman of two Science subcommittees, and his district includes two Boeing Co. facilities that handle space technology.

The two Republicans between him and Hall -- Lamar Smith of Texas and Curt Weldon of Pennsylvania -- are eyeing gavels at the Judiciary and Armed Services committees, respectively.

Another Republican who has expressed past interest in the Science chairmanship is Vernon J. Ehlers of Michigan, but he recently took the gavel of the House Administration Committee. Ehlers is chairman of the Science Subcommittee on Environment, Technology and Standards -- and he is also the only Republican physicist in Congress.

Open 24th District Race

Boehlert has rarely faced a serious general election challenge due to his popularity as a centrist unafraid to clash with his own party. "My manner of representation and voting record for more than two decades has earned for me the label of moderate," he said Friday. "I'm proud of that label, fervently believing that the overwhelming majority of thinking people reject the extremes of the left and right."

The district leans Republican -- the GOP has held a 10-point advantage over Democrats in voter registration the past two years -- but the party's grip is tenuous. Bush carried the district with a 6-point margin over Democrat John Kerry in 2004, but he beat Democrat Al Gore by only a fraction of 1 percentage point in 2000.

Without Boehlert as a well known, moderate choice for the district, Democrats have the chance to pick it up. Their favored candidate appears to be Oneida County District Attorney Michael Arcuri, who has proven he can win in Republican-leaning districts in his past four elections.

Joining Arcuri in the Sept. 12 primary race is former Cortland Mayor Bruce Tytler and two political newcomers, epidemiologist Les Robert and Utica attorney Leon Koziol.

Former Seneca Falls Mayor Brad Jones, a strongly conservative candidate, announced he would compete for the GOP ticket even before rumors of Boehlert's retirement circulated. But GOP insiders are hoping for a more moderate nominee in Boehlert's mold. Two moderate Republican state senators -- Raymond A. Meier and James Seward -- had earlier indicated a strong interest in the race. But Seward said Friday he would not file. The deadline to enter the contest is July 13.

In his statement Friday, Boehlert, a rabid baseball fan whose district houses the Baseball Hall of Fame, cited a quote from famed pitcher Roger Clemens.

"When asked about retirement [Clemens] said, 'When I shut it down, I'll be walking away with a smile on my face. There will be no regrets because I feel like I've done it the right way.'

"Those are my sentiments. I do feel like I've done it the right way."

Green Party member urges Gillibrand endorsement

Written by: Kelly Keck on Mar 15, 2006 10:53 AM EST

Linked to groups: Democracy for Otsego and Delaware Counties

Published on 3/14/2006
News From the Campaign Trail
THE POST-STAR

** Democratic congressional candidate Kirsten Gillibrand has picked up
support from a local peace activist,* despite criticism from some that
she
has not been vocal enough about the Iraq war.

Robin Barkenhagen of Glens Falls said Saturday he is urging state Green
party leaders to endorse Gillibrand's candidacy rather than running a
candidate from within the party.

Barkenhagen ran for state Assembly on the Green Party line in 2002, and
for
a seat on the Warren County Board of Supervisors in 2003.

Barkenhagen said state party leaders asked him to consider running
against
U.S. Rep. John Sweeney in the fall election, but he believes it would
be
more fruitful to cooperate with Democrats to defeat the four-term
incumbent
Republican from Clifton Park.

"The only reason I wanted to run against him (Sweeney) is to take some
shots," he said.

Barkenhagen said Gillibrand's position on the Iraq war is realistic.

Gillibrand has said the United States should not have any permanent
military
bases in Iraq and should gradually pull its troops out of the country
over
the next two years.