The Water Cooler is written by Washington Times staffers.
By Anthony Bowe — Published November 3, 2009 Comments
Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 On this election day a stiff tie in the polls for Governor of New Jersey is happening between Democrat incumbent Jon Corzine and Republican challenger Chris Christie. New Jersey bloggers comment: BLOGS ON CHRISTIE In The Lobby: Why haven't state's newspapers followed robocall story? Politics Patrol: GOP asks ELEC to probe robocalls. "A letter from the Christie campaign’s law firm said, “It has just recently come to our attention that the New Jersey State Democratic Committee has made ‘in kind contributions’ to the independent gubernatorial candidate, Christopher Daggett. These robocalls commenced yesterday and are continuing …” The letter says unless the calls are done with the cooperation of Daggett they are against the law." In The Lobby: Why haven't state's newspapers followed robocall story? Dan Cirucci: Christie comments at the polls. Blue Jersey: Christie faces possible copyright suit from Monte Python. Save Jersey: Christie-Guandagno Election Day Schedule. ...
by Kerry Picket — Published November 3, 2009 Comments
Today's Water Cooler lineup of off the beaten path online stories are: Scozzafava Robocalls For Democrat Doug Hoffman, Rep. Jim Moran compares the GOP to the Taliban, and New Jersey Democrats pay for Independent Candidate's Robocalls. HotAirPundit.com: Scozzafava Robocalls For Democrat Doug Hoffman in New York Hi, this is Dede Scozzafava calling on behalf of Bill Owens. And I wanted to let you know that I am supporting Bill for Congress. Weasel Zippers: Rep. Jim Moran: "If Republicans Were Running in Afghanistan, They'd Be On The Taliban Ticket".... At a get-out-the-vote rally in Fairfax County, Moran said: “I mean, if the Republicans were running in Afghanistan, they’d be running on the Taliban ticket as far as I can see.” Townhall: New Jersey Dems Paying for Independent Candidate's Robocalls The phone commercial concludes with the legalize saying it was "a project of the NJDSC"--the New Jersey Democratic State Committee--and the address given is ...
by Kerry Picket — Published November 2, 2009 Comments
The Washington Times Water Cooler spoke with Ron McDougal, husband of former New York GOP 23rd District candidate Dede Scozzafava at a Bill Owens rally in Watertown, New York. Mr. McDougal answered questions about whether his wife would switch parties and talked about her endorsement of Democrat candidate Bill Owens. The Water Cooler also asked Mr. McDougal how much union involvement had with his wife's endorsement of Mr. Owens. Transcript to come.
by Kerry Picket — Published November 2, 2009 Comments
Vice President Joe Biden addressed supporters at a rally for Bill Owens, the Democratic candidate for New York’s 23rd District. The vice president attacked supporters of Conservative candidate for New York's 23rd District Doug Hoffman. In the following clips, he takes shots at Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin. Transcript to come.
by Kerry Picket — Published November 2, 2009 Comments
Today's Water Cooler lineup of off the beaten path online stories are: The AP downplays any importance to GOP wins tomorrow, the drama of New York's 23rd district race continues, and a Washington Post editor punches a reporter. HotAir.com: AP pre-spin: These elections mean nothing and the GOP is doomed Gallup’s generic ballot, at the moment, looks eerily similar to how it looked before the GOP tidal wave in 1994. All meaningless. PajamasMedia: The GOP ‘Stalinists’ and Dede Scozzafava There has been a lot of talk about “purges” and whether “moderates” have a place in the Republican Party, but that certainly doesn’t capture the spirit of the drama that has just unfolded in New York’s 23rd congressional district. Ace of Spades HQ: Washington Post Editor Punches a Reporter Allen swung twice, with one punch hitting Roig-Franzi, according to sources.
by Kerry Picket — Published November 1, 2009 Comments
*Updated with information on bloggers who were on the call - 10PM 11/1/09 In a conference call with reporters and bloggers, Doug Hoffman campaign spokesman Rob Ryan addressed his concern about the possibility of ACORN interfering in New York's 23rd district. Mr. Ryan referred to a case in Troy, New York where the Working Families Party was recently caught in a voter fraud case. Mr. Ryan said: "A special prosecutor was named at the end of September, because Working Families Party was infvolved in the forgery of absentee ballots, and they caught them red-handed. This is something we are afraid of here in the district. We are afraid of the unions coming in, of ACORN coming in, of Move-on types coming in, and we want to see a clean legal election. We know if that's the case, we win. Our Chief counsel is going to court tomorrow morning in Essex ...
by Kerry Picket — Published November 1, 2009 Comments
The New York State Young Republicans went after New York's 23rd District's former GOP candidate Dede Scozzafava in their endorsement for Conservative candidate Doug Hoffman. : Lynn Krogh, Chair of the New York State Young Republicans, has released the following statement regarding Tuesday’s special election for the 23rd Congressional District: “After learning yesterday of Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava’s “selfless” act of dropping out of the special election, I was proud of her for putting her constituents and the good of the party before herself. But after learning that she has formally endorsed her once Democratic opponent, it is obvious that her support for Bill Owens is based upon her inability to excite the Republican base in the 23rd District. Driven by bitterness, she would rather see a Pelosi-Democrat sitting in Congress than a member of her own party. “Today, the Executive Board of the New York State Young Republicans voted to endorse Doug ...
by Kerry Picket — Published November 1, 2009 Comments
Since his former candidate, Dede Scozzafava endorsed the Democrat in New York's 23rd district race, Mr. Burns is now fully endorsing Conservative candidate Duug Hoffman. Mr. Burns is a Republican consultant who worked at the 2008 Republican National Convention last year. Former Scozzafava spokesman Matt Burns endorsed Doug Hoffman. He told the Washington Times,: "Dede is entitled to her own opinion, as is everyone, but I obviously disagree with her decision (to support Owens). I am supporting Doug Hoffman, because denying Nancy Pelosi another foot soldier is vital to restoring fiscal responsibility and common sense in Washington."
by Kerry Picket — Published November 1, 2009 Comments
The former Republican candidate for the 23rd district of New York Dede Scozzafava officially endorsed Bill Owens, the Democratic candidate for the 23rd District of New York. Her endorsement comes after reports that her husband, Ron McDougall, publicly endorsed Mr. Owens earlier today. Below is the Mr. Owens's response to Ms. Scozzafava's endorsement of his campaign, where he goes after not only Mr. Hoffman but also the conservative leaning Club for Growth: "Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava has been an honorable public servant for years now and I have a tremendous amount of respect for her and her commitment to her principles. While we disagree on certain issues, we share a dedication to serving the best interests of Upstate New York and the Obama administration's efforts to get our economy back on track. Those interests will always be my highest priority." "I remain focused on my campaign. Over the next 4 days I will ...
by Kerry Picket — Published November 1, 2009 Comments
The Watertown Daily Times reported this morning in their endorsement of Democrat Bill Owens for New York's 23rd District seat that former cadidate for the 23rd seat Republican Dede Scozzafava was "quietly" urging supporters to the Owens campaign. The endorsement, however, could be self-serving in that it did not mention what kind of supporters are being sent over to the Owens campaign. The Washington Times Water Cooler spoke to Owens campaign spokesman Jon Boughtin who confirmed that Ms. Scozzafava's husband, Ron McDougall, a known big labor supporter, publicly endorsed Mr. Owens campaign, but Ms. Scozzafava had not. He also confirmed union supporters who were helping Ms. Scozzafava's campaign are now helping Mr. Owens. Perhaps, The Watertown Daily Times may want to clarify what types of Scozzafava supporters are being "quitely" urged to back Mr. Owens, as it does make a difference if a so-called supporter of Ms. Scozzafava was a ...
by Kerry Picket — Published November 1, 2009 Comments
Republican New York Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava's bow out of New York's 23rd District special election race may not have have been executed so graciously after all. The Watertown Daily Times in their endorsement for Democrat Bill Owewns reports today (h/t Michael Patrick Leahy): In her statement Saturday morning, the assemblywoman explained the reasons behind her decision: “It is increasingly clear that pressure is mounting on many of my supporters to shift their support. Consequently, I hereby release those individuals who have endorsed and supported my campaign to transfer their support as they see fit to do so.” During the day Saturday, she began to quietly and thoughtfully encourage her supporters to vote for Democrat William L. Owens. Ms. Scozzafava finished a distant third in the latest Siena Research Institute poll with 20 percent support of likely voters. Her opponents, Mr. Owens and Conservative Douglas L. Hoffman, garnered 36 percent and ...
by Kerry Picket — Published November 1, 2009 Comments
New York Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava halted her campaign in the state's 23rd District on Saturday morning after announcing on her website she did not have the poll numbers nor the money to remain competitive with candidates Conservative Doug Hoffman and Democrat Bill Owens. However, Ms. Scozzafava's name will remain on the ballot when constituents go to the polls to vote on Tuesday. Off year elections generally do not get much attention, so it should not be surprising to political observers that Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Owens will have to work over time to not only get out registered voters but also remind those going to the polls that Ms. Scozzafava has dropped out of the race, though the ballot will say otherwise. The Washington Times Water Cooler is in the Upstate New York district and spoke to a handful of residents about the election. A Republican leaning motel staffer was ...
by Kerry Picket — Published October 30, 2009 Comments
Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, held hearings yesterday to look into fraudulent letters which were sent on behalf of the coal industry to several members of congress. The original hearing was to take place on October 15, but was postponed until yesterday morning. The committee lined up the following witnesses: Rep. Tom Periello (D-Va.) Mr. Jack Bonner, Bonner & Associates Mr. Steve Miller, President and CEO, American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity Ms. Lisa M. Maatz, Director of Public Policy and Government Relations, American Association of University Women Mr. Hilary O. Shelton, Director and Senior Vice President for Advocacy and Policy, NAACP Washington Bureau According to Chris Horner, an attorney and senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, the minority on the committee originally wanted him to testify but later acquiesced to the majority's rejection of the addition to the witness list. ...
by Anthony Bowe — Published October 30, 2009 Comments
Four days away from Election Day in Virginia and the gubnatorial race looks like McDonnell's to lose. According to polls McDonnell is leading Democrat Creigh Deeds by double digits. This has the makings of a historic landslide. Virginia bloggers comment: The Shad Plank: McDonnell and Deeds launch new campaign ads, send around Obama video“Republican Bob McDonnell and Democrat Creigh Deeds are rolling out their final campaign ads for the gubernatorial election stressing the positive.” BLOGS ON MCDONNELL The Virginian Federalist: Why Bob McDonnell should and will be governor.Too Conservative: Upcoming McDonnell rallies.Star City Harbinger: McDonnell tells talk radio host he will de-fund Planned Parenthood. Blue Commonwealth: McDonnell videos.Too Conservative: Gays, Gays, Gays all the time at the WaPo. "For heaven’s sakes, the agenda of the WaPo is so transparent and constantly ridiculous! They continue their near daily attacks on Bob McDonnell by leading with a gay controversy in this article, ...
by Anthony Bowe — Published October 30, 2009 Comments
New Jersey Election Day is four days out and the best indication of who will be the next governor just may be the New York Yankees game one World Series loss. The polls are sharply contrasting and the gubernatorial race between incumbent Jon Corzine, Republican Chris Christie and Independent Chris Daggett, can go any way. New Jersey bloggers comment: BLOGS ON CHRISTIE Moremonmouth Musings: Christie responds to Corzine's toll hike plan.Dan Cirucci: Christie challenges Corzine to call him fat.The Save Jersey Blog: Christie on Imus show.Capitol Quickies: Candidates key on pre-schoolIn The Lobby: Have Christie ads blunted Daggett's rise? The Save Jersey Blog: “The corrupt Democrat establishment continues to fail the Hispanic community. “Chris Christie will be the advocate they need.” The Save Jersey Blog: Video footage from Christie bus tour.Capitol Quickies: The Republican Governors Association ad boosts Christie.PolitickerNJ: Christie galvanizes GOP base in Toms River "This was where Christie ...
