Did you know someone was running against Brian Higgins? It’s true. There is an actual Independence Party candidate running in that race to replace South Buffalo’s Boy Wonder.

That IP member is Dan Humiston. He’s also running, BTW, as the endorsed Republican.

In several recent bigger races, the Republican party in the county of Erie has pretty much resigned itself to running bored millionaires who can do a lot of self-financing of their campaigns. (Hi, Jack Davis! Too bad Cheney snubbed you a few years ago!). Chris Lee, Republican running in the 26th, is the unemployed scion of a formerly locally-owned manufacturing concern which was sold out for megabucks to a New Jersey multinational.

Humiston is, like Davis but unlike Lee, a self-made millionaire. He runs the Tanning Bed franchise throughout Western New York, peddling melanoma to local gum-clacking teens and those who still think they are. He’s the current president of the Indoor Tanning Association. (A “healthy tan” is not unlike the ads for Camel - more doctors smoke ‘em!)

Humiston has raised a decent amount of money, according to his latest filings. His largest contribution comes courtesy of a sweaty gentleman who combats allegations that he defends pedophiles by surrounding himself with children. Tom Reynolds’ TOMPAC gave the legal max to Humiston - $5,000.

Humiston did receive one more $5,000 contribution from another PAC, however. The “Indoor Tanning Association PAC“, which is run by the operation of which he is President. There are also loads of big contributions from melanoma huts all across the country. You can track how excited the tanning proponents are about Humiston’s run for congress, and they have a great conversation about how Dan Humiston can advance the melanomian cause in Congress.

Dear tanning industry friends,

Today is a big day in my race for Congress, March 31 is the last day I can collect money for my first FEC filing. The FEC reports have to be done quarterly so that the country can gauge my potential as a candidate.

I officially became a candidate in March; so far all my fundraising efforts have been directed towards our industry. My feeling is that it sends a strong message to the country that the tanning industry believes that their president will make a good congressman.

While many people have generously supported and helped spread the word I still have a ways to go to hit my goal. If you haven’t had time to go to my website www.humistonforcongress.com and make a contribution, can you please do it now?

Thanks
-DAN

And the Republicans criticize people for taking money from a strip club owner? Stripping doesn’t give people cancer.

The Indoor Tanning PAC’s mission:

In an effort to create a unified voice for the industry, the ITA decided to form a PAC to educate and make financial contributions to federal candidates who support the public policies that are important to the ITA’s members.

and

The ITA actively lobbies against legislation that would place unfair restrictions on salon businesses.

For instance, the ITA is lobbying to strike legislation in Ohio that would ban indoor tanning for teens under 18, and a similar bill in Massachusetts for teens under 16. I’m pretty sure that another cancer-causer - cigarettes - are prohibited from being sold to teens under 18 even when they have a note from home, so I don’t see the issue. (Evidently, his campaign obtained the Tanning Bed’s email list. Convenient. There’s also $2,500 to one Joseph Illuzzi, who apparently resides at 123 ABC Street in Alabama 20001.)

The one unifying theme among the Bored Republican Millionaire candidates is that they will operate government like a business. This is silliness, because businesses have a different mission altogether from that of government. The smart ones explain that they wish to maximize efficiencies and eliminate waste. They will keep a close eye on public finances and make sure that deficits are guarded against, found, and remedied as soon as possible, right?

Well, another supporter of Humiston’s is Nancy Naples-O’Neill, erstwhile State DMV Commissioner, which is a position to which she was appointed after holding the Giambra Administration’s water for so many years, (delaying until the last possible moment her decision to alert the people to what became the Erie County Budget Crisis of 2004 - 2005). She gave Humiston $1,000. One hopes he won’t take public finance advice from her. BTW - she lists her occupation now as “Amtrak Commissioner“. Christ almighty, there’s no trough from which she won’t gorge.

Humiston and Lee are supposed to be cut from the same cloth as Chris Collins - a businessman whom the Republicans run with great success last year. And they won’t come asking to bum money off the party, either.

The thing is, Brian Higgins works his ass off every single day to change people’s minds about Buffalo and WNY. When Humiston charges that Higgins is part of the status quo, that is sheer idiocy. Taking money from Tom Reynolds, cancer purveyors, and Nancy Naples is more of the same. Not Higgins, whose accomplishments are many and whose record does not pigeonhole him as some sort of ultra leftist liberal, but instead a pragmatic and forceful proponent for Western New York and the regular folks who make up his district.

After much ribbing about the non-existent and/or empty “views” section of his website, Republican candidate for Congress in the 26th district has finally gotten around to having some.

I am running for Congress to bring real change to Washington, D.C., restore accountability, get people to stop the partisan bickering and start solving the problems families are facing. This is what Western New Yorkers are demanding, and it is what they deserve.

By working together we can make these things happen, and we can get Washington working again for Western New York.

If we do that then we can help create jobs at home, lower taxes for hard working families, develop a real energy policy, and ensure access to affordable healthcare for all Western New Yorkers.

Washington working for Western New York. That’s a great idea. Um, what’s his predecessor been doing along those lines for the past 10 years? It’s all platitudes cribbed from some primer on how to run as a Republican but sounding like a Democrat. Republicans don’t give a shit about “affordable healthcare”. They’re far more concerned with taxation of the wealthiest 1%, not “hard working families”.

The most important thing for our families is having jobs not just for us, but for our children. Right now Western New York is facing the challenge of entering a 21st century economy and not having enough jobs for our children. Fortunately, Western New York is well equipped to face these challenges. We have a world-class workforce, excellent educational institutions and a work ethic second to none. What needs to happen is the government, in Washington and Albany, needs to get out of the way and let businesses do what they do best – create jobs. When I am elected, I will fight everyday for policies that increase the incentives for businesses to take risks, be entrepreneurial and ultimately create jobs.

How is Washington in the way, and would he do to get it out of said way? Taxes and spending, evidently - no surprise, coming from a Republican candidate. The problem is that the Republican party has put the Democrats to shame in terms of the growth of government and government spending at the federal level since George W. Bush came to office. Why are we to believe that Lee would not help perpetuate that state of affairs? Bush has grown government, kept taxes low to help the budget deficit balloon, engaged in nation-building adventures in the middle east and then shortchanged them when it got difficult.

Definitely Washington is broken. Definitely Albany is broken. What can Lee as a congressman do to fix Albany? Again - platitudes that sound phenomenal but have no meat to them.

Lee also says we need a “comprehensive energy policy”:

- Lessen our dependence on foreign oil by increasing American made energy through exploration;
- Promote new, clean, reliable sources of energy;
- Encourage conservation, and;
- Increase investment in research funding for alternative energy.

Respectively, how, what, how, and what? The call from McCain and Bush has been for drilling everywhere. Respectfully, that’s like putting a Band-Aid on an amputation site. Nice sentiment, but it would take literally years - if not a decade - before any such drilling would have any effect on the market. Furthermore, conservation is now in full effect, given the cost of fuel. Price is up, demand is way down. So, if all this is run by the market, why does lower demand equal ever-higher prices?

Again - demand for gasoline has been dropping, yet the price continues to rise. The idea that this is just market forces at work doesn’t fly. In 2008, it is high time that we develop and reach a consensus on a fuel for personal conveyances to replace petroleum. We’re using technology that’s over 100 years old.

Lee also believes that health care is an issue. The buzzword is “market-based”. Anything the Republicans recommend will be characterized as “market-based”, while they will criticize the Democrats’ plans as being “socialized medicine”. Meanwhile, all of the plans being suggested are market-based. No one is proposing socialized medicine.

While Mr. Lee complains that WNY is not getting its fair share of federal dollars, he also argues:

I will fight for a more transparent and fair system that will ensure real earmark reform. Any dollar being spent by the federal government should be done so in the light of day not behind closed doors. I want to change the way Washington does business by ensuring that we have an open system that holds our leaders accountable. Just like a CEO would want, Western New Yorkers deserve to know exactly how their money is being spent - that can only happen with a more transparent and accountable Washington.

How? What sort of transparency is he proposing? And which is it? More fair share, or fewer earmarks?

In other news, Chris Lee held a fundraiser last night. It was a swanky affair at the Marriott on Millersport. All of the Republican glitterati were in attendance, and Tom Reynolds introduced Lee to the crowd. Illuzzi was there enjoying the free food, making subtle threats, and writes:

I had the pleasure of attending what was truly an “All-Star” fundraising event last night kicking off NY 26 Congressional Candidate Chris Lee’s fundraising efforts.

Congressman Tom Reynolds declared the event to have set a new record for a first time candidate’s congressional fundraising event. Over 300 people in attendance!!! Early estimates are over $175,000 raised at the event.

That averages out to over $580 per person.

Lee is an unemployed child of wealth who inherited part of the sell-out of his father’s business. He’s pledged to spend $1 million of his own money on the race. Will he, like Chris Collins, forego his federal salary if elected? I recall Jack Davis making that pledge 2 years ago. Why should taxpayers cut a six-figure check with benefits and pension for a millionaire heir?

Running against Jack Davis (D-In Name Only) is like running against Mr. Burns from the Simpsons; a curmudgeony, bitter, angry man who is supposedly spending $3 million of his own money to run for congress a third time, after losing twice already. Oh, and did you know Davis doesn’t like the Chinese or Mexicans? Yeah, it’s true. In fairness, Davis has better hair than C. Montgomery Burns.

One wonders why he’s bothering to run again, seeing as he expressed “relief” upon losing to Tom Reynolds in 2006.

But Davis’ resemblance to the fictional Mr. Burns isn’t just limited to temperament and wealth. You’ll recall that Mr. Burns own the Springfield nuclear power plant. Well, Mr. Davis owns $35 million in energy stocks.

From a Powers campaign press release today:

Jack Davis revealed in financial disclosure documents that he owns up to $35 million in Big Oil and energy stocks. A recent poll released by the Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg revealed that 76% of Americans blame Big Oil, George Bush, oil speculators, and OPEC for record high gas prices.

At a press conference held at a Mobil gas station in Amherst, NY, where the price for a gallon of gas was $4.19, Powers called for an end to corporate greed that is causing skyrocketing gas prices. The Powers plan for Securing Our Energy Independence calls for increased investment for renewable energy and curbing corporate greed by reigning in oil speculators.

“We now know Jack Davis has up to 35 million reasons to vote against lower gas prices. Exxon Jack is no different than George Bush and the politicians in Washington, DC who are already bought and paid for by the oil companies. Western New York needs a Congressman who will look out for their interests, not Exxon/Mobil’s bottom line” stated Powers Campaign Manager, John Gerken.

TOP 10 QUESTIONS JACK DAVIS MUST ANSWER ABOUT HIS OIL INVESTMENTS

· How can you say you are not beholden to special interests when you have up to $35 million dollars invested in Big Oil and energy while hardworking Americans struggle to fill their gas tanks?

· How can hard working Western New Yorkers trust you to lower gas prices when you profited by up to $280,000 off of Big Oil and energy last year?

· Why should Western New Yorkers believe that you will vote in our interests and not your own when it comes to Big Oil?

· Do you support drilling in ANWR?

· Would you vote against tax breaks for big oil?

· Is there really any difference between spending your own money that you received from Big Oil and taking special interest money?

· Isn’t it a little hypocritical that you made more than 5 times the median income of the district last year off of Big Oil and energy, but you say you understand the hard times Western New Yorkers are facing?

· What would you do in Congress to lower the price of gasoline and help the families in Western New York that you want to represent?

· Do you believe that renewable energy will help alleviate man-made global warming?

Davis won’t answer these questions because he never answers any questions. Not from voters, anyway. He doesn’t go out and meet them. He’ll show up and speak with reporters or party leaders and hurl invective at his opponents, but his stock answer to every problem, every issue is “foreigners”. Don’t believe me?

EDIT: VIDEO REMOVED FOR OBNOXIOUSNESS

That MacBook on Jack’s desk? Made in China. He also claims he won’t take special interest money.

His one big contributor is Jack Davis. He is his own special interest. It’s quite easy to make that pledge when you’re a millionaire.

On the other hand, Powers doesn’t make almost $300,000 per year off of energy stocks. His plan for energy:

An Energy Bill that Invests in Our Future – Provide tax credits to investors who empower scientists to develop renewable energy. Instead of giving away billions to Big Oil, we should provide funding to scientists and engineers to develop renewable energies. As of right now, Congress only provides an advancement of one year to investors who want to develop renewable energies while they provide billions to Big Oil. We need to extend these credits to 10 year allotments in order to provide scientists and engineers with the funds necessary to cure America’s oil addiction and make our Country safe.

A Menu of Options – There is no silver bullet solution to the energy crisis. The United States must not limit Americans to any one particular form of renewable energy, but provide several options in order to protect against future monopolies such as the one oil currently holds.

Apollo Sized Ambitions – When we come together as a nation, we can accomplish anything. The United States had a vision to get to the moon; we made the commitment and accomplished the task. If we are truly going to be energy independent, Congress must set firm goals of when America will be powered by renewable energy and then commit ourselves to making sure this happens.

A Government that Leads by Example – Jon Powers will support legislation that requires all newly purchased nonmilitary federal vehicles (including Postal vehicles) to be American made and use hybrid technology or E85 fuel within five years. We must also provide state and local governments incentives to move all non law enforcement vehicles to do the same.

Helping the Consumer Lead by Example – The federal government allows for a tax credit of up to $3,400 on hybrid vehicles. This incentive is only given to the first 60,000 models of each car sold. Jon Powers will work to make sure that all hybrid vehicles receive this tax credit until hybrids and other clean cars make up a majority of all vehicles sold. Jon Powers also supports housing tax credits for homeowners who invest in making their home more energy efficient.

Stopping Corporate Greed by closing the Enron Loop-Hole – Special Interest groups and Big Oil have created a loophole in the law that allows speculators to manipulate the price of oil and inflate it by $30-$50 per barrel. While Americans pay over four dollars per gallon of gasoline, Big Oil is making record profits. Jon Powers supports closing the loophole and forcing speculators to provide realistic estimates so our gasoline prices will go down.

An America that Leads by Example – Jon Powers will fight for legislation to require the use of safe, renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydropower to generate 25% of the nation’s electricity by 2025. America must also invest in technologies to improve ethanol and convert to cellulosic ethanol so that America can grow its own fuel and it will not affect the food supply.

Forcing Oil Companies to Lead by Example – Jon Powers supports legislation that will require oil companies to install bio-fuel pumps at 25% of their stations.

Reducing Carbon Emissions – Jon Powers will support legislation to cap emissions of greenhouse gases and reduce them by 20% by 2020.

All I know is, Exxon Jack’s tank of ideas and solutions is running on empty.

Harris Hill Men’s Club invites the entire community to a picnic for Jon Powers.

When: Wednesday, June 25, 2008, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Where: Clarence Town Park. Large Pavilion

Lincoln : Douglas.

Kennedy : Nixon.

Now, it’s debate via Twitter. Tim Ryan (D-OH) and John Culbertson (R-TX) have been going at it on Twitter, engaging in a debate, of sorts.

Jason Linkins at HuffPo writes:

thrill to them yelling about ANWR, bragging about their exploits, issuing snarky commentary, all while a nation of Twits looks on and gawks, or adds their own noise. I especially love the portion of this exchange where Culberson types - over and over again - “I understand my Dem colleague Tim Ryan says here he opposes ANWR drilling because it will only reduce gas prices by 2 cents - it will be.” He’s run up against Twitter’s 140-character limitation, but he’s not going to let that stop him!

He concludes that it isn’t, in his opinion, a good example of democracy at work. Instead,

I guess this is just my way of saying that the world was a much better place before any of us were born, and these people would - like Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr - simply go outside and shoot each other in the face, the end.

Chris Lee has re-done his campaign website, and there remains no page for “views” or “platform”, so all the Republican snots who keep criticizing the democrats’ supposed lack of a platform might want to address that issue with their candidate.

If you go to the main page of Lee’s website, you’ll find that he will bring “real leadership, leading to real change”. The Republican candidate for NY-26 is the change agent? That’s novel. You’ll also find other platform planks, such as:

“Values, reform, and change that bring solutions”, juxtaposed with an image of an older woman with her daughter. This image.

“Putting the people of Western New York First”, juxtaposed with an image of a woman with construction workers. This image.

“Real solutions for our families and businesses”, juxtaposed with an image of a young family at play. This image.

“Making our future brighter for our children and grandchildren”, juxtaposed with an image of grandpa and granddaughter. This image.

Actually, although the “views” tab has been taken down, the page is still there. Going to it reveals that the tab’s gone because his “views” are still “coming soon.“. Not his platform. His “views”.

But he does have a “message”, which starts with this paragraph:

My name is Chris Lee, and I am here because Western New Yorkers are demanding real reform, real change, real leadership and real solutions. Right now Washington, D.C. and Albany are shortchanging us, and that needs to stop! For too long, we have heard about creating jobs, lowering taxes and eliminating needless regulation. Unfortunately, the results have not matched the rhetoric.

The incumbent has been there since 1999, and has endorsed Lee. If Washington has been shortchanging us, it’s no thanks to incumbent Republican congressman Thomas M. Reynolds - a man who was once very clout-laden in a body that until recently held a Republican majority during the pendency of a Republican presidential administration. I’d suggest that real change for the 26th would be to let a member of the other party have a go.

As much as we bitch and moan about the perks offered to the members of public sector unions (comp time, generous vacation and benefits packages), often overlooked are the perks offered to electeds.

Much was made back in the day about Joel Giambra’s massive SUV with driver.

But what of Tom Reynolds’ Mountaineer? What of Louise Slaughter’s Buick Lucerne or Brian Higgins’ Ford Exploder?

The News detailed that taxpayers pay $500 per month for the Mountaineer, $411 per month for the Explorer, and a mind-boggling $808 per month for Slaughter’s Buick.

At least you can hand it to the local delegation for buying American.

Down in the City…

Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, D-Queens, leases a Lexus for $998 a month; Rep. Charles Rangel takes a 2004 Cadillac DeVille for $778 a month; Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-Middletown, leases a BMW 530i for $500 a month and a Nissan Altima for his chief of staff for $200 a month.

The vehicles are supposed to be for official business only. But it’s difficult to determine if members indeed use their vehicles only for job-related duties.

Most likely, Slaughter’s lease costs $808 because her district is about 80 miles long and the lease probably incorporates a high mileage allowance - more than the standard 12k per year.

But why on Earth should taxpayers be paying for a Lexus or a Cadillac or a 5-series? Why can’t these people just use their own personal vehicles, and get reimbursed for the mileage like most of us? If we expect public sector unions to sacrifice, how about showing them how it’s done, for God’s sake?

The salary for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate is $169,300 this year. Taxpayers subsidize meals at their cafeterias, haircuts and memberships at their special fitness clubs. They can zip into free parking spots near the terminals at Washington’s airports.

Some federal representatives probably know the shock of paying for their own gas these days. Higgins says he fills his wife’s minivan and the personal auto he drives when in Washington.

Their salary is ample. Their perks are legendary. If a Congressperson wants to buy a gas guzzling SUV, then by all means, go for it.

On your own dime. And pay for your own gas, too.

I don’t mind subsidizing food stamps for the poor, and I don’t mind subsidizing health care for the needy.

I do mind subsidizing dumb vehicle choices for well-to-do, privileged members of Congress.

Many people criticize Jon Powers for not being specific enough about his policy positions.

Specific, I guess, like the Republican selection. (Click to enlarge):

Just like the internet exposed Absolut’s Mexico ad to angry freepers (who stumble through this life with no acceptable Republican candidate, as far as they’re concerned), it exposes political dopiness, which would have previously flown stealthily under the radar.

Such as the poll that Hamburg’s Kathy Hochul is conducting for herself in non-Hamburg’s NY-26.

The push poll provided biographies of already declared candidates Jon Powers and Alice Kryzan, as well as soon-to-be declared candidate Jack Davis. The biographies of each were very brief. But when Hochul’s biography was given, it was informative and detailed.

For certain answers during the poll they gave you a tidbit of information on Hochul. For instance, if you said the economy was the most important issue to you (like my friend did), the poll would inform you that Hochul’s father worked at the local Bethlehem Steel plant - one of the symbols of manufacturing leaving Western New York.

They also asked what candidate you were going to vote for and what your opinion of Hochul is.

My father’s a psychiatrist, but that doesn’t give me any more or less insight on all things psychiatric. I guess the result of the poll is irrelevant, so why spend the money on it?

I have yet to hear not just a reasonable answer, but any answer whatsoever, to this question:

Why was Hochul attracted to this race only after Reynolds dropped out?

This Bob McCarthy article steamed me up. There’s a laundry list of eager swots looking to convince party bigshots that they can buy their way into Reynolds’ open seat. So-and-so will pledge $3 million in personal funds; so-and-so will pledge $1 million in personal funds, etc.

So are only the ridiculously wealthy worthy?

It’s evident that I’m a supporter of Jon Powers in this race. Jon isn’t rich, and he hasn’t been able to pledge hundreds of thousands of dollars of his own money towards his own race. Instead, he’s spent uncountable time, precious shoe leather, and when he meets prospective voters, the connection he makes is worth more than a five-figure loan to one’s own campaign account.

Republican sources say his inability to so far attract big Democratic donors shows his fundraising has a long way to go. But Powers says he’s satisfied with the fact that 65 percent of his donations are $50 or less.

Powers’ “inability to so far attract big Democratic donors” is partly due to the fact that the biggest counties in the district haven’t endorsed anyone yet. The Republicans have loads of names, few of whom can be bothered to run. The Democrats, by contrast, have too many candidates talking about running.

Today, some other website leaked the results of only part of a poll showing Jon Powers to be largely unknown in the district. That’s not really surprising, is it?

If one took a poll measuring the public perception of Michael Powers (who has declined to run) or Anthony Baynes (who has declined to run) or Jordan Levy (who was out before he was ever in), or David Bellavia (heard of him? He’s a Republican running in NY-26), the results would no doubt be rather similar. Ever heard of Stephen Hawley? If you’re in Genesee County, maybe. Not very familiar here.

Naturally, Jack Davis has name recognition coming out the wazoo. He’s run for congress twice, spent a lot of money on ads galore, and almost won last time out. Jon Powers has been doing the retail politicking that gets him one-on-one with voters. He invariably connects with them, but it’s far, far too early to spend megabucks on profile-raising TV ads right now.

In his stump speech, Powers says that, in the service, some lead by rank, and others lead by example. Using it against Reynolds, he states that, for too long, the representative from New York’s 26th has led by rank. Jon pleads to lead by example.

I have a feeling there are a lot of people who are going to be pulling rank on Jon in the following weeks. Rank based on money, and rank based on longevity in public service.

He’s in. He says he polled the district, and people are clamoring for him to enter the already well-populated Democratic field running for NY-26.

Davis said a poll he conducted among residents of the 26th District swayed his decision. He polled residents on their thoughts about jobs, the economy, trade, the war in Iraq and Davis’ name recognition.

Unfortunately, they didn’t add that most of those polled thought the caller was talking about Jack Davis, the Mad Magazine illustrator.

*rimshot*

The Powers campaign reacts:

STATEMENT BY THE POWERS CAMPAIGN ON JACK DAVIS ENTERING THE RACE FOR CONGRESS IN NY-26

Jack Davis already failed twice to win this seat. Western New Yorkers are looking for something different. They’re looking for a candidate who is actually listening to people from Buffalo to Rochester. They’re looking for a candidate who wants to protect Social Security, not cut benefits. That candidate is Jon Powers.

BuffaloPundit has decided to take the day off from blogging and spend a little downtime getting ready for the holiday weekend. He asked me (BuffaloGeek) to keep you all entertained in his absence…Yesterday, WNYMedia.net was at the Tom Reynolds Resignation press conference and captured the following on video.

Reynolds announcing his resignation and detailing some of the reasons for his retirement from public service:

Reynolds answering questions regarding two scandals that have plagued him during the last two years:

I was struck by two things at the press conference; Reynolds’ incredible arrogance as it pertains to his “teflon” status as a Congressman and the lack of other Republicans by his side at such an important event. Expected candidate and NY State Sen. George Maziarz was in attendance as was Niagara County GOP Chairman Henry Wojtaszek. I was surprised to not see other local Repubs like Chris Collins, Jim Domagalski, or Mike Failenhofer in attendance. I think that says a lot about where Reynolds finds himself at this point in his career. I was also surprised to not see his litany of supporters in attendance…

Reynolds believes NY-26 will stay a Republican seat and he may have just injected enough chaos into the race to make that a reality. Maziarz will bring a sizable vote swing from Niagara County with him and the rural parts of the district are staunchly Republican. This makes Erie County and the Rochester area that much more important for the Democrats as they fight to take over the seat. Positioning Jon Powers as new blood and a candidate for change as opposed to a tenured member of the do-nothing state senate would seem to be enough to sway the voters, but this is Western New York…and the problem is never “our guy” in Albany, it’s the “other guys”, right?

Dear Jack Davis:

You’ve run twice now. You lost both times. You were essentially self-funded with your own millions, and yet you still lost. In 2006, Mark Foley practically handed you a win on a silver platter, and yet you still lost.

It’s not that you didn’t spend enough money. It’s not even that you didn’t like campaigning at all. It has to do with you being a one-note candidate. A one-issue dullard. A rich old man with a short memory.

Why am I being so harsh on you? Why am I writing this? Well, because you said this about Jon Powers (courtesy of The Albany Project):

Powers, Davis said, “is a kid. He’s 29 years old and he’s never had a real job,” said Davis. “If we do get into a primary, he won’t have any money left.”

Powers was an army officer in Iraq, and he was a school teacher in Clarence. Not only that, but he’s a gracious and humble man. He’s 29 years old and has more class than you’ll ever have, Jack. He’s 29 years old and he’d held at least two real jobs that I can count.

Anyway, I accused you of having a short memory. Short memory? Yep. Because let’s be frank, Jack.

You don’t really want the job.

In November 2006, when you lost to Tom Reynolds, you said you were “relieved” not to be going to Washington. Remember? Well, here’s what I wrote about that then:

4. Jack Davis. It was a helluva run, and hindsight is always 20/20. Mr. Davis is politically finished. He is through. One thing he said last night sealed that fate. When asked, he said he was “relieved” not to now be going to Washington; that he lost. That is the absolutely wrong sentiment for him to express. I know that hundreds upon hundreds of loyal Democrats busted their asses to get this guy to Washington, and he’s relieved that he lost? The only two counties Davis won last night were Erie and Niagara. In the rural counties, Reynolds won, hands-down. Surprisingly, Monroe went overwhelmingly for Reynolds, despite the fact that other parts of Monroe went overwhelmingly for Democrat Eric Massa in NY-29. Davis was handed a gift this year on a gleaming silver platter. Mark Foley. Discontent with Washington and Bush. It was a year that a centrist Democrat could have easily taken on the arrogant career politician that Reynolds is. Instead, we had a Buchananite conservative who could equal Reynolds’ dislikability and stuck pretty much to only one issue. It was a golden opportunity that was squandered by a candidate who even refused to meet and greet voters, instead relying on advertising to get his message out. But running for congress isn’t the same as selling furniture, and you have to go out and press flesh - especially when there are huge question marks hanging around your run. Where do you stand on Social Security? What else besides free trade would you work on when you get to Washington? Even superficial stuff - voters want to look the candidate in the eyes and get an answer to their questions in person. If they like what they’ll see, they’ll spread word of mouth. That didn’t happen, and in a tight race that could have been the difference. But that’s the epitaph on Davis’ run: golden opportunities lost.

And yet now you, Jack, have the audacity to blame your failure to campaign on your staff? Please. I have heard from myriad people who tried to work for you that you’re stubborn, that you refuse to listen, and that it’s your way or the highway. Maybe a great way to run a company. Not a great way to campaign. And I ought to know; I didn’t do half the things I should have done to get elected.

You know, Jack, ads are one thing. But here was my take on your debate with Reynolds 2 years ago:

Now I know why Davis doesn’t like to campaign and give speeches. He’s pretty bad at it. He recounted the fact that he’s a patriot and spent some time trying to debunk the negative ads that Reynolds has been running against him. Davis made it crystal clear that, on the issues, he’s as conservative (if not more so) than Reynolds. Except that he’s pro-choice.

On the question concerning gay marriage, Davis scoffed, saying he didn’t want to talk about that, he wants to talk about important stuff. During the post-debate spin, Channel 7’s John Borsa called Davis on this - isn’t gay marriage important to a lot of people? Why would he dismiss it? Davis kinda eventually acknowledged that it is important. Davis repeated that he was a patriot a lot, and he mentioned that we need to stop hemorrhaging jobs to China and that we need to shut our borders, and build a wall around Mexico or something. He is against amnesty for illegal immigrants. This was a sort of ugly side of Jack Davis; I don’t mind people being against illegal immigration, but there was something about how he went about it that stunk of xenophobia.

When you’re given a forum in front of potential voters, you’re not going to win just because you’re angry at your opponent and can look & sound it. You have to win us over. Give us a reason to vote for you. Yeah, free trade. OK. What else? Davis just didn’t seal that deal. Some questions gave him a couple of minutes’ worth of time to expound on his positions, but he answered them with one word instead. Yes, brevity is the soul of wit - but this is ridiculous.

The WNYMedia.net cameras consisted of one personal camcorder on a tippy tripod, and Davis’ people mistook yours truly for a Reynolds stooge. At one point, I asked why Davis answered a question concerning travel to Canada with a rant about building a wall around Mexico. His handler angrily asked me who I was with.

I looked him right in the eyes and proudly replied, “Western New York Media dot net”. That quickly sunk in, but by that time my question was somewhat drowned out by nonsense, so all I got from the candidate was a tepid, “I misunderstood the question.” The handler later apologized to me and WNYMedia.net.

After the debate was over, Reynolds walked over to Davis, shook his hand and said something to him that I couldn’t hear. I kept the camera trained on them, and I saw Reynolds say the word, “trust” to Davis. I asked Davis what Mr. Reynolds had just said to him, and it was “something about his grandkids.”

Seriously, it was the fucking curmudgeon hour.

Jack, you blame your young, brow-beaten staff for your own shortcomings when you said this about campaigning in 2006:

Davis said he feels more comfortable communicating through his ads. “That’s why I’ve spent $1 million on radio and TV and direct advertising,” he said.

As an engineer who has studied efficiency for 40 years, Davis said pressing the flesh just isn’t his style even if that’s what some of his supporters want.

“They think that every time there’s a barbecue I should make it,” he said. “That’s old politics. I’d rather spend my time working or answering e-mails.”

You’ve already spent 3 or 4 million bucks trying to win a seat you don’t want, and you’re looking to spend another couple million. Guess what? You could spend another $5 million. Maybe $10 million. And you’d still lose. You’re an unlikeable one-issue candidate. When Jon Powers looks people in the eye at those BBQs you detest, he connects with them. People from all walks of life, and all political persuasions come to like him and believe in him after speaking with him for a few minutes. You, Jack? You scare puppies and make babies cry.

But on top of everything, let’s cut the bullshit, Jack.

You’re really a Republican. Yes, Cheney snubbed you after you gave him $2,000 and you wanted to engage him on trade policy, but you’re a conservative Republican at heart.

So, go back to I-Squared-R. Stay home this year. Let someone who works hard; someone with a chance win. Let someone win who actually wants the job, Jack.

Love, BP

So it’s all but confirmed. Jack Davis is going to run in a primary against Jon Powers and Alice Kryzan. According to Robert Harding at Albany Project:

Jack Davis spoke to the Genesee County Democratic Committee tonight. According to a few of my Genesee County sources, he spoke like someone who was in the race. At one point, he questioned why the Genesee County Democrats would endorse NY-26 Democratic candidate Jon Powers. Apparently, he labeled such an endorsement as premature because he deserves a chance.

Davis mentioned a few things that were interesting, to say the least.

(1) He said at one point that he could go to Washington and take on Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Charlie Rangel and others in the House Democratic leadership.

(2) Davis claimed that Monroe County Democratic chair Assemblyman Joe Morelle, Niagara County Democratic chair Daniel Rivera and Erie County Democratic chair Len Lenihan will all side with him, not Powers.

So? Frankly, I’m fundamentally against party committees taking sides in a primary. I think the voters should have a chance to make an informed choice, without one side having an official “stamp of approval” over another. But such is life.

(3) Attacked Powers on a few different issues, namely his “life experiences” and the claim that he hasn’t held any other job besides his service to our country as an Army captain.

And as a teacher in the Clarence schools. I know that must not represent an important “life experience” to xenophobic one-issue candidates like Jack Davis, but I think it’s pretty significant. Being a well-respected Army officer seeing active combat, and then creating a charity to help war kids in Iraq on one’s own initiative is ample “life experience”.

Davis also blamed former staffers for his lack of campaigning in 2006, which is not true. I spoke with a Davis staffer in 2006 who is not on staff with Jon Powers and that staffer told me that Jack refuses to listen to any of his staff. They would tell him to do something and he would ignore it.

I’ve heard the same thing time and time again.

But in the end, Davis informally declared his candidacy tonight. He keeps saying he won’t say anything for sure until March (I’m assuming he wants to have a special ceremony for the event) but tonight he certainly sent the signal that he is running for the Democratic nod in New York’s 26th congressional district.

If ever he was going to win, 2006 was it. That was his year. He was handed a golden ticket to congress, and he blew it like Mike TV - at the last minute.

More good news for Jon Powers, Democratic candidate for NY-26; via press release

Wyoming County Democrats have answered the call for a change in leadership in New York’s 26th Congressional District. Last night, by an overwhelming majority, the Wyoming Democratic Committee endorsed Jon Powers’ campaign for Congress. Powers is running against embattled representative Tom Reynolds. “I am thrilled to have the support of Wyoming County Democrats. My family has deep roots here, my father was born and raised in Pearl Creek, and it means a lot to me to have their endorsement,” said Jon Powers, former captain in the U.S. Army, Iraq war veteran and Democratic candidate for Congress.

Wyoming is the 4th Democratic Committee to endorse Powers’ candidacy and shows that Jon’s message of leading by example and putting problem-solving ahead of party politics is resonating with the voters. Powers now holds the endorsement of the majority of the counties in his district.

Powers’ Endorsements:

· Genesee County Democratic Committee
· Livingston County Democratic Committee
· Orleans County Democratic Committee
· Wyoming County Democratic Committee
· Town of Clarence Democratic Committee
· SEIU 1199
· AFSCME Local 264
· VoteVets
· VetPAC
· General Wesley Clark
· Senator Bob Kerrey
· Senator John Kerry

Today, New York has 29 Congressional districts.

In the 1960s, New York had 41 Congressional districts.

The loss of a congressional district is approximately equal to the loss of 600,000. That’s as if the entire population of the five boroughs had departed the state in the past 38 years.