GOP Fall Dinner

They warmed the crowd and prepared them for the next 11 days of what promises to be hard fought battles. The GOP fall dinner was held Friday night at Bonnie Castle and the enthusiastic supporters came out to greet Senate candidate David Renzi, Assembly candidate Bobby Cantwell, Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava, State Supreme Court candidate Tom Cerio and Congressman John McHugh.

Dede delivers a wholehearted, full throttle endorsement of the state candidates David Renzi and Bobby Cantwell. Dede even followed the theme Ted Ford used today on Danger Democrat (see "Me Too" here) that Bobby Cantwell can be effective as a Minority member in the New York State Assembly, just like she has been able to (and Ted Ford attested) do for the North Country.

"Bobby Cantwell can make a difference and don't let anyone tell you different," said Scozzafava.

David Renzi approached the podium to a standing ovation and spoke eloquently about what it means for the North Country to maintain a check and balance in New York State government and to have a member of the majority. He spoke of; 2nd Amendment rights, the love of hunting and fishing in the North Country and a very under the radar issue that people need to be aware of - reapportionment of legislative seats including retaining Congressman McHugh's seat.

John McHugh was his usual fluent orator mixing humor, forcefulness and sub stance while speaking about the differences between the candidates from the Pr esidential rac e through to the Assembly races. McHugh has never been at a loss for a little humor s o he brought along a friend and used him for dual purpose prop. First, to poke a little fun at MSM for their fixation on a skeleton that appeared in his campaign ad and secondly, to illustrate what people may resemble after the Democratic Congress gets done picking the meat off the bones.

Bobby Lights the Lamp in the 118th

Bobby Cantwell has issued a strong strike at his opponent for her latest campaign commercial, which the ad according to Cantwell displays British medals not U.S.

A service veteran more than likely noticed it during an airing of the commercial and alerted the Cantwell campaign of the alleged mistake.

From the press release.

“Mrs. Russell doesn’t get it that these medals are not just interchangeable campaign props – they represent the love, devotion and courage that our veterans – America’s real heroes – have shown for our great country,” said Kramer.

118th Assembly Debate

There was high expectation and talk that debating Addie Jenne Russell's would be her strength and Bobby Cantwell's weakness, neither was proven true last night at the debate held at the Northside Improvement League and hosted American Association of University Women.

Both candidates addressed the issues with cursory answers and Addie Jenne Russell even ventured well beyond local and state issues a couple of times with her answers and began talking about foreign oil issues and buying American made products not exactly answers that would rivet a voter to pull her lever for a State Assembly representative.

Write in candidate Donald Lucas of the Waddington / Massena area provided the levity for the evening by being very candid and stating he lost his speech for his opening remarks and that he would most likely agree with both of the candidates and when asked about top three budget cuts he replied "I can't think of three."

Issues covered included budget cuts, school aid, jobs and lower taxes.

It was interesting to note Addie Jenne Russell's response to the state budget woes and her suggestion of cuts included consolidation of local government and "quasi-government" agencies and she seemed to downplay or flippant about the budget crisis by saying there have been worse times than we currently are in. Addie mentioned in one form or another her version of income redistribution which is toeing the Assembly majority line of raising taxes on higher income individuals.
 
Bobby Cantwell held his own tonight and stuck to his campaign message that government is spending and taxing too much and cannot tax their way out of problems. He offered up consolidation of state agencies such as the Thruway Authority, DOT and Canal Corporation as an example of reducing government cost.

There was no winner of the debate, which may even be a victory for Cantwell.

Tax Cap vs. Circuit Breaker in the 118th Assembly Race

The tax cap and circuit breaker philosphies have been debated in the 48th Senate district race and now the issue is finally rearing its head in the 118th Assembly race.

Cantwell supports the tax cap, while Addie Jenne Russell favors the circuit breaker plan. Cantwell is correct, the tax cap works and the circuit breaker plan does not work for Northern New York residents.

The Cantwell press release would have been posted here, but frankly it is a convoluted piece of crap. (Note to Bobby, your news person needs to be fired)

Here is a rule of thumb. If you pay around $25 in taxes per $1000 of assessed value, then the assessed value of your home has to greater than twice your income before you receive a benefit.

But remember, you only receive 25% credit on anything above the circuit breaker amount which is likely less than your STAR benefit.  

Here is the simple math example;

A person living in a home assessed for $60,000 that has a total tax rate around $26.00 per $1000 value, pays approximately $1560.00 in taxes, if that person earns more than $31,200 they are not eligible for a benefit.

Candidates Defined Project

The in-depth interviews that were conducted on an informal basis with the candidates are available for viewing. The interviews focused on allowing the voters to get to know the candidates a little better; beyond the TV commercials, the radio, or direct mail, beyond characterizations of what type of people these candidates are, here they speak for themselves.

Thank You to Dave Renzi and Addie Jenne Russell for participating. Bobby Cantwell or Darrel Aubertine did not participate. Danger Democrat and Political IV sponsored the interviews.

Here are the interview, they are long, so set aside time. Also, they will be left posted on the side.


Addie Jenne Russell 

David Renzi

Dates To Note

Meet and Greet for David Renzi
Carthage Elks Lodge
Tonight 5:30

48th Senate District Candidates Debate
David Renzi and Darrel Aubertine
GS Steamers Restaurant
70 East First St., Oswego
Oct 2nd

Candidates for the 118th Assembly District will debate
Bobby Cantwell - Addie Jenne Russell
Clarkson University
October 22nd