On the ground

More than 40 people joined Alan Dee and Frank Buffone at their New Kingston residence Saturday afternoon for a “Farm Country Rally for Gillibrand”. Representative Kirsten Gillibrand is running for reelection to New York’s 20^th US congressional district.

“I’m encouraged to see the energy and support coming from our community — particularly from young people” said Delaware County Democratic Committee (DCDC) Secretary Lisa Tait. “The goal today was to raise funds, make connections and get volunteers lined up for phone banking and canvassing. With over $3,000 in donations and new names on the volunteer sheet, I’d say we had a successful day.”

Kirsten Gillibrand was unable to attend the event, but she addressed the group and fielded questions via telephone. Featured speakers included DCDC Chair Cindy Lockrow, Delaware County Volunteer Coordinator Matt Northrup and Field Organizer Sarah Gitlin. For more information, contact Delaware County Volunteer Coordinator, Matthew Northrup at 607-510-4085 (home), 607-237-4174 (cell) or via e-mail at mnorthrup@stny.rr.com.

Please join the Delaware County Democratic Committee
for an Obama campaign planning meeting.
Meet local Obama supporters and learn how you can get involved. Change can’t happen without you!

The event will be held at:
SCHIMMERLING LAW OFFICES
98 Main Street, Delhi, NY 13753
on September 29th, 2008 at 7 p.m.

For more information,
cynthia.lockrow@delawarecountydems.org / 607-287-2198
or visit: www.delwarecountydems.org

Log on to www.mybarackobama.com to rsvp!

New Yorkers Stick with Paterson Despite Economy
Rachel Ward

ROCHESTER, NY (2008-08-19) A new poll from the Siena Research Institute shows that New Yorkers have a dismal view of the state’s economy, but that’s not translating into low marks for the state’s governor.

Siena spokesperson Steve Greenberg says 85 percent of poll respondents think New York’s fiscal condition is either poor or fair. He says the favorability and approval of chief executives generally drop when the economy is bad.

But New York Governor David Paterson has escaped that fate so far. He’s experiencing his highest approval rating since he took office five months ago, with a 59 percent favorability rating.

The poll also shows that New Yorkers are split on what they’d like to see cut, in order to deal with the state’s budget deficit. When asked to choose between health care and education, just over a quarter - 26 percent - said they’d want to see health care cut, but just under a quarter - 24 percent - wanted to see education cut. And 21 percent volunteered that they didn’t want to see either of those areas cut to balance the books.

The pollsters also asked voters what they thought the priorities for coming the legislative session should be; 26 percent said job creation, 24 percent said the budget deficit, and 11 percent said government reform.

Voters continue to support a property tax cap, with 66 percent saying they’re in favor of one, and with 75 percent saying that they’d like to see a property tax cap with a “circuit breaker” which would set a percentage limit on how much households could pay in property tax.

BY JAMES T. MADORE | james.madore@newsday.com
August 17, 2008
ALBANY - Nearly 70 years of Republican domination of the State Senate could end after the fall elections - and with it would go Long Island’s main power base in the Capitol since 1974.

Democrats need to pick up only two seats to gain control of the 62-seat chamber. Their best prospects appear to be defeating veteran incumbents Caesar Trunzo of Brentwood or Serphin Maltese of Queens and winning an open seat in Buffalo, strategists said.

Voter turnout is expected to be high and to favor Democrats because of their party’s historic presidential candidate Barack Obama, together with angst about the economy and anger at President George W. Bush over the war in Iraq.

However, Republican senators still enjoy a fundraising advantage and GOP presidential candidate John McCain is predicted to do well in rural areas such as the north country, where his party hopes to win back a seat lost in February to Darrel Aubertine of Watertown.

“When you vote for either the Democrat or the Republican for Senate in a given district, you may change control of the Senate, which means there will be changes in state policy,” said University at Albany political scientist Joseph F. Zimmerman.

Experts credited Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), who has been majority leader for less than two months, with reinvigorating the Senate Republican Campaign Committee, which under predecessor Sen. Joseph Bruno lost six seats in the past seven years. But they said the electoral map no longer favors the GOP.

“The direction has been Democratic … it sure is a difficult time for Republicans right now,” said Lee M. Miringoff of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. “But that doesn’t mean it continues that way. These Republican senators have name recognition, the power of incumbency … they could stem the tide.”

The Town of Middletown Democratic Committee will be selling BBQ Chicken at theMargaretville Street Fair on Saturday, August 23rd. The location will be across from NBT Bank near the walkway to the Binnekill parking lot. The chicken will be prepared on site by Miller’s BBW of Walton. Homemade salads will also be offered for sale. There will be a50/50 drawing at 2:30 p.m., and tickets may be purchased from committee members or at the Street Fair. You need not be present to win the 50/50 drawing.