This may be an indication how serious the Democrats are about winning the 61st Senate District: Candidate Joe Mesi has raised nearly $140,000 from outside-district sources, while getting only not even a fraction of that from within the district ($350).
This, according to the Buffalo News.
Mesi's campaign says the next finance filing, which will cover donations received after Sept. 29, will show a lot more in-district fund raising.
Mesi himself, incredibly and suspiciously, was not available for an interview, according to reporter Tom Precious
Meanwhile, they hit Ranzenhofer with this:
“We’re dismayed Mike Ranzenhofer continues to rely on cash from government contractors seeking subsidies and sweetheart deals,” said Emma Wolfe, a Mesi spokeswoman.
Is this where this once admirably issue-based campaign turns nasty?
When we've written about Mesi, our Democratic readers haven't shown much interest in him. When I talk with people around the district, they also note that Mesi isn't generating much interest in the area. I wonder why that is? He's a credible candidate, whom state Democrats obviously want to win, with the kind of off-beat bio that can resonate with voters. Why the big yawn so far?
Has Mesi made any public appearances in Genesee County yet. My perception, though potentially unfair, is he's been pretty much a no-show around these parts so far.
If you've met Mesi, tell us what you think of him?
Meanwhile, the New York Times is reporting that Gov. David Paterson is on a mission to help Democrats win control of the Senate.
Mr. Mesi’s race in particular is considered a must-win for Democrats in their quest for a Senate majority.
“I think four or five months ago, David was not where he is today,” said Senator Eric T. Schneiderman, a Manhattan Democrat. “I think he’s concluded we’re going to win and that he has a better shot at mobilizing the state against the challenges we’re facing with a Democratic Senate.”
Do you think it's good for one party to control all levers of power in Albany? To me, as much as I distrust the two-party system, I'm even more leery of a one-party system.
Here's a new TV commercial from Ranzenhofer (nothing new from Mesi on YouTube):
Howard, I don't think that
Howard, I don't think that you've been talking to the right people. The local Democrats had many MANY people come out to our HQ last week to come see him speak about his positive vision to uplift Western New York's economy. He's been here, from what I know twice now actually after the primary and was here many times during the primary, and I happen to like the guy quite a bit...... As far as "defending" him is concerned, we haven't really had too all that much, as I pointed out on a previous thread the race hasn't been very negative at all.
That being said, here it begins.
It is true that Mesi does have outside funding, however, Ranzenhofer has about 176k cash on hand from the New York State Republican Senatorial Committee, where does most of that money come from? Well, downstate, in fact it appears that the vast majority of their contributions, which make up a majority of Ranzenhofers money, comes from downstate interests as well. http://www.elections.state.ny.us:8080/reports/rwservlet?cmdkey=efs_sch_…
If Ranzenhofer wants to attack Mesi for this its going to backfire for that reason, which is why I doubt that he will.
Well, see, Daniel ... if
Well, see, Daniel ... if somebody from the Dems had told us all that before ... you know, posted something, even something in advance like Grasso did on the GOP HQ opening ... Ever since Powers was out of the race, the local Dems don't seem to have much to say about local races, and we've never heard a word from the Mesi campaign; right, Philip?
Howard, Mesi's event and our
Howard, Mesi's event and our thoughts on Mesi was in the Daily News, perhaps you could have covered it in your round-up.
What day? If Friday or
What day?
If Friday or Monday, didn't see it. If Saturday, neither Philip nor I would have seen it.
We're happy to cover what we can, but there's nothing wrong with somebody from either party writing up something about their own event and posting it. Frankly, I wouldn't have gone to the GOP thing if not for the opportunity to talk with Chris Lee about the bailout. And in hindsight, wish I'd known about the Dems ... I would like to have spoken with Mesi just in general, but I'm just saying, Daniel, YOU could have written something about it. Or anybody else.
Dan: I didn't see that essay
Dan: I didn't see that essay in the Daily News. When did it run? I may simply have been out that day. That happens.
More importantly, we're not going to notice every article and essay that appears in every issue of the Daily News. We do our best, but that's just impossible. Nor is it really part of our routine to cover the Op-ed page of the paper. Besides, the Daily News is not our sole source of information. Why should we be expected to go to a secondary source to find out what the Democrats think of Mesi? Why didn't the Democrats just send us the same letter. Or at least post something about the visit. I remember you told me you would do that.
During the Powers campaign, we were inundated with e-mails and phone calls from the Democrats. I don't think a day went by without a post or e-mail from the Powers camp or a call from a member of the county committee. After Powers lost that race, all word from the county committee all but ceased (save the occasional heads-up from you) — unless I initiated the contact, and even then... I still have yet to have some phone calls returned.
I believe that it was in
I believe that it was in Monday's or last weekends paper in regards to his visit to Batavia.
I'm not gonna get into an argument about who should talk to who or whomever, I have let you guys know about an ad going up or about if someone is coming here, other than that, your going to have to get information from the Chair, Lorie, or from the candidates themselves. I just come and give my opinion, as most Democrats here do.
Dan: You are right. You're
Dan: You are right. You're usually very good about giving me tips and getting out the word on what you see and know going on on your side of the aisle and contributing to the site, voicing your views. Please don't think I'm saying otherwise. I'm actually pretty grateful to have someone such as yourself to help let me know what's up and engage folks so frequently and articulately here.
As for getting information from the Chair, I tried for a week straight, nearly every day, to contact her. When her voice mail was full, I had other people deliver my message to her. She never called back. She still hasn't called back.
well over the primary season
well over the primary season i was with Joe at the goveners visit in Batavia, a meet and greet at ri-da ns that same evening we visited the lawn fete on main str, where joe must have taken at least 300 pictures and talk issues at the fried dough stand for 30-40 minutes he also marched in the stafford parade as well as his visit last weet to dem hq saw that in the paper and has done plenty of door to door in genesee county
Well, you can poke the bear
Well, you can poke the bear only so many times before he wakes up, yawns and then comes out of his cave to roar.
There is HUGE interest Mesi's campaign in Genesee County and across the 61st District. There is so much interest it is hard to get campaign signs etc. and you know it isn't because he doesn't have the money. His opponent, who is a nice guy that at best has been another ineffective legislator from Erie County, also has a huge amount of money from the "Downstate Conservative Republican" faction (May sound wierd, but those rich Wall Street based conservatives do live in NYC). This money is of course from the New York State Republican Senate Campaign Comm.
When all is said and done, I am aware of quite a few more Joe Mesi appearances that will be coming up in our county prior to November 4th. He also has many relatives and friends that live here. He is an honest, straight forward person that has been honored in the past as one of the Outstanding New Yorkers by the NYS Junior Chamber of Commerce. He has worked with neighborhood and youth groups throughout this area and continues to have a great emphasis on Youth. He is interested in taxes and finance and does not want the Joel Giambra type Republicans to mismanage this mess like they did in Erie County. I know it is easy in this era of financial woes and strife to pick the guy with the NYC Conservative Wall Street backing....but just this once, considering the mess that Wall Street is in, I think I will pick the fighter.
At least I know he actually can take his gloves off and fight for us here in Genesee County.
So the bear has spoken, now let me hibernate a bit more on this chilly Fall day.... You don't want to get me started on the Republican Presidential Candidate....what's HER name...I mean his name....OOPS...YAWN.................
That's all great, Patrick.
That's all great, Patrick. Now, if we can just get some people posting about this stuff as it happens, or before ...
This site is an open forum ... anybody can post, so no need to wait on us to find out about something.
To post a blog entry, go to "create content" (as a registered user) and then click "blog entry." (Of course, Patrick, you know how to do that, but for everybody else ... )
Mesi has still not accepted
Mesi has still not accepted an invitation to debate. Ranzenhofer has accepted seven times. While Mesi is a gentleman, his understanding of the issues is limited, i.e. the Taylor Law question on the Hardwick radio show. His version of IDA reform would hurt the GCEDC in Genesee County. Mesi is a celebrity candidate at best. While he is personable (I have met him),I am not so sure he has the ability to represent the district on complex issues. If Mesi is willing to "fight for us", he needs to debate and show that he understands the issues.
As well, Lee has accepted debate invitations.
Jay, can you get us a list of
Jay, can you get us a list of debates we can expect to see Lee at, and specifically, any in Genesee County?
Howard: sure, do you want the
Howard: sure, do you want the Ranzenhofer/Mesi events as well?
A whole calendar of any event
A whole calendar of any event the public is welcome at would be great.
And of course, the Democrats are welcome to post their own calendar of political events.
We definitely want to help publicize any debates in Genesee County.
You are welcome to do it as a blog post.