Dierdre Scozzafava, Republican candidate for New York’s 23rd Congressional District in the special election this year, has abruptly suspended her campaign amidst plunging support, saying it would be the best thing for her party.…
Posts published in October 2009
AP: ‘Third party challenges in NJ, NY are warning sign’
By Ross Levin on October 31, 2009 11:43 AM
In an article today, the Associated Press is speculating about third parties’ near-term future in this country, based on strong candidacies this year:
Third party candidates could upend two major races in elections Tuesday, and the success of those candidacies is a warning shot fired at both major parties by voters angry at government and disillusioned by politics as usual…
But the impact of those candidacies on the high-profile contests points to an anti-incumbent, anti-establishment sentiment that could be a prevailing theme in the 2010 congressional elections and beyond.
…
Instant runoff voting in New Jersey
By Ross Levin on October 31, 2009 9:15 AM
In light of the potential close three-way split (and there are nine other candidates in the race, too), three major newspapers have printed opinion pieces in favor of instant runoff voting. …
Detailed analysis of 23rd District Congressional race in NY
By Kimberly Wilder on October 30, 2009 11:20 PM
The candidates for US House of Representatives for the 23rd District in New York are: Bill Owens (Democrat);
Dede Scozzafava (Republican); and Doug Hoffman (Conservative). There is an excellent story at the Times Union political blog analyzing the race.…
Underdog group within the UFT union proposes interesting voting strategy
By Kimberly Wilder on October 30, 2009 7:59 AM
In New York City, the United Federation of Teachers union declined to endorse a candidate for Mayor. Though, a group within the UFT, called ICE, has made an interesting endorsement: They ask members to vote for anybody on the ballot, except incumbent Mayor Bloomberg.…
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist: ‘Nader deserves more respect than he gets’
By Ross Levin on October 28, 2009 8:41 PM
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist Tony Norman offers a mea culpa for his previous Nader-bashing and some great compliments for the man. Read the full thing here.…
California College Sponsors 5-Party Debate in Special U.S. House Race
By Kimberly Wilder on October 28, 2009 3:47 PM
Hat/tip to Ballot Access News for the link and the headline
(excerpt from) Danville Express News/Danville Weekly
Congressional candidates debate from left to right
by Dave Roberts
The five candidates seeking to represent the 10th Congressional District [in California] break down into a group of three on the left and two on the right as revealed in a forum at Saint Mary’s College on Monday night.
…
Modern Whig state assembly candidate profiled in The Trentonian
By Ross Levin on October 28, 2009 3:34 PM
The Modern Whig Party’s first candidate for office and their only candidate on the ballot this November is Gene Baldassari, a New Jersey State Assembly candidate in the 14th district. …
Wayne Root Asks: Is Obama Our Bernie Madoff?
By wredlich on October 27, 2009 10:04 PM
2008 Libertarian V.P. nominee Wayne Root today writes that President Obama is
taking notes right out of Bernie Madoff’s playbook — steal from one group to pay off his friends.
…