Ranking Signals Sweeney's Incumbency in Danger

Hudson NY - The non-partisan publication, Congressional Quarterly, dealt the Sweeney campaign a striking blow late yesterday afternoon when they re-rated New York's 20th district as "No Clear Favorite." The race was previously ranked as "Lean Republican."

According to CQ, "The contest is front and center for the national Democratic Party, which sees the upstate 20th as an only mildly Republican-leaning district - President Bush took a modest 53 percent there in 2004 - that is ripe for a partisan takeover.

Our Country's Future Depends on the Quality of Our Education System

Joined by NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi, Gillibrand critiques Bush Administration's decision to reverse NCLB policy

Hudson NY - Kirsten Gillibrand, Democratic Congressional Candidate in NY-20 held a joint press conference with NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi in front of the OBrien Federal Building in Albany. NYSUT, the states largest union endorsed Gillibrand on August 9th. They have been mobilizing their members about the Gillibrand race ever since. NYSUT represents 575,000 teachers, school-related professionals, academic and professional faculty in higher education, professionals in education and health care and retirees. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.

 

While campaigning today with Congressmen Steny Hoyer and Rush Holt at Skidmore College

 

Saratoga Springs NY - Kirsten Gillibrand, Democratic Congressional Candidate (NY-20) was joined by Congressman Steny Hoyer (MD-5), Democratic Minority Whip and Congressman Rush Holt (NJ-12) at the TAKE BACK THE HOUSE Rally at the Case Student Center at Skidmore College with roughly 200 students and residents today.

Editor's note: This is the fourth report in a six-week series dealing with issues in the race for Congress in the 20th District.

By MAURY THOMPSON, [email protected]
Sunday, October 8, 2006 7:41 AM EDT

Management and workers in the health care industry have taken a keen interest in the congressional race between incumbent U.S. Rep. John Sweeney, R-Clifton Park, and his Democratic opponent, Kirsten Gillibrand.

 

From the October 5 Edition of Metroland.

Pdf link (2.8mb)

10/3 Senator Charles Schumer endorsed Kirsten at the newly opened Gillibrand Dutchess office in Rhinebeck on Tuesday afternoon.  The Senator gave a passionate speech to rally the troops - the applause could be heard in Poughkeepsie (or at least the bits that haven't been gerrymandered out).

Farm issues enter House race

By: RICHARD ROTH

Hillside Independent 10/3/06

HILLSDALE-Farmers can be sure politicians will voice their support for family farms, according to Columbia County Farm Bureau President Eric Ooms. But that doesn't mean they will always deliver the goods.

"Nobody ever says: I hate agriculture," says Mr. Ooms. "It's just a matter of how much they back up what they say they're going to do."

 

At a "Barn Hall" style meeting in Hoosick today, Gillibrand announced measures she would support to protect our farmers

 

Hudson - Kirsten Gillibrand, the Democratic Congressional Candidate in NY-20, was joined by roughly 50 area farmers to discuss farm policy and rural economic development.

New government report, the National Intelligence Estimate, released stating the war in Iraq has made the overall problem of terrorism worse

Hudson NY - In response to the release of the National Intelligence Estimate that the U.S. is less safe because of the war in Iraq, the Democratic Congressional candidate in NY-20 released the following statement:

"Contrary to Mr. Sweeney's assertions, Bush's stay the course strategy in Iraq has made America less safe, not safer. For three years Sweeney has supported President Bush 100% of the time on Iraq - refusing to ask tough questions or push for honest answers. Bush's stay-the-course strategy is failing. It is not only failing us in Iraq, it is failing us around the world as we are now more than ever under threat of acts of terror. The war in Iraq has fueled rather than quelled Islamic radicalism globally. It is time for this country to move forward in Iraq with a new direction; staying the course can no longer be the only option pursued. Our brave troops have fought their hardest in Iraq, doing everything they have been asked to do, but our civilian leadership has let them down. Now is the time for a new direction, and real accountability and oversight."

Joined by Congressman McNulty, Gillibrand signs pledge to oppose President Bush's plan to privatize Social Security

John Sweeney is not committed to protecting Social Security

Hudson NY - Kirsten Gillibrand, Democratic Congressional Candidate in NY-20 was joined by Rep. Michael McNulty today in signing Citizen Action's pledge to keep the promise of Social Security. It has been almost two years since President Bush announced his Social Security privatization plan and John Sweeney still refuses to take a stand on the proposal, which would decrease benefits for thousands of district residents. Sweeney has failed to stand up to the President and party leaders on Social Security even though he said Social Security is the "the single greatest issue that my office has to deal with every day.'' (The Times Union, 12/2/1999)

Gillibrand: "Providing health care solutions must be an economic security priority"

Saratoga Springs - Kirsten Gillibrand, Democratic candidate in New York's 20th Congressional District met with over 50 area supporters at a "kitchen table forum" on healthcare today, to discuss an affordable and accessible health care system. Gillibrand will be holding one "kitchen table forum" each week between now and Election Day in several locations across the district.

Sweeney makes most-corrupt list
Awarded spot on most-corrupt list
By: NED P. RAUCH
Staff Writer
September 22, 2006

LAKE PLACID - A Washington-based governmental watchdog group has included Rep. John Sweeney in its list of the 20 most corrupt members of Congress.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington scolded Sweeney (R-Clifton Park) for his role in the Congressional Winter Challenge, for hiring his wife to raise money for his campaign and as being too cozy with a trade group representing the boat-building industry.

The organization also suggested Sweeney's son was given preferential treatment after he was charged with assault following a brawl.

The list, part of a report entitled "Beyond DeLay," includes 17 Republicans and three Democrats. It was released on Wednesday.

By Thursday, the office of Kirsten Gillibrand, Sweeney's opponent in the race for the 20th Congressional District, had pounced.

"Even the Sweeney attack machine can't spin their way out of this one: a national report that looked at members of both parties named John Sweeney among the most corrupt congressmen in the country," spokeswoman Allison Price said in a statement.

"Considering this current Congress, that's really saying something. The communities of NY-20 deserve better."

Published on 9/17/2006
By MAURY THOMPSON
[email protected]

Editor's note: Over the next six weeks, The Post-Star will feature a weekly series of articles focusing on issues in the 20th Congressional District race.

If there's a downside to being a desirable place to live or vacation, it may be that it drives housing prices higher.

Officials have been grappling with the affordable housing issue in Saratoga County, which has experienced population growth, and farther north in the Adirondacks, where the demand for vacation homes has driven up housing prices.

Disgruntled Electorate Appears Less Inclined to Forgive Alleged Transgressions