Our goal with this site is to hear all sides of the debate on the left, right and center so that we can bring forth new ideas and positive discussion to our friends and neighbors in NY-23. And we were happy to connect with Ted "Ezra" Ford of the Jefferson County Democratic Party as we begin this journey. For those of you who may not know, and for those who want a reminder, Ford is the past Jefferson County Democratic Committee Chair, a former Democratic candidate for the NYS Assembly in 1998 and also the Jefferson County Legislature in 2000. He is most certainly "in the know" of Democratic politics in NY-23, so here we go!
Buggs Buddy Question: Ted, thank you for agreeing to taking the time to participate in our interview and thanks also for highlighting our new site on your your page,www.jeffersondemocrat.org. I am sure our readers are very interested in learning about your thoughts on NY-23, local politics and the direction of the Democratic Party. Please share with us when you first started your site and how it has developed since its inception. Why did you decide to start your site?
Ted "Ezra" Ford from Jefferson Democrat Response: Thanks for asking. I'm flattered. The blog I run began almost five years ago as an effort to just stir the hell out of a stagnant, moribund political pot because I thought it needed some jostling around. There was no blog like ours on the local web then. Originally we called ourselves Danger Democrat (DD), and brought a conscious case of big attitude to the local political atmosphere. Other bloggers adopted the strident style and in reaction Jefferson Democrat (JD) became a little calmer in presenting an always progressive viewpoint. We are a very small site. The meter reads about 200 or so page views a week. But thats fine.
BB: Obviously Democrats picked up a big win in NY-23 with Bill Owens beating Dede Scozzafava and Doug Hoffman several weeks ago, a seat that hasn't been held in a very long time by a Democrat. Can you tell us what you think are some of the other major accomplishments that Democrats have seen in Northern New York in the past year. What do you think Bill Owens' chances of keeping the seat in 2010? And if you want to answer this -- which Republican opponent do you think would be the hardest and easiest for Owens to go up against?
TEF: Democrats have pushed forward a lot. This year Mark Bellardini in St. Lawrence County led the Party to a numeric enrollment advantage. WhooHa! As Billy would say, "That’s huge." The actual geographic spot that JD calls home has a Democratic Assemblywoman, a Democratic State Senator and a Democratic Congressman. Ten years ago there would have been very few who would have suggested that the Democrats could have won even one of those seats. And even more important by winning those seats the area now has a voice in the majority caucuses in each of the legislatures. That means we have representatives with substantial clout instead of the bygone bystanders.
Of course, Bill Owens is the odds on choice to repeat this year. What would lead anyone think otherwise? For my money the Congressman would probably have to beat himself to lose and it appears that isn't very likely. The Republican Party is first going to have to sort out its ideological inconsistencies and make internal accommodations before any challenger could begin to mount a reasonable bid.
BB: What are the main policy issues you are focused on and will focus on at www.jeffersondemocrat.org and why do you think those are important issues for voters in our region?
TEF: My main area of focus and concern is always progressive politics generally. May I quote JFK when he was asked derisively about being a liberal?
If by a “Liberal” they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people – their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties – someone who believe we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our politics abroad, if that is what they mean by a “Liberal,” then I’m proud to say I’m a “Liberal.”
BB: Are you supporting any particular candidate for Governor in 2010? There seems to be a lot of anxiety over the tenure of Governor David Paterson? Do you think voters in Upstate New York are looking for someone different like Andrew Cuomo or are they are satisfied with Paterson for now?
TEF: Its way, way too early to think about a Democrat candidate for Governor. David Paterson will be mainly judged by his own party by the success of his budget presentation to the legislature. That begins with the State of the State on Wednesday. Andrew Cuomo is polling well, but as soon he declares candidacy prior to the Convention he'll be plagued by the same questions being asked of Paterson. Frankly, he may not want to answer those questions. I don't have a favorite.
BB: What candidates or local leaders are you most excited about and who do you see as rising stars of the Democratic Party in Upstate New York?
TEF: My pick for a rising democratic star is my boss, Assemblywoman Addie Russell. I'm a part time constituent liaison in her Watertown office and every day I'm there I get to see the intellect, the humanity, the political awareness of a really strong emerging player. Last year as a Freshman she was a press pick for a list called 'The top 40 under 40' in Albany. They can see it too. She led the Freshmen with chaptered legislation she sponsored. I'm paid for about 10 hours a week and volunteer about 20 more. She is truly worth it.
BB: The Republican Party in NY-23 seems to be contemplating its future direction and how to manage its moderate and conservative interests? What do you think about the direction of the Democratic Party and do you see the Democratic Party having to deal with similar competing interests within its party?
TEF: Decades ago Will Rogers said, "I don't belong to any organized political party. I'm a Democrat." It’s still true. Democrats have a history of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. We've done it many times with infamous, sometimes annoyingly petty, infighting. Just like the elephants in 23 last time. Of course there are competing interests in our party. We are a little different than the Republicans though. We have gotten used to that stuff over the years. A person in my party can be sure of only one thing. Whatever you present another Dem will probably disagree.
BB: Thank you for your time. Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you and the Jefferson County Democratic Party that might be of interest to our readers?
TEF: I would refer you to the official blog of the Jefferson County Democratic Committee called North Country Democrat,www.northcountrydemocrat.blogspost.com. Current Chair Sean Hennessey does a good job with the official party line. Thank you for the opportunity to be interviewed. Good luck with your blog Buggs and be prepared to be picked on. It’s in the nature of the folks that read this stuff to pick any scabs they can find. God love em. And about your last name, Mr. Buddy...I think it could be an adenoid flareup.
BB: Ted, thanks for your insight and outlook on politics in NY-23. I look forward to future discussions and best of luck to you.
One question we will have to get an answer from Ted on eventually is who he thinks is the toughest Republican candidate to go up against Owens. He'll have to get back to us on that.
Keep in mind that Mr. Owens did not run a campaign with the public in mind, per se ... it was more of a stealth and PR oriented run ... big time with big time tons of money.
ReplyDeleteWe still don't know where he stands on many critical issues of importance. The list is long, and growing. Mr. Owens won because the GOP imploded with the train wreck that Dede gave the GOP and that Hoffman couldn't deliver after the goods were left in the wake all over the landscape.
We need a good old-fashioned issue-driven campaign that will give the people a real choice, lay out the real differences and present the consequences of staying with Owens or going with someone else. This is a serious question ...
But, the insiders, the party operatives and those with the strings in hand will say “A win is a win is a win.” Nevertheless, we need to discuss the hard issues now, not wait and win and see if things work out. The big money is being lined up -- that's an issue, too that few ever want to talk about.