First, the money and name ID. Barclay has lots of both.
Second, he could become the only candidate with serious political and legislative experience. Hoffman's experience began last summer, as did Doheny's. It looks like all three of them are top tier candidates.
We are also adding former State Senator James W. Wright to our list of potential candidates this week. Some argue to me that Senator Wright's departure from the State Senate to take a lobbying job is what led to the Republican downfall in NY-23. A special election ensued that Darrel Aubertine won and now Democrats have a narrow lead in the State Senate. Had Senator Wright never left his position he could very well be our congressman today. But after all of that, could Senator Wright make a political comeback and take NY-23?
Barclay is just testing the waters. He is putting his toe in to get his name out there like last time.
ReplyDeleteDarrel whooped him in a special election, does he really want to give up the Assembly job to take another whooping in the Congressional election against a sitting Representative?
ReplyDeleteI say go for it.
ReplyDelete2010 is a different year than 2007. Barclay v. Aubertine was a crap shoot. But with Obama as President people want a Republican Congress to balance a liberal executive.
ReplyDeleteThat is why Barclay would be a good choice - he has the experience to be successful for our area. He can bridge the Republican divide between moderates and conservatives. He will be ready for the job on day one.
Little Willie is part of the problem in Albany right now, let him run so we can kick him to the curb and be done with him.
ReplyDeleteThese negative comments are likely coming from Democrats who are scared of Barclay winning the Republican nomination. He would put up one heck of a fight against Owens who knows nobody on the western end of the district. I give Will Barclay credit for wanting to run and serve us, especially after all the negative advertising against him last time. They already got the dirt out so it is old news and can't be used against him as easily.
ReplyDeleteAs for Owens, he voted for the health care debacle and left us high and dry. He says he cares about jobs and the economy but he is just a rubber stamp for Obama and Pelosi.
My instinct tells me he made a good decision not to get involved in the NY-23 mess last year and that now is his perfect opportunity. Politics is all about timing and Barclay may be timing it right this go around. Good luck Mr. Barclay. Make us proud.
ReplyDeleteJim Wright won't run because he is making too much $$$ as a lobbyist. People are still mad at him for running away from the Senate, which resulted in the mess we saw last year.
ReplyDeleteI am sick of hearing about Doheny who thinks he owns Watertown. He has been away living in the Big City for like a decade now.
I think Barclay could make a fair run at the end zone though. He has the name, the experience, and the money to do it. Those are the three boxes it seems you need to mark off to win in politics these days.
11:31am: The fact that Barclay's dirty laundry has already been aired is exactly why the guy shouldn't run. I already know enough about the guy to know that I would never vote for him. Period. The Barclay/Aubertine election should have been a lay-up for the Barclay and the republican party in general and he failed. Just because his scandals are already out there doesn't mean they don't exist and won't have an impact on voters. I am just tired of recycling old candidates that have already failed. That is also why Dede should never consider running, although I can't imagine she is even thinking about it at this point.
ReplyDelete"Name, fame and fortune."
ReplyDeleteOkay, fair enough (could also be part of the problem: the tons of money part at least).
How about good forward-looking ideas in that mix anywhere? Ooops.
Doheny owns Watertown? I think your trusty Mayor Graham would have a beef with that.
ReplyDeleteRegardless, I don't know what the big deal is about Doheny not living in the district his whole life. He is an example of the problem he is hoping to fix. There are no jobs in the district. If we stick our heads in the sand about that we will never escape it.
I, personally, am looking for change and another "experienced" politician who has been a party to all of the BS we have encountered from Albany and Washington in the last few years does not appear to be the answer.
They have a half of a poll on newjunky, who would you vote for, Barclay or Owens,how about finishing the poll with Neither.If you're going to post a poll,at least do it right. People are sick of whats in office now, and the garbage that wants to run on daddy's name. 2010 will go down has the year with new faces, in Albany, and Washington.It's time for the voters to take back this once great STATE! Vote the incumbents back in, and we will be part of the problem.Vote them out, and we the people, will be part of the solution. Please do whats right for our childern,vote the scum out!
ReplyDeleteHey, I say Barclay has shown himself to be a true conservative and has remained loyal to his constituants here in 'rural' upstate NY. What "dirty laundry"??? The guy is a devoted family man and actually manages to conduct his personal life with integrity, unlike the majority of low-life who are 'representing' us in Albany today.
ReplyDeleteAnd, since when is it a sin to have been born into a family with money? Does that automatically make him self-serving or unethical?
I say he's the real deal and we need more men like him in Washington.
Owens or Barclay? No thanks. I'll write in your mom.
ReplyDelete11:57 - you really believe that River ad that Darrel Aubertine put out there 100 percent true? I don't think Will's campaign was well run for Senate and in a longer race I think the outcome would have been different.
ReplyDeleteIf you really think that the Salmon River is closed off to only those who Will Barclay approves to fish on it please do a simple youtube.com search and see the hundreds of thousands of people who fish that river annually. That's big business down there and I think its pretty sad that people are trying to decieve and claim its anything else.
I say Will deserves a shot at it like anyone else and we'll compare him against any other candidates running and choose the best person. That very well could be Will Barclay in my opinion.
Hoffman in 2010 get the god damn same old D&R imbeciles out and put some non corrupt regular people in.
ReplyDeleteBarclay is just another Albany politician. What exactly has he accomplished in his time in Albany? And what about the conflict of interest in voting on empire zone tax credits when his Syracuse law firm receives credits?
ReplyDeleteDoheny is just an opportunist who wants to use the money he stole from us little folks while on Wall Street to rule us all on Main Street.
ReplyDeleteIf you really want to talk about "dirty laundry" I am sure it wouldn't be hard to find out what Doheny's corporate employers did to the little guy over the years - its probably worse than what the big wind developers are now doing today - raping Jefferson County for all its worth.
Will Barclay is NOT "just another Albany politican." Throughout his career he has fought against the NYC driven tax hikes and state spending increases that have driven businesses out of Upstate.
ReplyDeleteIf Will takes a stand on the most import issue to face the Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River area of the 23, I think he will run well. The BFW (big foreign wind) issue involves phony green energy forcing rising energy costs, corruption with public officials holding wind contracts, foreign people stealing tax payer subsidy money, the government taking over local control and using eminent domain to take people's land. All the juicy things that conservative Republicans hold dear to their hearts.
ReplyDeleteRWiley - you might be right about taking a stand against big foreign wind, but Barclay might want to focus his ammo on Owens and Barclay if he wants to be successful. Owens voted for health care reform first day in office. That first vote put him against the majority of the people in NY-23 and whichever candidate can exploit that the best will win (in my opinion).
ReplyDeleteWright left the seat and the republican party in a mess - it wasn't a good time for him to leave. No vote for him. Can we give someone like Doheny a chance. Someone with different ideas to help this area grow? Barclay - would be more of the same.
ReplyDelete3:22,
ReplyDeleteOf course everyone says the same thing about their assemblymember. Which is how get stuck with the same nonsense in Albany.
Just a thought: Perhaps we have enough multi-millionaires is congress already. Big-monied interests (and super-rich senators/congresspeople) who famously don't know the price of a gallon of milk--are destroying the legislative process. Most of them live in a different world from the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteWe don't always agree with Senator Aubertine --but you can tell he wouldn't wince if (when) he gets some real dirt on his hands! Thanks
435 if you are actually suggesting that we support Darrel Aubertine for Congress you are out of your mind...or his sister.
ReplyDeleteAlso, last time I checked Hoffman, Doheny, Owens they're all millionaires. I want people to be successful and I don't think someones personal finances should inpact their qualifications for Congress. Will Barclay is a legitimate candidate and I think as he works his way around the media markets in this district others will realize that he's very qualified due to his knowledge of the issues.
Wow,still the people at top fight against one another it will not get them elected.Pay attention to what the people are doing that are beating you and you will never win.Do what you think is right and positive.Party infighting is what is beating you.Republicans need to come together and show unity.Everyone isnt the man or should I say women for the job.Lets have a fresh outlook.The days of my daddy was a politician so that means I shoul be.Should be a thing of the past that system is why we are where we are.God needs to come back into the equation.I would love to believe that there are some God fearing people still involved....
ReplyDeleteJL
JL - speaking as one of those God fearing people in Will Barclay's assembly district, I have personally talked to Will about his stance on social issues and found him to be a person willing to listen and willing to form ideas on how to cross partisan divides. That is something that I think we need in Washington. He and I may not agree on every issue all the time, but I know first-hand that he's willing to listen and, perhaps, learn. I suggest giving him a shot.
ReplyDeleteWhere has Wright's photo gone too?
ReplyDeleteThe 2009 race was a national cause celeb. Doug Hoffaman came within 5000 votes of winning on 3rd party line. The republican and conservative line are his if he wants them. Any other senario makes him a national martyr and both parties will look ridiculous this year.
ReplyDeleteHistory will show that the republicans, with years of control caused all of our problems to begin with....These took years to snowball...will take time to un-do the mess they madeamostly for personal profit, (speaking of wealth)...start with Bush...the oil man and trickle down from there!
ReplyDeleteI know I can't support Will Barclay, for various reasons. Doug Hoffman? The man who doesn't even live in the 23rd District? The man who is an accountant and can't make the numbers on his papers add up correctly? lmao
ReplyDeletehttp://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20100108/NEWS03/301089966
925, I never say "can't" people's minds are flexible and who knows what you'll think tomorrow. Just my opinion.
ReplyDelete829 - Blame Bush, huh? Seems like the savior BHO has had a year to do things his way...when does he begin to be held accountable? You can't take credit for the good and not take the lumps for the bad.
I wonder how Will feals about Jim Wright.I understand his father and Jim are good friends Jim wright ran with the money bag and left the party in the hands of young Will he lost the Senate.So you say give him another shot.I say no way lets get some fresh faces and ideas in there people with no backround in the world of corruption & scandle not that Will is corrupt I dont believe he is.. although I dont think he can beat owens and he got spanked by Aubertine.Those are the facts.If Will wins in the primary, that I dont think should happen,I would support him.Take a good look at how the demmy's are winning and leave it at that.They are one party not divided thats how they are winning.....
ReplyDeleteJuston
Juston - you could not be more right. The republicans need to stop fighting each other. I think every republican in office right now should stay put and we should bring new fresh faces into the fold to build the empire back up. I really want to give Doheny a chance and I hate the fact that all the Barclay supporters are trying to knock him down. If the party keeps that up we are destined to fail. Will, please stay where you are, support the party and support Doheny, or another newcomer with new ideas. Can't we all just act like we play on the same team for once??? Or do we just want to hand the election to the Dems?
ReplyDelete4:14 - I think you are right. Doheny should make a move for Aubertine's seat though because then we can win control of the State Senate. If Doheny really, truly had Republican interests and local interests at heart he would put himself into that race where he could affect real change. If he were to go to Washington he would be in the minority. Owens will serve us well in DC because he is in the majority party, thus he will be able to bring more back to the district and have a larger say in policies that affect us. Doheny could become a NYS political star if he took out Aubertine and helped win back the State Senate. From there he could also help with redistricting and ensure our upstate political interests aren't redrawn into irrelevance. Doheny for State Senate!
ReplyDelete5:03 - I like that idea too. I need to think about it more though because, to be honest, Doheny's strength lies in that he understands finance and with now the country (not just the district) needs some smart people in Washington to navigate through this mess we have created for ourselves. Whenever I watch CNBC and see some elected official from Washington talk about the financial crisis it becomes very clear that they don't know what they are talking about and that scares me a lot. Those are the people who are going to write and vote on the legislation that will dictate the financial future of our country and they seem to have no idea what they are talking about. I don't know much about Doheny, but I really like the idea of having someone with a financial background, especially someone with experience with struggling companies, in Washington. I am not speaking as a NY23 resident, but just as a citizen of the country. I am worried and at least he might be able to navigate the waters in Washington for us a bit. The boon to NY23 then would be that Doheny would likely get a lot of national attention for his contributions with the financial crisis, which can only help NY23 to be heard on other issues. I don't disagree about the State Senate but I think his expertise is better suited for Washington.
ReplyDelete503 - I agree with you that we can really put together a great team here. Someone needs to sit down Will and Matt and get one to run against Aubertine and one to run against Owens. My opinion is Barclay has already taken on Aubertine and lost, so why not take a shot with Doheny. Frankly, I'm more worried about the State Senate than the Congress anyway - that is where we need to win more than anything else. The Congressional seat would then just be the icing on the cake.
ReplyDelete5:57 - I agree. These guys need to cooperate not fight each other. I think both candidates are electable in the current political environment, but I agree with the 5:12 poster on who is better suited for each role. Barclay knows the local issues cold and Doheny is qell equipped for the national issues. I really think Barclay could take Aubertine out this time, especially if he fights back a little on the "not one of us" claims by the Aubertine camp. I am not sure what value Barclay would add to congress and I am not sure what value Doheny would add to the state senate. They should play to their strengths, that is the best way to get elected.
ReplyDeleteI just got a call from a political guru in Jefferson County who said that Doheny might not run at all, for any office. Apparantly he is too proud to run for state office first. His ego is too big for that small stuff.
ReplyDeleteAlso heard that he also can't get his old job in NYC back. My friend who is close to the handlers said they think Doheny is just getting his name out there so he can get his own consulting/law shop started here in upstate. Rumor is that he was waiting to see whether Barclay got into the race and now he thinks his chances are greatly diminished. And so that is why he hasn't "officially" announced he is running for NY-23 yet.
612 - I just heard the same. Wonder who the guru is you talked to...LOL. Matt's a good guy and really should consider the State Senate - he could build his name up in Oswego County and St. Lawrence and then down the line take a shot at Congress or Senate. He's got a future if he wants it no question in my mind.
ReplyDeleteWow, that would be a total shame if Doheny didn't run for Congress. He is my first choice. I think he has a better handle on the national issues than any other candidate. Barclay would be better in the State Senate since he knows the local issues so much more. What a disappointment. Again.
ReplyDeleteNo way? Really? I wonder if the GOP stepped in and tried to get Doheny and Barclay to cooperate. That is actually a good idea, but I would have liked to see it go the other way, with Doheny running for NY23 and Barclay going for State Senate. I just don't see Doheny in Albany - I agree with the other poster that his skillset would be wasted there. I am still holding out hope though, I hope he stays in it.
ReplyDeleteI think Doheny is still employed. He just works out of Watertown. So your source that he can't get his old job back is wrong - he never lost it. I also can say with confidence that he was in this to win and it was not simply a publicity stunt. This guy has talked about entering politics for the last twenty years or so, he just wanted to get some quality real life experience first. If he is backing off of politics now that would solely be for the benefit of the party.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be surprised if he ends up starting a company on his own though since I don't think he has any intention of going back to NYC.
Real life experience... like working for multiple financial institutions in NYC?
ReplyDeleteSounds like a guy who Bill Owens could really sweep the floor with. Go with Doheny so we can keep Owens in NY-23 please!!! Pretty please!!!
Ha. That's funny. So then what do you call real world experience? Working as the fry guy in McDonalds??? Folding shirts at the gap? What qualifies as real world experience in your eyes? So quick to criticize but you make no sense.
ReplyDeleteOwens will likely lose no matter what republican is on the ballot, unless of course, they completely botch the campaign like Dede did. I honestly think Doheny was the best fit for the job based on his 'real world experience' (which I do think was most definitely 'real world experience' - my nephew worked at a bank in New York and he is smart as a whip and worked about 100 hours a week), but Barclay should be able to pull it out too. I would be lying though if I said there wasn't a part of me that worries that we could have a rerun of the Aubertine/Barclay disaster. I know a lot of republicans who voted against Barclay in that race because they thought he grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth and didn't understand us. In my opinion, Doheny would have added more value and been more electable, but politics is politics and quite frankly usually the worst candidates end up on the ballot.
ReplyDeleteGeez, one of these days I am going to open up one of these blogs and someone will be critisizing a candidate for their hair color. Working for a bank is real world experience. It is actually relevant real world experience. How ridiculous 6:47. You are taking up valuable space on the internet with your stupid comments.
ReplyDeleteThese two guys (Doheny and Barclay) are already falling over each other trying to land a punch. It's disgraceful! It really is.
ReplyDelete7:16 - I totally agree, although I am not so sure it is them as much as the people who support them. Doheny's comment was not contentious in any way not was Barclay's announcement that he was considering running. The battle seems to be on the blogs and it is already ugly. Very unfortunate. If they could sit down and agree on a strategy together the republicans might actually get the seat back.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't Barclay have a bunch of little kids? I am surprised he is willing to make the trip back and forth to Washington every week with the kids in Plattsburgh. That's a big sacrifice.
ReplyDelete7:16 What you say is true,But you have look at the post I wrote earlier, when I said not everyone can be a front runner.When you have lost some key elections unity and the basics matter,what is written on these blogs just shows you, we are in the times of babble on....Who knows whats gunna flow just count on the Lord to sort it out.....
ReplyDeleteJuston
I agree with you Juston, I think Barclay had his chance and the voters already didn't select him. I can't understand the logic behind him running for a bigger office now. I read on one of these blogs it is like getting passed over for an associate level job at a company then submitting your resume for the manager position. Barclay needs to show that he is electable again before we gamble with the congressional seat again. If he gets the votes as an assemblyman again then I would consider "promoting" him, but right now it is just too much risk. Doheny is a cleaner option.
ReplyDeleteBarclay for governor!
ReplyDeleteA lobbyist? Are you crazy? Isn't this exactly what most people are tired of? Money is not a dirty word. Money is what is paying for all of the new programs initiated by this administration. I refuse to buy into the rich being the problem. Millionaires are not the problem. Lawyers and lobbyists are. We don't need more lengthy rhetoric and long bills which most people cannot sort through. We need someone like Doug who can remind us of common sense, what was determined to be the qualifications of running for office and the humanity behind service; service not for personal gain but for the people. These people are coming forward. Be watching.
ReplyDelete