Sunday, February 21, 2010

Vaugh Loses Traction as Other Candidates Gear Up

It appears that Ogdensburg City Legislator Nick Vaugh he has put the breaks on his idea to leave the GOP to start a new "Anti-Addie Russell Party." And Vaugh has, for now at least, forfeited his strategy of conquering Assemblywoman Russell on Twitter, a new social media site online, where Vaugh had obsessively posted critical and controversial critiques of his rival for months.

Like a man hanging on the edge of a cliff, Vaugh is squeezing tightly, his rookie grip, in what looks to be a very difficult campaign for the 118th Assembly district of New York. In the past few days the young city legislator has somewhat recovered, taking productive meetings with Rick Lazio, Massena Mayor Delosh and Senator Griffo. We asked Vaugh for an interview last week and he was unresponsive to our humble request, just like Janet Duprey except at least she had the courtesy to write back.

However, now rumors are floating that Ogdensburg Mayor Bill Nelson might jump into the race, which would really take the wind out of Vaugh's north country sails. On top of that are rumors the local GOP is hoping to recruit another candidate. Possible names like Wells, Brining, Nichols, McNeil, Forsythe, Cantwell, Gray and Renzi have been mentioned even if Nelson decides not to run. The Republican 23rd congressional primary race could also complicate things if Barclay or Doheny drop out of the federal race and decide to play for the 48th Senate District. And if that were to happen it could pressure Pattie Ritchie to make another try for the Assembly.

The political dominoes are sure to set up so that Vaugh is the first to fall, but the young college student doesn't seem persuaded by the old guard of the GOP in 2010. Perhaps Vaugh's idealism and youth are characteristics that would play well in a race for the 118th district against Russell, but those traits could also serve as a disadvantage in his quest for higher political office. While it is true that all candidates have strengths and weaknesses -- true leaders are the ones who accentuate their strengths and turn their biggest weaknesses into political positives. As for the things that matter in the 118th, the variables that matter to Vaugh, are the things he is largely unable to control.

13 comments:

  1. Doheny should drop out and run for the 48th but I am hearing that Barclay may already be moving in that direction. Doheny would be smart to make his move quickly. He would be a better candidate than Barclay against Aubertine since Barclay already lost to him once.

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  2. Anyone would be better than RINO Patty Ritchie in the 48th. She also lost to Aubertine. Doheney may be too much of an old money Republican to take on the revolution against Obama's socialism, but he may have what it takes to knock out Aubertine.

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  3. ritchie will dropout of consideration soon and be asked to run for the 118th. She will accept so Nelson will have to act quickly. Vaugh is dead in the water.. Russell will still prvail

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  4. Ritchie will take the 118 nomination of her party I still have doubts about Nelson running as I beiieve Vaugh and he may have formed a pact. Forsythe may also announce and could be a factor. Wells isnt interested, Brining and McNeil are too old and wouldnt want something like that anyway. Nichols is a factor and could win. Any other canidacy would end Vaughs hope of gaining the nod. Nichols, Nelson, Forsythe and Ritchie have experience in real life issues and can draw from their exp4erience while Vaugh has led a very protective life and his only real exoperiences are drawn from the text books . His voting record in Ogd City Council reflects this. His record shows he simply does the same things he critizes Russell for.

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  5. Nelson will not run.. I believe the Ogd GOP will back VAugh.. Nichols and Forsythe possible but if Ritchie enters this race they will all move iside. Ritchie,Nichols, Forsythe have experience with people to work for them. They have all championed taxpayers in the past. Vaugh has only followed the status quo in Ogd

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  6. No need for canidates to get excited.. Some good solid prospects out there. Vaugh had some momentuem but in reality it is only because he has no job to restrict his time killing. Others have to take their careers into consideration as everyone but Vaugh stands to loose something. I would still put my money on Pattie Ritchie or Nelson coming out for the 118th. Forsyth and Nichols could be very much a factor.. Cantwell may change his mind (Wonder if Vaugh willhelp him run his race. Once school is out Vaugh will go crazy again.. Especrially ifnone of the logical canidates come forth.. I live in Oberg so I dont know Jeff Co. canidates as well. It seems like Mr. Renzi run a very strong race last year for Senate and could be a factor if he has the interest.. Again, everyone except Vaugh has real commitments in life to weigh before announcing interest.

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  7. I hearda rumor Patti Ritchie is strongly considering a run at the 118th. She has been meeting with top GOP personnel and if she decides to run will announce shortly. I like her as a canidate for 118th but for Senate I have my real concerns. To be used for only name reconition and not the fact that I could do the job would be offensive to me. As a senator she would only line up for partisan votes. As assembly woman she would be more abpt to be like DeDe and vote for the best interest of the North Country.. Sorry but that is fact.

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  8. I dont see Nelson running. Barely won last election in Burg. Vaugh is the only announced canidate but more will come forth. However they best not wait to long. Nelson could win if he put forth a large effort. Nichols is a serious contender however he must make a choice of careers. Forsyth being a busiiness man could spare dome tiem for a campaign and of course Vaugh who has all sort of idle time.I really am not sure about Ritchie. She really seem content where she is and its doubtfull she could beat Aubertine. Enter the 118 and she would most likely win.

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  9. This weekend Ogd will host a forum for save the OCF.. Aubertine and Russell will be there. I wonder if Nelson and Vaugh will state what they believe is the reason that the prisons is closings to them in person or wait until they are gone and go through Kelly and the paper.Aubertine and Russell are no way to fault with any of this and intelligent people know that I feel the locals will have their hitmen in place and try to work on an emotional issue. Watch the crowd and you should get a more educated handle on who the canidates will be for the 118 race.

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  10. Vaugh has no chance at all as is well documented he has achieved nothing .

    Wheras Nelson the status quo champion barely eeked out a 5 vote landslide in the Burg and won only because the CO's voted as a block because of the SVP controversy while many long term Republican city voters abandoned Nelson in favor of a Coalition Team that ran as a third candidate ,

    Neither major party candidate captured the hearts and minds of the public .Both major party candidates represented the old tired status quo and have continued to preside over the decline of Ogdensburg .


    Since that election things have only gotten worse in the Burg in terms of the economy, the lack of a strong private sector . the lack of a serious tax base ( 27% 0f the assessed valuation taxpayers carry 100% of the property tax load) deteriorating infrastructure and neighborhoods , a serious drug problem in the city and this is only worsening under these so called leaders >

    Time for change but not some kid who only makes speeches we need someone with real world accomplishment not sitting politicians who only grip, grin and blow smoke

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  11. Until anyone snnounces they cannot be taken seriously. The canidates now are only Nick Vaugh and pobably incumbant Addie Russell. One on one its no contest. After the election in November Vaugh will still be city counsilor. I seriously some of the above forementioned people decide to run.

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  12. Wee Willy is moving to right as fast as he can. If you look at his PR it will all be to show how "conservative" he is. He just hired Fred J. Eckert a former Reagan area U.S. Ambassador to Fiji with deep ties in Washington. Eckert was a former conservative Republican congressman from New York. Eckert now lives in Raleigh, N.C. and runs a conservative PR firm. He was a surporter last year of Hoffman. Not dumb of Wee Willy to pick off someone who knows Doug from the inside and has conservative connections.

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  13. What has AJR done anyway??

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