Janet Duprey Running as the Party of No

Our unscientific poll asking whether Janet Duprey should do an interview is officially over and we are taking down the poll. The results were pretty much predictable. On the question of "do you think Janet Duprey should complete Buggs Buddy's interview?" the results are 58% think yes and only 42% think no.

Hopefully Janet will come around and reconsider doing an interview with us so that the people can learn more about her record and accomplishments. It was kind of pathetic that she couldn't list any accomplishments for us, or even tell us what the main thing she wanted voters to know about her in the 114th Assembly District. Below are the questions we proposed to Janet that she couldn't answer. We can say though that at least Assemblywoman Duprey is taking her cues from the Republican Party in one respect: she is continuing to make Republicans look like the Party of No.

Buggs Buddy Question: Assemblywoman, thank you for agreeing to taking the time to participate in our interview. I am sure our readers are very interested in learning more about your agenda for 2010 in the Assembly. Can you give us some insight into what issues you will be working on and why?

Janet Duprey Response: Not able to answer.

BB: Why did you initially decide to run for state office and what do you count as your most significant accomplishments?

JD: Not able to answer.

BB: What do you think are the main differences between yourself, Paul Maroun and David Kimmel? Why should someone consider voting for you rather than these other two candidates in the Republican primary?

JD: Not able to answer.

BB: You are obviously running as a Republican but some people in the GOP want to move the party in two different directions: the moderate direction or the conservative direction. You followed the NY-23 Congressional race closely last year. The candidacy of Doug Hoffman in NY-23 against Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava and Bill Owens resulted in a very public debate that seemed to pit generic Republican voters into two competing Republican camps in 2009. What place do you think there is for moderate or more liberal Republicans in the GOP today? Can conservatives and moderates coexist within the Republican Party moving forward?

JD: Not able to answer.

BB: There are a lot of challenges in New York state today. But, unemployment and the poor economic environment are on the minds of a lot of people, what can Albany do to bring more jobs and economic development to Northern New York?

JD: Not able to answer.

BB: What do you think about social issues like gay marriage and abortion in the New York State legislature? Do you think the state has a role to play in governing morality? What level of priority do you think we should we give to issues that often divide people in both major political parties?

JD: Not able to answer.

BB: What is the main thing you want voters in the 114th to know about you and your candidacy? Is there anything else you want our readers to know about you and this race?

JD: Not able to answer.

BB: Do you have a favorite candidate for NY-23 in 2010 or a favorite candidate for New York State Governor? If so, why do you think they are the best candidates? If not, what kind of candidates do you think the people of NY-23 and New York State are looking for?

JD: Not able to answer.

BB: Did you have a New Years Resolution for 2010?

JD: Not able to answer.

Maybe some of our readers can try to answer some of the easy questions we posed to Janet Duprey in the comments section. We would love to hear your thoughts.

Timing the Race for NY-23

Mayor Graham has an interesting take on the two-step campaign that will be waged for the NY-23 race this year. First, the Republican candidates will have a primary that happens on Tuesday, September 14th. Then the GOP winner will go up against incumbent Congressman Bill Owens on Tuesday, November 2nd.

The timing here is important because the district is so large and rural. Mayor Graham had it right that this race will take a lot of organization and old-fashioned shoe leather. While we are still seven months out from the primary, that is not a lot of time to build an aggressive grassroots team across a huge rural district like NY-23. And seven months is not a lot of time if you want to be taken seriously as a candidate who can beat an incumbent like Bill Owens.

It is also getting really late for any other candidates to get into the ring at this late juncture. At least three candidates: Barclay, Doheny and Hoffman, are building staff and attending some local events. It would be a fair prediction to suggest that no other candidate will be taken seriously as the campaigns shift into second gear. For some candidates, the longer they wait to officially get into the political ring, the harder it becomes to be competitive in building the name ID and trust that will be needed to bring down Bill Owens in November.

Doug Hoffman has a head start because of the momentum he built in the special election last year. He likely has an impressive file of donors, volunteers, and supporters who helped him become competitive in the last two weeks of the race last year. Hoffman is the only candidate with a campaign website and he is dominating the new political battlefront, online campaigning. Hoffman's infrastructure will go a long way because the file his campaign developed last year is fairly updated, having been created just months ago, and ready to be tapped into.

Will Barclay also an advantage as we move into the second half of February. He has good name recognition in the western end of the district where he is an incumbent Assemblyman. He also has some name ID in the central part of NY-23 from his failed State Senate run against Darrel Aubertine. Barclay's challenge is to become more well known in the eastern and central part of the state where he hasn't been as active in politics. That task can be accomplished in seven months, but he will need to start moving quickly.

It would be to Matt Doheny's strategic advantage if he officially entered the race sooner rather than later. Based on the context of Mayor Graham's blog post today, I would expect Doheny to make that move rather soon because of his political necessity -- he has to do something to shake this race up!

Doheny, the New York investor, has been away from the district for almost ten years, and while he has maintained two homes here (one in Watertown and one on an Island on the river) it will presumably be much harder for him to build the kind of infrastructure that already exists for the two other leading GOP contenders. Voters who have met Doheny that we have talked to have called him a candidate that is "a bit elitist and very mysterious." Getting into the thick of the campaign could help Doheny build new trust, stronger alliances and improve his low name ID. These negatives were evident in the latest poll that came out last month showing Doheny in 4th place with only 2% favorable name ID. NY-23 is a big district and it takes a lot of time to meet the voters, build their trust and introduce yourself. With that said, Doheny does have a team in place and is raising early money, albeit from Wall Street bankers and traditional Democratic donors.

These races, especially multi-candidate primaries, are hard to predict. However, with a protracted calendar the advantage would seem to lay with Hoffman and then Barclay, which may give us some insight into why both candidates have yet to make an official declaration of their intent to run yet. With less time to compete for voters, both Hoffman and Barclay (in that order) will have a competitive advantage in rallying their pre-existing networks of political support, compared to other candidates who are still on the sidelines and just now beginning to make their first-time introductions.

Certainly money means a lot, but all candidates have the same amount of time, which is finite in politics. How well each candidate choses to strategize the schedule will play a big part in who gets to face Bill Owens for the federal seat, which will always be remembered as Congressman John McHugh's old job.

Please Be Polite in the Comment Sections

Readers, we are proud that so many readers have come to What's Up NY-23 to read the blog. However, some of the comments posted have been disrespectful in recent days. In the past we have rarely had any problems with the comments.

We ask that you please refrain from writing garbage in the comments section so that we don't have to spend time monitoring the comments and deleting comments that are personal in nature. And with that said, we want to remind everyone that we do not endorse or condone any of the comments on our blog. The comments section is only there for people to express their own views and opinions on political matters. Thank you for coming back again and again for new and insightful commentary.

Nick Vaugh's Twitter Crusade Against Addie Russell

Nick Vaugh, a candidate for New York State Assembly's 118th district, has taken to twitter to get his message out. And with a quick glance of his twitter page (@NickVaugh) it is clear that he is positioning himself to be the anti-Addie Russell vote. Heck, I would argue that the kid shouldn't run as a Republican. He should start his new party, the "Anti-Addie Party."

Upon review of Vaugh's twitter account almost all you can see is a blitz of charges against Addie Russell and company: corruption here and incompetence charges there, harassment regarding the soda taxes, upset about big state budgets, sportsmen are under Addie's thumb, she made cuts to local library funding, was against STAR rebates and wasn't there for us on education funding. The anti-Addie crusade goes on and on. But does anyone else see this kind of behavior juvenile? Is it going too far to write 37 negative tweets against a single candidate in under 4 months?

Then there is this post regarding the NY-23 race last year dated October 21, 2009:

Here in the 23rd we have three pitiful candidates10:41 AM Oct 21st, 2009 from mobile web

It's one thing to say you don't prefer a candidate and quite another to call all three candidates in a race "pitiful." It makes you wonder why Vaugh was against Scozzafava, Hoffman, and Owens. Where does he fall in the political spectrum? And what were the reasons for his acute disdain for each of these politicians? Are they too conservative, too moderate, or too liberal? Or is Vaugh just against any politician that isn't named Vaugh? His cluster of comments against Aubertine and Russell make him look like an obsessive maniac looking for any reason he can to get a political edge, not a fighter for real reform willing to work across the aisle to get things done. I sure would love to interview Vaugh so if anyone has his e-mail please send it over to whatsupny23@gmail.com.

Below are you'll find a collection of Nick Vaugh's anxious tweets on how Addie Russell is tearing our state apart:

Rally Against Albany's Soda Tax; Tell Addie Russell & Darrell Aubertine NO To Any of Their New Taxeshttp://bit.ly/cDAgez8:27 AM Feb 7th from Facebook

Say NO to Addie Russell's Tax Increase http://bit.ly/a1AF9G
10:15 AM Feb 4th from Facebook

Addie Russell Is a Rubber Stamp for Albany/NYC Political Bosses Like Sheldon Silver; Here's Proof http://bit.ly/bZXqjT
12:06 PM Jan 26th from Facebook

Two-thirds of State lawmakers Like Addie Russell & Darrel Aubertine Refuse to Reveal Their Outside Incomehttp://bit.ly/6q1qDZ
8:05 AM Jan 25th from Facebook

Gov's Proposal Shows Just How Weak & Ineffective Addie Russell & Darrel Aubertine Are In Representing the North Country http://bit.ly/7hZ4b6
7:00 AM Jan 20th from Facebook

Addie Russell’s Votes Target of Outrage for Hiking Costs for Licenses & Fees On Sportsmen & Other Outdoor Enthusiastshttp://bit.ly/7STCqj
2:41 PM Jan 14th from Facebook

State Legislators Like Addie Russell Continue to Abuse the People's Trust As The Cover Up Continues In Albanyhttp://bit.ly/82rWHZ
11:25 AM Jan 14th from Facebook

With NO Effective Results In NY, The Federal Stimulus Fueled Addie Russell & Darrel Aubertine's Tax & Spend Agendahttp://bit.ly/5ffoAc
7:03 AM Jan 12th from Facebook

Addie Russell & Darrel Aubertine We Are Tired Of Your Tax & Spend Schemes http://bit.ly/8MS27r
9:26 PM Jan 11th from Facebook

Where is Addie Russell & Darrel Aubertine? NYS Cannot Afford This 'Reform' http://bit.ly/877Tbs
7:39 AM Jan 8th from Facebook

Addie Russell & Darrel Aubertine Have Made New York's Fiscal Situation Worse http://bit.ly/7TjzUK

7:08 AM Jan 8th from Facebook

Addie Russell's Culture of Corruption & Addiction To Higher Taxes & Spending Must Come To An End http://bit.ly/6sBlGp
1:30 PM Jan 7th from Facebook

Addie Russell "Rubber Stamps" A Tax & Spend Agenda Running NY Into The Red http://bit.ly/5teUEk
9:31 PM Jan 1st from Facebook

Our State Legislators Like Addie Russell Are Unfit To Deal With NYS' Fiscal Crisis http://bit.ly/79l99O
8:52 AM Dec 30th, 2009 from Facebook

Aubertine & Russell's "Bigger Better Bottle Bill" Hurts Businesses Like Pepsi-Cola Bottlers & Also Consumershttp://bit.ly/5Dka0T
6:32 AM Dec 15th, 2009 from Facebook

Addie Russell Is Part of A Culture of Corruption In Albanyhttp://bit.ly/7iHE98

7:09 AM Dec 8th, 2009 from Facebook

Addie Russell Slashes North Country Librarieshttp://bit.ly/80tuNI12:57 PM Dec 6th, 2009 from Facebook

Tough Times Call For Tough Decisions; Unfortunately Legislators Like Addie Russell Just Can't Cut Ithttp://bit.ly/61hRn87:59 AM Dec 2nd, 2009 from Facebook

Addie Russell Lacks the Leadership & Political Courage Needed In Albany http://bit.ly/5M5rxn7:00 AM Dec 1st, 2009 from Facebook

Addie Russell Lacks the Political Courage to Completely Resolve the Midyear $3.2 Billion Budget Deficithttp://bit.ly/8wPn9X11:40 PM Nov 30th, 2009 from Facebook

The Albany Nightmare Continues Thanks to Addie Russellhttp://bit.ly/7G1mSv3:57 PM Nov 27th, 2009 from Facebook

Addie Russell Delivers a Disheartening Blow to Our Children's Education With Possible Midyear Education Cuts On the...http://bit.ly/56kfnN7:27 AM Nov 24th, 2009 from Facebook

Marist Poll: Addie Russell's Days in Albany are Numberedhttp://bit.ly/4NSxj711:06 AM Nov 23rd, 2009 from Facebook

Addie Russell's Drug Reforms Hurt the North Countryhttp://bit.ly/5zNlA3
9:05 AM Nov 23rd, 2009 from Facebook

Addie Russell Voted Against Your STAR Rebatehttp://bit.ly/6wWGEW
9:03 AM Nov 23rd, 2009 from Facebook

'Flip-Flopper' Addie Russell: I Was For It Before I Was Against It http://bit.ly/07O5oCT
8:54 AM Nov 23rd, 2009 from Facebook

'Albany's Finest' Addie Russell Continues to Waste Your Moneyhttp://bit.ly/07KdSzA
8:53 AM Nov 23rd, 2009 from Facebook

Addie Russell & Darrel Aubertine's Lack of Leadershiphttp://bit.ly/2jy2Z7
8:03 AM Nov 20th, 2009 from Facebook

'Out of Touch' Addie Russell Continues to Ignore Our Fiscal Crisis http://bit.ly/hHGyk
7:39 AM Nov 18th, 2009 from Facebook

Addie Russell & Darrel Aubertine Continue to Fail New Yorkhttp://bit.ly/NL9ir
7:23 AM Nov 17th, 2009 from Facebook

'Flip-Flopper' Addie Russell & Darrel Aubertine: For It Before They Were Against It http://bit.ly/2GHwPn
8:20 PM Nov 16th, 2009 from Facebook

Sportsmen Outraged at Addie Russell & Darrel Aubertinehttp://bit.ly/3SG4Q

10:23 AM Nov 16th, 2009 from Facebook

Thank Addie Russell & Darrel Aubertine For Our New License Plates http://bit.ly/3OcsuB6:36 AM Nov 15th, 2009 from Facebook

Addie Russell & Darrel Aubertine, Please Do Something About Our High Taxes http://bit.ly/27Ep3l11:00 AM Nov 10th, 2009 from Facebook

Addie Russell & Darrel Aubertine's "Bigger Better Bottle Bill," Another Blow to NY & North Country Businesses and...http://bit.ly/cMAEE

2:04 PM Nov 6th, 2009 from Facebook

ADDIE RUSSELL VOTES FOR BILLIONS IN TAX HIKEShttp://bit.ly/EW1Pf2:10 PM Oct 23rd, 2009 from Facebook
Addie Russell Voted Against STAR Rebates http://bit.ly/EW1Pf10:46 AM Oct 15th, 2009 from Facebook

“Out of Touch” Addie Russell Delivers Law Enforcement a Disheartening Blow: http://bit.ly/RFpYb10:12 AM Oct 8th, 2009 from Facebook