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Subscribe to RSS“Today's tight race in New York's 26th Congressional District has become a referendum on the Republican plan to transform Medicare,” the AP writes. “The western New York district is among the most conservative in the state. Nevertheless, the latest poll shows Democrat Kathy Hochul with a slight lead over Republican Jane Corwin in the race to succeed Republican Chris Lee, who resigned.”
Roll Call: “[F]air or not, the race has been framed as the country’s first unofficial referendum on Republicans’ plan to reshape Medicare. This referendum, however, could send ripple effects deep into 2012.”
The Hill: “All of Washington will be watching New York on Tuesday, where a Democratic win in the special election could have national implications for the Republican Party. The special election for former Rep. Chris Lee’s (R) seat has been cast as a referendum on the GOP’s budget proposal and given both parties a chance to test campaign themes ahead of the 2012 election.”
The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: “Western New York has been in the spotlight as the candidates debated the future of Medicare, federal spending, taxes and the broader purpose of government.”
The Buffalo News’ editorial page: “This page recognized Corwin’s abilities, but endorsed Hochul in the race. We believe she is best suited to the task of restraining government while protecting important programs like Medicare, safeguarding the environment, improving the nation’s education and other issues.”
Polls are open from 6:00 am ET to 9:00 pm ET.
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Maybe we could bring back that color coded terror chart from the Bush days and adapt it to the likelihood of a GOP attack on the poor and middle class. Todays color is red.
As a FORMER Republican voter (now only voting Democratic) -- it is disgusting what has become of the Republican party. The Tea Party will only continue to add misery of the GOP. That is why the Tea party is putting up a third candidate in W. NY today; that is the best thing that they can do for the Democrats. This vote will be a referendum on the GOP's policies. We need to get back the House and the Tea Party will help us do it.
Wait until the 2012 election -- I believe we will see a Tea Party candidate runing for President - hopefully a Sarah Palin/Michele Bachmann ticket - LOL
Every policy the Republicans have pursued since they won a majority in the Maine legislature and governorship, has been with one thing in mind: make it easier for corporations to profit at the expense of our environment, our educational system, workers trying to live on low wages, and the health of our citizens.
I mean, they tried to repeal the bottle deposit law, at the request of the beverage distributers. They tried to repeal the ban on BPA in children's sippy cups, at the request of the chemical industry. They opened Maine up to for-profit charter schools. They tried to lift the ban on highway billboards. They tried to weaken environmental protections on dumping snow in our rivers, on recycling chemicals and on building on sand dunes. The Republican ideology is blindly pro-corporate.
Republicans fooled everybody, teachers, firefighters, policemen, Seniors and now look what you are getting a Swift Kick in the $ss.
In every state where the Republican won they have turned Ordinary Americans lives upside down.
Republicans came in working for the Rich and corporations they pulled millions from our schools, took pensions and wages from the teachers, sent our fightfighters and policemen who protect us from harm spiriling into significant changes in their pensions, worker's rights and made us or try to make the American people think that State Employees are just plain No Good.
Folks these are the people who keep our town and cities and states running and they do a great job.
Republicans have tried to pit workers against each other State vs. Federal and unless you are working for Private industry where they make the rules you will have no security.
Time to wake up America and send these Republicans Packing they have shown us who they are take them at their word.
Are these the actions of a responsible Legislator who actually believes we are Broke?
These actions are completely irresponsible and not a way to govern this great nation. Republicans are only changing the Budget based on what they want not what's best for the American People. What they want is for the Rich and Powerful and Corporations to take a foot hold and run this country and if they get their way America, will never ever be the same and many will suffer, millions will be in great harm.
Amy,
Every policy the Democrats have pursued since they won a majority in the California legislature has been with one thing in mind: make it easier for unions to profit at the expense tax payer.
Jerry Brown with Unions in tow are determined to get the tax extension for 5 years even while we have an increase of revenue. Yesterday, the Supreme Court ruled that we need to release over 30,000 back to the streets. Jerry Brown speech, another reason for the tax increases/ extensions.
Neither our Governor nor the unions will negotiate a spending cap or pension reform.
So I ask you, who will be saddled with these tax extension ? The Middle class and the poor. We are paying way to much in taxes as it is and they want more and in the mean while they are sending bills through like drunken sailors.
Amy, what you're complaining about is the same thing in California, the only difference its Democrats doing the harm.
thetotas
I can't speak to California's problems, but in Maine, the average retired teacher lives on $19,000 a year. The Republican legislature raised the amount Maine teachers have to pay towards their retirement, then passed these "savings" onto the wealthiest Mainers who will get tax cuts of $2,700 a year. Personally, I think there is something wrong with this picture. If a society can't pay it's teachers a decent salary, then that society will lose out to countries that do.
Hey thetotes, blame it on the Democrats,that way the Rightwing rethuglicans will keep living in denial of their continued destructiong of this Country. Hey, how about Arnold Swarzenegger real management of California. Another Rightwing failure eh?
Bob I could not agree with you more Arnie was a mess.
Democrats haven't harmed anyone even when they held majorities in both houses. The spent some would say too much time trying to ensure all american have health Insurance. Job well Done
Democrats even with majorities in both houses did not try to Kill Medicare or Social Security, we know who's doing that.
Unions and there are many and they are equally divided between Republican and Democratic members. Ask the members if they agree with you. NO they do not. Because Union members know that without the Unions Republicans would do what they are doing now, Kill Jobs, take pensions, workers' rights.
Republicans nation wide have now gone Democratic afte these Union Busting Measures imposed in the Republican GOve. States. These measures devistated those families.
Ask the Republican Union Members and they will not support the Republicans they have wives that are teachers, they have lost significant benefits, no Union Members don't agree with Republicans, no they simply don't. That's your individual opinion.
NewsBusters: Media Prep False Notion That Dem Victory in NY Race Means Rejection of Medicare Reform
StewartIII3, I believe the media is just trying to prep that false notion because of the support they gave most of these Republican governors. What really confuses me is the firefighter and police unions complaining now. Are you surprised? Most republican governors who were elected said they were going to do exactly what they are doing. Only idiots put idealogical social issues above economic realities.
Most Rethuglicans are not put in office by their intelligence. They are put there by Corporate money. They are bought because they are weak.
Bob,
My husband is in a Union, actually he is a Shop Stewart and a Republican and he feels that the Unions have gone to far.
Example - Unions bought and paid for Jerry Brown. Can you say puppet?
You bleeding heart liberals who can only think of spend, spend, spend! When will you wake up and realize that we can't continue that approach and still have a strong, financially sound economy? Push it off on the next generation. Your only cry is to to distort the truth and spew untruths to whip up the seniors to worry about medicare/medicaid. Shame on you! We need to get our spending under control and our fiscal house in order. Raising taxes and continuing to spend is no answer.
Congratulations, Democrat Kathy Hochul! You deserve a trip to Washington!