DIDNT EXPECT MUCH DIFFERENT

So here it is, the day after the Democratic Convention. I expect everyone has read the news by now.

The City Committee, the half who showed up, chose to back one of my many opponents to run for Alderman with their blessing. I say good for them. This, as you know by now, is democracy in action. Everything political starts in committee and develops from there.

It is not the end of the process however. There is little that my friend Andy Zweben can do to stop me from mounting a primary campaign. Andy is backing Mark Halwick as you know.

So I have a long summer of campaigning ahead of me with just a small twist. Petitions will be circulated and the ballot offered in September. With support from the Independence Party, there will be either a two way or three way race in general election come November.

As for the rest of the slate...I say congratulations! Most of the democratic candidates are sure to keep or take seats this year. It will be interesting to see who, if anyone, steps into Ward Nine to help either of us before the primary. For the half of the remaining committee members who voted for me, a sincere thank you for your trust in me and I will put forth my best effort to secure the line.

As for the County Clerks race. Thank you Gilda Ricardi for running. You'll be the first Democratic Woman to hold a county wide position. You're going to do terrific!

Note: I tend to keep my own campaign stuff limited on the blog because there is so much out there bigger than the Common Council. So I will continue to mix it up as I have.

DRAFT KATHY MIHM ELECTIONS COMMISH

The races for leadership rolls within the County Democratic machine are starting to take shape as we head on into the final months of the campaign.

With Parete announcing his desire to vacate the office of Elections Commissioner in January, the field of contenders have a better notion of the odds of surviving a race internally within the party membership.

One race many people outside the political machinery don’t know about is the position of Elections Commissioner. It’s a coveted job within the two parties because if the tremendous impact on the methodology needed to get Democrats elected.

One gentleman who threw in his hat early, stepped up and said he would withdraw his bid for the position if Kathy Mihm were to seek the job. A very impressive gesture on Peter Laughran’s part.

Kathy has been the managing force in the County Elections office for enough years that her recent departure serving as the Clerk of the Legislature has left a vacuum. If I were to nominate anyone for this position, It would be Kathy Mihm.

Other contenders who might seek this influential position should think twice. The City of Kingston Committee just voted to draft Kathy Mihm for the Commissioner’s position. I would think that most of those of us who have had the privilege to work with Kathy in the Elections Office, will support her as the nominee should there be any choices at the next convention.

Kathy, I wish you the best of luck and offer my support.

CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRAT: OXYMORON

We are at a pivotal point in our country’s history where we can either succeed based on our core values, or by supplementing the views of others to secure a position.

Some of us on the local level have had no problem adopting philosophies of third parties just to cover political bases in a general election.

When the mission statement of such a party is in total contrast of your own, it is disingenuous at best, slimy at its worst.

Why then, Do I see so many of my Democratic friends seek the Conservative Party endorsement? It’s disgusting! Has anyone read their Mission statement? Their social philosophies date beck to the “good ol days” of William F Buckley in the 50s as well as “separate but equal” and a “male only” military.

Let’s compare some low points;

-Women’s reproductive rights: Repeal em!
-Equalize pay scale ratio: Not if we can help it!
-School prayer: That would save our souls!
-Creationism as history: For the Bible tells me so!
-Abstinence only sex education: What a success story!
-Equality in marriage: Fragile hetero-marriages would collapse!
-Stem Cell research: Too late for Reagan, too late for you!
-Death with Dignity: Suffering a prolonged painful death builds character!
-Global warming: Ice caps are fresh water, we need fresh water right?
-Privatize Social Security: Place all your futures in OIL!
-Corporation bailouts: The market is our guide, but when the market fails…
-Mortgage crisis: Predatory loans didn’t affect the better people!
-WAR funding: That’s what credit cards are for!
-Veterans Health Care: What was good enough for the Confederacy…
-Unions: Who said you could speak?

I’m sure by now you see my point. With just a few examples you understand the term Conservative/Democrat is really an Oxymoron. If you focus on just the fiscal restraints that they espouse, look no further than Bush's conservative debt totals. Our grandkids will know the legacy of this administration all too well. So I ask all of you, where am I mistaken when I take my fellow Democrats to task for their spineless embrace of the Party of Randall Terry and Pat Robertson? For a few votes? Puh-Leez!