To Unseat a Trump Republican, Democrats Embrace a Centrist Candidate

After reading this article, I am going to ActBlue to donate money to Mr. Brindisi even though I disagree with his views. I have already donated to Jeff Van Drew in New Jersey, who has some views I find completely wrong. But this year, I am going to strongly support any candidate (short of a Nazi, and they're running as Republicans anyway) who is a Democrat. We must vote like our whole world depended on it or we will get another two years of a supine GOP Congress kowtowing to an unstable, racist President.

Her current ads are based on hateful GOP talking points including fear-mongering of immigrants. She represents 2 cities, Utica and Binghamton, built by immigrants and revitalised by refugees.

The GOP trickle down recipe: Under Reagan - put money in sieve Under Trump - put sieve in bowl

An "A" rating from the National Rife Association......... That's a good thing. People in Upstate New York tend to like guns. Many are in favor of reasonable regulations, they don't find Cuomo's ideas to be reasonable.

The one message that came through loud and clear in 2016 is that voters in both parties are sick of the “business as usual” politics that forestalls real change and reform, to the point where millions of them voted for a man (Trump) whom they thought singularly unqualified for the job, and millions of others voted for a man (Sanders) who wasn’t even a registered member of the party whose nomination he sought. The Dems, in particular, must abandon the fear of forthrightly standing up for, and clearly articulating, the positions they supposedly espouse — progressive taxation; a strong safety net (including universal health care and old age pensions); livable wages and support for unions; sensible gun control; racial and gender equity; environmental protection; and an end to endless and senseless wars. These are principles that are supported by solid majorities of Americans, and only when Dems stand up and unapologetically espouse and fight for them will the millions of disheartened voters who’ve given up on them and “the system” that’s failed them turn out and give them their vote.

Moderate, mainstream Democrats represent the way to go. The message cannot be too far to the left, but one of listening to all constituents, paying attention to their financial worries, environmental concerns, fair play, decency, and a positive message for the future. While many are concerned about immigration, the message should also be about reasonable immigration and how it has and will continue to build our nation. And a focus on preserving Medicare and social security, making it clear that the Republican plan to ultimately privative social security will be devastating for retirees. Further, clarify that crime is down and while law and order is important, we are doing well in this regard. Finally, moderates focusing on the devasting impact on our quality of life by a President who every day tells us lies and untruths and bullies everything needs to change. Common sense principles, mainstream thoughts, decency, not being in someone's pocket...a winning way in November.

Rep. Tenney has been at the forefront of efforts to roll back the onerous, costly, Dodd-Frank bank regulation that burdened small and mid-size community banks with the same level of regulatory reporting as the "SIFIs"; those financial institutions like Citi, J.P. Morgan, etc. that are several orders of magnitude larger and systemically critical to the banking system. In so doing, she has not only preserved community bankers, but loosened the tight grip on credit that small and medim businesses upstate need to survive and grow but also to grow employment and investment within her district and all of central NY, not withstanding the crippling effects of New York's corruption and and regulation. New Yorkers are lucky have her.

As Joe E. Brown told us in "Some Like it Hot" nobody's perfect. If Mr. Brindisi's affection for guns is the price we have to pay to get someone like Ms. Tenney out of Washington we might as well hold our noses and make that down-payment. It's not as though the incumbent does any better on that issue- let alone on any or all of the other ones.

As a resident of NY-22 ...... It’s hard to square Tenny’s crude fear mongering with anything we here need ...... Utica would be empty without immigrants, Family farms can’t operate without immigrants, Everyone needs health care, Middle class Americans need tax cuts, not plutocrats, billionaires and corporations, Equal justice and the rule of law, Preserve, Protect, Defend!

You would have painted a much more complete picture of the differences between Brindisi and Tenney by mentioning that the 8/13 Utica fundraiser's tickets go from $1000 to $15,000. That's no way to "[battle] the corrupt political elite in Albany and Washington, and [fight] for middle-class families, small businesses and family farms." We are really looking forward to voting her out in November. "Trump before Trump" is nothing to be proud of.