'Senators That Matter' Endorse Connor
Marty Connor was endorsed by a number of his Democratic colleagues in the State Senate at a press conference on the City Hall steps just now.
While Connor racked up a good number of endorsements, his opponent, Dan Squadron, has the support of one very notable elected official: Chuck Schumer.
I asked two of these State Senators how they felt about Schumer’s involvement in the campaign.
Jeff Klein of the Bronx said, “Well, with all due respect to Senator Schumer, he represents us in the United States Senate. I think it’s clear that the senators that matter endorse Marty Connor.”
Bill Perkins chimed in, “Chuck has a history of endorsing those that work for him. And that does not necessarily mean that they’re the best choice, especially during the period that we’re going through now. So, I think that Chuck is loyal to his staff, and we’re loyal to what is best for the state, and at this point in time, Marty Connor is the one.”
- Poll
- Obama (D)
- McCain(R)
- Spread
- RCP Average
- 46.6
- 44.0
- Obama +2.6
- Candidate
- Favorable
- Unfavorable
- Spread
- Obama
- 56.4
- 35.2
- +21.2
- McCain
- 54.4
- 37.0
- +17.4
With all due respect for State Senator Klein, I think United States Senator Charles E. Schumer's endorsement means quite a great deal more. Squadron is our hope for the future.
will someone tell the Squadron staffers/supporters to stop posting on the politicker? its getting old.
Anonymous 2:24, your comment reeks of patronage, and seeks to belittle the office of a state senator. If the position is so lowly, why does your boss want it?
LOL! Did they really set up 6 (!) mic holders and not have one media outlet that wanted to set up a mic and record this announcement? That (and the full size picture of the event in the Observer with very few folks in attendance) makes Connor's campaign look pretty pathetic...
Wait a second - 2:29 are you saying that Squadron supporters like me (not a staffer!) should not support the candidate they prefer? How fascist (although totally consistent with Connor's reaction to any challenger he's ever faced).
Jeff Klien: Do you really think you matter more than Senator Schumer? Really Jeff... honestly a minority State Senator vs. the majority Senior US Senator who is part of the leadership. Its comments like those which show that people like Marty C and you have been in Albany too long. I guess the guys at Jacks Oyster Bar might know you but not too many people would stop you on the street to thank you for anything becuase you and Marty have done litle for them. Enjoy your next speech atthe Lions Club while Schumer Address the Convention in August. Good Bye Marty, Dan is better for Brooklyn and Better for NY.
Tom Duane is hardly a Senator "that matters." Remember he created Christine Quinn and he's responsible for Republican Malcolm Smith taking over the Democratic Minority.
However, all things being equal. Senator Chuckles is so bad, it even makes Hillary look good, and that's hard to do.
Perhaps we should examine more than just some baiting question that Azi asked and pay attention to the rest of the release.
According to other early releases I've read online, nearly a dozen of Marty Connor's Democratic collegues endorsed him today and all very clearly stated he was the true progressive in the race with a record of fighting the Rethuglicans in Albany. They very specifically noted his outstanding record on affordable and public housing, the environment, school construction and civil rights issues.
They also took the time to point out how important it will be for a senior member like Connor to represent the district next year when the Democrats have a majority in the Senate. He will be able to parlay that seniority into legislative clout - something that is necessary to bring home the bacon to the 25th. Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn need expanded schools. Working class residents need to have access to rent controlled and public housing.
Dan Squadron on the other hand would not only be one of the most junior members (and lets be honest, that means ineffective in the NYS Senate, but also is by no means the progressive he claims to be. When asked about public housing in the district Squadron's response was "There is none in the 25th district". He supports the failed mayoral control of our schools. He touts his Chuck Schumer endorsement on every piece of mail he prints, but claims to be a progressive. Which is it Danny? Chuck Schumer, 3rd way, triangulation, Democratic Leadership Council Democrat or progressive insurgent. Of course, since you have more money than Bill Gates, you can make it look like its both, but when you go to sleep at night you know you're either a fraud or a panderer.
When we really examine the records of Squadron and Connor it becomes exceptionally clear who really reflects and represents the district. Marty Connor. Unfortunately, his campaign has yet to get that message to the voters. I hope they manage to do so, and soon.
no 3:51- I'm neither a Connor supporter or a fascist (great straw man though). Just noticing that the Connor/Squadron threads get comments when most of the other don't, and its invariably Squadron people.
I'm a progressive, but this whole who's more progressive discussion is a waste of keystrokes. They're both progressive enough. I'd prefer we had a who's more effective discussion. Given a choice between someone who hasn't done anything, but who has been in office for three decades, and one who just hasn't done anything YET, I'd take the second one in a heartbeat.
I think the residents of the 25th district will agree with me. I should know, since that's where I live.
Squadron progressive? He got $12,000 from McCain supporters. Good bit of other money coming from corporate types. He's progressive like Schumer is progressive ... he's not. He wants to protect his trust fund and that's all.
If you're looking at the donor base to determine who qualifies as progressive and who does not, wouldn't the one who doesn't accept lobbyist or PAC money win that argument? Squadron doesn't.
And I have to say, any time someone attacks a candidate's personal wealth rather than his ideas, whether its Bloomberg, Squadron, or anyone else, it's because that critic has run out of constructive things to say.
Incidentally, this is the same person who wrote in at 5:05, and I'm not affiliated with the Squadron campaign...yet.
I live in Brooklyn and have lived in the 25th district for over 25 years. I have never even seen this Martin Connor and people say he lives in my neighborhood! He is invisible to his constituents. He voted against the commuter tax, he helps other pols get viable candidates off the ballot across the state, he wrote legislation that allows private condos to be built inside our public parks and he just sponsored legislation to give himself a $52,000 bonus. Need I say more? This guy should go - and I'd take just about anyone over him at this point. Connor typifies what is wrong in Albany - professional politicians who are part of a club to help each other out and rip off communities and the people they are elected into office to serve. Let's embrace change in Albany and this guy Squadron is new enough, maybe he won't be a slave to the old guard...and maybe he will show up in his district, too!