Why Sue Lost

An analysis of John Hall's victory in New York's 19th congressional district appears in today's Journal News. An additional factor is the spread of the suburbs into this formerly exurban and rural district. The changed demographics mean that the 19th is no longer reliably Republican. I also think the progressive tinge to be found in the Westchester County portion of the district was key in Hall's victory. The anger of these progressives in Croton-on-Hudson and surrounding areas was critical in pushing the grass roots effort described in the article. Hall's margin in this part of the 19th CD clinched the victory.

Dear Sue

It's clear that Congresswoman Sue Kelly has conceded after reading my letter to the Jounal News. In all seriousness, this is a great, if unexpected, victory. That John Hall, of all people, could end the Republican domination of New York's 19th CD is truly remarkable. It took an incredible grass roots effort for this to happen. President Bush deserves some credit, as well. Congress' failure yesterday to approve free trade status for Vietnam is making me a little nervous, however, about our newly elected Democrats as a majority of Democrats present voted against the bill. Doing the right thing on Iraq is well-nigh impossible (and don't blame the poor Iraqis for this mess) but Vietnam, after all these years, is another story. We'll have to rely on the lame duck Republicans to fix this one.

Time To Measure the Drapes

When President Bush said before the midterm elections that the Democrats shouldn’t “measure the drapes” he wasn’t telling us that he believes in democracy and that the American people and not the Democrats or the Republicans have the ultimate say. No, he was saying that God had spoken to him and that the Democrats were going to lose again. This is one of the most disturbing aspects of our President – his self-righteous certainty. It was good to see him humbled today. An excellent explanation of the dangers of unquestioning religious faith and the inability to entertain doubt and ambiguity appears in Karen Armstrong’s The Spiral Staircase: My Climb Out of Darkness. Armstrong, a Roman Catholic nun, describes her struggle to deal with the doubts that led her to leave the convent and ultimately the Church itself. Everyone, people of faith and atheists alike, can profit from this book.

Taking Back Our Country

Something truly unprecedented has happened. A candidate that I supported has won an election. I’m referring to John Hall here in New York’s 19th congressional district. As a volunteer in the campaign I feel especially gratified that the lower Hudson valley will at long last send a Democrat to represent us in Washington. When I wrote the following letter (which was published in the Gannett Westchester-Rockland newspapers in September 2005) this all seemed like a distant hope:

To the Editor: With over three years left in President Bush’s term, the realization is growing among Americans that our country is in real peril. The Federal response to the hurricane Katrina disaster has finally driven home the reality that this administration is incompetent. The Bush White House has staffed critical positions with inexperienced political hacks and used the tragedy to give lucrative, no-bid contracts to its friends. The administration’s failures with Katrina are belatedly shining a light on the failures in Iraq. And with budget deficits as far as the eye can see, the administration has mortgaged our future and saddled our children and grandchildren with a crushing burden. We finally understand that just because George Bush says everything is fine does not mean everything is fine. So the question must be posed, what can be done about this mess? One area where the American people have a direct say is in electing the congress. With both houses in Republican control, the Bush administration has been able push through its divisive agenda and get away without having its long list of failures come under meaningful congressional scrutiny. The 2006 congressional elections are a little over a year away. We need to send to Washington a congress that will finally take the President to task. No house or senate seat should be taken for granted as it has in the past. Here in the lower Hudson Valley we need to rethink sending an apologist for George Bush back to the Capitol. I’m referring to Sue Kelly who represents New York’s 19th congressional district. I do not believe there are no Democrats who can make a serious challenge to Ms. Kelly. What about a proven vote-getter and effective administrator like the Supervisor of the Town of Cortlandt, Linda Puglisi? I realize that our district leans toward the Republicans but these are not ordinary times – the nation’s future depends on wresting control away from our incompetent leaders. The 19th district does not have to remain in Republican hands. William Kellner, September 26, 2005

Photo: Bill Clinton endorsing John Hall, October 30, 20006

Indian Summer

I'm declaring today Indian Summer. We've had our first frost and the other post-frost warm days did not have the summery feel of today. The top photo shows a Croton-Harmon bound local approaching Scarborough Station. The bottom shot is the Hudson River from River Road in Scarborough. Both photos were taken this morning.