Hostage notes from the 23rd Congressional District
They're gonna put me in the movies; they're gonna make a big star out of me. We'll make a film about a man that's sad and lonely, and all I gotta do is act naturally
OCT. 29, 2009: Like all good love stories, this one begins in Guantanamo.
Last summer the federal government was considering transferring al-Qaida detainees to Fort Leavenworth, Ks. The two U.S. Senators from the Jayhawk State objected. They decided to stymie all of President Obama's nominations, including that of our former congressman, John McHugh, selected June 2 to become Secretary of the Army.
But great news! In late August everyone kissed and made up and McHugh began his new job Sept. 2.
So what's love got to do, got to do with it?
The more than 30-day delay in appointments meant that the special election to replace McHugh was delayed until this coming Tuesday. It could have all been over with last month. But instead, the delay gave every political action group in America more time to plot, plan, raise money, lie and create negative ads to tell us who McHugh's replacement should be.
And just think what they have in store for us during the next five days.
Maybe it's just me but sometimes I think the terrorists have won.
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Despite the national media attention on Northern New York right now, we should all remember that the 23rd Congressional District has no great significance. And neither did Gettysburg. It's just the place where the great armies met.
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According to Democrat Bill Owens, Republican Dede Scozzafava has a lot in common with former President George Bush. According to Conservative Doug Hoffman, Scozzafava has a lot in common with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Since no one thinks Bush and Pelosi had anything in common, is it possible that Scozzafava isn't really a mirror image of either one?
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Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey of Texas was here recently campaigning with Hoffman, which seemed apropos. Early census estimates indicate that New York will lose at least one congressional seat in three years and Texas will pick up at least one.
If Hoffman wins Tuesday, political analysts suggest there could be a 23-skiddoo, and our district might very well morph into the envisioned 33rd District in Texas.
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The Watertown Daily Times in its stories and editorials has been trying to suggest there is an actual link between federal and local issues. But instead of learning about water level issues, for instance, Hoffman keeps channeling Ronald Reagan, while Armey says that local issues are “parochial,” and really not what Hoffman should be worrying about.
We still think what happens here is important, but we're not getting any traction with the Hoffman campaign.
OK, let’s try it this way: There are two airports that serve Washington, D.C. One is named after Ronald Reagan and one is named after a guy who grew up in Watertown, N.Y.
Does THAT help?
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Much is being made of the recent Times editorial board meeting with Hoffman. Our editorial about how uninformed Hoffman is about the north country has been sent around the world and shows up regularly on cable TV shows.
Some Hoffman supporters are convinced that our publisher, John B. Johnson Jr., ambushed Hoffman and treated him in a way no other candidate would be treated. Not so. Many great working relationships have been built between politicians and the Johnson family after similar “get-to-know-each-other" events, which to the uninformed do indeed resemble nothing more than a bloodletting.
Hoffman did perform poorly. His natural bug-eyed look and nervous leg twitch heightened the drama for all observers.
But the meeting ended amicably with Hoffman saying that when he wins on Tuesday, he is going to be back to discuss how we can all work together to make the north country, the nation — and no doubt Texas — stronger.
