From the NY Daily News Blog:
National Republican leaders have “lost all faith” in Rep. Vito Fossella and are poised to begin polling in the 13th CD on potential candidates to take his place on the ballot, despite the fact that he has yet to make a definitive statement about his future political plans.
The poll could start as early as today, according to a Washington GOP source, and will likely include at least two names: Sen. Andrew Lanza and Staten Island DA Dan Donovan.
Another national GOP source said Fossella’s fellow House minority members were “shocked” to learn of his “double life,” and his admission that he fathered a child out of wedlock with retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, Laura Fay.
While the Democratic field for this seat includes Brooklynites Stephen Harrison and Domenic Recchia, national Democrats may be looking for an upgrade:
Crain’s reported this morning that the DCCC has been calling Assemblyman Mike Cusick in hopes of coaxing him into the race. Certain Senate Democrats, meanwhile, are floating Sen. Diane Savino’s name.
Cusick hails from Staten, so he’s probably the best bet here. Savino’s seat is too precious for Senate Democrats, who need two pick-ups this fall in order to take the majority.
having Recchia forced from the race… but i hope Harrison gets a shot. no reason to throw to the dogs a principled progressive campaign already making improvements on his strong showing against an unbesmirched Vino in ’06… wish i knew more about Cusick, don’t suppose there’s any way to tell whether he’d sign onto an anti-war platform like harrison or where he stands on most national issues at this point.
well other than that he might not be the best candidate to win a D1 district – or hold it.
I just blew a diary writing aobut Cusick.
what is our ideal candidate for NY-13? I’m assuming fiscally conservative/socially liberal?
And he’s known for being cautious this early in an election cycle.
He made many ratings changes today. Here they are according to whether they are positive or nagative for us. The only move I really disagree with is moving OH-02 to likely R. That race has a slight R lean at most with a great chance of being tossup by November.
Races moving in our favor
AK-AL Young Lean Republican to Toss Up
CT-02 Courtney Likely Democratic to Solid Democratic
FL-21 L. Diaz-Balart Solid Republican to Likely Republican
FL-24 Feeney Likely Republican to Lean Republican
IN-02 Donnelly Likely Democratic to Solid Democratic
IN-07 Carson Likely Democratic to Solid Democratic
MI-07 Walberg Lean Republican to Toss Up
MI-09 Knollenberg Likely Republican to Lean Republican
MO-06 Graves Likely Republican to Lean Republican
NY-13 Fossella Likely Republican to Toss Up
NC-11 Shuler Likely Democratic to Solid Democratic
Races moving against us:
CA-11 McNerney Lean Democratic to Toss Up
KS-02 Boyda Lean Democratic to Toss Up
KY-03 Yarmuth Likely Democratic to Lean Democratic
OH-02 Schmidt Lean Republican to Likely Republican
OH-14 LaTourette Likely Republican to Solid Republican