The dirty little secret in this year’s North Country House races
I was in Troy last night for the final debate between Rep. Scott Murphy (D-Glens Falls) and former Army Col. Chris Gibson (R-Kinderhook).
Here’s the flat truth: I was impressed.
These are two guys with blue ribbon resumes, one as a tested entrepreneur developing the kind of jobs and industries that most economists agree we need, the other a stand-out soldier and administrator who has done heroic service on behalf of his country.
They both appear to be smart, personable, and grounded men.
So here’s the dirty little secret in all three congressional races (NY20, NY23 & NY 24) that North Country voters will help to decide: All six candidates are worthy picks.
We live in a cynical time. And a lot of the campaign rhetoric — especially the ads by third-party groups — aims to convince you that these politicians are, well, slimy politicians.
A lot of the best and brightest in our society have decided that campaign culture is just too toxic and they’re opting out of public service.
But we’re fortunate this year. Some of our best and brightest have opted in.
Mike Arcuri and Richard Hanna in the 24th district are both intelligent, able men. One was a district attorney for years, deeply rooted in the community. The other is a successful businessman, also with deep ties in the district.
Matt Doheny and Bill Owens are both successful businessman, with roots in the 23rd district but also a lot of experience out in the big, modern world that surrounds our rural region.
I’ve already heaped praise on Murphy and Gibson.
The truth is that voters have great choices this year.
These are good people and they’re offering some clear, articulate choices in terms of policy and the direction they want to take the North Country and the nation.
Tags: election10
Great post, especially at a time when the mud is starting to fly in these races.
We need more of this type of tone out there.
Well, a positive tone to a political report is refreshing. My hats off to you for at least trying to allay some of our cynicism Brian.
If they really are the best and brightest, then I wish they’d focus more on pushing their own plans (like they apparently did in the debate last night) and less on the “(opponent) drowns puppies in the bathtub for fun” camapign ads.
I agree we need more positivity. And hats off to the candidates for the willingness to serve and go through what seems to be a longer than needed and extremely expensive election cycle. Add in the lies and distortions we seem to be bombarded with more and more and you wonder why they are even willing to try and get elected.
I agree, Brian, but I think the negative attack adds are mostly coming from the outside parties. Thank you Supreme Court…..
Clapton, Regarding your Supreme Court comment, are you saying this is the first year we’ve seen attack ads? Where have you been?
Agree. Both candidates are good. So, it’s up to the voters to judge them on their positions on the issues, not on their respective personal backgrounds. We’ll see which vision the voters in the 20th CD will choose. My sense right now is that the anti-incumbent, anti-Washington mood will be the difference maker, to Murphy’s detriment.
No JimM,
Of course I didn’t mean this is the first election with attack ads. Just that there’s far, far more of them and that they are paid for by more outside entities than in any election I’ve observed (speaking for myself, that goes back to about the mid-80’s). And I suspect it’s due to the recent Supreme Court hearing. But your mileage may vary…….