Jim Tedisco, New York Congressional Candidate, Won't Take Stimulus Stand

The race to fill newly appointed Sen. Kristen Gillibrand's open seat in the House of Representatives has become, in many ways, a reflection of the regional and ideological schisms confronting the Republican Party.

The GOP contender for the seat is James Tedisco, the minority leader of the New York State Assembly, who is hoping to become one of only a handful of northeast Republicans in Congress. But in his efforts to win the special election, he's been forced to walk a delicate tightrope: avoiding angering both Republicans and Democrats on President Obama's stimulus package.

To offer his backing, he acknowledges, would be to immediately rebuff the entire House GOP, who voted against the measure. To oppose the bill, however, would be to put himself at odds with the majority of his desired constituents, who, according to national Democrats, overwhelmingly favor the stimulus. According to data put out by the Obama White House, the New York district stands to save or create 7,700 jobs with this economic recovery package.

So, as documented in Tuesday's New York Times, Tedisco refuses to come down one way or another, even as his Democratic opponent, Scott Murphy, badgers him for the evasiveness.

Here is where you, the reader, come in. Help us figure out where Tedisco stands on the stimulus. Below are the phone numbers for his offices -- if you're in his district, call and ask: Would Jim Tedisco have voted for or against the stimulus package? After you've called, email us at [e-mail] and let us know what you heard.

Campaign office:
518-373-2702

District office:
518-370-2812

Albany office:
518-455-3751

You can also help us get a better sense of how the 20th congressional district of New York can and will be affected by the stimulus. Send us stories about the economic landscape of upstate New York -- how are you being impacted by the downturn?

Comments

[maga99]

The independent candidate, Eric Sundwall is the only candidate in the race that has taken a strong stance firmly opposed to the stimulus bill.

We need a real fiscal conservative like Eric in Congress!

[UrbanInterloper]

Tedisco, like all candidates running for office, should care only about what his constituents want. To hell with what his fellow party members in Congress want or say about him--he doesn't aspire to represent them. He aspires to represent New Yorkers. If he doesn't want to do that, there are other lines of work.

[Larkinvos]

It's hard out there, for a repub.

[Harrier]

I would not bet against human will and America. Seems to be what Repub strategy is. if they are right, there will be nothing for them to run. Heads you lose-tails you lose

[TheSnarkingLot]

What a twit this guy is!

Hey, psssst...over here, Mr. Tedisco...yeah, you!

Now that I have your attention, I'd like to remind you that you are running for freakin' Congress! You don't want to alienate anyone? Huh? Perhaps I could interest you in a more suitable job, then. Something great, with a headset and Friolator basket, maybe?

Seriously, folks, if this guy cannot come down on one side of an issue while running, what's he going to do if faced with a tough/mora­l/emergenc­y vote to make once serving? Hide under his damned desk? Tell his constituents "Gee, sorry, I was going to give my opinion, but I thought some of you might be mad at me..."

The Republican party is becoming a parody of itself. And it's giving me a major headache. Please hand me the bottle of Advil and a fifth of Jack Daniels, I need to lie down...for about TEN YEARS.

http://TheSnarkingLot.blogspot.com

[claypigeonb]

Isn't anybody running against this guy. How come we're giving all the attention to the Republican? Do we really want him to win? Is the new Democrat really a Democrat. Or is it another Republican in a donkey mask like the new Senator?

[Edinpolitics]

I live in his assembly district and here are some points:
1. He probably was one of the jerks who used to say Hillary was a carpetbagger yet he does not live in the district he is running for. His seat is help by Paul Tonko (d)
2. He will win because of name recognition and he is seen as a pothole fixer.
3. This is a heavily republican district and Gillibrant was a freak winner because sweeney was allegedly a drunk and wife beater.
4. His biggest legislative victory was "busters Law" . This raised the penalty for harming cats...look it up if you do not believe me.

[DRV]

Another real profile in courage.

[joewantstoknow]

We don't need another timid legislator representing the people. The job of a leader is to lead. If he cannot say what he thinks or what he stands for he has no business running for office.

[bygollymissmolly]

He has to decide whether to represent his constituents or his political party. If he doesn't come down on the side of his constituents, then they should not vote for him under any circumstances.

How do you like it Republicant's being part of a party that doesn't care about you in any way. All they care about is their party and their power.

[PoliticalAmazon]

"He has to decide whether to represent his constituents or his political party"

-----------

I know this concept has been discussed many times before, but your one sentence combines in a nutshell the problem with the GOP. Each politician has to decide whether to represent the party or their constituents.

Unfortunately, the constiuents are more forgiving of being skrewed over than is the GOP, so the GOPer will likely cleave to the party line.

And this is one of those mutually-exclusive deals: if one part is true, the other part cannot be true, because the GOP has so totally abandoned what is good for our country and its citizens in it's unifocal grasping for power.

[JohnFromCensornati]

Who would ever have guessed that he would have an (R) next to his name?

[larmar]

Doesn't matter, he will never get election in New York anyway. Political position or no he is just a figure head so Republicans can say they had someone run against the Democrat.

[DaNoid]

You don't know anything about the district he's running to represent.

The 20th NY District is a primarily rural district with no major cities of which to speak...your largest "cities" are Hudson, Saratoga Springs and Glens Falls. These are strong Republican-leaning folks which is why it took a blue-dog like Kirsten Gillibrand to win the seat in 2006.

Don't forget that this district was firmly in the hands of the GOP for 38 years straight thanks to Gerald Solomon and John Sweeney.

[LWkcma]

can't make a stand and support your position=can't serve in office PERIOD

[TremoluxMan]

All the chatter about 'public service' is just that; chatter. There's an Old Saying that goes, "Don't p!$$ down my back and tell me it's raining."

Grow a pair and take a stand.

[logic63]

Sorry folks but public servant is a thing of the past. These people want to get on the gravy train. If they serve one term they get retirement equal to their pay or darned close to it. If I could afford to run for office I'd jump on that train myself.