NYC FOCUS: NY-13 Rematch

A few weeks ago, Daily Gotham broke the news that Steve Harrison, the man who almost unseated Bush/Cheney buddy and Iraq war advocate Vito Fossella, wants a rematch. Steve Harrison is running against Vito only this time is starting much earlier and with more money on hand.

I think it is worth reviewing some of last year's race between Vito and Steve Harrison.

Last year, the NY Times endorsement of Steve Harrison went a long way to sum up the difference between the candidates. The NY Times SLAMED NY-13 Republican Vito Fossella as a Bush lap dog who refused to support our troops, help Staten Island's transportation needs and is part of the Republican Culture of Corruption. Here's what they said last year:

Fossella [is] anything but the independent fighter for constituents that he claims to be in this campaign. He has been a real water-carrier for the Bush administration and the Republican leadership, staunchly backing the war in Iraq while at the same time denying health benefits to National Guard and Reserve members who make up much of the American force there.

The congressman...has been unsympathetic to environmental concerns and has opposed a woman’s right to choose. He does his constituents no favors by his support for privatizing Social Security. He has voted to protect gun makers and sellers. While Mr. Fossella has lately sought funding to deal with health problems related to to the attacks of Sept. 11, he has largely been missing on important local issues. His Democratic colleague, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, who represents the Sixth District, has often been left to advocate Staten Island’s many transportation needs, including the North Shore rail.

Mr. Fossella has offered only lame excuses for improperly using his campaign funds for skiing holidays in Vail (including lessons and equipment), as well as vacations in Florida — transgressions first reported by the Daily News. He has received donations from a lobbying firm with ties to Jack Abramoff. Earlier this year, he was fined a reported $60,000 for misusing his taxpayer-funded official mailing privileges.

Remember that Fossella also receives disappointingly low ratings from organizations like the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans for America, the Alliance for Retired Americans, AFL-CIO, Planned Parenthood and League of Conservation Voters. Other ogranizations (not mentioned in the above linked article) that rate Fossella very poorly are Disabled American Veterans, NARAL, National Farmers Union, Taxpayers for Common Sense, ACLU, National Education Association, and Republicans for Environmental Protection (all these and many more ratings can be found on Project Vote Smart.

In other words, Fossella sucks on almost all issues that matter to Americans.

Here is what the NY Times has to say about Fossella's Democratic opponent, lawyer and marathon runner Steve Harrison:

Mr. Harrison...is an attractive alternative to Mr. Fossella in his own right. Mr. Harrison has a presence in both sides of the district; he resides in Brooklyn, while his mother and sister live on Staten Island.

As chair of Community Board 10 in Brooklyn, he demonstrated leadership as he oversaw one of the city’s largest efforts to contain overdevelopment through rezoning. He has a good command of the issues, and a feel for the concerns of the district. Mr. Harrison surprised many with his passion and keen intelligence in a series of debates with Mr. Fossella. The distinctions could not be clearer. We endorse Mr. Harrison for Congress.

Having met Steve Harrison, I can say he is a great candidate, very intelligent, capable and personable. Please help us win the NY-13 race (as well as all key NY State Congressional races).