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Congratulations to NY-20′s new Congressman, Democrat Scott Murphy!
BREAKING NEWS FROM WABC
Friday, April 24, 2009
Democrat Murphy wins Kirsten Gillibrand’s New York House seat
as Republican Tedisco concedes drawn-out race.
Scott Murphy went from relative unknown to United States Representative in about eight weeks. Jim Tedisco went from head of the New York Assembly Republicans with a 21-point lead to desperate candidate to upset loser in a district that has a strong Republican advantage. Oh, I should add, Tedisco stepped aside as Republican leader to concentrate on his transition to US Rep., so now he is an election loser without his state leadership position. Big oops for Jim. . . .
But big w00t! for Scott!
Statement from DCCC Chair Chris Van Hollen:
"Congratulations to Congressman-elect Scott Murphy on his remarkable, come-from-behind victory. In this election, voters responded to Scott Murphy’s record as a successful businessman who helped to create more than 1,000 jobs and his strong support for President Obama’s economic recovery package.
"In trying to win the NY-20 special election, the RNC, NRCC, and their Republican allies went all in on the losing gamble that voters would prefer their ‘just say no’ approach to President Obama’s bold plans to get the economy back on track.
"Scott Murphy’s victory in this district where Republicans outnumber Democrats by more than 70,000 represents a rejection of the obstructionist agenda and scare tactics that have become the hallmark of House Republicans.
"With his commitment to reaching across the aisle to help President Obama enact his agenda for change, Scott Murphy will be a tremendous asset to our Democratic Caucus."
"I am grateful to President Obama, Vice President Biden, House Democratic Leaders, Governor Paterson, Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, the entire New York Congressional Delegation, and DNC Chairman Tim Kaine for their work on behalf of and support of Scott Murphy."
Statement from DNC Chair Tim Kaine:
"Scott Murphy’s long-awaited victory is proof positive that Americans, even in this heavily Republican district, support the President and want him to succeed and the result is a repudiation of the failed policies of the past touted by Republicans," said Kaine. "Republicans decided to make this race a referendum on President Obama’s leadership of the economy and his jobs and economic recovery plan – and given the result we are thankful that they did. Scott Murphy embraced President Obama’s approach to the economy and his message of change while his opponent embraced the politics of division and the failed economic policies that got our country into the mess we find ourselves in today. While the Republican Party and its candidates appear to have learned nothing from recent elections and the nation’s obvious desire for change, I commend the voters in New York 20 for supporting Scott and giving the President another strong ally for change as the Obama Administration moves forward with its plans to reform healthcare, invest in clean energy and improve education.”
Statement from Speaker Nancy Pelosi:
"As Speaker of the House, I congratulate Congressman-elect Scott Murphy on his impressive victory in the race for New York’s 20th Congressional District. Scott’s victory is a clear indication that Democrats, Independents, and Republicans across the country want to continue moving America in a New Direction and reject the ‘just say no’ policies of Washington, D.C. Republicans.
"As a high-tech entrepreneur and business leader, Congressman-elect Murphy will bring a wealth of experience to the House, which will be critical as we work to create jobs and strengthen our economy, make health care more affordable and accessible, and do so with the highest standards of accountability and transparency to the taxpayers, just as Scott emphasized in his campaign, and as we in the New Direction Congress insist upon.
"Scott Murphy fought through a tough race and showed the kind of tenacity and commitment to public service that will serve him and his constituents well in the Congress. I congratulate DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen for his outstanding leadership in helping to elect Scott Murphy. I also want to thank President Obama, Vice President Biden, Governor Paterson, and the entire New York Congressional Delegation for their strong support of Scott Murphy."
"I look forward to personally congratulating Congressman-elect Murphy and welcoming him, his wife, Jen, and their three children to the New Direction Congress."
24 Comments
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Yeah, but isn’t Murphy a Blue Dog? What possible good is that? As far as I’m concerned, they are just as bad as the Republicans.
Oh, I’m sure he’ll be a disappointment as he tries to represent his district; Gillibrand certainly was. But for sheer bragging rights and as a representation of the further decline of the GOP into the Southern regional party of NO, I’m happy Scott Murphy won.
No kidding!
Welcome back to Hell, Chairman Steele!
I wonder how many FAX machines in GOP-land are churning out copies of no-confidence resolutions in preparation for their meeting next month.
I hope Steele survives; he’s good for us. Unless, of course, they go with the stone-cold racist from South Carolina or the web-enabled dude from Michigan. Those could also be fun!
norm coleman should take a clue from tedisco on conceding defeat.
Stormin’ Norman will NEVER concede!
Heh, but this has got to be good for the GOP, right?!
scott murphy will be nothing like tedisco had he won
murphey was the only dem left standing when it was time for the election – so for now – we’re quite happy its murphy rather the tedisco
be sure those of us who helped him get elected will apply the appropriate pressure if he’s in the dog house
gp
hudson valley, ny
statement from murphy
http://www.thealbanyproject.com/
Oh, yeah — all the GOP press releases, which I omitted from my post, talk about how this was a close race all along. That “reality” conveniently discards the 21-point swing Scott Murphy accomplished in six weeks.
repeated and emboldened for emphasis
if they want to keep their seat in power they better discard kkkarl and rush, the two MOST responsible for bringing them the ruin they now enjoy
Oh by golly, Chris Cillizza uncritically puts the GOP spin out for sale in his Fix column today, quoting Pete Sessions, head of the NRCC, saying Tedisco provides the blueprint for 2010 campaigns!
Here’s my comment at Cillizza’s place:
Congratulations!
And good luck keeping your new Congressman Murphy on the side of the angels.
Let us know if there’s anything we can do to help in that regard — the megaphone over here is getting fairly big….
That was a great win. I really thought they dropped a seat when they chose Gillibrand for the senate.
In which case NY-20 might have been the district dropped completely during redistricting. Now it will be a different district held by a GOP to be sliced out of New York somewhere.
ya thanks – we know where to ask for a shout out if needed!
btw – murphy isn’t my congressman – the wonderful maurice hinchey is, but a few of us from hinchey’s district traveled to murphy’s district next door to help our dem cousins.
(and we can also put the squeeze on cousin murphy if need be)
already started to squeeze gillibrand on the dawn johnsen nomination
hehehe
Well Mr. Steele I know you got your hip-hop theory in play but I guess a small number enough to give Mr.Murphy,a win:got hip and hoped:LOL!!
Welcome to Fantasy Island, I am your host …
With Tedisco’s concession, Norm Coleman retakes his numero uno status in the pantheon of republican election fraud kamakazi hookers.
Jim briefly eclipsed Norm when, in the middle of the recount and losing, he lobbied a local judge in the district to declare him the winner contrary to New York State law.
At least now, Norm can accurately represent that he’s ahead …. in a race to the bottom of the republican party.
Be sure to watch the Sunday talk show edition of Fantasy Island where Michael Steele will announce that losing NY-20 was all part of his stealth plan to Blue Dog to death the administration’s agenda for the nation. Cunning devil, he.
As for who Gingrich, Cheney & Limbaugh will choose to replace him as RNC chair, my vote’s for Uncle Ted Stevens.
Yes, who better to bring the GOP into the 21st century than “Series of Tubes” Ted!
Down the tubes, Ted.
You have to be pretty corrupt & incompetent to lose your election due to Bush adminstration DOJ prosecutorial misconduct.
They must have mistaken Ol’ Ted for a democrat.
Boy, will the “toolish-ness” of WaPoo columnists never end?? Except for Gene Robinson, they are all pretty worthless.
I am surprised that Keith Olbermann continues to have Cilizza on his show. Any clue as to whether it’s a contractual requirement imposed by Newsweek/WaPoo etc?
Olbermann is polite to Chris, but seemingly less respectful of his views. Just a subtle shift, but Keith has to see what a hack Cillizza has become — and how much it’s helped his career. He is the Post’s White House correspondent now. Or one of them, anyway.