Posted by There is no other Democrat politician in New York that is loathed more than Sen. Charles Schumer. One thinks of Schumer, one knows he is a mover and shaker in progressive politics, right up there with Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. These politicians are old pros, they have their special interest base, corporate deals, campaign pay-offs and years of comfortable incumbency, that has created enough momentum for them to keep the jobs they have, but certainly do not deserve.
With Obama at its helm, Democrat officials are committed to advancing a socialist-like, government consuming culture that shifts control and power from the individual to a massive and growing government. This government takes money away from the working man and redistributes it to others, causing others to become addicted to government hand-outs that moves- them to vote for the government that pays their way. Democrats clearly understand that the more services and funds that are doled-out, the more Democrats get voted into office.
There is light at the end of the tunnel. America is the home of the brave where “WE THE PEOPLE” are empowered by the protections provided in the U.S. Constitution, and are mostly unafraid to be masters of their own design, not slaves to a giving government. It is the ingenuity of the American people and the opportunities that are afforded in a free market that makes America exceptional, a uniqueness that few are willing to give up, and many are willing to fight for.
One of the thinkers behind America’s most famous document, Thomas Jefferson, once opined:
“A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned – this is the sum of good government.”
Good advice Schumer should comprehend, but never will, because he is of the mindset that says “I know how to spend your money better than you.” What sweet justice it would be if Schumer’s cozy position was not so cozy anymore?
Primary Race
(Editor’s note: Raquel Okyay has previously endorsed Jay Townsend in this race.)
Two qualified conservative Republicans, Jay Townsend, Conservative Party designee and Gary Berntsen, Republican Party designee, have both stepped-up to the plate to take down a U.S. Senator that has not only betrayed New York, but has betrayed America. (They both deserve credit.) This divided result will amount to a GOP primary race between the two on September 14.
Jay Townsend is a husband, father, and small businessman whose disgust with the course of our nation and decline of New York led him to enter the race for the United States Senate against Chuck Schumer. “Bureaucrats in Washington have an agenda to Europeanize America by penalizing business owners for success and confiscating wages.”
Gary Berntsen is a former Central Intelligence Agency officer and military Veteran whose specialty includes national security, border control and “an insurgent by training” mentality. Gary explains that, “We are in a real fight for survival with a looming $14 trillion dollar debt that will reach $20 trillion in five years.”
MEET THE CANDIDATES
Faithful Americans are organizing town forums meant to inform the public about the upcoming election and motivate them to vote. Most are hell- bent on sending a loud message to Washington D.C. that says “the party is over!”
New Yorkers: Do not let up, meet the two candidates in this race against Schumer, mark your calendar for the GOP primary, do your due diligence and make an informed choice.
Hudson Valley Patriots are hosting both candidates TOMORROW June 19 at the Holiday Inn in Mt. Kisco from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Cost is $30 — Hors d’oeuvres will be served and Cash Bar is available. (Much thanks to Lisa Douglas for organizing this.)
Ulster Orange Tea Party will be featuring Gary Berntsen on July 12 at the Plattekill Rod and Gun Club at 7:00 PM. (For more info please email me.)
Unseating Schumer
The difficulty in electing Republicans in New York is the wide disparity between registered Republicans and registered Democrats – Democrat registration being on top – this puts Republicans at a disadvantage from the get-go. Also problematic, is the larger population pool at down-state (NYC and suburbs) areas which wind up carrying a favored candidate to a win in a statewide election. These voters tend to be liberal-minded.
Call me an optimist, but even liberal-minded New Yorkers are concerned about the failures occurring in the Obama administration and are recognizing the downturn in the economy as a result of an overreaching government that’s out of money.
Schumer, best known for his special interest ties, nanny state addiction, and disregard for free speech, is more vulnerable than most think. One way or the other, together, LET’S TAKE SCHUMER OUT!
Thanks for this article. I just donated to one of them. I do not live in NY, but the things Schumer does, hurts us all.
By Fred on Jun 18, 2010
Dear Raquel,
Thank you for posting this information, to help all of us learn more about the candidates!
Warmly,
Liz
LizBerneyforCongress@gmail.com
By Liz Berney, Esq. on Jun 18, 2010
Thanks for the update, sweetheart. I heard Berntsen at the UC convention two weeks ago and thought he was great. Townsend sounds great too. I think these two candidates are better than this year’s nominee, Blakeman.
By Mitchell Langbert on Jun 18, 2010
Mitchell, Look at the poll that puts DioGuardi ahead of everyone else:
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/new_york/election_2010_new_york_special_senate_election‘
Three important things to note in this poll (thanks Luke):
1) It “shows a tightening of the contest between Kirsten Gillibrand and Joe DioGuardi for US Senate. She now earns 49% of the vote to DioGuardi’s 38%. In early May, Gillibrand led this race 51% to 28%”
2) The poll also shows “little change from the previous survey conducted… in early May” for the lesser known Republican candidates David Malpass and Bruce Blakeman.
3) “Voters not affiliated with either major political party favor DioGuardi but like Gillibrand in the other two match-ups.”
By Raquel on Jun 18, 2010
This article is right on the money. Thank you VERY MUCH Raquel for keeping us up to date with events in District 19 and keeping us informed about the latest. Much appreciated! You are one of a kind.
By Chris on Jun 18, 2010
There is also a meet and greet with Gary on 6/19 at the Comfort Inn, Goshen, New York
By diane on Jun 19, 2010
I love Jay because of his work for Nan, but how in the world can anyone think a political consultant is a good choice for U.S. Senate. Come on guys…
By Bob on Jun 19, 2010
Bob, Ronald Reagan was a Hollywood Actor and Democrat, do we hold that against him? Jimmy Carter was a Peanut Farmer who ran for President and Won.
Jay’s small business represents approx. 300 candidates across the U.S., I do not see how working as a political consultant is negative.
By Raquel on Jun 19, 2010
Raquel, love your blog, but am a bit surprised by your comments. In politics, you have to choose your side – either running for office or helping other folks do it. Voters don’t want the sausage makers to run. It would take Schumer about 6 minutes to dispense with a Republican political consultant…good luck to you and your candidate; however, I think he is merely playing spoiler and hope that does not hurt Nan in the process…
By Bob on Jun 20, 2010
Hi Bob, I appreciate your comment.
I like Jay Townsend in this race, because he knows Schumer like the back of his hand. He’s on point on every issue and articulates those points well. His soft but stern manner is appealing to me.
I have met Jay, interviewed him, and watched him speak. His presentation at my June Tea Party was excellent!
My support for Jay Townsend is a thoughtful decision, no regrets.
By Raquel on Jun 22, 2010
Gary Berntsen supported Rudy Giuliani for President in 2008 as demonstrated in the attached video:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video_log/2008/01/giuliani_gary_bernsten.html
This is a translation of Spanish-speaking video to English:
“Ola, my name is Gary Berntsen. I am not an actor or a celebrity. I am an ex-official of the CIA that has dedicated the majority of my life defending America. The world is complicated and sometimes dangerous. I feel that it is very important to vote in this presidential election, that our President must rigorously serve as chief executive of the nation and chief commander of the armed forces. I believe that’s ex-Mayor Rudy Giuliani, he is the most appropriate candidate to manage the complete demands of the Presidency. This is a call to all citizens to unite in favor of Rudy Giuliani for President of the United States of America.”
George Marlin, conservative activist and author, calls Rudy Giuliani a “liberal” in this New York Sun interview conducted in 2007:
http://www.nysun.com/opinion/george-marlins-interview/51072/
My two cents: Backing a “pro-choice” liberal Republican for President is not indicative of a “true blue” conservative. This is particularly true when there were several more conservative and qualified candidates in the race for the GOP designation for President 2008.
By Raquel on Jul 2, 2010
Raquel, Don’t you back Jay Townsend? He’s Nan Hayworth’s campaign manager! You’ve even said her campaign is partially financed by a pro-abortion medical operation! You’re confusing me on this.
By OC Patriot on Jul 6, 2010
Sorry, but this might be one of the stupidest arguments I have seen made on this blog. You support a guy who has helped get Democrats elected as a political consultant and has helped several pro-choice candidates here in your own backyard. You really need to stop letting campaigns feed you items to post without thinking about them first.
I mean, did you really make this argument or did somebody hack the website?
By Bob on Jul 6, 2010
OC — I’m sorry I lost a couple of your comments with website transfer. Feel free to re-post.
Bob – Campaigns yes feed my articles at times, but I don’t post things without thought!
Again, I don’t see the connection with Jay and Nan. Jay is a political consultant and I do not see anything wrong with that. I am not a one-issue voter and try to look at the whole picture when covering a race.
While life issues is extremely important to me, I have backed “pro-choice” candidates before without regret. Jay Townsend is pro-life, Gary Berntsen says he’s pro-life but he aggressively supports liberal “pro-choice” Rudy for President.
People want to know why. It’s an honest question.
By Raquel on Jul 7, 2010
Raquel, The new site looks great. I’ll try to explain this again. You slam Berntsen for doing a video for Giuliani’s campaign based on Giuliani’s pro-choice position. But your boss, Jay Townsend is RUNNING a pro-choice candidate’s campaign in Hayworth! In fact you back Hayworth who you’ve said is not only pro-choice but has received financing through pro-abortion medical interests. This is absolutely illogical. BTW the first time I met Berntsen was when he was organizing veterans all over New York State for John McCain. He may have done a favor for fellow New Yorker Giuliani but what he did with veterans in New York for McCain was amazing. I get it that you like the local Orange County guy, Townsend but if the best you can do to help him is this ill-concieved hit piece, he’s in trouble.
By OC Patriot on Jul 7, 2010
Hi OC: Thank you, front page still has some errors, working on it.
Jay Townsend is not my boss. Yes, he is my “guy” in this race.
You can criticize me on Hayworth but the bottom line is after months of covering District 19 supporting Nan Hayworth is the only logical decision, and frankly, I trust Nan more than I trust some other candidates, despite the due diligence I performed concerning abortion.
Re: Berntsen — It’s not a “hit piece” it’s a comment. If I did a “hit piece” you would know.
I make personal endorsements based upon my opinion which I lay out for the readers at my blog. Gary Berntsen, your guy, is running for U.S. Senate, he needs to answer questions, not me.
By Raquel on Jul 7, 2010
Raquel, I’ve been clear that I have no issue with your support of Hayworth, I myself will do the same but reluctantly. My issue is that you criticize Berntsen for something that Townsend is doing in spades! Berntsen did a video for Rudy. Townsend has worked for decades for Democrats and Republicans like Hayworth who is pro-choice. Townsend is a chameleon who will adapt to whatever environment his current circumstances dictate.
By OC Patriot on Jul 7, 2010
OC: I disagree with you about Jay, I don’t see it that way. We can have a difference of opinion.
As for the life issue, Jay articulated a pro-life position at my Tea Party last month, and the crowd was enthusiastic about his presentation. Later today we’ll meet Gary at July’s Outdoor Tea Party, we are all looking forward to it.
I have issues with Rudy for many reasons: He was rejected by the Conservative Party twice when he ran for Mayor. Rudy was in favor of partial birth abortion, ran twice on the liberal party line, advocated gun control and wanted to make NYC a “sanctuary city” for illegal aliens.
Yes, I give the Mayor credit for being a leader on 9/11 and being tough on crime, but a true blue conservative Rudy is not, which is why he did not win a single state in the Republican primary for President.
By Raquel on Jul 8, 2010