David Nir at DailyKos notes that the Green Party is running a candidate in NY24, potentially playing spoiler for one of the best shots at a Democratic pickup in the state:

Ursula Rozum is planning to run under the Green banner in the redrawn 24th, which is the very best Democratic pickup opportunity in the whole state. (Ex-Rep. Dan Maffei is seeking a rematch against freshman GOPer Ann Marie Buerkle in this now-bluer district.)

Rozum sounds typical "pox-on-both-your-houses" Green, saying: "I'm running because the Democrats and Republican have failed to solve basic problems like funding public transportation."

"We need to invest in a mass transit system that is more affordable and more convenient than owning a private car," Rozum continued. "Mass transit creates the Green jobs that get people back to work and avert climate catastrophe."

True! How this is solved through a Green ticket that could cost a Democratic seat is beyond me. The Green Party doesn't work as tea party groups do, pulling the main candidate over to an ideological extreme, but instead just play spoiler to the Democratic candidate. And no Green Party candidate seems to ever think through the effects of throwing an election based on narrow policy preferences. Consider, if nothing else, the extreme influence Congress has on making or breaking judicial appointments, and the huge repercussions these appointments have on all manner of legislation. However strongly you believe in public transportation funding (and I'm right there with you), there's no logic to throwing Democratic seats and giving Republicans more power in pursuit of that goal.

But NY24 looks to be close, so Rozum has a chance to do just that: "Maffei lost by just 567 votes in 2010," says Nir, "so even if Rozum only grabs a small share of the vote, that could well swing the outcome."

(Eternal and contrite disclaimer: I voted for Nader in 2000, but it was in Oregon, where it didn't count. I'm still sorry.)

(Unfortunate downside to the original Syracuse article: the rapidity with which the comments sections turns to a discussion of the candidate's attractiveness. Asshats.)

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Comments (2)

Mark Dunlea: If voters tell the Democrats they are fed up with their performance,, their repeated refusal to deliver on their campaign promises, maybe they will stop ignoring our issues. No matter how many democrats are elected to Congress and the WHite House (e.g., 2008) it it is never enough. Nope, need more Democrats elected before we can stop the wars, work on climate change, end the war on drugs, give us universal single payer heath care rather than insurance mandates, cut the military budget, protect civil liberties, protect civil liberties, stand up to Wall Street and the banks, enact a public works program to put people to work, protect Social Security, stand up for teachers, etc etc. Conservative voters at least have a little more courage in voting for their convictions rather than liberals who vote their fears only to see their worst fears realized and then argue for more of the same because you know it could get worse. And then it does. Orwell would have been proud of the Democrats and their supporters

May 4, 2012

Matthew Vincent: I'd never, EVER, EVER vote for Maffei. Never.

The guy is a walking sphincter. That is why he lost, that is why he will lose again. No amount of 'strategic voting' BS will get me past that.

April 13, 2012

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