On 6/13, NYC Councilor Mike McMahon (D) "got the blessing" of the DCCC, which "generally stays out" of primaries, but now "stands ready to throw some of its considerable resources" his way (Wrobleski, Staten Island Advance, 6/15). DCCC Chair Chris Van Hollen (MD-08), in NYC: "We will do whatever is necessary to win this campaign" (Hicks, New York Times, 6/16).
But '06 nominee/atty Stephen Harrison (D) "took the developments in stride." Harrison: "It's pretty much what we expected to happen." He also "tweaked" the DCCC for having "broken their word" by getting involved in the race. Harrison: "When I win the primary, they'll have to come on board with me" (Staten Island Advance, 6/15).
Warring Factions
The "basic thrust" of Harrison's campaign against McMahon is "already pretty clear: Slam" him for his votes in favor of congestion pricing and property tax increases, "toxic issues for many" Islanders and votes that McMahon "has already defended." But Harrison "also questions" McMahon's Iraq position. He was "irked" in particular by a line in the city Dem delegation's endorsement of McMahon 6/13, when they said he'd "play an important role in bringing our troops home" from Iraq. Harrison: "I will not let that statement stand. Mike clearly endorsed the war."
As evidence, Harrison points to the fact that McMahon was one of 17 Councilors who voted against an '03 resolution "opposing any" U.S. attack on Iraq "until all diplomatic avenues were exhausted."
McMahon said he voted against the resolution "on the grounds that we were elected to deal with the problems of the City of New York, not render opinions on foreign affairs, of which we did not have sufficient data" (Staten Island Advance, 6/15).
Party Hopping
Carpenter/record producer Fran Powers, who lost the Liberarian endorsement last week, said he's not "folding his tent and going home." Powers: "I gotta stay in. There are things I gotta get done. I'm doing this for a reason: To change things on Staten Island." Powers said he's going to "attempt to stay in the race" by gathering enough signatures to form his own party: The Free Party." He'll need to collect 3K signatures from RVs to get on the ballot.
Among the things Powers "says he would try to get done if elected: Completely eliminate the toll" on the Verrazano Narrows Bridge (Staten Island Advance, 6/15).
Primary: 9/9
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