Buffalopundit Endorsements 2014
Caveat: Artvoice does not do political endorsements. Nothing written in this post should be interpreted, construed, or cited as an endorsement by the owners or editors of Artvoice itself. This endorsement is mine alone. No person or campaign has directly or indirectly paid for or otherwise sponsored any post or endorsement. I do not know whether any candidate or party has ever paid for an advertisement in Artvoice, nor would I be in a position to know. I am an independent contractor and have no involvement or employment with Artvoice or its advertising or editorial staff. Any questions or issues can be directed to me at buffalopundit[at]gmail.com. I recommend you click the links – especially in NY-27. Now, on with the countdown.
United States Congress (NY-26): Brian Higgins
I did this already, I’m sure you all know.
I posted it here just a short week ago.
Kathy Weppner talks nonsense, her utterings, laughable;
Congressman Higgins belongs in the Capitol.
United States Congress (NY-27): No Endorsement
I admit that this pick came to me as a shock,
but I got information I can’t simply mock.
It shows that the Democrat, not long ago,
worked for the campaign of Paladino.
He helped with debate prep – and this made me cross –
he helped Carl defame a planned downtown mosque.
Chris Collins is there, and he’s one of the worst.
But principle matters; it ought to come first.
Chris Collins? You kidding? At least he’s consistent.
Not “Democrat now!”, but once Carl’s assistant.
The incumbent, he voted for Cruz’s shutdown,
harmed our economy and then, like a clown,
claimed to be against it, despite his own vote,
And (of course) blamed Obama, repeat, edit, rote.
But Collins was for it, before he was not;
he blamed the “extremists”, rejected the plot.
Although Collins’ tenure has been ineffective,
I won’t back a Carl guy, he must be rejected.
Governor and Lieutenant Governor of New York State: Cuomo/Hochul
Listen, Cuomo’s got flaws, and of that I’m aware.
But Rob Astorino I just cannot bear.
His running mate – Hochul – I respect a great deal,
and the great things he’s done for our region are real.
The Buffalo Billion and Startup New York,
should not be dismissed as cheap welfare and pork.
Never before has an Albany pol,
done this much for Buffalo, as I can recall.
I do want to see much more effort to end
corrupt fusion and graft – those Albany trends.
Transparency now is the name of the game,
and Cuomo’s too secretive, to his own shame.
After all that he’s done, though, I can’t just reject,
Cuomo and Hochul, whom I hope you’ll elect.
Attorney General: Eric Schneiderman
Did you see the debate? Whoa, that Cahill’s a twit.
He screamed, interrupted, behaved like a shit.
And kudos to Bob – wow! A substantive question!
I’m voting for Schneiderman this coming election.
His office protects every one of us from,
fraud and abuse, and the criminal scum.
For those who take pills for pain they can’t stop,
he set up I-STOP, so they can’t doctor shop.
Schneiderman’s strong on consumer protection,
And Cahill deserves this year’s voters’ rejection.
State Senate District 63: Tim Kennedy
Given the choice between sellout or dummy,
the outlook for voters just isn’t too sunny.
Tim Kennedy isn’t my favorite guy,
his opponent, however, should make you ask, “why…
“…would local Republicans beclown themselves so…
“…by running a guy who’d make Weppner say, ‘whoa’“.
Kennedy may have some bridges to fix,
but Donovan? Please, voters, no, nada, nix.
State Senate District 62: Rob Ortt
Oh, great. For fuck’s sake. What a choice – I’m aghast.
Two Republicans, one Paladino backed last.
Ortt is the Mayor of North Tonawanda,
Destino’s a Dem whom I’m not wholly fond of.
Paladino endorsed him the last time around,
and that’s generally something I can’t just write down.
Destino was backed by the goons who had tried
– in a spurious way that I cannot abide –
to smear Maziarz as a closeted gay,
and failed, like the cretins they are, by the way.
Ortt is a vet with conservative views.
But defeated that Gia – so, he’s reasonable, too.
When assholes supporting you campaign on hate,
it behooves you to answer with outrage, and state
something where you reject their assistance and views,
and you do it quite loudly, and make it big news.
I’m sorry you didn’t, and I hope that you’ll scorn
that loudmouthed old hater who forwards horse porn.
State Senate District 61: Elaine Altman
Hah! Mike Ranzenhofer? Career politician.
Dear reader, what was his agenda or vision?
Say “no” and do nothing, for 20-odd years?
It’s time for a change, and it’s time to switch gears.
Altman’s a teacher, she knows Common Core,
and she’ll fight to fund schools, and absolutely do more
to help out a district that’s been represented
by someone who’s done not a lot, I’ve lamented.
“Send a teacher to Albany!”, that’s where she belongs.
Ranz’s tenure in government’s two decades too long.
State Senate District 60: Not Stocker
I mean no disrespect to Dem Marc Panepinto,
I don’t mean to leave him out hanging in limbo.
A vote for the Dem would be great and just swell,
but Grisanti deserves to go back for a spell.
As senator, he’s been unfazed and courageous.
“Profile in Courage” would not seem outrageous.
He helped us to pass same-sex marriage, and took
a risk to pass SAFE Act after Sandy Hook.
It showed us that people don’t need a damn armory,
and schools should be havens of peace and of harmony.
So, whatever you do, and don’t think it’s a shocker
vote for anyone, just not the tea party’s Stocker.
NYS Assembly 146: Ray Walter
Did you know that Ray Walter is in a real race?
Against a young Dem with a fresh, stubbled face?
I’m sure that Steve Meyer’s an earnest young chap,
with ideas and energy. Aside from all that,
I have to agree that he’s lacking know-how,
and has yet to consider what furrows our brow.
He’s just out of school, and has loads of more time,
to get a career, pay some taxes and climb
up to a level where he really can get,
the problems that we New York families fret.
Ray and I see eye to eye on the tolls,
that the Thruway Authority always controls,
with antiquity formed in the shape of a booth,
within it a person, who I doubt, in his youth,
Imagined his life would be handing out slips.
Yet throughout the world, the traffic just zips,
through camera tolls without stopping to pay.
This dreary old system, it pisses off Ray,
So, send my friend back to fight Albany pols,
besides, the Assembly’s in firm Dem control.
OTHER
For a number of races, there is no opponent.
For a real democracy, that’s a missing component.
For all of these races, you have a blank check,
vote whomever you please, except for Mazurek.
I’ll note, on the side, that Ray Walter’s a friend,
and he’s running against a young Dem
But no matter what, do not let the time pass.
Just remember to vote, and Donn Esmonde’s an ass.