The collateral damage of Wilson’s withdrawal from the gubernatorial race; if you’re explaining, you’re losing; a chance to have a say about Buffalo’s next budget

/ kkruly

Farewell, Harry, we hardly knew ‘ya

Last week’s news that Republican businessman Harry Wilson will pass on the opportunity to run for governor certainly has serious consequences for the Republican Party. State Chairman Ed Cox convened a meeting of party leaders on Monday in Albany to interview the remaining potential GOP nominees: former Erie County Executive Joel Giambra; Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb; and State Senator John DeFrancisco. Aside from the interviews, the party is trying to figure out where it is going. The New York Daily News story about the meeting made use of such words as “panic,” “desperate,” and “depressing.” Continue reading →

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

/ kkruly / 2 Comments

I would like to thank all the subscribers and readers of Politics and Other Stuff for another great year.  Your continued interest in the blog is much appreciated.

We certainly live in interesting times, and 2017 has been an incredibly eventful year.  2018 may prove to be even more challenging.

I have worked hard to deliver on my original intent for the blog:  to stimulate thought and discussion on public issues and to provide useful information to the readers.  I know that my Democratic leanings are something that occasionally bothers my Republican and other conservative oriented viewers, but they have nonetheless remained subscribers.  Subscriptions have continued to grow.  Thank you!

The blog will be on a break next week and will return after the New Year.  For those who haven’t read it before, or who may want to read it again, here’s a link to a heart-warming Christmas story written by Steve Banko.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Ken Kruly

How the suburban wave might play into New York’s 2018 races

/ kkruly / 1 Comment

As the dust settles from Doug Jones’ stunning upset victory in the Alabama Senate race, inquiring minds are wondering just how much the factors in that race and others in 2017 might figure into races in New York State in 2018.

On the surface, there does not presently appear to be much happening in next year’s local state legislative races. You can’t beat somebody with nobody. On the other hand, there are now four potential Democratic challengers to Chris Collins in the mix. Continue reading →

On civility, politicians, and owning up to what you do or say; gubernatorial candidates and other such things

/ kkruly

First, a brief Alabama limerick from Politics and Other Stuff editor Paul Fisk:

                Twice kicked from the bench he did sit on

                Roy Moore chose the Senate to bid on

                Now they showed him the door

                And so much for Roy Moore

                And the same to the horse he rode in on

WOW! 

                        Decency wins (Senator Jeff Flake)

The Buffalo News ran an interesting interview this past Saturday with former members of Congress John LaFalce and Tom Reynolds. It was just as I would have expected from these two old friends – staking out their respective political positions but nonetheless remaining civil and respectful of the other’s positions. I would say how welcoming, except that these fellows are not in Congress anymore. Continue reading →

Two versions of taxes, budgets and fiscal responsibility; some facts and heard-on-the-streets; Grant tops Langworthy

/ kkruly

The United States Senate this past Friday completed its version of their so-called tax reform legislation. The 500 page bill was prepared entirely by the Republican Majority in the Senate; no Democrats allowed. It was approved in the dead of night, with last minute amendments hand-written illegibly in some cases. Lobbyists had copies of the bill before senators did. The legislation will increase the national debt by one trillion dollars over the next ten years. Continue reading →