THANK YOU

                 Red Paddy      Joe      Spotted Mick

Thank you to the volunteers, voters, State Board of Elections, forum organizers and media.

Our man, Joe, did and said what he had to. Future events will bear out that he was right on the mark with his campaign priorities. The postings on this journal site will remain as testament of that.

Joe served his country well in the U S Navy, and would have done so, again, in Congress.

We encounter many crossroads in our journey along the road of life. This was one. For Joe, and us, the road has grown shorter, the crossroads fewer.

All turned out for the best. Joe won't be away in Washington, tilting at windmills; he will be here at home with us. We are delighted!

                                              Paddy and Mick Sullivan

                                                           

 

SPOTLIGHT 21 CD PRIMARY VOTER GUIDE

Joseph Sullivan, D-Albany
”Our survival is on the line in the 2008 election.  Who we elect as President, Vice-President and to Congress, will determine our fate. September 11 changed our lives forever; nothing will be the same evermore,” Sullivan said. “Homeland security, emergency/disaster preparedness and maintaining a steady flow of oil, the lifeblood of our economy and way of life, while we adapt to a world where oil will be scarce and expensive, are the priorities. So long as we depend on imported oil our military forces must remain, on station, in the world’s oil producing regions. The troops are not coming home.”

Describing himself as a conservative Democrat, Sullivan, 71, is no stranger to politics after being active during the days of former Democratic Gov. Hugh Carey and former longtime Democratic boss Daniel O’Connell.

Sullivan switched to the Republican Party, even chairing the Albany City Republicans, before recently returning to his Democratic beginnings.

A Navy veteran, Sullivan said national security and continuing the flow of oil that greases the American economy are his main priorities.  Without those two things, Sullivan contends, “none of the rest of it matters.”

On McNulty’s, Sullivan said, “Congressman McNulty’s lasting legacy will be his pro-life stance.” 

His one criticism: “In contrast to Mike, I am a firm supporter of the Second Amendment right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms.”

Often outspoken, he has vowed to run his campaign for Congress, not cash, saying he’s “not going to pay a lot” for McNulty’s old seat.

“I am a veteran, senior citizen and the oldest of the candidates with a clear understanding of the significance of this election to our survival as a nation, and what we must do to survive. My priorities are clearly stated, my platform and issue positions are explicit,” said Sullivan.  “I have not raised or spent any money. No politicians, unions or special interests have endorsed me. I will be beholden only to the voters who elect me. If the voters want substance, straight talk, independence, a clear view of what we face and what we must do, campaign reform and term limit — I am their man.”

•Priorities: War on terrorism; energy; economy; health care; campaign finance reform
•Congress: F
•President: John McCain
•Religion: Catholic
•Campaign workers: 12
•Need experience to run: Yes
•Salary: $14,724  (listed “Social Security”)
Campaign Web site: http://journals.aol.com/lonerangeralbany/lonerangeralbany
                                                    ***

TU VOTER GUIDE 21 CD PRIMARY

Comparison

- Choose - Tracey Brooks (D) Darius Shahinfar (D) Phillip G. Steck (D) Joseph Sullivan (D) Paul Tonko (D)

- Choose - Tracey Brooks (D) Darius Shahinfar (D) Phillip G. Steck (D) Joseph Sullivan (D) Paul Tonko (D)

1. Biographical Information
   Web Site: http://journals.aol.com/loneran...

   Email: Lonerangeralbany@aol.com

   Marital Status: Married. Wife: Margaret.

   Family: 4 adult children. 5 grandchildren

   City/Town: Albany

   Birthplace: USA

   Experience: 40+ years experience including college/university Geography teaching, local and state political participation, local coordinator for presidential campaigns of Ted Kennedy and Jerry Brown.

   Community Involvement: President, Buckingham Pond/Crestwood Neighborhood Association, 1985 to present. Leadership in maintaining/improving neighborhood residential integrity and life quality including defeat of a big box store proposal for Krum Kill Rd at New Scotland Ave, defeat of a luxury housing proposal for Albany Municipal golf course, creation of Buckingham Pond Park, and setting aside a number of number of neighborhood green spaces and the Hartman Rd community garden site.

    
2. What, if anything, should the legislative branch do to change the course of the U.S. involvement in Iraq?
   Joseph Sullivan: Recognize that so long as imported oil is the lifeblood of our economy and way of life, the U.S. must maintain a military, naval and air presence in world oil producing regions. We owe it to our brave fallen and wounded military personnel, to prevail. The U.S. cannot abandon the people of Iraq, Afghanistan and Israel to Iran, Al Qaida, the Taliban and Hezbollah. Iran must be brought to heel. Stop supplying weapons and training that is resulting in U S military deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan. Iran must not be permitted to acquire nuclear weapons because Iran has sworn to destroy Israel and the U S. We can not allow Iran to strike first.

   Pakistan must cooperate with the U S to deprive the Taliban of a sanctuary in the NW Territory of Pakistan.

   Our priority should be training Iraqis and Afghans to secure, defend and stabilize their countries and be our allies in the War in Terror and prevent the takeover of Middle East oil by Iran or other hostile foreign powers.

    
3. What can the government do to alleviate the rising cost of health care while making care available to the millions of Americans who are uninsured?
   Joseph Sullivan: Homeland Security and Emergency/Disaster preparedness are top priorities. If we are not safe none of the other issues will matter. Government can't save us, we must prepare to save ourselves.

   Contrary to the other 4 Democrats in the 21st Congressional District, September 9 Primary, I do not support HR676 which would extend medicare to cover all Americans, or any similar proposal for establishment of a single payor system of universal health care, because existing choices in medical care would be eliminated, because huge tax increases would be required, and because those huge tax increases would fall most heavily on an already overburdened middle class.

   One might ask, why not extend the far better medicaid program, to all Americans? The answer is taxpayers can not afford to.

   Americans, including the poor, have to assume more personal responsibility for their own health and health care. This includes healthy diets and lifestyles; becoming better informed medically.

    
4. What specific proposals would you support to lessen the nation's dependence on foreign oil?
   Joseph Sullivan: In the short run, reduce fuel taxes, promote conservation, require auto manufacturers to produce vehicles that get 50 mpg or better, now; keep our strategic oil reserves full and drill for oil wherever it is to found, including offshore and the Arctic, provided it is done in a way to minimize adverse environmental impacts.

   Corn to produce ethanol has must end ,because this is the cause of increased prices American consumers are paying at grocery stores. Farm land must not be depleted to fuel our vehicles. Farm land is to be conserved for food production for domestic and export markets.

   For the long haul, we must develop alternative energy sources and adapt our way of life to survive in a world where oil will be scarce and expensive. Use our vast coal reserves and develop other energy forms including, solar, water and wind power.Rebuild railroad, canal waterway and port infrastructure to move freight, cargo and passengers. Renew the Erie Canal/Hudson River waterway.

    
5. What can be done in Congress to benefit the economy of upstate New York?
   Joseph Sullivan: As Member Congress from the 21st District, I will provide leadership promoting adaptation to a world where oil is scarce and expensive. Renewal of the Erie Canal/Hudson River waterway to move freight and passengers.Railroad expansion, including light rail to link cities with suburbs and rural areas.

   Scrap plans to dredge Hudson River PCB's. Reallocate the money to improve the aging water/sewer infrastructure of Albany, Cohoes, Watervliet, Toy, Rensselaer, Waterford, Schenectady, Amsterdam, Johnstown-Gloversville, Canajoharie, Ft Plain and other 21st District communities.

   Redevelop the Watervliet Arsenal as a major weapons manufacturing facility. End outsourcing weapons manufacturing to our enemies overseas.

   Promote expansion of local agriculture and food processing plants to provide food for the local and domestic markets, as well as for export, to help correct our balance of trade.

    
6. Do you support passage of a federal shield law for journalists?
   Joseph Sullivan: No. The First Amendment suffices. A law that defines and protects journalists as a special class, above and beyond the protections afforded all citizens, is not in the best interests of freedom of the press and free speech.

   Journalist and the media have become mouthpieces for politicians and political parties. Enactment of a federal shield law would only make this situation worse.

   Furthermore, we are a nation in grave danger from within and without. National security and survival of America must take precedence over special treatment of journalists, in particular those who are blinded to the dangers we face because of progressive (leftist) politically correct mindsets.

   The media should be leading the way toward campaign reform by (1) publicizing candidate web sites and (2) providing candidates equal time/space to present their positions on priority issues. Questionnaires like this are ok. Candidate comparative issue position charts based on web sites would be better.

SPOTLIGHT NEWSPAPERS 21 CD PRIMARY VOTER GUIDE

 

SPOTLIGHT NEWSPAPERS , SEPT 3, 2008 EDITION  21st  CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT VOTERS

GUIDE IS A MUST READ FOR DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE

IN THE SEPTEMBER 9, 2008 PRIMARIES. CLICK  ON LINK AT BOTTOM OF THIS MESSAGE.

 

THE 21st CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IS RATED BY CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY AS A SAFE

DEMOCRATIC SEAT...MEANING WHOMEVER WINS THE SEPTEMBER 9 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

WILL BE THE NEXT REPRESENATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE 21st DISTRICT.

 

CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY ALSO RATES THE 21st DISTRICT DEMOCRATS AS CONSERVATIVE.

 

THE CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATS TEND NOT  TO VOTE  IN PRIMARIES BECAUSE THEY RARELY HAVE A CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE TO VOTE FOR. THIS TIME THEY DO!

 

JOSEPH P SULLIVAN, A U S NAVY VETERAN, LIKE SAM STRATTON, AND JOHN MCCAIN.

 

THERE 65,000 VETERANS IN THE 21st CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT ( ADD TO THAT THEIR FAMILIES).

 

THE VETS HOLD THE BALANCE OF POWER IN THIS CONTEST.  WILL THEY VOTE FOR THE ONLY

VETERAN  AMONG THE 7 CANDIDATES.....JOSEPH P SULLIVAN  DEMOCRAT?]

 

SPOTLIGHT VOTERS GUIDE, 21st CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

 

        http://www.spotlightnews.com/spotlightnews/article.php?article_id=tL1220469796t48bee424445d3

TU SEPEMBER 9 PRIMARY VOTERS GUIDE

 

Excellent! Compare candidates on selected issues  

September 9 Democratic Primary:

 

                           http://www.thevoterguide.org/a-albany/  

TU Letter To Editor

print story    back

All candidates deserve equal media coverage   First published: Monday, September 1, 2008 In her recent column "Equal coverage doesn't make sense," Charlotte Grimes outlines the subjective process whereby journalists decide the amount of coverage given to campaigns and individual candidates. Grimes arrogantly declares "journalists cannot — and should not — give equal coverage to all candidates." To the contrary, all candidates who have qualified for the ballot, and who have a message, deserve equal media coverage. With regard to the print media, that coverage need not consist of more than publishing the Web site addresses of the candidates and, for the benefit ofthose voters who do not have computer access, publishing a simple chart that compares the candidates' positions on issues central to their campaigns. The Democratic primary for the 21st Congressional District is an unusual five-way contest, where there is no incumbent. It deserves closer media scrutiny and coverage. This will result in a larger primary turnout of better-informed voters. Campaign reform can be achieved by candidates taking clear positions on issues, by the media reporting where the candidates stand, and by the voters making the effort to become more fully involved before they vote in the Sept. 9 primary. Joseph P. Sullivan Albany The writer is a candidate in the Democratic primary in the 21st Congressional District.

TU ARTICLE 21st Congressional District

Read Times Union 9/1/08 article re: candidates 21st Congressional District:
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=716755&TextPage=2

RADIO INTERVIEWS 21st Congressional District Candidates

Subj: WVTL candidate interviews on Gazette Web site  Date: 8/29/2008 2:10:17 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time From: bobcudmore@yahoo.com To: bobcudmore@yahoo.com Sent from the Internet (Details)

 

WVTL Congressional candidate interviews online at www.dailygazette.com  <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> AM 1570 WVTL (www.1570wvtl.com ) interviews with all seven candidates for Congress in the 21st district are now online on the Web site of the Daily Gazette newspaper.   The individual ten-minute phone interviews done by WVTL morning host and Daily Gazette history columnist Bob Cudmore can be accessed at—   http://www.dailygazette.com/weblogs/bcudmore/2008/aug/29/congressional-candidate-interviews/   There is a five-way race in the Democratic primary and a two-way race in the Republican primary.  The primary election is Tuesday, September 9.   The Democratic candidates are Tracey Brooks, Darius Shahinfar, Phil Steck, Joe Sullivan and Paul Tonko.   The Republican candidates are  Jim Buhrmaster and Steve Vasquez.   The Congressional seat is being vacated by incumbent Democrat Mike McNulty of Green Island.  WVTL is based in Amsterdam and is part of the Roser Communications Network. The Bob Cudmore Show, 6-9 a.m. weekdays AM 1570, WVTL, Amsterdam, N.Y.  www.1570wvtl.com Focus on Mohawk Valley History Blog http://www.dailygazette.com/weblogs/bcudmore/ 518 346-6657