Many will ‘cringe’ Election Day
JAMESTOWN – If you think the presidential primaries and campaign have been over-the-top in terms of nastiness for the last 10 months, you probably have not seen anything yet.
As Republicans start to rally around Donald Trump, Democratic support for Hillary Clinton seems to be, at best, mixed. Sanders’ supporters remain outspoken – and lead some to wonder if the Democrats will be united.
Third-party candidates, such as Ralph Nader in 2000, Ross Perot in 1992 and John Anderson in 1980 have been known to throw a wrench into the election process come November. Though it is nice to see another option, the odds are against that candidate capturing any of the Electoral College.
Their biggest role is usually as spoiler – taking votes away from one of the other candidates.
Last week during the annual Conservative Party dinner, which was held at LaScala Restaurant, there was an array of elected officials from the area as well as candidates in attendance. Sheriff Joseph Gerace and Acting District Attorney Patrick Swanson were there as well as a number of current county legislators.
You have to give some credit to the county Conservative Party. About six years ago, they were part of the charge for a downsized County Legislature from 25 members to 19. Doing so alienated many of those it had endorsed previously, including James Caflisch, Larry Barmore, Fred Croscut and Doug Richmond.
Amazingly then, it was the county Republicans – you know, the group that bemoans big government – that were the fierce opponents of less representation. Even then and current Legislator Ron Lemon, who offered the invocation and benediction at the event, was a part of the anti-downsizing movement.
Of course, these legislators were thinking with their wallets – and not of what their constituents wanted. When the public was finally presented with the referendum, 87 percent of the voters backed fewer legislators.
Since that vote, all has been amicable in Mayville – for the most part.
On the national scene, however, harmony seems to be growing farther apart. Last year at the White Inn in Fredonia, there were many more Democrats at the event due to the high number of local races. Dunkirk had a mayoral contest – and many county legislators were facing competition.
This year, however, the focus is on the top spot in the United States. Being a Conservative dinner, unity was not a message that would have been bipartisanly embraced.
Shaun Marie, executive director of the Conservative Party of New York State, admitted it’s tough to embrace the Republicans’ candidate.
“I was not a Donald Trump supporter,” she said. “Even now I cringe when I hear certain things not worth repeating. But he has won me over because I understand he does admire and love America … the pre-Obama America as much as each of you do.”
Marie also noted that New York is a key battleground state since both candidates own property here. In the big picture, however, the right faces an uphill battle.
“Many are impressed that Trump received 60 percent of New York’s Republican presidential vote,” she said. “It was impressive. But Hillary received 57 percent of the vote. Just by reading those headlines you would think Trump carried New York. … Trump’s 60 percent equals 554,771 votes. Hillary’s 57 percent equals 1,113,980. She won New York by a landslide.”
Many residents claim – even in the local elections – they vote for who they believe is the lesser of two evils. That, for far too many, is the biggest problem. Unless you’re going off script – or just ignoring it altogether – you will be likely voting for an evil.
John D’Agostino is the OBSERVER publisher. Send comments to editorial@observertoday.com or call 366-3000 ext. 401.
Many will ‘cringe’ Election Day
JAMESTOWN – If you think the presidential primaries and campaign have been over-the-top in terms of nastiness for the last 10 months, you probably have not seen anything yet.
As Republicans start to rally around Donald Trump, Democratic support for Hillary Clinton seems to be, at best, mixed. Sanders’ supporters remain outspoken – and lead some to wonder if the Democrats will be united.
Third-party candidates, such as Ralph Nader in 2000, Ross Perot in 1992 and John Anderson in 1980 have been known to throw a wrench into the election process come November. Though it is nice to see another option, the odds are against that candidate capturing any of the Electoral College.
Their biggest role is usually as spoiler – taking votes away from one of the other candidates.
Last week during the annual Conservative Party dinner, which was held at LaScala Restaurant, there was an array of elected officials from the area as well as candidates in attendance. Sheriff Joseph Gerace and Acting District Attorney Patrick Swanson were there as well as a number of current county legislators.
You have to give some credit to the county Conservative Party. About six years ago, they were part of the charge for a downsized County Legislature from 25 members to 19. Doing so alienated many of those it had endorsed previously, including James Caflisch, Larry Barmore, Fred Croscut and Doug Richmond.
Amazingly then, it was the county Republicans – you know, the group that bemoans big government – that were the fierce opponents of less representation. Even then and current Legislator Ron Lemon, who offered the invocation and benediction at the event, was a part of the anti-downsizing movement.
Of course, these legislators were thinking with their wallets – and not of what their constituents wanted. When the public was finally presented with the referendum, 87 percent of the voters backed fewer legislators.
Since that vote, all has been amicable in Mayville – for the most part.
On the national scene, however, harmony seems to be growing farther apart. Last year at the White Inn in Fredonia, there were many more Democrats at the event due to the high number of local races. Dunkirk had a mayoral contest – and many county legislators were facing competition.
This year, however, the focus is on the top spot in the United States. Being a Conservative dinner, unity was not a message that would have been bipartisanly embraced.
Shaun Marie, executive director of the Conservative Party of New York State, admitted it’s tough to embrace the Republicans’ candidate.
“I was not a Donald Trump supporter,” she said. “Even now I cringe when I hear certain things not worth repeating. But he has won me over because I understand he does admire and love America … the pre-Obama America as much as each of you do.”
Marie also noted that New York is a key battleground state since both candidates own property here. In the big picture, however, the right faces an uphill battle.
“Many are impressed that Trump received 60 percent of New York’s Republican presidential vote,” she said. “It was impressive. But Hillary received 57 percent of the vote. Just by reading those headlines you would think Trump carried New York. … Trump’s 60 percent equals 554,771 votes. Hillary’s 57 percent equals 1,113,980. She won New York by a landslide.”
Many residents claim – even in the local elections – they vote for who they believe is the lesser of two evils. That, for far too many, is the biggest problem. Unless you’re going off script – or just ignoring it altogether – you will be likely voting for an evil.
John D’Agostino is the OBSERVER publisher. Send comments to editorial@observertoday.com or call 366-3000 ext. 401.
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