Palin Power and New York’s 23rd District.
[This article is cross-posted at The Huffington Post. Read it HERE]
After the McCain Palin ticket went down in a ball of flames last year, there was a strange period of time when we didn’t quite know what to do. Palin lost. She was back in Alaska, slogging through the dull days as governor, attempting unsuccessfully to deal with the local fallout of a campaign that had left carnage in its wake, and trying to play nice with people who weeks before had been unceremoniously thrown under the bus. What were her plans? She certainly didn’t heed the conventional wisdom that said if she had any kind of serious intent to launch a presidential run in 2012, she should go back to Alaska, be a good governor, and basically spend every waking moment trying to learn about the government, and what makes it run.
And then, of course, came the Friday afternoon before the Fourth of July weekend, when she stood on the shores of Lake Lucille, called the Alaska media to her home 45 minutes north of Anchorage, and proclaimed before God, country and a raft of honking waterfowl that she was quitting. Two weeks notice. And that, as they say, was that.
It was at this point that the muttering began. “Why are you still talking about Sarah Palin?” Sometimes the muttering came from the right, and was usually accompanied by “Why can’t you just leave her alone?” Sometimes the muttering came from the left, and was usually accompanied by, “If I have to hear that woman’s name one more time I’m going to shove a fork in my temple.” Still others started talking about “Palin-obsessed bloggers.” There had to be something wrong with someone who kept shining the light on the now ex-almost-one-term governor. The Palin era was over. Just move along. Nothing to see here.
It was obvious, and backed up by her sagging approval ratings both in the state and in the nation as a whole, that we were not going to have a President Palin. She was a divisive mayor, a divisive governor and a divisive VP candidate. Divisive doesn’t win.
But long ago, some words of wisdom were spoken in Alaska “Underestimate Sarah Palin at your peril.” Karl Rove has proven over and over that you don’t have to hold elected office to affect policy. George W. Bush has proven over and over that you don’t actually have to understand anything to be able to stand in front of a podium and speak. And Sarah Palin has proven over and over that a pair of high heels, a wink, and a dynamite performance is enough for many people.
So why does everyone keep talking about Sarah Palin? May I draw your attention to Exhibit A, New York’s Congressional district 23. Moderate Dem Owens vs. Moderate Republican Scozzafava vs. the “Conservative” candidate Hoffman. This unlikely district, that has voted Republican since the Civil War Era, was all set to support the party-backed Republican candidate. Then a couple well-known conservatives started supporting Hoffman, and then… the long bony finger of Sarah Palin pointed East and declared Hoffman the chosen one. Tens of thousands in campaign contributions started pouring in, and ultimately Scozzafava withdrew from the race with an ambiguously worded statement, realizing that all the attention from Palin (and Pawlenty & Co. who were falling all over themselves to jump on her coattails) would make a win difficult. Dede Scozzafava got ground up in the gears of the Palin machine.
After Scozzafava pulled out, Palin spoke through her Facebook page (which we have come to think of as the Great and Powerful Oz), bestowing her gratitude.
“I want to personally thank Republican Dede Scozzafava for acting so selflessly today in the NY District 23 race. Now it’s time to cross the finish line with Doug Hoffman so that he can get to work for District 23 and the rest of America.”
We still don’t know who’s behind the curtain, but they seem pretty full of themselves lately.
And here’s where it starts to get really interesting. It’s like in those movie scenes where our hero lies, seemingly dispatched by the hideous beast, but manages somehow to spring to life as the attacker turns away, and clobber the thing in the back of the head. BLAM. The movie audience cheers.
Sarah Palin, was undoubtedly feeling like quite the King Maker. Taking the Saxby Chambliss meme one step further, she is beginning to believe that all she has to do is speak and tap a candidate on the head with her magic money-wand and >POOF!< they are instantly transported to the nation’s capital. But then…. BLAM. Dede Scozzafava has endorsed….wait for it…. the Democrat. Ouch.
And with her support went the endorsement of the Watertown Daily Times:
Mr. Hoffman is running as an ideologue. If he carries out his pledges on earmarks, taxation, labor law reform and other inflexible positions, Northern New York will suffer. This rural district depends on the federal government for an investment in Fort Drum and its soldiers, environmental protection of our international waterway and the Adirondack Park, and the livelihood of all our dairy farmers across the district, among other support. Our representative cannot be locked into rigid promises and policies that would jeopardize these critical sectors of our economy.
This unlikely little district is a microcosm of the national Republican dynamic of self destruction. Newt Gingrich, taking the role of the voice of inclusion and moderation vs. Sarah Palin, the voice of a narrow ideological base that doesn’t care a whit about long range outcomes. “If I die, I die,” is a favorite Bible quote of Palin’s that she has used on more than one occasion. And to Palin and her ilk, if the GOP dies, it dies. It may be the chaff that is burned off in the crucible as the conservative ideals are purified over the fire.
And while the Republican Party struggles and thrashes and fights for its very life, there are a bunch of Democrats out there just munching the popcorn.
The election is Tuesday. Will the moderate Republicans only be able to win back their district from the Teabaggers by electing a Democrat for the first time since the mid-19th century? These are strange times indeed.
But, whatever the outcome, the Republicans lose. If Owens the Democrat wins, there is no “King Maker” meme with which to flood the media. The Palinite wing of the Republican party has botched it. They have lost a fight, and it’s time to go back to their corner with a big raw steak on their eye.
If the Conservative Hoffman wins, then just sit back and watch the madness. The corks will pop and Palin will get sloppy drunk on her own power. She might even really listen to those little voices whispering in her ear, telling her to make a third party run for the presidency. She will buy into her own spin, and that will be the beginning of the end. Teabaggers Gone Wild will be the entertainment du jour, and this very vocal 20% of the country is going to insert itself into races everywhere, until they awaken the sleeping giant that is….everyone else. The apathetic 80% will not stay apathetic forever, and districts like New York’s 23rd are none too keen on having whack job ideologues taking over their representation in DC, putting fringe wedge issues ahead of things like jobs, and local economy.
Gingrich rightly states that the party’s biggest problem is the fact that moderates, independents, and minorities are leaving in droves. A bully takeover that runs a moderate Republican out on the rails, illustrates and compounds this very problem.
The GOP does not need to fear the Democrats. Their ultimate destruction will come from within. The end will come not with a bang, but with a wink. Even if it is only the mobilization of the conservative ideologues that will ultimately take down the Republican Party, never doubt that Sarah Palin has power.
Yay to the Watertown Daily Times for being realistic instead of political or ideological. And Yay for Ms. Scozzafava for the same. But I wouldn’t mind a 3 way presidential race. Why not force the Repugs to choose and ultimately to split. It will only strengthen President Obama and the Dems.
thanks for the artivcle! awesome! I hope Palin sits with steak on her eye!
Good column and analysis of the race.
I have made a promise that besides Mudflats & Imm Min, I will NOT click on anything that has Palin in it (on Huff Post, newspapers, Politico, other news sites, etc.) I figure every time I click and read it makes Palin “count.” If we weren’t clicking, the media wouldn’t keep writing. So, for the most part, I am choosing to ignore anything S’arah.
But I will buy Playgirl (for the 1st time in my life) to support anti-Palin (aka Levi).
Sarah who?
You are so talented AKM! This article should definitely go over to HuffPo.
Love the, “…Democrats out there just munching the popcorn.”
Pure genius!
Thanks! I just put it up there. AKM
Palin, Beck, the Minutemen, Dick Armey & Robert Stacey McCain.
All supporting Hoffman in NY-23.
Nothing more to add.
Great analysis.
According to rumors Dede Scozzafava is about to change parties. Do keep it up wingnutz! The purity test will set you free!
“A Republican loss in the 23rdwould leave the party with just two seats in the 29-member state congressional delegation.”
Hehehehehehehe.
According to rumors Dede Scozzafava is about to change parties.
How fun is THAT?
If the conservative wins, the moderate (e.g. sane) Republicans should boycot by all turning D. That would be SO funny.
Thanks Muddy, I needed that!! Now that Palin’s principals are exposed, let’s see who falls on their sword first trying to follow them to to a shallow grave ….teehee…..
It just amazes me how a whole gaggle of folks can have their IQ’s drop that much in such a short period of time – days….maybe even hours !!! Astounding….
The election in NY’s 23rd makes me shake in my boots. How will the people vote? Will they vote? And of those who do, who will they be? The very idea of SP having influence at all just is so very frightening. Everyone, I ask: what if she does? what if we have not only underestimated her but overestimated everyone else?
Based on one of the stories I saw over the weekend, Hoffman really is Palin without a skirt and the Red Monkey Pumps.
He won’t do interviews… because he doesn’t live there and has ‘ NO idea ‘ what the issues are and can’t speak intelligently to them. ( sound familiar?)
I think it was Saturday that there was an appearance where he ‘ whined ‘ that he should have been given the questions beforehand… George Bush Press Conference style I guess.
I suppose this way the Staff cough… cough..( Facebook Ghostwriters ) could write down the answers beforehand so he could answer them. Otherwise… he would have NO idea how to come up with the correct answers. No more of that Katie Couric ‘ Gotcha questions’.
The ironic thing was that they had accommodated Him with the questions in that mornings Editorial page column. If ONLY He or someone of his Staff knew how to read… Da**! { Snidley Whiplash.. Rats!!… foiled again }
Have you noticed that Boehner has this ‘ reading problem ‘ as well. He complains a LOT about reading these Bills. He doesn’t know what’s in there. And His GOP ‘ talking point ‘ rebuttal over the weekend to what the GOP would like to see in the Health care reform Bill as the GOP’s Plan… it’s already in there. If ONLY if he knew how to READ.
Maybe the DNC or Al Franken ( or Jon Stewart ..?) as a response should buy Boehner one of those Speed Reading Courses to get him up to speed.
“Hoffman Boards Bus of Crazy Clearly and Transparently in Broad Daylight”!
Hoffman really stepped in it – nothing is going to get rid of that Palin crap stuck to the bottom of his shoe…nothing ever.
It was all fun and games until they hit that Palin brick wall. Oops.
The most significant truth you’ve nailed:
“She will buy into her own spin, and that will be the beginning of the end. Teabaggers Gone Wild will be the entertainment du jour, and this very vocal 20% of the country is going to insert itself into races everywhere, until they awaken the sleeping giant that is….everyone else. The apathetic 80% will not stay apathetic forever…”
Is it just beginning to dawn on that apathetic 80% that Palin is simply dangerous? You faithful Alaskan bloggers have served well to keep pointing it out. Decency is quiet; hatred is loud and being heard and reported. Alarm has to be sounding finally in the quiet decent minds that believe America can’t really be threatened by ideologues. GW Bush was the first hint it could happen. Now we’re in a full blown war, and we’d better pay attention and get smart fast.
This is a time for moderates to become more active in the Republican party, not change to Democratic. The conservatives are trying to disrupt the GOP. We need two strong parties in this country.
Splendiferous post AKM.
“If I have to hear that woman’s name one more time I’m going to shove a fork in my temple.”
Bwa ha ha!
I do have a question: how can Hoffman run, but doesn’t live in the district? That’s not allowed in Colorado; you have to reside in the district you want to represent.
Even the conservative breakoff (CONS) party are in for a wake-up call if they put their trust in Sarah. Eventually, she will throw them under the bus when a better deal comes her way. She has no allegiances, maybe she is doing all this for the pure enjoyment of wrecking someone’s district, laughing while they try to pick up the pieces.
I have a deep sense that all this divisiveness she brings has nothing to do with money, or power, or a shadow “Murdock” driving her, but has to do with her extreme grudge towards the Republican Party. This could very well be just a vendetta against the Republican machine that humiliated her.
Now Sarah has done a robocall in Virginia, asking people to vote for her principles.
McDonnell, the Rep candidate for Gov. did not request her help, and doesn’t need it as he is well ahead in the polls. And she didn’t mention his name in the call.
But will McDonnell appreciate or resent Sarah’s unwanted intrusion into his state and his campaign? I assume he has some pride? And if he wins she will have earned nothing from him.
Same with Dede and her supporters and backers, and all other Republicans like them. Sarah the back stabber strikes a fatal blow and then thanks Dede and her supporters for dying on Sarah’s alter? Not a good way to win friends.
For every bridge Sarah builds she burns one or two behind her.
Let’s hope she chooses that bridge to nowhere really soon. The one from which there is no political return.
I think that with Sarah’s intrusions in local and state level election, and the RepoCons willingness to allow it, we can officially say that the Republican party has progressed from the party of No to the party of Nihilism.
If Hoffman does take NY23 (and I’ll be paying BIG attention tomorrow, even though I’m way downstate), can we start referring to the wingnuts’ jumping through hoops and salivating as the PalRoveian Reflex? All they have to do is hear that ear-grinding voice and see that wink . . . ding!
I’m betting on Owens, though . . .
Rocky_Rocky~
My question to you is: “Why are you quaking in your boots?”
Get over to Huff Po and comment on this post.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/akmuckraker/palin-power-and-new-yorks_b_342506.html
I am the only one so far.
Hoffman couldnt even answer any of the locally relevant questions printed in same paper…..This is the beginning of the religious revolution. The candidates must now pass the evangalical litmus test.
12 honestyinGov Says:
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Based on one of the stories I saw over the weekend, Hoffman really is Palin without a skirt and the Red Monkey Pumps.
He won’t do interviews… because he doesn’t live there and has ‘ NO idea ‘ what the issues are and can’t speak intelligently to them. ( sound familiar?)
_________________
makes me really wonder why people would vote for him…it doesn’t seem like he gives a hoot about the district…..just amazing!!
Hoffman opposes an earmark for a military post in the district, which if withdrawn will put many people out of work. I wonder if the voters of NY 23 will vote their own interests or jump on the wingnut bus.
From what I have read from New Yorkers is you only have to be a resident of the State to run in any district.
Many pundits are saying either way the repubs lose, but I prefer an actual loss on Tuesday. It would make for more interesting headlines.
Well, well, well written.
My wife and I were discussing this very thing last week, and my comment to her was, “These people are too vapid and ignorant to get the irony – or even see it. The very thing the Repuglicans (no, that is not a typo) need is to flush out the nutcases like Sarah Palin. She doesn’t even realize it, but she is giving the Party a giant enema; unfortunately (or fortunately) she does NOT realize that is she – and those of her ilk – who will be flushed.”
I’m pretty disgusted with the Republicans right now, but I hope they survive – if just to provide a restraining influence on the opposition – always a good thing.
Popcorn time. I swear this is just to exciting. Go Owens ! What time do you all think we will know the outcome tomorrow ?
NY 23 is a GOP area and has been since the midle 1800′s.
The ONLY reason Owens has a chance is the GOP disarray.
It is sad though that in a depressed area with no industry, just Fort Drum, are taken in by someone who doesn’t know anything about the district. There may be no gay marriages in NY23 (wait, he has nothing to do with any social issues like this as a Representative) but they won’t be able to afford healthcare. Good going GOPers.
The whole world has got to be laughing at us. I mean, c,mon! Anybody with half a brain has to know that, someone out there has the goods to stop her dead in her tracks, and I surely hope it’s the IRS. A picture of her in an orange jumpsuit excites the heck outta me too also.
7 SameOld Says:
According to rumors Dede Scozzafava is about to change parties. Do keep it up wingnutz! The purity test will set you free!
The problem with the moderate Repugs moving to the Democratic party is that they shift the balance toward the right.
It’s been hard enough to get any kind of health care looked at seriously, environmental legislation is going nowhere, and we have added another war.
Right is not the direction we need to go.
Shifting the RepoCon/Xian battle for control to become a RepoCon/Dim battle for control doesn’t sound so good.
Just think of a lot more Liebermans and Blue Dogs being in the Dim Party.
The Politicos of both parties like to count coup on each other and get their ego kick like a bunch of drunk frat boys. They forget that there is a whole country that is not really interested in or impressed by their games. We want them to earn the right to represent us by working their butts off.
And lest we forget this little tidbit.
Scozzafava endorsed the Democrat Owens.
I so hope all of her supporters take her endorsement to heart, join their moderate Democratic brethren and vote for Owens.
This is from a TPM article:
On Facebook today, Palin seemed eager to step into the ring again with the man she battled for the vice-presidency last year. From her post:
There’s one way to tell Vice President Biden that we’re tired of folks in Washington distorting our message and hampering our nation’s progress: Hoffman, Baby, Hoffman!
She is pure acid turning stomach bile….
and so is the person who is her ghost writer!
Did she really post that?
Of course, he had a laugh at her today. She is responding. I’ll try and find the link.
Re#17: According to an emailer to Andrew Sullivan, Hoffman used to live in the district until it was gerrymandered with the last redistricting. He has reportedly said that he will move to within the district, a distance of about 10 miles, should he win.
Found it.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/11/biden-and-palin-battle-each-other-in-ny-23.php
Oh great, now in addition to being a know nothing, high school mean girl shrew we can add a meddling b*tch. I’m sure rural upstate NY is very similar to
western NY. And I can tell you my ultra conservative, rural western ny inlaws
are very attuned to local politics and wouldn’t welcome any interlopers. They’re po’d about the amish coming into their area and buying land, they resented hillary running for senator. As hard core republican/conservative as my syracuse u educated sis-in-law is she was hard pressed to come up with a whole lot of good to say about winky. Everything that twit touches turns to poop.
Marnie, the party switch for Scozzafava is about local NY politics. She is in contact apparently with the state party about her future. Obviously her future isn’t with the Repubs. They threw her under the bus.
Much as I don’t like the Blue Dogs, they are part of the party and have to deal their own issues (like the inability to raise a lot of cash). They aren’t about to become Repubs again because they can’t pass the purity test. To win those second elections I think many will have to think about the cost of being stupid.
She IS acid. Good comparison.
The fact that these people (conservatives) would follow the advise of a quitter is quite telling.
I love the Oz reference regarding Palin. Who is that man behind the curtain? We sure know that it’s not Palin.
It’s some man pulling her strings. Murdock? Kristol? Rove?
I have the exact same sinking feeling with this race as I did watching America re-elect Bush. And this scenario playing out in New York will be reenacted right here in Fairbanks tomorrow for the mayoral runoff: what should be a clear, rational choice is now completely up for grabs. It shouldn’t even be anywhere near this close, but unfortunately it is. And the ten-percent registered voter turn-out will be so pathetic, part of me thinks we deserve every nutcase we get. Short of tying people’s dividend checks with voting stubs and reinstituting the draft, “citizens” just won’t care enough to pay any attention, and apathy will be the only winner.
I spent a month this past summer visiting family all across the Western and Upstate New York region, and as soon as anybody found out I was from Alaska I had to deal with fans of Sarah Palin. All I could ever say in response was how happy I was with her resignation that she’s THEIR problem now. Sad to say, they absolutely love her down there – and sadder still, my prediction has now come true.
Hubby was thoroughly disgusted by Palin by the time the election was over last year, and kept saying that we’d all be saying “Sarah who?” soon. Well, I saw something more sinister in her then and AKM, you have shown us all the details of just how menacing she is to the political stage. Thank you for that.
I think you’ve nailed it when you said that she will buy into her own spin. She doesn’t know the difference between reality and fantasy. How long is it going to take some of the wingnuts to figure out that she’s just plain nuts – and dangerous for our country.
About New York, I’m amazed that someone who lives outside a district can run there. The first thing I do when I look at someone running for anything is to see where they live, and if possible, how long they’ve lived in the state or the area, whichever applies. I don’t want someone in office who doesn’t have a connection to the constituents on a personal level.
I hope Owens wins with big numbers. It’s a shame that it has come down to a race between a moderate Dem and a Palin endorsed nutcase. That should never have happened.
I am sure there are some tasty morsels in those Palin emails. Now would be a good time for the public to see them.
Any further discussion about suing the state….or something to put some pressure on them to comply with the law? Can’t some larger organization get involved and sue?
I should qualify that last statement: there were some members of my own family that are lifelong, staunch Republicans, and the addition of Palin to the US presidential ticket caused them to for the first time ever stay home from the polls.
So there is hope.
I think it is very obvious that you don’t have to be elected to office to sway the right. The loudest voices they have are holding NO office- Limbaugh, Beck, Cheney (x2) Armey and Rove. Newt, Hannity and of course, Bumpit Barbie.
Great post! Read it in Huffington, but commenting here at “home.” Glad I got a new batch of popcorn from the boyscout down the street.
Looks like its time for the mudpuppies to go back into action. It appears the stinging defeat suffered by our own Caribou Barbie a year ago is causing all kinds of crazy (some might say schizo type) responses from her. Not able to relive the humiliating defeat of a year ago, she’s back, and in her own special way, spreading disharmony, unhappiness and discord, where ever she goes.
For those of you who think ignoring her is going to make her irrelevant and go away, you are sadly mistaken. It is time for the other 80% of this country, Democrat and Republican alike to take a good look at what kind of politics Palin and her ilk, like Beck, Bachmann, and Limbaugh practice and stand up for what is right. This “genie” needs to be put back in her bottle, and if that’s not possible, she simply needs to be put out of her misery. Let’s hope the end is near, at least for her.
Also too, as a New Yorker, although not in the 23rd District, i really resent the involvement of so many of this type of Republicans in what should be a local race. But you know what they say, all politics is local…
Sarah Palin continues her never-ending story!
She is just a two-bit trollop trying to turn a two-dollar trick. Whether it is political, financial, intellectual (I choke to use that word in conjunction with her), or carnal prostitution.
Skip, she’s taking the bait, VP Biden went to campaign for Owen, he without naming her, lol, gave her what for on reality issues involved, saying it’s more than Drill Baby Drill, she’s smacking back. Fight, fight, fight, lol.
Read what Rush is saying about DeDe, whoa, not so nice……I think he’s gone WAY over the line and deserves a media bashing and owes DeDe an appology! Crude and rude, vulgar jokes that I’m sure Scarah took glee in.
I think it’s supposed to read beastiality (a sex act with an aminal) and “Two” animals in the last sentence.
“We can say she is guilty of widespread bestiality. She has screwed every RINO in the country. Everyone can see just how phony and dangerous they are. 2010 might be a nightmare for PETA. Tow animals may become extinct: RINOs and Blue Dog Democrats.”
Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/02/limbaugh-scozzafava-guilt_n_342535.html
Nope, ignoring Palin will not work. She feeds on drama, in-fighting, rabble rousing high school pettiness. Divisiveness is food for her soul. She loves it and the attention that comes with it.
She should not be a player anywhere after quitting most jobs she has ever had. So…who is SHE to be inserting herself into New York and New Jersey politics?
We must all remain focused on snuffing outher flame. She is not good for the USA.
UPDATE: Now Hoffman, Sarah and Glenn’s candidate has SIGNED Glenn’s plsdge to uphold the 9/12 principles in the way he runs for office and executes if he gets elected. Strange days indeed….
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/02/hoffman-beck-candidate/#comments
Do you think we could help with phone banks? to help get the voters out? anybody know? I’ll devote some hours this evening.
You go, girl! AKM, nobody says it better than you, not any of those HuffPo entrenched “contributers”, none of the progressive/liberal TV pundits — nobody!
Palin = delusion of grandeur. You will notice that she went and endorsed people that are in districts that would have stayed red even without her intervention. That way, she can claim credit if and when they win.
As for Hoffman…let’s face it, 90% of the current Republican party are a bunch of hypocrites. He will say “No! No! No!” to the earmarks now but if/when he is in office, the money will be much too tempting not to take esp when he finds out that he can’t actually run the district without it.
I see her referred to more and more often as “Alaskan blogger, Sarah Palin.”
I wonder if she blogs, pajama-clad, in her parents basement.
The worst thing for the GOP is if Hoffman gets elected. It will embolden Palin, Limbaugh, Beck, et al., and it will make it more likely that they will hemorrhage conservative who think the GOP is just too liberal. While as a Democrat I am amused by the circular firing squad, at some point even liberals benefit by having a real party of loyal opposition.
I hope that whatever emerges from the muck and ooze that is today’s GOP is more inclusive of a real cross section of non-hyperventilating NORMAL people.
How smug will Palin be if Hoffman wins? It will be sickening. Stick pins in your Hoffman dolls.
Yup, just when we get complacent, the world changes it out on us…
A REPUBLICAN candidate endorses a DEMOCRAT. Unheard of. Talk about “reaching across the aisle”. Now there isdemonstrated leadership skills.
There is hope for us.
It’s limbaugh saying things like this — “We can say she is guilty of widespread bestiality. She has screwed every RINO in the country. Everyone can see just how phony and dangerous they are. 2010 might be a nightmare for PETA. Tow animals may become extinct: RINOs and Blue Dog Democrats.” — that give his listeners who are able to figure out how to get onto the Internet “license” to be as nasty as he is.
It goes hand in hand with the permissiveness of producers and studios in California, churning out the most violent, scatological, and/or grossly nauseating “film fare” imaginable. “Let it all hang out”….”it’s what people want”.
This is more outrageous than what Palin did in New York, talk about just running over people!
Palin thinks that SHE’S running in Virginia!
After Palin put her touch of death on the NY race, as the republican she urged to step out of the race is now endorsing the Democrat, now she is interfering in Virginia AND only promoting…herself , of course:
“Virginia, hello, this is Sarah Palin calling to urge you to go to the polls Tuesday and vote for Sarah’s principles,”
the former Alaska governor says in the call, which was provided to CNN by one Democrat who recorded it.
“The eyes of America will be on Virginia and make no mistake about it, every vote counts. So don’t take anything for granted, vote your values on Tuesday, and urge your friends and family to vote, too.”
And in case you are STILL having trouble believing it,
Meg Stapleton, a spokeswoman for Palin, confirmed the authenticity of the calls.
Well there you have it. If Staplemouth says they are real, then by God they are real.
But hey get this, Bob McDonnell, the Republican gubernatorial candidate did not even ASK for Sarah’s help.
As a matter of fact he has been staying away from her because he thinks she might be polarizing.
Sorry Mr. McDonnell, but just because you do not want Sarah Palin’s “help” does not mean you don’t GET Sarah Palin’s help.
And did you notice that the calls don’t even mention McDonnell’s name? Make no mistake, this is all about Sarah, and “Sarah’s principles”.
http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/
From the “Too Much, Too Late” file is the following. I’ll try to find places to post it that people will read it before tomorrow, but .. well, too much, too late.
Hopefully my words will serve at a later time.
As alway Mudpups, feel free to paraphrase, steal, copy & paste.
* ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** *
For all you in NY-23 who will lose your jobs next year, or the year after that, or the year after that, because Hoffman sticks to his conservative principals and doesn’t vote to ‘grow government’ (i.e., bring money into your district), I hope you are also ready to weather the double whammy this guy will slap on you in the form of also derailing decent health insurance reform with a viable public option (viable meaning one not so constrained that you might not qualify for it, making the moniker ‘public’ kind of ironic)
See, here’s how it works: Doug Hoffman goes to Washington. He sees evil spending bills all around. He votes no. District 23 in New York gets less money. Jobs are lost.
Now you’ve lost your job and because in America, health insurance is tied to jobs, you also have lost your health insurance.
So, you’ve got no job. But you’re a maverick, you are. You start a small home business and you buck the odds, your business makes money, you’re able to provide income for you family … and it’s just enough that you and your family do not qualify for Medicade. You’re just not poor enough.
But here’s the kicker: Doug Hoffman also worked tirelessly to derail the Public Option for health care. He just voted no, and no and no.
Pity your wife has diabetes because, guess what? Pre-existing condition! The amount of money you will have to pay for health insurance (to include her, I mean, you could always exclude her ….) would be more than you could afford, even if you hadn’t lost your job!
(Even without a pre-existing condition, do you people know how much you would have to pay out of pocket for the insurance you have now, if your employer was not subsidizing part of the cost of it?)
Your representative could have voted for a way for you and your family to be able to get affordable health care, but you told him “Oh no you don’t! Don’t you go voting for that socialized health care!”.
I’m here to suggest maybe, just maybe, everyone should be thinking beyond their own current circumstances, and think about the ‘what could be’ and the reality that it already is for others. My story above is not a crazed fabrication. Things like it have and will continue to occur unless we make a real reform in the health care practices of this country. I just find it sad to see people arguing, nay, YELLING at the top of their lungs how much they don’t want ‘socialized medicine’, when, if they were the ones to lose their jobs and their health care under the current system, they’d be yelling just as loudly at the same government to do something about their situation, and would criticize said same government for “not taking care of this before it became a crisis”‘
Well, this should not come as a shock to anyone, but the crisis is now, and now is “before”.
The longer we wait to pass health insurance reform the more suffering there will be. Will the bill be perfect? No. Will it ever be perfect? No. Will I not like some stuff in it? Yes. But every vote of “No” on the floor of the senate and house, if a bill does not pass soon, will ring as a hollow echo in the minds and hearts of those families that will lose their health coverage through no fault of their own in the coming year or years. And it certainly will not mollify the hundreds of thousands of current and new American workers who, statistically speaking, are just as likely to become part-time, free-lance, or ‘work-for-hire’ employees (adjunct instructors at community colleges, for example) who cannot receive employee benefits such as insurance (in many cases, they cannot even buy into them at the full-freight rate), but who make too much money for Medicade, but not enough money to afford that full-freight insurance rate, even if it were an option.
That’s what and who the public option is for, and why it’s needed. It is to everyone’s benefit that all the current working and non-working American citizens without health insurance be able to get insurance, that families do not have to go into bankruptcy just because someone in their family got a terrible disease or was in a horrific accident.
If we are not going to dismantle the system of employer-provided health care for something like a single-payer system, then a Public Option must be made available if there is going to be any sort of meaningful reform in this country.
There’s 18% undecided now in the NY election, that’s a lot……this could go either way. I’m sure the tea baggers are rabidly working to win this. Is there anything we can do to help?
Hoffman 41% – Owens 36% – Republican Dede 6% (apparently those polled still plan to vote for her, running or not) 18% undecided, up from 6% before DeDe quit.
The rabid whack jobs will probably bus people like crazy to vote – it’s what they do. They have the churches to help pass the word and organize I’m sure. It’s not a bad idea – there are many who would benefit if it was also provided by a non partisan or progressive group. I have two elderly parents and now understand that sometimes the effort is just too much without help.
The events of the last ocuple of days should make it clear that Sarah will stick her nose into every election, whether asked to or not. there is no doubt this narcissist will be running for President as a third party candidate in 2012.
very good article, AKM.
very good comment, terps (I shall be borrowing from it!)
Dede has her own robo call going out, let’s hope her supporters swing over to Owen!
Transcript:
“Hi, this is Dede Scozzafava calling on behalf of Bill Owens. And I wanted to let you know that I am supporting Bill for Congress.
“Since beginning my campaign I have said that this election is not about me, it’s about the people of this district. It’s not in the cards for me to be your representative but I strongly believe Bill Owens is the only candidate who can build upon John McHugh’s lasting legacy in Congress.
“In Bill Owens I see a sense of duty and integrity. He will be an independent voice, devoted to doing what is right for New York. To address the tough challenges ahead we must rise above partisanship and politics, and work together.
“Please join me in voting for Bill Owens on Tuesday.”
Someone needs to show Palin the door….give her a one way ticket to a deserted island!
I am in this district and volunteered for the campaign of Bill Owens.
If he wins, who will Hoffman answer to? Who is pulling his strings? What will he owe?
DeDe was thrown out of the bus and under it.
Hoffman is a slimeball and will show his true colors if elected.
His campaign has lied already, not a good omen, but certainly in keeping with palin and her ilk.
I wonder what it will take to have palin leave politics?
I think we need to agitate for her to speak to the issues, she can’t hide behind her Face Book writer forever!
here’s more on the Republicans for Rape
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/11/2/799692/-Rape-Victim-Confronts-Senator-Vitter-over-vote-on-Franken-Amendment
Vitter is such a class act – NOT
Can you just imagine if some political hacks from New York and Virginia arrived in Alaska a couple of years ago and tried to convince voters to support a candidate for governor who lived in Washington or California but promised to move if he/she won? Someone who refused to discuss any of the issues facing the residents of Alaska just days before the election? After all, it’s obvious that people from New York and Virginia (who’ve never even been to Alaska) know more about what Alaskans need than Alaskans do. Miss Quittypants would have had a hissy fit that could have been heard all the way to Miami!
She has repeatedly lambasted anyone from out of state (including that evil federal government) who dares to have any say in what happens in Alaska, yet feels perfectly justified in sticking her nose into the lives of people in a part of NY she’s never been to and knows nothing about. I sincerely hope that the residents of the 23rd district think long and hard before voting for someone who cares more about making a political statement than serving the constituents of that region.
I wonder what it’s like to live in a world that has absolutely no connection to reality…
Well stated, thank you.
Diane #63 In answer to the questions you pose: Hoffman has named Glenn Beck as his “mentor”- so that should tell the voters of NY23 all they need to know about him.
Just saw a photo of Mr. Hoffman; boy, he reminds me of Mr. Rogers. Then, I remembered the song, “It’s a beautiful day in this neighbornood, a beautiful day for a neighbor, would you be mine?”
Maybe that should be his campaign song for those upstate New Yorkers that aren’t from his neighborhood.
Thanks AKM, for writing what I’ve been thinking ever since Palin popped up the other day with her “endorsement.”
As much as I hate to admit it, I now Google SP’s Facebook page whenever something occurs that I think she’ll stick her nose into, (which is often these days) and I did so when I heard that Scozzafava had dropped out. I assumed Palin would make some sort of statement of course, but the way she chose to say it! To “personally thank her” for “acting so selflessly” in dropping out of the race, blah blah blah. Well…. I can’t write exactly what I was thinking, lest my comment get tossed out altogether. But really, has Sarah’s ego grown so large that she just naturally assumed that Scozzafava, having heard that she endorsed Hoffman, thought to herself:
“Why yes, I DO see the wisdom behind the C.R.A.P. Party Queen’s choice! What was I thinking when I decided to run in the first place? Hoffman is indeed the better candidate, not to mention his intellect, second only to Sarah’s! For the love of Sarah and her new ruling party, I will now bow out of the race and I will personally hand carry Doug Hoffman across that finish line myself! Praise Sarah!” ??
I think Sarah’s “15 minutes of Magical Thinking” have been extended about a year too long at this point.
I don’t know if it’s just my interpretation or not, but does she really, truly think that the woman dropped out just because Sarah “said so” or for the good of the party she thinks she’s forming? Was Palin, in that last part, “telling Scozzafava to get on board” behind Hoffman?
(Of course it would never occur to Palin that she dropped out because of the numbers!)
For those of you up there who know her MO, does she really think that way? Did she already forget what she said about the woman and her “liberal leanings, etc.” because as I recall some of it was pretty harsh.
And oh to have been a fly on the Palin wall when she heard Scozzafava was endorsing Owens! Wouldn’t THAT have been a hoot!
Of course the clueless conservatives are just smacking their chops over this too. Some of them really seem to think this is just the beginning, that her “brilliant” move was just the boost they needed to claw their way back to power, while I think/hope the opposite is true. I think it may give them some leeway for a little while, but sooner or later their base is going to realize what they’re about and face the cold hard facts that these wing-nuts are only exploiting them. Even the lowest of the low information voters will figure it out after a while.
As excruciating as it may be, those of us who loathe the “Rogue-Go-er” will just have to bite our lips and suffer through, because she’ll be taking the obnoxious to a whole new level pretty soon. But, like they always say, it’s darkest before the dawn, and I think this dawn is going to be pretty darn entertaining! You’ve probably all heard over the weekend that some of the wingers now think even HUCKABEE isn’t quite “pure” enough for some of them! Hard to wrap your head around that one isn’t it?
Yes, I think this will be quite the festive little “comeback” party for those of us watching. I’ll bet AKM will get a lot of use out of that Jiffypop graphic!
rebekkah~
He reminded me of David Koresh…..yeek!
NMJ @52 – PJs for sure – didn’t Levi mention that she sat around in her Wal-Mart matching jammies watching soap operas?
Glad to see some of our regulars are commenting on AKM’s article at HuffPost. Let’s keep those numbers going up and up.
Looks like she’s not stopping at NY and VA – she’s now set her sites on interfering in NJ. Lordy, she thinks she wields some power, asking someone to step aside!
“According to the Daggett campaign, a local New Jersey blog surfaced on Sunday reporting that Palin had asked the Independent to drop his bid or risk being a spoiler for Republic challenger Chris Christie’s chances. Daggett mentioned the report later in the day only to have Palin deny she ever issued the threat.”
Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/02/palin-tea-partiers-focus_n_342219.html
Destruction of the Grand Ol’ PooPa. Couldn’t happen to a better group of people!
Speaking of TeaBaggers, in case you missed it:
Brad Blog on the 2nd Tea Party Express forming now:
‘Tea Party Express II: Rise of the Tea Bags’
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=7487
Excellent post, AKM! Your insight, wit, and wisdom made my recovery from the piggy flu more bearable. When Hoffman loses tomorrow, I’ll be healed!
OMG, now she is sticking her nose into Virginia with robocalls that only mention HER name? She wasn’t even asked to help? Can anyone say NPD?
It’s a perfect match:
Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a personality disorder defined as “a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy.”[1]
The narcissist is described as preoccupied with issues of personal adequacy, power, and prestige.[2] Narcissistic personality disorder is closely linked to self-centeredness. It is also colloquially referred to as “the God complex.”
____
Did that just say, God Complex……………….Remember the desecration of her iconic image????????????????????
Really nice post, AKM.
The GOP — killed with a nudge and a wink.
Who’d a thought?
The Washington Independent :
It’s no secret that national fundraising has buoyed the campaign of Conservative Party candidate for the NY-23 special election Doug Hoffman. But the full extent is remarkable. We crunched the FEC contribution numbers this afternoon to discover that 95 percent of Hoffman’s donations came from individuals and PACs based outside of the district. (Hoffman himself doesn’t even live in NY-23.) Only $12,360 of the $265,341 he’s raised came from potential constituents…
http://washingtonindependent.com/66153/ny-23-95-percent-of-hoffman-cash-from-out-of-district
I just had to chime in with the chorus of praise for this one. Brava! & thank you, again.
I live in this district and unfortunately I believe Hoffman will win. This area is really a red district and the chances of a Democrat winnng were not the best anyway. On top of that, the money that’s been thrown at Hoffman is obvious. Lots of really big red signs all over the plan, whereas Bill Owens has a few small blue signs…probably a 10:1 ratio where I live which is actually in a bluer area of the district.
The good news is this has NOTHING to do with Palin. No one mentions her or is attributing a Hoffman win to her. The people who are voting conservative are doing it out of anger for what they see as a weak republican candidate. Unfortunately, by endorsing Owens she is proving their point and I think people with vote for HOffman in protest of a republican endorsing a democrat.
Another reason to support the suggested title of Palin’s book (forgot by whom):
“Alienation Nation–My Own Special Way of Building the Democratic Party”
swe#79 – Great on the scene insight. I’m pretty sure none of your recitation of the cold, hard facts will keep Sarah and her posse from claiming it was all because of her.
Some where down the line truth and fantasy will collide. But I don’t think tomorrow is the day. I think the crazies win. That a Democrat loses is entirely expected but that’s not how they’ll spin it.
Let’s get through it and gear up for the next fights.
Remember the Book Tour is almost upon us. Somebody is going to have the facts and the chops to wack her.
I don’t think it matters whether or not the reality is that Palin had anything to do with it in the district or not. It is the perception across the United States, that She did have something to do with it, that is going to matter. Her and the other strange creatures who were running to endorse Hoffman last week. In politics perception is everything, reality isn’t much.
I read about this woman and I smell sulfur,
My heart rate increases, my blood pressure rises,
My face flushes and my breathing gets labored.
I want to pound my head against something hard,
I want to pull my hair out, I want to punch something,
I want to puke.
Am I normal?
If Scozzafava would’ve stayed on as the Repub candidate, it wouldn’ve given the Democratic candidate a better chance of winning. It would’ve created more of a split vote for the Repubs, but now she basically handed it the win to Hoffman. Even though she’s now backing the Dem it holds little weight in such a red district. She would’ve done more damage to Hoffman by staying in the race! Why did she throw in the towel, it makes no sense strategically?
lana in ky you are beautifully, gloriously normal. and wise.
Once again you have nailed it in your analysis. What puzzles me is why the MSM continues to attribute all this hooplah on the right fringe to Sarah Palin and her “influence”. Why aren’t they exposing her for being backed by the radical right Christian movements and WHY are they not calling her out on the fact that she is not actually writing these Facebook releases?? I’m curious who is behind that curtain pulling those levers and pushing those buttons because that is really what needs to be exposed here.
Sarah Palin may have appeal, but she has no substance or intellect. That should be exposed in the media before this craziness continues in other states like VA and FL (and so on…..). I’m soooooo disappointed with our media. Thank God for the bloggers who are putting the word out there.
P.S. I saw a reference to Palin on HuffPo just now as “Facebook Barbie”. Lol. That should be the name of her movement/party.
Thank you, AKM, thank you, thank you. And hooray for the Watertown Daily Times and Dede Scozzafava, too!
Why does she still have any standing anywhere? Do these people not understand the fact that she quit, gave up, didn’t care enough about the people who elected her and the state she was supposed to lead to finish her term?
But, I will now pause to remember where we were a year ago, the Monday before election day, and give thanks that although we have far to go, we have come a long way.
Lana – From one Kentuckian to another, we are both either extremely normal or extremely off-base. Given what we have been learning from these terrific Alaskan bloggers, I tend to think we are normal and thank God for that!
OT: Looks like the hamsters are up and running!
Lana #83: You ARE normal and you should be happy about that!!!!
Well, mizz Palin will be speaking in Salina, Kansas, soon. For those unfamiliar with Salina, it carries two mottos: 1) Salina: Come here on vacation, leave on probation. 2) Salina: where suicide is redundant. After speaking here, my guess is she’ll be leaving the residents in a state to enforce numero duo.
I also don’t understand what Scozzafava didn’t stick it out three more days. Did they have something on her? I doubt it, since she’s come out supporting the Dem.
The money is already spent. Suspending her campaign doesn’t save her anything. If she had stayed in she would have taken votes from Hoffmann. That’s what I would have done if I had been stabbed in the back. I would have stayed in for spite to do as much damage to him as possible. I would have stayed in for no other reason than to hand it to the Dem.
But, maybe she was afraid of pulling votes from Owen; splitting the moderates.
If I were a moderate Republican in NY23 I’d be royally pissed about what was done to my candidate. And no way would I vote for a carpetbagging teabagger. If the moderate Republicans are nauseated by the likes of Beck, Limbaugh and Palin then I can see them voting for Owen. Especially if Scozzafava is urging them to do so.
Good for her, spending the last of her money on robocalls for Owen. I so hope Owen wins.
The Talibangelicals needs to be taken down a peg or nine.
If you can catch the clip of Jon Stewart tonight he was showing Glenn Beck interviewing Hoffman. It was soooo funny. The news reports said he was unqualified…But the Beck interview…. he is like a corpse. He is lifeless and there is barely a sign of life in Him. He is BAD!
Media Matters posts many of Beck’s clips. It might be found there as well.
Polls don’t look promising for Dem wins tomorrow, but, let’s hope that people use their conscience when they fill out their ballot, and not vote for the extreme party of Limbaugh (&Palin).
Oh, Lord – guess I’ll be staying up late tonight to see the election results in NY. Whooda thunk it? It just hit me that it seems strange to have an Independent candidate who is so ultra conservative. Remember Ralph Nader?
Heard Dede dropped out after Pataki endorsed Hoffman, who knows
Dont be surprised if he wins…but as swe123 so accurately states this is a very conservative district…most would never even think to ever vote dem…so this win, if it turns out that way has nothing to do with palin and her whacko pals
just wondering though…the article in the paper talks about the dairy farmers..that is a big issue in this state right now…would that change or have impact of voting?
Hoffman is a total dweeb, doesn’t live in the district and has no clue about the local issues! Shouldn’t there be a rule that the person needs to live in the district they want to run? Also don’t the voters in NY demand any competency from their elected officials? It’s as if they can just pluck anyone off the street who says Glenn Beck is his mentor and he will win…how freakin’ scary!!!!
While waiting to see..just how this plays out today/this evening..I’m guessing that a whole new front of informationS !(yes..exclam. there)..needs to become part of the information we all talk about for the future of keeping a healthy Pres. in his office, and with his needed support systems..now through a hoped-for second term. What..might that be? I am thinking a version, no..Many versions of..give till it hurts. Yes..and in my case meaning..I see nothing reminicent of the WWll efforts at making do, collecting rainwater say..for use later in the Spring, for adding in insulation, opening window curtains to let in the errant sun and thus..cut down the turning-up..of heaters etc. Cut and dry firewood..and toss the decorative Boston Ferns..into a corner, hang clothing..ya heard me..in layers over the windows in rooms not needed to use much..but to act as insulation..when none other is avail. Sound sparton? Yes..and why do it? Like collecting fat for the war effort, and collecting tinfoil and cans..for the scrap metal effort..I do not see any REAL ..suffering through painful choices..going on. We are suffering a multitude of damages..done over a length of time, and by devil-may-care, high living, back-scratching cronys..and in an assortment of war zones..those of us who cared..were utterly shocked about. Screamed “NOoooo” ..in our homes and apts..throughout..this land. To keep the assorted dems/Indep. and those willing to boot-up..and see the History..of why we are all ‘here’..at This Moment in time..takes saying/reciting/bashing the news that we are HERE..because of stupiditys allowed to unfurl, and drag down..the whole of this country. We all must give, give some more..and then..roll up that little scrap of aluminum cutting from the new flashing installed on the new gutter..and..add it ‘in’..to the pile for recycle. All thinking humans..who wish this administration to succeed..has to keep the message on-point..and 24/7..as to going without, reducing our funtimes, and rolling up the mental, and physical sleeves..to remind others around us..for whom the tough choices still..are Not happening..that we must all curtail..’that which was once’ expected. Drop a membership, reachout to those closer, have a brace of tuna fish sandwiches instead of turkey..whatever it takes..because until..and unless..every adult and near adult understands the magnitude of..Self sacrifice..we will..cripple what this Pres. has to offer..as he and the people who surround him..work to dig the entire country..out of the Muck..created before..he arrived. Heros..and and superheros..need the magic capes/gloves and assorted whizbang gadgets folks. When push comes to shove..WE the people are the..Whizbang power..and if we each, do not start taking the time to sliver-off..little bits of our fun..and find out where we Can give/do/fix..it isn’t going to happen in the ‘Other political camp’..nope..they count..on Inertia. Mine. Yours. Everyones..lack of awareness..of ….Danger-at-the-gates. If we do not meet the callenges now..we will see our dreams..tucked under the floor mats..with us..and winks and hip wiggles..will..rule the day. Brains on..folks..give..till it hurts!
@Anne: I gather the district left Hoffman, rather than the other way around. He now lives outside the district by 10 miles because of redrawing the lines of the district – so I’m disinclined to hold this against him particularly. Not knowing the issues for the district is another thing.
I’m trying very hard not to hope that Owens wins. The consensus in the blogosphere seems to be that it hurts the GOP more than the Democrats if Hoffman wins, and I think that’s true. On the other hand, I think it helps the country more if Owens wins.
National Trust of Names (English) says that Hoffmann is German; Hoffman is Jewish. Is this known to conservatives?
As an outsider from Australia I have no right to comment on this blog, but the excellence of AKM’s article changed my mind While written with her usual wit and flair, Jeanne Devon quite obviously does not underestimate Palin. Nor should anyone else.I don’t find Palin at all funny. She’s dangerous and capable of doing great damage, she has already. She is ignorant, and revels in her ignorance. She is also stupid and that’s a lethal combination. Because she’s ignorant and stupid, she’s uncomfortable around people who are not. To compensate, she gathers around her those who if not as devastatingly ignorant as she is, share her Lilliputian horizons and views on the world. Lacking all intellectual curiosity, she tries to belittle those who think and are capable of cogent discussions; and would have us believe that knowledge is something to be scorned, not sought after. All this, plus an insatiable greed and the desire to pull everyone down to her own abysmal level, make her one of the most polarizing and awful people on the world stage today. The greater good for others or her country mean absolutely nothing to her unless she remains firmly stage center with her hand out. I don’t know if John McCain was taking stupid pills when he picked her, but he has yet to apologize to the American people for the appalling Pandora’s box he unleashed on them. He should be utterly ashamed.
First of all, love your site, have been following along since Palin was first foist on the rest of us, and stayed ( and sympathised with you) when she went back home to roost after the Presidential elections. I live in the 23rd district and was pretty peeved when Sarah had to put her two cents in for Hoffamn, a man who has all the personality of a rock and who doesn’t even live in, or understand our area. I wish Sarah would just settle for her millions in book deals ands speaking engagements and stop trying to wield power, especially when it affects other people who have a lot at stake in a region she will never live in, and will never even visit, unless paid to do so..
Doug Hoffman’s hometown, Saranac Lake, is in the 23rd District. Hoffman’s
current residence is about a 15-minute drive away in Lake Placid, which WAS
also in the 23rd District — UNTIL the (then) GOP-controlled New York
legislature gerrymandered the district! That was 2001.
Doug Hoffman is NOT an outsider. He was born and raised and resided in the
23rd District his whole life (that was until 2001.)
He also has owned a business in the district for many, many years.
tks