Press-Republican

Local News

Related Photos

  • AP File Photo

    Biden Economy

  • P-R File Photo

    images_sizedimage_251230157

Discussion

IMPORTANT: Comments that include a personal attack on other commenters will be deleted in their entirety. Your comments are not welcome here if you can't maintain a civil tone.

PLEASE NOTE: There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.

Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.

Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.

We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.

Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:

There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.

Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.

Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)

Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”

Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.

Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.

Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.

In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.

Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.

We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.
comments powered by Disqus
September 8, 2009

Vice president to raise funds for Owens

Vice president will attend fundraiser for congressional candidate

By JOE LoTEMPLIO

PLATTSBURGH — Congressional candidate William Owens's campaign will get a boost from Vice President Joe Biden today.

Biden is expected to attend a fundraiser for Owens at the Syracuse law firm of Bond, Shoeneck and King.

The vice president's attendance at the fundraiser is an indication to many that the White House has strong interest in the race for the 23rd Congressional District.

"The big thing Joe Biden can do is give some national stature and also some cash," said Lee M. Miringhoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion.

"It's usually a good media day, and they hope that will create some cash for the campaign."

Democrats have not won the seat since the Civil War era, but many feel this special election could be their chance to finally win.

The seat will become open when incumbent Republican Congressman John McHugh is confirmed as the next secretary of the Army, which is expected to happen in the coming weeks.

McHugh was selected by President Barack Obama for the top Army post on June 2.

Since then, Republicans have chosen St. Lawrence County Assemblywoman Dierdre "Dede" Scozzafava as their candidate.

Democrats have countered with Owens, a Plattsburgh attorney with the law firm of Stafford, Owens, Pillar, Murnane & Trombley, PLLC.

Douglas Hoffman, an accountant from Lake Placid, is running on the Conservative Party line. Hoffman had initially sought the Republican nod, along with seven other candidates.

OPEN SEAT
Miringhoff said Democrats might finally have a better chance in this special election, but there are still no guarantees.

"The best way to win a seat is to have an open seat, and that's what you have here.

"But candidates win on their own. An event like this with Joe Biden can create some interest, but it doesn't really translate into points."

SCOZZAFAVA
Scozzafava's camp tied Owens to the White House's controversial health-care-reform plan.

"Vice President Biden and Bill Owens's fat-cat, lawyer fundraising pals all know where Owens stands on the Obama/Pelosi health-care plan. The only people who don't know are the hard-working families of the 23rd Congressional District," Scozzafava spokesman Matthew Burns said Tuesday.

"It's time Bill Owens explains why he won't rule out taxing health-care benefits and whether he supports Washington Democrats' plan to cut Medicare for our seniors."

HOFFMAN
Hoffman's campaign also blasted the Owens fundraiser, throwing in Scozzafava.

"I'm surprised he (Biden) isn't doing one for Dede Scozzafava, considering they both ran on the Working Families Party line last fall," Hoffman campaign spokesman Rob Ryan said.

"It must have been hard deciding who is more liberal: Dede Scozzafava or Bill Owens."

Owens's campaign declined to comment, citing security concerns for the vice president's travel schedule.

E-mail Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com

Text Only | Photo Reprints
New Today
Local News

North Country Scenes


Click on photo to view gallery with latest photos

FYI...
  • computer.jpg In fan fiction, your favorite characters do what you want them to

    When J.J. Abrams took over the "Star Trek" franchise in 2009, he boldly went where the series hadn't gone before — romantically — pairing Uhura with Spock. Many fans disliked the change. Some loved it. Others didn't care, because they just wanted to see Kirk and Spock make out.

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo