Wide Right

The Browns? Really?

This one hurts.

How did Joe get two black eyes?

It was turning out to be a fine day for Joe Robach, the Republican Senator from Rochester. One word: tail. In the middle of the afternoon, he was lying on a bed with a woman not his wife. That’s sometimes an uncomfortable situation if you’re with a stranger; but that wasn’t a problem in this case, because the woman in question, Janine S., works in his Rochester office. Familiar? You bet. Familiar like Monica.

The lazy, steamy afternoon was winding down. Senator Joe was happy and satisfied in that way that only enthusiastic sex with a subordinate can satisfy that type of guy. Senator Joe started to pick up his clothes and get ready to head back to do whatever it is that he does – suck up to mortgage interests, for example – when things suddenly went horribly wrong.
That’s because the door to the bedroom opened, and in walked a third party not privy to the cozy arrangement – Janine’s husband, Monroe County Deputy Sherriff Tom S.

So, take a guess what happened.

“Alright, Joe, you’ve got two options: Either I kick your ass so you can’t walk for a week, or, I keep you here and call the media. Your choice”.

“Go for it. Just please don’t call the press”.

Tom then did what every husband in that situation would do, which is beat the shit out of Joe Robach, a sitting state Senator. One black eye, oh, what the hell, let’s make it two.

But it gets better.

After the asskicking had been administered, and Robach lay whimpering on the couch, deputy Tom took his clothes and threw them in the trash. He then took a naked Senator Joe, opened the door, and threw him on the porch. Nice touch, but what would make it perfect? The phone call.
“Hey, Mrs. Robach. Can you please pick up your husband at this address? You see, I just caught him fucking my wife, and he’s now standing on my porch stark naked with two black eyes. Might want to get him out of that situation before I have to arrest him for indecency. Oh, you’re welcome. See you soon.”



Bet you’ve never heard this story, hmm?

STOP THE PRESSES! Reporter submits FOIL request on Robach's "black eye" affair!

My very good friend from way back is a republican. We've been friends since 10th grade, so I have long since forgiven them. They are fairly tight in the Monroe county GOP. They'll vote for McCain I guess, but they've never liked Joe Robach. Well they just called and let me know that Robach and the local republican brain trust are freaking out because a "supermarket tabloid" (I guess that means a national one like the Enquirer) put in a FOIL request to learn more about the infamous "Black Eye" affair.

They say Robach is all pissed off and yelling at people. Sounds like Joe to me.

I wonder if a story will come out before the voting starts?

The Dolphins?

Really? We lost to the Dolphins?

Joe Robach is a Wall Street stooge. Pass it on.

How much money has Joe Robach taken from the Wall Street lenders that you just bailed out with your tax dollars?

What, really, almost a million dollars?

So, take a wild guess why Uncle Joe derailed the one-year foreclosure moratorium passed by the Assembly.

Maybe, if you want Joe Robach to actually represent you, you should send him a million dollars. That seems to be the going price.

More on Joe Robach's Dirty Money

From Robert Harding at TAP.

The taxpayers of Greece know who Christa Construction is. Christa Construction profited from a botched renovation venture valued at $119.5 million. In all, Christa Construction made over $5.3 million from the deal.

So why does all this matter? Ask Sen. Joe Robach and the Senate Republicans. Today, Robach was called out by his Democratic opponent Rick Dollinger in a press conference where Dollinger called on Robach to return the contributions he has received from Christa Construction.

From the press release:

Democratic State Senate candidate Rick Dollinger today was joined by Greece taxpayers who slammed Robach and the Republicans, and demanded that these contributions be returned immediately.

Dollinger explained, “People can tell when someone is speaking out of both sides of their mouth, and that is exactly what Joe Robach and his Republican cronies are doing by taking this money and condoning this kind of unethical behavior. Robach and the Senate GOP must return this tainted money—particularly as our neighbors are working so hard to recoup these wasted funds.” Today’s event came days after citizens’ groups filed an audit request with Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s office as part of their financial recuperation effort.



Christa was originally set to profit $3,999,400.00 for serving as contractor, but actually pocketed an additional $1,375,761.00.

So far, Christa Construction (through Christa Construction, LLC., Christa Development Corp. and David Christa) has donated more than $24,000 in recent years to the Senate Republican Campaign Committee (SRCC). An additional $50,300 was given to Senate Republicans, including $1,850 directly to Robach whose campaign coffers have been filled with $143,900 from the SRCC for this year’s election.

For the record, not a single contribution has been made by Christa Construction to Dollinger or the Senate Democrats.

So why is this important? Here is a company being accused of robbing taxpayers of their money and who are they giving to? The Senate Republicans. Other Republicans have been on the receiving end of contributions from Christa Construction as well, but obviously the impact on Greece makes for an interesting story in SD-56.

Joe Robach takes dirty money from crooks

He should give it back.

Dollinger demands Robach, GOP return contributions from Christa Construction

Democratic State Senate candidate Richard Dollinger demanded Thursday that his incumbent opponent Joseph Robach, R-Greece, and his Senate Republican colleagues return more than $74,000 in campaign contributions from Christa Construction, the construction manager of a botched $120 million capital renovations project at the Greece Central School District completed in 2005.

Dollinger's campaign said Robach received $1,850 in contributions from Christa over the past six years, while other GOP Senators received $48,450 and the Senate Republican Campaign Committee received $24,000.

"The message, it seems to me, is very clear," Dollinger said Thursday outside Longridge Elementary School in Greece. "Senate Republicans and Joe Robach need to give back this ill-gotten taxpayer money to the town of Greece and the taxpayers in this community."

(clip)

According to auditors, the project was over budget and incomplete. Numerous aspects of the work were changed without proper Board of Education oversight.

Over the summer, the district was forced to temporarily close portions of 13 schools due to shoddy project-related work.

Christa was originally set to receive $4 million for the project but received an additional $1.4 million, Dollinger's campaign said. Christa officials could not be reached for comment.

Christa construction is a bunch of crooks who botched building where we send our kids everyday. They put our children at risk and then took even more of our money.

Why is Joe Robach taking this money?

Video from the St. John's voter forum. Dollinger Rocks-Robach does not

Rochester Turning has video from both candidates at the St John's voter forum a few days ago, the one Robach was almost an hour late for.

First up: Dollinger.



Here's Robach. Here's how RT described it:

Robach rambles on about all the problems that have been created since he was elected to the State Senate. At one point, he even talks about redistricting — an issue which is completely irrelevant in this election because redistricting only happens after a census is taking at the beginning of each decade. The last redistricting plan for New York was approved seven years ago, and the next one will happen in three years. It’s hardly a pressing issue like the financial markets.

How can Robach bring about change if he has only been part of the problem in Albany and if he doesn’t even know what change means?

He can’t.

RT is right. Robach is full of crap.

Robach shows up 45 minutes late for Brighton voters forum

Some people were starting to think he wasn't even going to show up. Way to dis the seniors there, Joe

Joe Robach showed up more than 45 minutes late. I though it showed a great level of disrespect, but he was allowed to give his speech anyway. He said he was fighting for change for the better, even though he has been part of the same old Republican majority in the Senate for years now. He talked a lot about legislative redistricting, which is hardly a pressing issue given that the redistricting happened at the start of the decade.

Dollinger said he fit the definition “Made in Rochester” and that “Rochester is in my bones.” He mentioned the loss of jobs, the need for “prompt and affordable healthcare,” education, and reform in Albany. He gave the Woody Allen definition of insanity (doing the same thing over and over again while expecting a different result) as the concluding remarks of his speech. Robach has failed and his record speaks for itself. Dollinger closed by saying that “the way you make change is to vote for change.” It was also the first time for this entire campaign that Dollinger and Robach were in the same room.

At least he finally made an appearance I guess.

Damn the Cards

Grrrrrrrrrr.

Can we maybe pick up blitzes on our quarterback please? Hope Edwards is ok.

Stop me if you've heard this one before...

Joe Robach showed up in Albany last summer with two black eyes. He got them when a someone kicked his ass for fooling around with his wife.

Have you heard this one too?

Rick Dollinger's economic plan

Here it is:

Rick Dollinger unveiled his new economic plan. I'll put up the details as soon as I figure out how to upload a word doc here. For now, here's the outline from the press release.

The plan is divided between the ideas of innovation and reform:

INVESTING IN INNOVATION:

· Form a Green Jobs Investment Fund for Rochester. Rochester could become the Silicon Valley of renewable energy as our nation transitions from foreign oil to more sustainable forms of energy such as fuel cells, bio-fuels, and solar panels. Our region has the advantage of top-flight research institutions with a highly skilled industrial workforce, and testing has begun already. Rick Dollinger proposes a Green Jobs Investment Fund that jointly uses public and private investments to start up new research projects and build the manufacturing facilities necessary to bring the newest generation of jobs to Rochester.

· Create an Emerging Technologies Research Institute. Our region must continue its reputation of leading the world in the study and development of new technologies. Our research facilities will allow Rochester to take the lead on development of new technologies with will cure diseases, improve urban infrastructures, and develop technologies marketable worldwide. This institute will establish education majors, programs, and research facilities in a collaboration of state and private investment with Rochester area universities. Major areas of study could include stem cell therapy, water purification, and waste management.

· Form a New York "PRIDE" Authority (Public Roads, Infrastructure, Development, and Efficiency) by combining the NYS Thruway Authority, NYS Bridge Authority and NYS Department of Transportation. The PRIDE Authority would be charged with creating jobs via projects to improve New York's aging transportation infrastructure and maintenance operations. The projects undertaken by this agency would provide a substantial number of good paying jobs to the region, which would be partially paid for by combining three authorities with similar missions into a single entity with legislative oversight.

REFORMING FAILED STATE POLICIES:

· Prohibit Tax Breaks to Companies that Outsource Jobs. New York State has continued to provide tax breaks to companies even after they have outsourced jobs. These tax breaks come largely from incentives offered by Empire Zones and Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs). Dollinger proposes a ban on any tax break given to companies that ship jobs overseas and a requirement that all aid be tied to the number of new living wage jobs actually created in the region.

· Opening New York for Business. Businesses have left our region as New York has done little to curb out-of-control spending or reduce the property taxes that force businesses to move away. Rick Dollinger supports reducing the property tax burden through a property tax cap and supports a constitutional amendment to cap state spending at the rate of inflation. Reducing state deficits and fighting wasteful spending allows New York to demonstrate a willingness to open its doors to good paying jobs once again.

Update: Here's video of the Dollinger presser.

This is what we need. We can't afford two more years of Joe Robach and his do nothing republicans.

Vote for Rick Dollinger!

update Rochester Turning has more.

Dollinger to unveil economic plan

Says the D&C

Democrat Rick Dollinger will unveil his economic development and job creation plan during a press conference at 3 p.m. today, Oct. 2 at 33 Litchfield Street.

Paterson endorses Dollinger

Sorry Joe

Gov. David Paterson is endorsing his first Democratic Senate candidates in November’s elections that will test Republican control of the Senate.
Paterson is supporting Democrat Richard Dollinger over Republican Sen. Joseph Robach in the 56th Senate District in Monroe County. Dollinger had previously held the post before leaving to take a judgeship.
The Democratic Senate Campaign Committee also confirms that Paterson is endorsing Democratic New York City Councilman James Gennaro over Republican Sen. Frank Padavan in the 11th Senate District in Queens.
Paterson had said he wouldn’t use the clout of his office to go after the Republican majority as a high-priority mission, the way his predecessor, Gov. Eliot Spitzer, had.

Rick Dollinger's new ad

I haven't seen it on TV yet, but here it is on youtube:

Four and OH!

Go Bills!

The Buffalo Bills are 4-0 for the first time in 16 years. Unlike the previous two weeks, there was no need for late-game heroics to keep them unbeaten.

Dollinger on reforming Albany

Here's some video from Robert Harding of Rick Dollinger talking about something that Joe Robach has been ignoring for years...reforming the mess in Albany.


Rick Dollinger - Reforming Albany Forum (Part 1 of 2) from Robert Harding on Vimeo.


Rick Dollinger - Reforming Albany Forum (Part 2 of 2) from Robert Harding on Vimeo.

"From the Brennan Center report to the most recent study done by NYPIRG, the New York State legislature is universally recognized as the most dysfunctional in the nation," said Dollinger. "But this isn't new information. These reports were common knowledge eight years ago, and Republicans in the State Senate haven't even taken the baby steps needed to make things better, like requiring legislators to read the bills they pass, to be in the chamber when they vote, or to allow bills to get to the floor that aren't rubber stamped by the majority leader."

"It's ludicrous to think that Joe Robach will fix a problem that he has supported for his entire career in Albany. For the past 40 years, New York State has been marred by the failed policies of the State Senate Republicans, who have stalled at every turn, and have been the number one road block to passing a critical economic reform package," continued Dollinger. "Republican Joe Robach isn't a reformer. He's a rubber stamp for the 'three men in a room' model."

In the State Senate Rick Dollinger will fight to enact the recommendations of the 2004 Brennan Center for Justice's report on New York's legislative process. Once elected, Rick will address five areas that require immediate reforms - legislative committees, barriers to new legislation, legislative rules, the lack of transparency within the legislative process, and legislative inefficiencies and high costs.

This is exactly what we need. Please vote for Rick Dollinger!

UH OH Joe! Governor Patterson is raising money for Rick Dollinger

This definitely won't make Joe happy.

Governor David Paterson is ratcheting up his support of the Senate Democrats, via the New York State Democratic Committee.

Paterson’s been raising money for the New York State Democratic Committee, funds which will be used in part to support Democrats’ efforts to take the Senate majority.

“The governor is committed to helping Sen. Obama, electing more Democratic House members, and retaining and increasing numbers in State Legislature,” said Democratic party spokesperson Carly Lindauer.

Since July, Paterson has been raising money strictly for the State Party for the purpose of funding State Senate campaigns, according to a party insider.

The first beneficiary is Democratic Senate challenger Rick Dollinger, who just received $84,000 today from the state party.

Dollinger, who is a former state senator, is running against Republican incumbent Sen. Joe Robach. In a Siena poll released yesterday, Robach is ahead of Dollinger by 11 points, with a margin of error of +/- 4.7 percent.

The new infusion of cash is a clear indication that Democrats are going to fight for Robach seat, despite the double-digit margin.

Democrats predict that Obama’s popularity among black voters in the Rochester area will help drive voter turnout in support of Dollinger.

How good is that poll?

Robert harding asks the question

There also some questions I had after looking at the crosstabulations for each poll. Take SD-56's crosstabs, for example. Sen. Joe Robach had a favorable rating in Greece/Parma of 71 percent. That is Robach's turf, but 71 percent still seems high to me considering Rick Dollinger had a 56 percent favorable rating on his turf in Brighton. Those numbers tell me that when they conducted this poll and especially when they called voters in Greece, they called more Republicans than Democrats. That Greece/Parma portion of the poll just seems to be inflated to me. This race isn't a double-digit race. We are talking single-digits, if not a dead heat.

The SD-3 crosstabs also boggle my mind. Trunzo is viewed favorably by 54 percent of Democrats? Really? That seems very high to me, especially since this guy is in hiding somewhere. Also, Trunzo is viewed more favorably than Brian Foley in Foley's hometown of Brookhaven. That doesn't sound right to me. And Trunzo is viewed more favorably among people ages 18 to 34? I'll have to take you word for it.

I think he may be on to something. But whatever. You should always run like you are 10 pts down right?

Consider this inspiration.

Dollinger and Robach will debate on October 15th

SD-56: First debate on October 15

From the Channel 13 twitter:

via @scarroll13: dollinger & robach will debate with us on October 15th!

Get the popcorn!