I also have heard him and found his "progressive" credentials dubious. Trying to make Bloomberg's mayoral control sound progressive? Sorry, does NOTHING for me. My wife and I consider mayoral control a disaster, and the fact that Bloomberg has had to overhaul it three times already indicates he isn't such a fan. Let me be clear I am not one of the people complaining about "teaching to the test." I am complaining about the outsourcing of our public schools to private companies in other states who screw up the whole process. I am complaining about the Middle School application process becoming a nightmare for parents and students and the threat (yes THREAT) of making KINDERGARTEN applications the same. And I am talking about manipulation of numbers and forcing out kids who don't perform well to artificially inflate the test scores. Squadron has tried making that process sound progressive. That isn't going to play so well right now after the pre-K fiasco.

Isn't he running on the Bush/McCain Party ticket?

To be fair, here at Daily Gotham we were recognizing there was a Republican running in the NY-11 race in 2006, something no one else seemed to know. So a welcome to John Chromczak into the race even if he is running as a Repub.

And if he wants to talk, I work at the NYU Medical Center as well (in Skirball). He can email mail me and we can chat.

As far as Marty Connor goes, I am not sure he can become a better leader. But I do know the man is smarter than most out there and I agree with him on most issues, even if I have found his willingness to stand up for them a bit lacking. ANd in this day and age I could never support a Republican, though I came close damned when Noach Dear ran for judge.

I am voting for John Chromczak, a man who knows what it means to lead, has refreshing ideas, and whose vigor and passion is what we really need in Albany.

Yeah, because republicans have so many fresh ideas, and because having a republican-dominated state Senate has worked so well for New Yorkers.

Oh no, that's right, I'm confusing that with how republicans fucked up the country and our state over decades and are now, finally, getting their just desserts. Sorry about the confusion.

Party Affiliation is a choice. Right now the Republican Party is dominated by a certain extremist ideology. Those who identify themselves as Republicans have to be prepared to address that. Many, like Pete McClosky and Jim Jeffords ultimately chose to leave the party in disgust.

I looked at John's website. It was clear he probably wasn't in full agreement with Bush/Cheney/McCain, but I think if he wants to distance himself from that ideology he had better be very, very explicit about it. Like a banner headline on his website denouncing Bush and McCain. That would help. But quietly distancing himself and assuming we all will get what he means when he says "Republican" won't cut it. He chooses to affiliate himself with the party of Bush, McCain, Gingrich, DeLay, Hastertt, etc. and that alone is going to alienate a substantial part of the electorate. It is his job to make it clear if he doesn't want that baggage, not ours.

While I can certainly understand the fear some may have in electing a candidate whose ideology is in lock-step with the Bush administration, John Chromczak is not such a candidate. As has been stated, John is a progressive Republican whose ideas are his own; he does not merely subscribe to manufactured platforms while seeking pleasing sound-bites. In electing a NY State Senator, we must look for the candidate who is best equipped to meet the challenges that NY presents to any leader. John runs as a Republican because it is the Republican ideals that he feels are best suited for leading such a diverse and complex area as the 25 District.

It is no longer enough to vote on principal. Many say that "I am a Republican or Democrat therefore I will vote for my party." Yet, how often does this decision lead to truly desirable results? I believe that John is capable of UNITING both Democrats and Republicans, and this is why I am supporting him.

"Look not to the party for guidance, look for the individual who will lead and inspire."

Can't say too many people are going to believe Republican ideals are worth much. Really, if John wanted to distance himself from Bush, maybe he should run as an independent. Otherwise he is, whether he wants to or not, associating himself with a very damaged brand. Kind of like a new energy company calling itself "Enron."