Politico:

Former Rep. Vito Fossella (R-N.Y.), who opted not to seek re-election in 2008 after a DWI arrest exposed the married father of three as having a second family in Virginia, is seriously considering entering the race for his old seat, POLITICO has learned.

According to sources familiar with his thinking, in recent weeks Fossella has been weighing a run for the seat currently held by Democratic Rep. Mike McMahon, with the kickoff for ballot petitions fast approaching and the political climate unsettled nationwide.

Well, then. Just to refresh why we hate him, here's what he said during the impeachment vote of President Clinton for an affair that notably didn't include a second family.

. . . Earlier today, one of my colleagues said that this would be the most divisive issue since the Vietnam War. While he may believe that to be true, I take strong exception with that, and I'll tell you why. Men and women were sent overseas like every other war or military conflict since our nation's birth, to defend the rule of law, the notions of personal freedom and individual liberty.

And in the case before us today, we're asking a simple question: "Did the president of the United States violate any of those rules of law that we cherish and that so many men and women have died for and are willing to die for at every point around the globe?"

I don't want to be here today, like so many of my colleagues. But the generations of Americans yet unborn must look back on this day in this matter, in this situation, and see this as our finest hour. . . . Reluctantly, I am here. I proudly, though, support this resolution.

Surely, even the republics can do better than this. Or maybe his love child is now old enough to hand out flyers at the ferry terminal.  read more »

Bumped - Bouldin.

Cross-posted on Daily Kos

In NY-13, Vito Fossella's district, a competitive Democratic primary is in the works.

On one side, you have a candidate named Mike McMahon. Who is Mike McMahon?

From the Politico:

"He’s not as conservative as Powers, but he definitely appeals to us on some of the issues. He appeals to us on his opposition to gay marriage, and he told us he continues to support U.S. action in Iraq." - Conservative Party Chair Jerry Kasser

On the other side, we have Steve Harrison, a co-author of "The Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq.".

Guess which one the DCCC endorsed?

Once again, the DCCC has stuck its hands in a primary, supporting the Bush Democrat before the people even had a chance to decide for themselves what they wanted.

We, the people, must stand behind the progressive Democrat who is for HR 676, safe renewable energy, and for the withdrawal of our troops from Iraq.  read more »

Huffington Post blogger Howie Klein in his other blog, "Down with Tyranny", says the DCCC is spreading false rumors that NY 13th Congressional District Democratic candidate Steve Harrison is dropping out of the primary against Councilman Michael McMahon. The winner faces Republican Frank Powers for the right to replace Vito Fossella. Against Fossella in 2006, Harrison received a higher percentage of the vote than any Democrat ever under the district's current configuration.

Here's Howie's blog. http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2008/06/in-case-youre-sick-of-hearin....  read more »

Democracy for America has nominated New York 13th Congressional District Democratic candidate Steve Harrison for consideration as a "Congressional Grassroots All-Star".

The winner of the competition receives in addition to bragging rights, a donation from the organization. Here's the link. http://democracyforamerica.com/gras

So according to Crain's Insider (always to be taken with a grain of salt) Vito Fossella made no earmark requests this year. Very strange right? Every other New York member made plenty of requests, particularly since Dems are finally looking to get a piece of the pie.

So why did Vito let his district get left out of the pork pit? According to his spokesperson, the new disclosure rules are too ambiguous, and could leave members open to ethics violations. Huh?

To me that sounds like BS. There are two possible explanations, I can think of. One is that Vito has been making some very questionable earmarks in the past, and is too afraid to put in for them again, given the new disclosure rules. Given that it might be too hard for him to tell the shady beneficiaries of his largess he can't fund them anymore, it's easier to just tell everyone he can't fund them.

Another possible explanation is that, since he's not in the majority party anymore, he stands to receive a lot less money than before, and will probably look bad if he tries ineffectively to get everything he did in the past.  read more »