WASHINGTON – The talk today started with the stunning possibility that Democrats could actually squeak through on this one. That we’re even talking about the possibility proves how dangerously toxic Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget scheme is.
If you don’t know the details of NY-26, Politico provides a primer on what to keep your eyes on tonight. The election is today, with Democrats bringing in the Big Dawg for a boost.
“You can count on Kathy to say no to partisan politics that would end Medicare as we know it to pay for more tax cuts for multimillionaires,” [former Pres. Bill] Clinton said on the call, which was paid for by the Democratic National Committee. – All eyes on New York’s special
Both New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Sen. Marco Rubio made robo-calls for Corwin trying to make up for a lead Hochul has built, which on Sunday showed it beyond the margin of error, according to PPP, with Corwin’s favorability cratering.
Polls show Democrat Kathy Hochul leading in the Republican-leaning district, although the race remains tight.
If she prevails, her victory would give Democrats a rallying cry against the Ryan plan and an issue to campaign on next year. And it would give Republicans cause to worry as the 2012 budget negotiations begin and their members look to secure reelection. Only four GOP House members voted against the Ryan plan in March.
With so much at stake, it has been all hands on deck for both sides.
Ironically, not even NY-26 has made the austerity crowd’s eyes open.
Rep. Eric Cantor is encouraging Paul Ryan to run for president. Oh baby, I’ve got only one thing to say about that: run, Paul, RUN.
Count House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) as one top Republican who’d like to see Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) jump into the presidential race.
Cantor responded immediately when asked Monday whether Ryan, a rising GOP star and author of the party’s official budget plan, should run for the White House in 2012.
“Sure,” Cantor said. “Paul’s about real leadership. I think that that’s what this public so desperately wants to do right now. They don’t want to see individuals that just dismiss problems that we can just sweep under the rug.”
But remember, NY-26 goes Republican always, so no one is expecting an easy night for anyone.
UPDATE: AP has called it for Hochul. This is an earthquake for Republicans, regardless of the three-way candidate slug fest. Hochul was a terrific candidate, never letting go of the one issue she knew resonated with New Yorkers, regardless of party. That Medicare is an important entitlement that people need and want to keep and they’re not going to elect anyone who won’t protect it, which means voters are trusting Democrats over Republicans or the Tea Party. Austerity only goes so far and we found out tonight just how far.
<blockquote>I want to extend my congratulations to Congresswoman-elect Kathy Hochul for her victory in New York’s 26th Congressional District. Kathy and I both believe that we need to create jobs, grow our economy, and reduce the deficit in order to outcompete other nations and win the future. Kathy has shown, through her victory and throughout her career, that she will fight for the families and businesses in western New York, and I look forward to working with her when she gets to Washington. – Pres. Barack Obama</blockquote>
Taylor Marsh is a Washington based political analyst, writer and commentator on national politics, foreign policy, and women in power. A veteran national politics writer, Taylor’s been writing on the web since 1996. She has reported from the White House, been profiled in the Washington Post, The New Republic, and has been seen on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal, CNN, MSNBC, Al Jazeera English and Al Jazeera Arabic, as well as on radio across the dial and on satellite, including the BBC. Marsh lives in the Washington, D.C. area. This column is cross posted from her new media blog.