29 Comments

1. Russell says:

   July 17, 2008 at 4:50 pm

   Too bad Jonny Powers didn’t spend his out-of-district special interest money as wisely. He might actually have something to show for the nearly $400,000 he’s already spent.
2. mike hudson says:

   July 17, 2008 at 6:26 pm

   voters don’t care about this inside baseball crap. jack davis’s money gives him a big leg up over young mr. powers, who will be broke entering the general even if he should happen to prevail in the primary. and chris lee, who i met and had an amicable chat with just the other night, is also young, well spoken, amicable and goodlooking. while none of the candidates has any real experiece that would particularly suit them to the office, two of them are weathy, and one of them will be running as a republican in a district that has supported the gop since time immemorial.
3. Jackson Smiles says:

   July 17, 2008 at 6:56 pm

   Voters would care if it was shown to them – they just don’t get a chance to hear or read about it in most places.

   Russell — “is nothing to show” what you consider 7 county endorsements, dozens and dozens of other endorsements (including a few pretty well known Democrats), an Red-to-Blue spot from DCCC, and more money raised locally (from supporters- not personal pockets) than the other Democrats?

   Powers #’s may show support outside the district, but it also shows more support inside the district as well.

   Chris Lee is 58 % of his own support (6% PAC, and only 46% individuals.), Kryzan is about 38% of her own support – 61% individual (but not even half of Powers’ $$), and Davis is 100 % of his own support – no one else.

   Whereas Powers has over 79% from individuals – more so than any other candidate.

   Lee generated around 300K from supporters, but most of that was from one big time fundraiser in which most of his supporters maxed out (or close to it) their legal contributions.

   Individual $$ can’t really be divided acurately because the updated detailed reports aren’t listed by the FEC yet.
4. mike hudson says:

   July 18, 2008 at 1:16 am

   wow jackson smiles, you appear to be fabulously well informed on all this. so because powers gets 93 percent of his money from outside the district as opposed to davis and lee getting most if not all of their money out of their own bank accounts powers is the superior candidate? have you made the same criticisms of the kennedys, nancy pelosi, john kerry, john edwards, diane feinstein etc., who also parlayed considerable personal wealth into congressional careers?

   thought not.
5. Russell says:

   July 18, 2008 at 9:44 am

   Jackson, are you implying that Jonny bought all those endorsements as BP is implying Davis is trying to buy the Independence line? If not, then Jonny has nothing to show for his money. He’s spent more money than he has and I haven’t seen or heard a single ad or much of anything from Jonny in the past couple months other than what’s said here. So far, it appears he’s squandered a ton of money.

   Furthermore, the News reported yesterday that only 7.5% of Jonny’s money came from inside the district. The 79% is a nice attempt at spin, but the truth shows Jonny doesn’t have much more financial support in the district than any of the Dem candidates and much less than the GOP candidate.
6. Jackson Smiles says:

   July 18, 2008 at 9:46 am

   i’m sorry, i didn’t claim powers was the superior candidate because of this, only that he had 79 % (more so than others) from individuals. it only shows he the one with actual support from individuals. he just happens to be superior because the other candidates aren’t that good.

   it’s not that tough to be “well informed”… you just have to click on fec.gov and either have a 6 grade education in math or a calculator handy. after all you’ve seemed to have found a way to do it (although your percentages are a little off)

   thank you for thinking Powers is the superior candidate though. I am sure his campaign appreciates the great support.
7. Librul Murkin says:

   July 18, 2008 at 10:06 am

   Who the fuck cares how much of his money comes from inside the district. Money does not = votes, and it costs a lot of it to run for office against a bunch of bored millionaires.

   You guys do realize that the only itemized receipts that need to be reported are $200 (or reached that aggregate) right? So, you don’t know how many people gave little amounts to him, do you? He could have received $1 donations from almost 25,000 people last reporting period, right?

   Nice spin, Russell.
8. lulu says:

   July 18, 2008 at 10:43 am

   This post is about Mr. Davis, not Mr. Powers or Ms. Kryzan or Mr. Lee.
9. Jackson Smiles says:

   July 18, 2008 at 10:59 am

   Mr Hudson – 44 % of his money, not 93% came from outside the district according to the filings found within the fec.gov website

   Again showing Mr. Powers has a higher percentage of WNY support through total dollars of campaign than any other candidate (not including personal donations — because everyone should support themselves)
10. Russell says:

    July 18, 2008 at 11:01 am

    Lots of people/voters care about where the money comes from. It shows who the candidate is beholden to and what interests matter most to him. If most of it comes from the district, you’re safe to think the candidate will focus on his district. If his money is coming from outside the district, especially from special interest groups, then most think he’s beholden to the special interests and concerns outside the district.

    I’m not making this stuff up or spinning anything. Most voters say special interests have too much influence. In Jonny’s case, they have by far the most influence, compared to his opponents and among his own donations. $1 does not amount to much influence or support and it’s not a reasonable assumption either.

    Money does not directly equal votes, but it sure does help and makes a huge difference in an election. It is why so much time is spent by candidates and incumbents raising it. You can tell a whole lot about a candidate by where his money comes from. In Jonny’s case, what it says does not look good.
11. Russell says:

    July 18, 2008 at 11:09 am

    Jackson, this is what the Buffalo News reported yesterday:

    Powers’ in-district support accounts for only 7.5 percent of his
    total treasury, with 92.5 percent coming from donors from out-of-
    state (49 percent) and from other areas in New York, like New York
    City and its suburbs (44 percent).

    Can you read that? 92.5% came from outside the district. That rounds up to 93%. The 44% is that part of the 93% from the NYC area. Just what this area needs is another politician in the pocket of NYC and DC interests.
12. Jackson Smiles says:

    July 18, 2008 at 11:10 am

    Great point Lulu… although typically what one candidate does/doesn’t do relates to how it helps/hurts other candidates in the same race.

    It’s good to see Jack Davis buying his way into other political relms… at least he’s staying active. (sarcasm inserted here: _____)
13. Russell says:

    July 18, 2008 at 11:12 am

    Actually, Chris Lee has a higher percentage of WNY support through total dollars of campaign than any other candidate. Jonny and Alice are a distant second and third, but are close to one another.
14. Stinkeye says:

    July 18, 2008 at 11:15 am

    If Davis’s 10k to orsini and colon is too “inside baseball”, then where Powers gets his big money is ever more “inside baseball”.

    The republican party being the party of the rich and the democratic party being the party of the poor and middle class, it’s only natural that powers would go to where the big money is, so he can do battle with davis and lee.

    David Boies’s money is just as green as Patrick Lee’s, and the interests of an Armonk Democrat are just as relevant in a federal race as the interests of a Florida Republican.

    Jack Davis is his own special interest. Chris Lee and his family is his own special interest, as is TOMPAC, and Lee’s family has the distinction of selling its company to out of towners.
15. Jackson Smiles says:

    July 18, 2008 at 11:19 am

    So you’re saying WNY needs a politician who will pay his way into supporters pockets(Davis & IP), or a lady who flip flops (Kryzan & $$ to Reynolds – and calling Love Canal people hysterical but claiming she’s an environmental lawyer), or a guy who got rich from mommy & daddy selling a company out of WNY to loose jobs (Lee & his folks selling out to NJ)?

    If I had to pick anyone I’d pick the guy with local & national support. Which includes the support of the 7 counties Dem Parties. Sorry Mr. Power’s supporters are rich like Mr. Lee’s, or non-existant like Mr. Davis’s. Maybe the local people (like the hundreds who have been seen at local parades all over the district) can only afford to give a little bit as opposed to maxing out?

    I’ll agree Chris Lee is a good candidate for the Republicans to put up. This election will end up being Powers v. Lee.

    I hope Mr. Powers wins just as much as you hope Mr. Lee wins. At least we can agree it will be a hell of a race
16. Jackson Smiles says:

    July 18, 2008 at 11:25 am

    Rusell – how can you even compare Kryzan and Powers? He’s doubled her money and she’s 50 % of her own money. When dealing with the nickels and dimes in Kryzan’s coin purse the percentages are completely skewed.

    Lee & Powers are the closest to each other, and Lee doesn’t have any competition in a primary (lucky guy) – there’s no one else to give money too for Republicans. Although his $ 175 K opening fundraiser might hurt later local earnings, because a lot of big name local donors probably maxed out at that event and 50 % of his local $$ is his own.

    It would be an easy shot to say Powers has more cash on hand than Davis too… but all Davis has to do is open up the check book for his campaign – because no one else will.
17. lulu says:

    July 18, 2008 at 11:31 am

    The sad truth is the majority of people in our community don’t care about the money issue because they have learned that expending any energy (let alone money) on political matters is a wasted effort. In my experience following this race, (NOTE: I am admittedly biased as I am a friend and supporter of Mr. Powers) He is the only one of the candidates that appears to have engaged and energized the community thus far, both inside and outside of his district.

    Money and where it comes from and where it goes aside, if this seat were to disappear in 4 years due to census driven reconfiguration, who of the four would be able to get the most done in DC on behalf of the 26th residents during that time? My choice is Mr. Powers, though I can’t vote for him as I don’t live in his district.

    Wow, just typing that makes me realize my North Buffalo contribution $ is contributing to the 93% argument being used to blast Mr. Powers. I might as well just give up, and move to NYC.

    By the way, you are all smart enough to know you can use stats to defend any argument. Let’s see some substance and not just hurl numbers at one another. GO JON POWERS!
18. Russell says:

    July 18, 2008 at 11:38 am

    Jackson, I’m not entirely convinced it’s going to end up Powers v Lee. Three way (or more) races are tough to call, but I would like to see that match up.

    Stinkeye, the election is for a federal seat, but it’s for who is supposed to represent the interests of a portion of WNY, not a national election. Florida citizens do not enter into it and their views are not relevant. They have their own member and candidates to take their concerns to, to vote for and to support in an election.
19. lulu says:

    July 18, 2008 at 11:55 am

    There are many snow birds who are residents of both WNY and Florida and use their Florida addresses as primary residence to skirt NYS taxes, among other things.
20. Stinkeye says:

    July 18, 2008 at 12:02 pm

    Tell it to Chris Lee, then. For example:

    Harold Brewer $4,600
    27 Tamarind Lane
    Key Largo, Florida 33037

    BuildPAC
    Joe Stanton 1201 15th St, NW
    Washington, DC 20005

    Thomas Davidson: $1,000
    7 Sunrise Cay Drive
    Key Largo, Florida 33037

    Edward Duch $2300
    4551 Gulfshore Blvd N Ph 8
    Naples, Florida 34103

    Ronald Elenbaas $1000
    1775 Idlewild
    Richland, Michigan 49083

    Anthony Gioia $4600
    55 Meadow Rd
    Buffalo, New York 14216

    Donna Gioia $4600
    55 Meadow Road
    Buffalo, New York 14216

    Alan Goldstein $750
    5 Cannon Point
    Key Largo, Florida 33037

    Jay Holmes $4600
    42 Spadefish Lane
    Key Largo, Florida 33037

    Jonathan Kislak $4600
    Antares Capital Corporation 9999NE 2nd Ave – Ste 306
    Miami Shores, Florida 33138

    the late Paul Koessler $4600
    62 Middlesex Road
    Buffalo, New York 14216

    Cynthia Lee (homemaker) $4600
    224 Rivermist
    Buffalo, New York 14202

    Patrick P. Lee (CEO of his own foundation) $4600
    13 Sunrise Cay Dr Ocean Reef
    Key Largo, Florida 33037

    Carl Paladino $2300
    282 Potters Rd
    Buffalo, New York 14203

    Bill Paxon $1000
    4004 Sharp Pl.
    Alexandria, Virginia 22304

    John Rhee $4600
    103 Dulany Place
    Falls Church, Virginia 22046

    Jay Ryan $4600
    4534 Klingle Street NY
    Washington, DC 20016

    Mary Ryan (homemaker) $4600
    28 Hemlock Hill Rd
    Orchard Park, New York 14127

    Richard Ryan $4600
    28 Hemlock Hill Rd
    Orchard Park, New York 14127

    John Sanderson $4600
    27 Burning Bush Way
    Orchard Park, New York 14127

    Karen Sanderson (homemaker) $4600
    27 Bruning Bush Way
    Orchard Park, New York 14127

    TOMPAC $10,000
    Daniel Cannistra PO Box 15488
    Arlington, Virginia 22215

    United Parcel Service of America IncPAC $5,000
    Mr. Marcel DuBois 316 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE
    Washington, DC 20003

    and, of course,

    Christopher Lee $320,000 loan
    6347 Everwood Court North
    East Amherst, New York 14051
21. Russell says:

    July 18, 2008 at 12:13 pm

    All that, and still Jonny had far more support from outside the district. Thanks for illustrating that.

    I’m not saying outside funds are non-existent. I’m just saying it doesn’t bode well when well over 90% of a candidate’s funds come from outside the district. I worked for a Member who pledged to keep his at 50%. In his first run, only about 10% of his funds came from outside.
22. Martin Van Buren says:

    July 18, 2008 at 2:34 pm

    Powers is the hypocrite. Paying rent with campaign cash is illegal. Accepting smut-peddler money and claiming to “lead by example” is unethical. Powers is a professional candidate with big aspirations and a low IQ. EMPTY SUIT!!!
23. Albionian says:

    July 19, 2008 at 6:14 pm

    I’d heard rumors that Davis had paid petitioners to seek signatures. Does anyone know if that’s true? And would those same people also be paid to post on blogs?
24. rustle says:

    July 19, 2008 at 6:17 pm

    This is from the last time Jack ran. “Davis, who is expected to face Lockport attorney Robert Pusateri in an Independence Party primary, said he paid for the expenses of two people to drive around and collect petition signatures from registered Independence Party members.” http://www.niagara-gazette.com/siteSearch/apstorysection/local_story_198205331.html

    Do we know if he’s doing this sort of thing again? And given the changing nature of the Internets, has that been extended to posting blog comments?
25. Buffalopundit says:

    August 20, 2008 at 12:39 pm

    I had to delete a comment here from someone using the name “Jack Davis”. Cool it the fuck down.
26. duly noted says:

    August 22, 2008 at 12:13 pm

    Duly noted sir. Going on vacation to Alaska to chill.