...I keep on saying this to people: whether you agree or disagree with Doug, at a minimum, he is someone very well worth listening to. Calling him a "powermonger" is as far off in terms of a description as I can think of. My personal practice, if I disagree with Doug on something, is to ask myself if I may be wrong, and I'm not the only blogger who thinks that way.

I understand that Jimmy and his folks are probably pissed about this development. I would cordially suggest to everyone involved, though, that messaging such as

he isn't the kind of tenacious fighter that the district -- and all New Yorkers -- need in the state Senate.

liable to undercut Foley's candidacy if he becomes the nominee is going to go over in blogdom like a lead balloon. I'm all for Dahroug and Foley making their respective and positive cases, and letting the better man win. This cuts both ways, by the by. But anyone looking for a repeat of the Chris Bodkin massacre is likely to be disappointed.

Just some friendly advice. Best wishes to all.

I had no idea.

Regardless, Dan, rest assured that I and my team pay a lot of attention to what goes on in Brookhaven and Islip. We talk to community leaders, political leaders and a host of other people and do extensive research before we make decisions on what to do. We helped organize a large number of volunteers for the local races in both Towns last year (not sure if you were engaged there), and have a pretty good sense of what a State Senate race in those two towns will require.

Our goal here is not simply to settle on a single nominee, it's to have the nominee who is strongest in the district and who represents our progressive values. Jimmy is a good guy and a true progressive, and I have nothing but respect for Ric Montano, but neither is as strong a candidate as Brian. You may disagree, but this is not an off-the-cuff decision that we make lightly - it goes directly to the strength of our overall Majority campaign. Further, while it may be easy to stick with a candidate who is a friend or whom you've supported in the past, we have to make some fairly tough choices about what is most likely to bring the best outcome.

Finally, one column in a weekly paper is hardly a basis for making a serious decision about the strength of a candidate. Brian has done a great job in Brookhaven and has made some tough choices (as is acknowledged in the column); that's exactly the profile of who we need in the State Senate.

doug talked to everybody on long island????

NYC knew he was running. But no one on LI had a clue - even the County leaders were told at the last minute.

See here
http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/longisland/politics/blog/2008/05/foley_f...

and here http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/sunday/longisland...

The Long Island leadership was stunned! For the love of God, Foley crashed the Convention! http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/longisland/politics/blog/2008/05/foley_f...

NYC made a decision on their own. without consulting many local dems. The proof is in the links above.

And if anybody doubts the truth -- google search brian foley news.

I am a Foley supporter as those regular readers of The Albany Project are well aware. Unlike the other posters I am a 3SD resident and by the way, Doug Ferand heard from me in Oswego last February when I came up with my wife to help out in the Aubertine campaign. The Times community of newspapers follows a Republican lean in their bias. The comments against Foley is ludicrous as no State Senator has been a backbencher longer than Caesar Trunzo! Dan's failure to even note the The Times bias in reporting only reinforces his pro Dahroug bias! Now Michael Bouldin and I shared some strong words on the Albany Project when Chris Bodkin appeared to be the alternative candidate for Democrats like myself who felt a higher profile candidate was needed to take down Trunzo. That said, I agree with Bouldins post here that Dan is il advised to tear down either of these candidates as one of them will be after September 9th our only alternative to Trunzo! I also agree with Michaels defense of Doug who works tirelessly to search out, organize and elect Democrats to office. To define his motives as a powermonger is patently unfair to Doug and further deminishes any future opinions I may read from Dan Jacoby. There is no need for progressives to attack one another because we are on opposite sides of a primary!