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 »

Salon.com is calling NY-13 for McMahon.

There is no longer a single Republican Congressional Rep in NYC. Vito Fossella's drunken, bigamist explosion loses one for the right wing. McMahon wasn't my choice for the seat, but better than what the Republicans have offered.

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 »

[Ed. Note: for residents of parts of the world other than The Rock, please go here to attend your own platform session. The Queens session is today, Manhattan tomorrow, Brooklyn on July 29th, and you're well advised to RSVP]

This was sent to be by a friend who was a Green until Barack talked her into being a Dem again. Steve Harrison is attending...Mike McMahon is blowing it off (in the Recchia tradition?). Barack Obama's campaign in Staten Island:

Staten Island for Barack Newsletter
July 21, 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Help SHAPE The Democratic Party's Platform for Change: Come To Staten Island For Obama's Platform for Change WITH Congressional Candidates Open House on Thursday, July 24th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Traditionally, the platform of a political party is written by paid professionals and then presented to the American people. This year, this is going to change. As the presumptive nominee, Senator Obama is now the leader of the Democratic Party, and he has asked for OUR input as to creating a platform for the Party. On Thursday, July 24th, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Staten Island for Obama is hosting a SHAPE The Democratic Party's Platform for Change/Meet the Congressional Candidates Reception and Open House.

Steve Harrison. Mike McMahon. You've heard their names, you've read about their positions. Both candidates have been invited to join us for this important forum that will decide the future of the Democratic Party. Now you can meet them and ask the questions YOU want answered (Mike McMahon is unable to attend but will either send a representative or provide a written statement).

This event will be held at Teri's Staten Island HQ, located at 6 Plank Road in Bull's Head, Staten Island from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 24th. Please JOIN US as we discuss how Barack Obama and his campaign can move country forward and discover how we can move our Congressional District to the final Democratic Congressional District in New York City by talking to the Democratic candidates themselves. Please R.S.V.P. at Platform for Change WITH Congressional Candidates, or by contacting Chris McCreight at chris@brooklynforbarack.org, (773) 771-6369.

Please join us as we learn more about our future representatives and create the platform that will be presented at the Democratic Convention in August. A few participants may even be invited to appear and testify at the National Hearing and at the Convention! We can write the next chapter in the history of not only the Democratic Party, but of OUR 13th Congressional District.

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 »