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.

[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
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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....

A great deal of virtual ink has been expended on a single quote from Conservative Party Chairman Jerry Kassar about Democratic City Councilman Mike McMahon. The quote, as it has been discussed at length, is this:

"[McMahon] appeals to us on his opposition to gay marriage, and he told us he continues to support U.S. action in Iraq.”

No one who has discussed it here knows what was said to Conservative Party Chairman Jerry Kassar to give him the impression that McMahon supports Bush's Iraq Quagmire. Focusing on the quote above also has allowed some to claim that McMahon's stand has evolved since the meeting with Conservative Party Chairman Jerry Kassar and perhaps he no longer supports the Bush Quagmire. This view rests on the assumption that some time has passed since the meetig between McMahon and Conservative Party Chairman Jerry Kassar and that the Conservative Party's view is out of date.

But let's look at the full quote from Politico:

Yesterday was the first day of the petition season to get my name on the ballot for NY-13 and our dozens of volunteers, all determined to Get America Working Again, knocked on hundreds of doors and spoke to their neighbors and friends about our message of hope and determination.

I'm a progressive Democrat who believes in a strong economy, the safe withdrawal of our troops from Iraq, healthcare for all, and lower gas prices.

I'm a progressive Democrat who believes in human rights, civil rights, and women's rights.

I'm a progressive Democrat who has received the endorsements of national and local organizations, including the Democratic Organization of Richmond County and the Staten Island Democratic Association. I have also received the endorsement of Daily Gotham.

The news is below that Vito "Two Families are a Better Value than One" Fossella will not run for re-election.

Another report is coming from Daily Kos that Dominic Recchia, the Vito Lopez pawn who was running in my mind partly to make sure Vito Fossella wins (I have my reasons to suspect that) is dropping out as well. Perhaps, if my original belief about Recchia and Lopez's motivations was correct, now that Vito isn't running for re-election, the other Vito and Recchia have no reason to be in the field.

Or Recchia is getting thrown under the bus by others who now want to run.

But at this moment, Steve Harrison is the only candidate from any party running for NY-13. Be ready for the vultures to descend on Fossella's rotting political corpse in a free for all for the NY-13 seat.

One picture says it all. Thanks to FossellaFive.org, here's Vito Fossella's mug shot from his drunk driving arrest:

I think we all should be thankful that Vito Fossella didn't hit anyone while driving intoxicated. Such irresponsibility is disgusting in anyone, but particularly in someone who is supposed to be a leader. As Steve Harrison, Democratic Candidate taking on Vito Fossella in the NY-13 Congressional race, says:

"Lawmakers cannot expect the people to follow the laws if they themselves disregard them."

Steve Harrison, Vito Fossella's main Democratic opponent, has issued a statement regarding Vito (or is that Vino?) Fossella's Drunk Driving Arrest:

As Steve Harrison wraps up most of the local endorsements for his run for Congress (in both Bay Ridge and Staten Island) we need to get busy fundraising for him. After all, this is the only Congressional seat in NYC filled by a Repub, a corrupt one at that...and it's about time to get rid of him. Steve is the man to do that.

Steve has also recently signed on to the "Responsible Plan for Iraq," aimed at ending our military occupation of Iraq while preserving regional stability.

Here's a Staten Island fundraiser for him:

House Party for Steve Harrison for Congress
Sun., Mar. 30, 2008; 4:00 to 6:30
Hosted by Dave Hernandez and Rich Greve
125 Roe Street, Staten Island, NY
Suggested Donation $50

And if you can't make it but still want to help, you can donate at the Daily Gotham Act Blue site.