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since the meetig between McMahon and Conservative Party Chairman Jerry Kassar and that the Conservative Party's view is out of date.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.

Democracy for America has nominated New York 13th Congressional District Democratic candidate Steve Harrison for consideration as a "Congressional Grassroots All-Star".

The winner of the competition receives in addition to bragging rights, a donation from the organization. Here's the link. http://democracyforamerica.com/gras

In the race to replace Vito Fossella in New York's 13th Congressional District the arguments among and between the partisans of the aspirants for the Democratic Party nomination in New York’s 13 Congressional District has focused on almost anything but the issues. Personally, I’ve been dissatisfied with what seemed to be shaping up as an intensely insider debate. (Who can raise enough money? Who is a pawn of Vito Lopez? Who supported Sen. Martin J. Golden?) Process questions are important, but they should not take the place of policy discussion, as I see it.

In order to understand the difference between them, I called up both candidates and asked them about key issues. I’ve run the statements below by each candidate again so as to ensure their accuracy and opportunity to fine tune the positions. Corrections are welcome. In my view, the statements below point to some policy differences between Mr. Harrison and Mr. Recchia.

I asked about the views of Mr. Harrison and Mr. Recchia on other issues too: health care, civil liberties, the economy, the sub-prime lending crisis. Suggestions are welcome The statements post jump.

As first reported on the Staten Island Advance blog and then here on Daily Gotham, Frank Barbaro, former worker organizer, assemblyman and New York Supreme Court judge as well as former candidate for NY-13, has endorsed Steve Harrison for Congress.

From the Press Release from Friday, Dec. 21:

Former State Supreme Court judge and assemblyman Frank Barbaro endorses Harrison

6 PM December 21 press conference at the ferry terminal in Staten Island.

(Staten Island, Brooklyn) Iconic 80 year old former worker organizer, assemblyman and New York Supreme Court judge Frank Barbaro will endorse Democratic Congressional Candidate Steve Harrison at a 6PM, December 21, press conference at the ferry terminal, St George, Staten Island.

Harrison, is challenging New York 13th Congressional District (Staten Island and Southwest Brooklyn) incumbent Vito Fossella, New York City’s only Republican House member, again in 08, after receiving a higher percentage of the vote in 06 than any Democrat since the district’s creation.