This morning I heard a Staten Island Republican ranting about how Vito Fossella's fathering an illegitimate child had nothing to do with his stand on the issues and he should stay in office.

Well, much as I would love to see him stay in office because he'd be easy to beat, it struck me immediately that a.) Vito Fossella's typical Bush "family values" stand and calls for Spitzer to resign mean Vito is a grade A hypocrite; and b.) seems amazing that breaking the law and endangering lives by driving drunk doesn't bother Republicans.

I called for Spitzer's resignation not because I gave a crap what he did with his free time, but because of his massive hypocrisy in prosecuting prostitution while being a participant himself. Similarly, any Republican who feels Vito Fossella's fathering an illegitimate child is ignoring the effect that will have on the life of the mother and child, as well as his own family and the gross hypocrisy that allows him to condemn others while engaging in fun himself. Fossella's family values rhetoric has to be contrasted with the reality of his screwing around, something that was well-known among Republican circles in Staten Island.

Republican Congressman Vito "Vino" Fossella is really not looking too good right now. His conduct the night of his drunk driving arrest is something he is going to have a hard time living down.

Mug Shot thanks to FossellaFive.org

Drunk driving AND a secret love child all revealed in one scandal. People are arguing over what to call this scandal. Simple "Vinogate?" "Double the Family Values?" "A Congressman Walked into a Bar?" Or, a suggestion on Daily Kos, "In-Vito Fertilization."

The behavior of Vito Fossella leaves much to be desired, though perhaps by Republican standards where even pedophilia is accepted, maybe he isn't so bad.

Daily Kos has been highlighting a new coalition of Democratic challengers with the stated goal of ending the Iraq war in 2009:

What interests us locally in New York State is that two members of this coalition are from New York: Steve Harrison (NY-13) and Eric Massa (NY-29). Here's the press release from the Harrison campaign:

Steve Harrison joins other top-tier Democratic challengers to issue “Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq”
Harrison (NY-13 Staten Island/Southwest Brooklyn), Darcy Burner (WA-8), Donna Edwards (MD4), Eric Massa (NY-29) and 6 other candidates will unveil detailed strategy to end the war

Fundraiser for Steve Harrison for Congress (NY-13)
Wed., Feb. 27, 2008, 6:30 PM
Hosted by Lewis Cohen. Honorary host Gloria Steinem. Special Guest Frank Barbaro.
Social Bar and Grill, 795 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10019

Fundraiser Suggested Donations $100-$2300

Gloria Steinem and Frank Barbaro are joining in a fundraiser for Steve Harrison in his race against Bush Republican Vito Fossella.

Frank Barbaro has already endorsed Steve. Here is an excerpt from the press release from that event:

Barbaro cites Iraq, universal healthcare, preserving social security and protecting worker rights as among the reasons for his support of Harrison.

“Your positions on these issues demonstrated a deep commitment to American Values set forth in our Constitution and to our core Democratic values.”

Barbaro, whose public service career spans more than 50 years, also lauded Harrison’s community involvement.

DFNYC's Merle McEldowney invites you to an event in support of Stephen Harrison, Candidate for US Congress.

January 17, 2008 – 6 to 9 PM
2166 Broadway 16F
(between 76 & 77 streets)

On Thursday, January 17th, from 6:00 pm - 9:00 Merrle is having a party in my home to support and honor Steve Harrison, candidate for the US Congress in the 13th District. From her invitation:

I feel strongly about this race. Steve is a person who reflects all that I want to see in a representative. His values are consistently well thought out, and come from a fundamentally humane base. I think you will like him as much as I do.

As the Congressional representative for the 13th District, Steve will work to bring integrity and reform to Washington and get the representation that district deserves. In last year's race Steve nearly defeated Fosella in the district's closest election in decades. The New York Times, major unions, and our top Democratic leaders endorsed Steve.

This last week, Steve Harrison made his long anticipated anouncement (reported first on Daily Gotham as far as I am aware) that he would run for Congress against Bush Lap Dog, Vito Fosella in the NY-13 Congressional district. Make no mistake. This is big because in 2006 Harrison entered the race late and ran an almost strictly grassroots, shoestring campaiagn and by November was breathing down Fosella's sweaty neck.

This time Harrison is anouncing early and already fundraising. And this time, the DCCC is watching with a real eye towards getting involved. Vito Fossella, part of the Cheney/Bush Axis of Corruption, is scared.

To welcome Steve into the race, I want to repost what I wrote in 2006 after first meeting Steve Harrison at a New Democratic Majority meeting in Brooklyn. And let me be the first one to extend a new invitation to him to come by our meetings again this year...anytime!

The following was originally posted in 2006:

Last night I finally got to meet Steve Harrison at the Brooklyn meeting of New Democratic Majority. Steve Harrison is running for Congress against the extremely corrupt buddy of Dick Cheney and Karl Rove, Vito Fossella...