Per the Advance, flag-burning amendment afficionado and rumored Iraq War waffler Michael McMahon has raised half a million clams in his pursuit of the seat of retiring Congressman Vito 'Family Values' Fossella.

The McMahon campaign touted the deluge of donor dollars as proof that the term-limited councilman has the support to win the congressional seat, although the campaign won't officially file papers with the Federal Election Commission until the July 15 deadline.

McMahon's opponent for the Democratic nomination, Brooklyn lawyer Stephen Harrison, admitted that his campaign has raised far less -- about $150,000, according to his best estimate.[...]

"If dollars could vote, he wins," said Harrison. "But they don't. It's a classic grassroots campaign against a machine campaign, and we'll see what happens."

It'll be interesting to see what McMahon's money looks like come July 15th. My guess would be that his filing will include a large number of $5,000 PAC checks and $2,300 maxed-out bigshot donors. Meanwhile, of course, Harrison's rather more meager filing speaks to that perennial challenge to New York Progressives, who often enough treat raising money as an afterthought. Some of us, and I'm not saying Steve is one of them, really seem to think elections are won merely by the blazing rightness of our ideas. Over here in the real world, that's unfortunately not the way it works.

It is to weep.

CQ Politics, the blog of the Congressional Quarterly, cites republican dysfunction and the larger environment, hostile as it is to the party of George Bush, in upgrading the NY-13 race from No Clear Favorite to Democrat Favored.

This big rating jump means there is still enough of a Republican base in New York City’s sole GOP-held House district to enable the party to bounce back if it can find a new candidate to rally around — but that the Democrats now look increasingly likely to take a seat that looked like a long shot when the campaign year began.

Already reeling from the political demise of one-time rising star Fossella, the GOP effort fell into chaos when Frank Powers — the former Wall Street executive who party officials had tapped to run in Fossella’s stead — died suddenly of a heart attack on June 22. Republican officials from the New York City boroughs of Staten Island, which makes up three-quarters of the district’s population, and Brooklyn, which makes up the rest, have thus far failed to agree on their next fill-in candidate.

I suspect that that's somewhat prematurely optimistic, because the GOP will agree on a candidate at some point. But there's probably never been a better year to free the district from its unnatural representation by the same people who twice nominated George Bush. Of course, the Democratic primary in that district now becomes even more important. And on that note, I'd merely mention that flag-burning amendments to the Constitution are wrong, really wrong, and more wrong.

Via email from the Steve Harrison campaign:

For Immediate Release June 27 2008

Democratic Congressional Candidate Steve Harrison names former Deutsche Bank director Greg Collett campaign manager

(Staten Island/Brooklyn) Democratic Congressional Candidate Steve Harrison (NY 13 CD Staten Island/Southwest Brooklyn) has named former Deutsche Bank director Greg Collett campaign manager. Collett, a George Washington University Law School grad, recently stepped down as a director at Deutsche Bank, where he developed and managed the Bank’s exchange traded commodity fund business. Collett replaces Laura Sword, who stepped down from the campaign earlier this week.

Before his work at Deutsche Bank, Mr. Collett had experience as a legislative aide to a New Jersey State Senator and on various campaigns.

In 2006, Harrison against long time incumbent Vito Fossella, received a higher percentage of the vote than any Democrat ever, under NY‘s 13th Congressional District’s current configuration. A scandal ridden Fossella has declined to seek re-election in 2008.

"Greg first contacted me last year looking for a volunteer position on the campaign after hearing our message," said Harrison. “I was humbled to have someone with Greg’s credentials, so we included him in the campaign in a fund raising capacity."

"In light of Greg’s ample organizational and communication skills, when he became available this week, the choice became obvious," continued Harrison. He has the skill set, drive, and dedication to be successful. He has an infectious winning attitude that should inspire our many volunteers. I’m thrilled to work with Greg. He will be a fresh presence in the district with a fresh perspective on the race.”

There was a major staff shake-up in the campaign of Steve Harrison (D-NY-13) yesterday, with three aides, including the campaign manager Laura Sword, leaving the campaign.

The campaign and the departed staffers are currently working on a statement to explain the development, which would seem to indicate the decision was amicable.

More details when we have them.

[Update: Campaign statement below the fold]

Steve Harrison's campaign team emails over two statements, one on the unexpected passing of NY-13 republican candidate, Frank Powers, one on the Congress' FISA bill capitulation.

Steve Harrison statement on the Passing of Frank Powers

Today, I am deeply saddened upon learning of the unfortunate passing of Frank Powers. I did not know Frank but I admired the fact that he stepped up to the plate for his party and demonstrated courage when called upon to act. I offer my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.

Statement on FISA

This Friday, legislation was passed that will take away constitutionally guaranteed rights. The FISA bill strips Americans of these rights and protects telecommunications companies from being held accountable by the people.

It's time to support Democrats with democratic values and principles, Democrats who will work on behalf of the American people and protect their rights. When I'm elected to Congress, I will be that Democrat.

No word from Mike McMahon on either subject to date. Stay tuned.

In Daniel Millstone's excellent piece on the Iraq War positions of NY-13 Democratic primary contender Michael McMahon, the latter, a sitting member of the City Council, is quoted as saying this:

With regard to various city council resolutions on the War, I do not believe that the City Council, which has some very difficult issues to face, is best prepared to spend its time working on these issues. In my time in the Council, I have worked very hard on issues that affect the working men and women of my district and the City.

Now, one might argue that the Iraq War does indeed directly affect a district with 45,046 civilian veterans in the last census. One might further argue that the cost of the Iraq War in the Thirteenth District, $1.8B to date, with $462.7M online for FY 2008 and FY 2009 also coming from the district, is indeed a matter of interest.

Of course, as McMahon implies, resolutions by the City Council, even if passed by the bushel, do not in and of themselves carry much weight in the national legislature except as a debatably effective tool of persuasion. That would be an entirely fair point to make. However, a quick review of McMahon's record reveals that he has indeed sponsored and voted for such appellative resolutions, including some that should make Democrats cringe.

A while ago I asked Council Member Michael McMahon about his views on the war in Iraq and detainee policies. I received partial answers Friday night. and reproduce them below. It's a lawyerly reply with -- from my point of view -- good and bad news. It's most revealing, in my opinion, for what it doesn't say. Refer to my original questions, which I have reproduced below, to see what's not said. I will write about Mr. McMahon's reply further, later.

Statement by Michael E. McMahon in response to Daily Gotham Questions

I am opposed to the Iraq War and the time to start bringing home our fighting men and woman is now. That being said, we cannot allow politics to do anything that will threaten the lives and safety of our troops.

There were many in Congress who supported the war based on misinformation and the miscalculations of the Bush Administration. As documented in the recently released Senate report, the danger posed by weapons of mass destruction was exaggerated. It was these dangers that lead many, including the New York Times editorial board, to endorse military action.

But now that we are there we need a plan to get our forces home. I support the agenda that Senator Clinton has outlined;

* Phased redeployment
* Focus on stability with the assistance of the United Nations
* Intensive Regional Diplomacy

With regard to various city council resolutions on the War, I do not believe that the City Council, which has some very difficult issues to face, is best prepared to spend its time working on these issues. In my time in the Council, I have worked very hard on issues that affect the working men and women of my district and the City. As chair of the Sanitation Committee we have done some really good things on the environment, keeping the Landfill closed, and managing our solid waste.

This can't be good news for Democratic candidate Steve Harrison, running in NY-13 to replace disgraced republican Vito Fossella. From The Hill:

Rep. Charles Rangel and other New York House Democrats endorsed City Councilor Mike McMahon on Wednesday in the race to replace outgoing Rep. Vito Fossella (R).

“This year, we have an historic opportunity to turn the last Republican congressional district in New York City Democratic,” Rangel and 11 other House Democrats from New York City said in a statement obtained by The Hill.

The DCCC is taking sides as well.

Rep. Chris Van Hollen (Md.), the chairman of the Democrats’ House campaign effort, will appear with McMahon at City Hall in Lower Manhattan on Saturday, according to a Democratic source.

To name some names:

Democratic Congressional candidate Steve Harrison (NY13th CD Staten Island, Southwest Brooklyn), who in 2006 received a higher percentage of the vote than any Democrat ever under the district’s current configuration, is challenging September 9th primary opponent Councilman Michael McMahon to five debates, 3 in Staten Island and two in Brooklyn. The primary winner faces the eventual Republican nominee in November to replace incumbent Vito Fossella, who is not seeking re-election because of his recent scandals.

Harrison wants to begin debating his opponent as soon as possible.

"I'm ready to go today" said Harrison, "Mike told the Staten Advance that he wants to discuss the issues. So let's discuss. I've been discussing Congressional issues for over two years. have a website, campaign team and money in the bank. It will be interesting to hear what Mike says about National issues and why he voted for congestion pricing and the largest property tax hike in history and why, as a Democrat, he's vying for the Conservative party endorsement."

Harrison soundly defeated Fossella, who ran on the Republican and Conservative lines ,all five times they debated in 2006.

You can't make this stuff up.

Son of GOP nominee throws hat into ring for Staten Island's seat
by Staten Island Advance

It could be father versus son in the race for Staten Island's seat in the House of Representatives.

An already topsy-turvy political year grew even more so today when Francis M. Powers, the son of GOP designee Francis H. Powers, said he would seek the Libertarian Party line to run for the 13th Congressional District seat.

"This is not about my dad," said the younger Powers, 47, a master carpenter from Clifton who plays and sings with the Staten Island band Box of Crayons and runs an indie record label called Penny for the Guy Records. "I'm running against the Republican candidate."

That's just beautiful.

Known as Fran, Powers is the eldest of five children from his father's first marriage, which ended in divorce 30 years ago.

Fran Powers insisted his candidacy is not a "vendetta" against his father.

"I'm not going to say that my dad treated me bad when I was a kid," Fran Powers said. "I know his policies. I'm running against someone I know."

If your own kid feels so strongly about you not being in Congress that he's willing to run against you, that might be a problem.

When asked about the timing of his entry into the race, Powers said, "Me being his son gives me a different platform than normal," a platform that Powers said he wouldn't have against another candidate.

"We can't have the Republicans take this seat again," he added. "A vote for my father is a vote for the straight Republican ticket."

Yup.