Earlier today, the Times Herald Record, one of 3 major dailies in NY-19, videotaped an editorial board meeting where six term Congresswoman Sue Kelly lost it on camera when challenger John Hall started asking Kelly about her role in Pagegate. As previous diaries have noted, incuding
this recommended diary from Saturday, Sue Kelly was head of the Page Board between 1999 and 2001 and has so far refused to answer any questions about what she knew and when she learned of Foley's behavior. And if we buy her claim that she didn't know, how could she have been doing her job as head of the page board?
The video is only on the Times Herald Record
site (click on the "You Have no Shame" link). I've already watched it several times and it quickly becomes apparent as to why Kelly has been so reluctant to debate. She has turned down the League of Women Voters three times. Her repeated claims that she's a wife, a mother and a grandmother come across as shrill and more than a bit similar to the bad witch crying "I'm melting" in the Wizard of Oz.
There's also a second clip on the site where Sue rolls out the tired old "John Hall is going to raise your taxes" chestnut. In both clips, it quickly becomes apparent to all but the most partisan observers that Sue needs to be replaced on Nov. 7.
And for more information on Sue Kelly's Pagegate timeline, check out the new SueKnew.com site. Sue Kelly may not remember what happened when she was head of the Page Board or even what dates she served. But that doesn't let her off the hook.
UPDATE: Thanks everyone for recommending! There's a core group of us at take19 who have been working on this race since February 2005. It was never a top tier, but we always thought the district's demographics were better than DC pundits were giving us credit for. Lots of work still to do and every bit helps, particularly when Kelly melts in public.
UPDATE #2: Interesting to read all the comments both pro and con. We know John's folks are also reading this thread, so be sure to continue with your advice. And -- I can't believe I forgot this -- if you can contribute either money or time to the John Hall for Congress campaign, please do. His site is here.