Also at The Albany Project
The nationally important 20th Congressional District special election on March 31 between Democratic candidate Scott Murphy and Republican candidate Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco popped up in at least two spots during the CPAC conference that ended yesterday with an "angry, mocking, bullying, harsh" speech by bigger-and-fatter-than-ever Rush Limbaugh.
Tedisco evidently did not attend, but he got some props from House Minority Leader John Boehner and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
Details, below.
Boehner naturally wants a win in NY-20, and the obvious spin he's hoping the media will regurgitate is that a Tedisco victory is an Obama defeat.
CQ Politics has a transcript:
We need to compete everywhere. And when I say compete everywhere, New York 20 is probably the best example. This is where Kirsten Gillibrand was appointed to the Senate. It’s an open race. Jim Tedisco is the minority leader in the New York assembly. He is our candidate.
This election is on March 31st, and it is a giant opportunity for us to let America know that America is on our side. And so, if you’re looking for ways to get plugged in, go get plugged in.
I couldn't find a transcript of Gingrich's speech; CQ Politics had a story, though:
Gingrich promoted the election of conservative candidates. He urged those in the audience (and watching on a live video stream) to donate to the campaign of Jim Tedisco, the Republican nominee in the March 31 special election in New York’s 20th Congressional District. That seat was vacated by Democratic incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand in January after she was appointed to the Senate seat held by Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton until her confirmation as secretary of State.
National Republicans are all-in on this race; national Democrats should join them.
Please do what you can to help elect Scott Murphy.