There are certain things that strict fathers cannot be: A Loser, Corrupt, and especially not a Betrayer of Trust.–George Lakoff
Tom Reed poses as a strict but caring father–he knows best what is good for us. Cut social spending to make us self-reliant, master a trade as an alternative to college, trust him and President Trump. Tom Reed’s more detailed campaign strategy is laid out on his official facebook page:
- Frequent photo ops show him as a caring person at home in his district.
- Run against “hippies:” Tom says: “Heroin injection sites are an extreme proposal and they are not the solution to ending the opioid epidemic in our region and across the country. These sites attract drug abusers and criminal drug dealers, making these communities vulnerable to more crime and homelessness.”
- He has an answer for concern over student loans — force schools to disburse endowments.
- On the loss of the state tax deduction, he blames NYS Democrats.
- He has an answer for concern over tariffs–Trump’s negotiating ploy.
- He has an answer for concern over deficits — optimistic predictions of economic growth.
- On rising health insurance costs, he points the finger of blame at Democrats.
- He has an answer for concerns over immigration–bipartisan compromise.
- On the question of tax cuts for the rich, he posts anecdotes about wage increases and bonuses.
- On farm policy, he feigns concern.
- On veterans, wave the flag, attend parades, arrange photo ops.
- On guns, claim to defend the Constitution, offer to address mental health.
Tom will run on his issues and his proposals. It won’t do to bicker with him on his terms. He has framed the debate to his advantage. His opponents must do better at framing the debate to advantage.
New NY 23rd 
The five remaining democratic candidates have benefited by having many formal opportunites to tone their message. That is why this election is a different from Reed’s previous four.
The ultimate nominee knows that the GOP has had control of the House for eight years the Senate for four. The GOP now controls the Legislative and Executive branches of the government. Blaming the democrats won’t work for anyone else except the extreme GOP believers.
Rep. Reed has been my representative for eight years. We have seen Reed’s pictures before. We have heard his rhetoric all too often. We see the medical costs increasing, We see the price of gas increasing. We don’t see the jobs coming back nor our wages keeping up with higher prices. We know that many will pay higher taxes because they can not deduct their property taxes. We have heard that our earned benefits (Medicare and Social Security) will be reduced and that Rep. Reed supports the Trade War.
It is not going to be easy to win this election, but it is possible.
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Upstate Republicans often blame Albany (as if the Republican dominated NYS Senate didn’t exist) for any failings they may have. Tom Reed particularly likes to point the finger of blame at Governor Cuomo. Local Republicans claim that the GOP is the only protection upstate New Yorkers have against the alien, uncivilized influence of NYC. This puts Democrats in a bind–how to run as Democrats without being demonized by GOP propaganda. One answer is to run as a “different kind of Democrat,” hostile to Albany and NYC. I don’t know if any of the five plan to follow this strategy.
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On June 8th: When a community comes together with an idea to honor those who served and who are currently serving, the end result is a “Living Memorial”. It was my honor to visit this site in Cuba and pay my respects to the men and women in our military.
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Reed’s campaign strategy.
1. Send out campaign literature at the taxpayer’s expense under the “franking privilege”. Lat time he sent out his mailers at taxpayer’s expense on the last day it was legal to do so.
2. Characterize my opponents as radicals who want to “take away your guns”. Ignore their various positions and simply repeat the same lies over and over.
tax and spend” “liberals” “take away guns” “open borders”.
3. Cast himself as a “moderate” by saying he is part of the “problem solver caucus”. Of course , he has had no proposals to actually solve any problems that don’t lower taxes on the wealthy and cut services for the most needy. When you think about citizens in need Reed’s attitude is ” Not MY problem”. He thinks the biggest problem we face is having the wealthiest pay their fair share.
4. Talk about the economy, which was saved by Obama , and pretend it is all because of Trump’s policies. That is the major talking point of the GOP this year. Of course, the “Trump” economy is nothing more than an extension of the growth under Obama.
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pystew,
The GOP advantage in the Senate is non-existent with Senators John McCain, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and now Jeff Flake in office.
Most if not all of NY State’s financial woes are a direct result of NY State’s bad Legislatures and Governor, including Governor Pataki. NY State simply has a spending problem. Largest Budget in the nation and less people than CA & FL.
Tom Reed is about to go off the Conservative game plan regarding DACA, illegal immigrants and tighter border security measures. Tom Reed, Lee Zeldin, John Katko, Chris Collins and Elise Stefanik along with the Democrats in Congresswho are pushing what amounts to total amnesty have earned the nickname “MS13 Congressional members”.
To Reed did vote NO on the latest Omnuibus Spending Bill and talks like he is solid on the Constitution and the 2nd Amendment.
With Cynthia Nixon & most likely Andrew Cuomo on the Gubernatorial ballot in November and the thought of a Democrat controlled Congress wasting time and money trying to impeach President Trump there should be enough Conservatives out there who will show up and keep Congressman Reed in office for another 2 years.
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Gary AKA Rynstone, did you have enough from your run against Reed 2 years ago? Educate yourself and research the state budget amounts for California and New York. I’m sorry to have to break the news – California’s budget is the largest in the nation.
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Whungerford, We certainly do not have a Republican dominated State Assembly. We hold a 1 person majority which could easily end this November. With the likes of former convicted Dean Skelos, Tom Libous and other GOP sell-outs to Governor Cuomo we have a failed GOP Senate and the Democrat massively controlled Assembly is far more powerful than the State Senate.
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There is little evidence of conservative voters in NY-23; there are many faux-conservatives for sure. The so-called Conservative Party backs Tom Reed, who is one of the most liberal Republicans in Congress. Conservatives would surely not support President Trump who is more radical than conservative.
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Gary AKA Rynstone,
We have to assume that Trump will be President for at least a full four year term. Even if something happens that he does not complete his term, Vice President Pence will become President and continue the GOP agenda.
The winner of the June 26 Democratic Primary will be running against Tom Reed, and will focus on Reed’s votes. His votes, and the GOP agenda, is very much a pro-for profit corporate- Wall Street Class, and a not for the middle class Americans. (See my comment above and let me know what I go wrong). Reed can point out that the Democrats are all evil, but those who like to have health insurance, safe foods, fair elections, our earned benefits, a decent wage, one full time job with benefits instaed of two part time jobs with no benefits, safe water and clean air, a strong education system will realize that the GOP in DC have been in full control of the Legislative Branch for four years, and the House for eight. (Is that a runned-on sentence?) And look what we have gotten a small tax break that the increase of gas prices has already eaten. They, regarless of their party, will vote for change. Eight years of Reed is enough. This election will show us what the term “Term Limits” really mean. I think you are really dreaming when you think that people will vote for Reed because what Cuomo does.
Also, this is the second time today I have read the phrase “The Constitution and the Second Amendment” . You do realize the Second Amendment is in the Constitution.
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Steven Beikirch,
You are absolutely correct. California has the largest budget in the nation. I thought they had a two-year budget but they do not.
California Budget for 2018 was 183.3 Billion which is $4,636.00 per capita.
NY State Budget for 2019 is 171 Billion which is $8,615.00 per capita.
NY’s budget is just slightly 10 Billion less than CA’s budget.
California has about 2.3 times as many people as NY State does.
Steve, I did not get a chance to actually run against Tom Reed as I did not remain on the ballot because my designating petitions did not hold up to scrutiny. .
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