Potential Democratic challenger could kick Rep. King (R-NY) to the curb

[ProSense]

Potential King challenger emerges


BY J. JIONI PALMER
WASHINGTON BUREAU

December 17, 2005, 9:45 PM EST

WASHINGTON -- With national Democrats buoyed by a recent internal poll hinting veteran Rep. Peter King is potentially vulnerable to a challenge, Nassau Legis. David Mejias traveled to Capitol Hill Friday for a meeting with top lawmakers eager for him to run.

Mejias, 35, who last month won a second term in a district where Republicans outnumber Democrats 2 to 1, said Saturday that he hasn't decided for sure whether to mix it up with the seven-term Seaford Republican.

"Right now, I'm considering it very seriously," said Mejias, of North Massapequa. He said he was urged to run by Reps. Gary Ackerman (D-Jamaica Estates) and Steve Israel (D-Huntington) and Suffolk County Democratic Chairman Richard Schaffer.

Mejias said he expects to make a decision "within the next four to six weeks" after weighing various factors, most notably his ability to raise the $1 million to $2 million he needs for a credible challenge.

http://www.nynewsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-usking1218,0,6593005.story?coll=ny-leadnationalnews-headlines

[BillZBubb]

1. That would be great!

King is a certified Bushturd.

[Stevepol]

2. They better be ready for vote fraud. I think King is the guy who said:---

with Bush standing beside him, after the voting had taken place, "It's all over but the counting, and we'll take care of the counting." Either he's got a strange sense of humor or he was one of those in on the fix in 04.

[annabanana]

3. I'd love to see it...

but I fear the national Dems don't think this is a contestable seat and aren't ready to give a hand..I don't know why, though. King's certainly one of B*sh's boys, and as such, has vulnerabilities.

[Toots]

11. Dean doesn't feel that way or at least he says he doesn't.

He has said many times that he intends to see no challenge left un met. He wants the Democrats to put up a challenge even in the reddest of red states and counties...and has said he will help them do so...The proof is in the pudding though..

[madfloridian]

17. Some national Dems do, trust me.

It is just that Rahm really gets to pick, and if anyone else butts in...they will be called down.

I think it will take time to switch the power base. Unfortunately many of our friends on the left would rather take down the man who is trying to change things.....to make their 3rd party.

That automatically gives the win back to the DLC Dems who are picking the races now.

[madfloridian]

4. Just read about someone dropping out because of lack of party support.

I think it must be the same district. I just happened to read this elsewhere, and not familiar with the race.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-usbish164552836dec16,0,5253343.story?coll=ny-nationalnews-headlines

[annabanana]

5. I saw that too.. Sometimes the DNC just burns my

biscuits!

[madfloridian]

7. That would be the DCCC under Rahm.

"The issue here is not about David Bishop or Peter King," said Robert Zimmerman, a member of the Democratic National Committee, responding to the sources' reports. "It's about the determination of Democratic members of Congress to provide the resolve to win back the majority in the House of Representatives - and that is demonstrated by deeds, not by words."

According to a New York Democratic congressional source, Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, asked a couple of New York-area lawmakers to give Bishop's bid a boost by lending fundraising and "logistical support," but that request wasn't enthusiastically received.

The source, who asked not to be identified because of the politically sensitive nature of the talks, said Emanuel's request was still under consideration when Bishop decided not to challenge him."

Long Island Democrats acknowledged that "personal politics" might have trumped partisan politics when the lawmakers balked at backing Bishop's challenge to King.

"I don't think they were ever going to kick-start this thing," said a top party insider. "They'd pile on if they saw him going down, but not before - and I don't think that's their role."

[MrBenchley]

10. Did you actually read what you posted?

The DCCC tried to get this guy's candidacy started, and his fellow LI Democrats scotched it.

[Don1]

12. Good Point.

However, I have seen now 5 states where Emmanuel has tried to make kings in a top-down fashion, taking out other potentially popular candidates. These states I have heard about from threads on DU. Some even written by candidates themselves. It may have been a much better strategy by Emmanuel to be more Democratic instead of top-down, at least in this case.

If Emmanuel went to the DP lawmakers and asked them who they would like to support against King, then surely he would have gotten much better support from those DP lawmakers.

Maybe he can even do that now, so this seat is not chalked up to a loss to the GOP.

[MrBenchley]

14. Funny

The one I keep seeing all the fuss here about is the district in Illinois where Cegelis is a four-star disaster.

[madfloridian]

15. You just called Cegelis a four-star disaster? Shame on you for that.

I find that insulting and demeaning to all of us.

[madfloridian]

16. I have posted about other races, as well in FL Dist. 16.

And Texas. And so on.

How dare you call anyone a four star disaster?

[MrBenchley]

19. Goody for you.

And there's no better way to describe a candidate who blows more than $120,000 during a non-election year, without a fucking thing to show for it, THAN four-star disaster.

[Don1]

18. This is a bit of a non sequitur.

Do you agree that Emmanuel could attempt to redress matters in NY by talking to the DP lawmakers about whom they might support?

[madfloridian]

13. Take a deep breath. Read what I wrote.

I was pointing out the DNC was not at issue here, it was the DCCC handling this.

Before you call me the usual, I pointed it out because many confuse the groups. It costs fundraising dollars because they don't know the difference.

I don't think I said a single thing wrong, I was pointing out what was happening.

When someone makes a statement against the DNC, I point out the different parts of the party. But then I think you already know that.

[AX10]

6. King is beatable and he is a horrible pig.

The DNC better get behind the movement to defeat the sob.

[ProSense]

8. As long as a Democrat runs and defeats drunKing,

I don't care if he or she is supported by the DCCC, DNC, BBC or A&P. As long as King becomes a former Congressman.

[Arugula Latte]

9. I hate that piece of @#$% King.

Hate 'im. :grr: If he gets a challenger I'll donate from 3,000 miles away.