NY Jim Tedisco Race Update

This is going to be a squeaker and I can see it potentially ending up in the courts for a final verdict. I had hoped Tedisco would pull it out with a clear victory, but it was so close last night that they're now counting absentee ballots and will have to wait for military and federal employee ballots, which have a receipt deadline of April 13th.

We're looking at possibly two more weeks of indecision. There are roughly 6000 absentee ballots in hand thus far, but more could come in before the domestic deadline of April 7th.

As I type Murphy is ahead by 65 votes.

"Not counting the absentee ballots and such, we have Scott Murphy with 77,344 votes and Jim Tedisco at 77,279, with all counties reporting," said Donna Mullahey at the New York State Board of Elections.

US congressional contest too close to call
A Congressional by-election seen as an early popularity test for President Barack Obama's economic measures was too close to call Wednesday.

In a race this close, what's next?
The polls have closed and the votes have been counted, and it's a virtual dead heat in the 20th Congressional race. So what happens now to determine the winner in this special election?

Congressional Race in N.Y. is Too Close to Call
Absentee ballots will decide the outcome.

Tedisco Update: Obama raises stakes in NY vote

If you have friends in NY, get them energized. The vote is March 31st in this special election and Jim Tedisco wins, we win. Not only do we gain a much-needed seat in Congress, but we send a powerful message to the Obama team. They are fighting tooth and nail for this seat and throwing everything they have at winning. If you can spare time to make phone calls, go to his website and volunteer. If you can send $5, $10, $50, $1,000 to help, do it. https://www.icontribute.us/jimtedisco/initiative/lipstick

Obama raises stakes in NY vote
Uses campaign database to support Dem candidate
President Obama on Wednesday endorsed the Democratic candidate in a New York special congressional race that will be decided next week, raising the stakes in an already high-profile contest that is being viewed as the first political bellwether vote of the Obama era.

The president praised businessman Scott Murphy as an ally for change in an e-mail sent Wednesday morning to around 60,000 supporters on voter lists run by the Democratic National Committee and Organizing for America (OFA), the Obama presidential campaign's database that has been turned into a semi-independent political organization.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/25/obama-raises-stakes-ny-vote/

From the National Republican Trust

An Urgent Message From Scott Wheeler

Re: Defeating Obama's Candidate in SpecialCongressional Election
Dear Newsmax Reader:

The race between Republican Jim Tedisco and liberal Democrat Scott Murphy is very tight.
As you know, this special congressional election in New York is very important. If Tedisco wins, it will send a powerful message to Washington and the media: Americans don't want Obama's radical, socialist plan for America.

That's why we at The National Republican Trust have already committed more than $500,000 to help defeat Wall Street Democrat Scott Murphy and elect Republican Jim Tedisco.

Today, we are launching our new TV ad exposing Scott Murphy's support for the AIG bonuses — bonuses that were protected by Obama's stimulus plan that was not even read by members of Congress before they voted for it!

Please take a moment to watch our new TV ad — Go Here Now.

You can make a powerful difference!

Yours for America,
Scott Wheeler
Executive Director

P.S. The Democrats are continuing to money into the race and are even trying to lock up TV air time. It's urgent we make our last minute TV buys.
https://www.icontribute.us/jimtedisco/initiative/lipstick

Smart Girl Politics' $20 for NY-20" Jim Tedisco

Republican activists around the country will be celebrating President Lincoln’s bicentennial in a special way this year. From February 10th to the 12th, the online rightroots will be pushing an effort called “$20 for NY-20.”

Their goal will be to increase the number of small donors investing in the campaign of Republican Jim Tedisco.

Smart Girl Politics has been asked to help with this effort, and we'd like to respond in a *big* way. And make it fun, too, of course!

Here's how we'd like you to help:

1. Get on Twitter and tweet the heck out of "$20 for NY-20" using the donation link and the hashtag #ny20. Sample tweet: "Support the GOP and @TediscoCongress by giving $20 for NY-20. http://pleasecontribute.com/7586 #ny20" [For every day between 2/10 and 2/10 that you tweet for Tedisco, you get one entry into the drawing for an SGP swag bag. Tweet three days, get three entries.]

2. Post one of the attached banners on your website and link it to http://pleasecontribute.com/7586. Please let Tedisco's new media director know that you've posted a banner by emailing your URL to ali@jimtedisco.com. [Post a banner on your site, get one more entry into the drawing for an SGP swag bag.]

3. Be a pair of boots on the ground for Jim Tedisco! Rebuild the Party is organizing all activists in the North East to rally 'round Jim Tedisco. Every SGP member who hits the campaign trail for Tedisco will receive an SGP t-shirt featuring our unique pink and black logo.

Sign up to help at: http://rebuildtheparty.ning.com/page/2490084:Page:97209"

Now, let's get out there and get the red tide going! Visit Smart Girl Politics at: http://smartgirlpolitics.ning.com