I wish the quote above were about John McCain, but alas no, it's yet another twist in the funniest saga in the GOP these days (although I think Big Bad John's Video is in close running for the title of funniest aspect of the Republicans this year).

No, this is about NY-13, Vito Fossella's old seat.

In a campaign season with 435 House races vying for attention, and new seats becoming competitve every day, it's hard to keep the spotlight on any one particular race.  But kudos to our Republican friends in Richmond County who've managed to drag out a storyline that's kept people's attention for nearly three months.  

(more below the fold)

No, this is not a diary about John McCain, although I'm sure the analogy will be used sometime this season.

In this case, the title isn't an analogy at all.

The NY-13 Conrgessional Race keeps getting stranger and stranger. As of right now there are 2 Democrats, Steve Harrison and Mike McMahon (Mike McMahon is an apparent DINO who is also being considered by the Conservative Party because he convinced them he supported Bush's War) one Libertarian, and no Republican. The NY-13 district is proving to be the unlucky 13th for the Republicans.

Update at end with some speculation.

Apropos of nothing: Vito Fossella is pulling out all the stops to stay out of jail on his now-well-publicized drunk driving charge.

He hasn't just lawyered up, he's recruited a crew of private dicks to help him out. In fact, he has the same crack team of PIs that O.J. Simpson hired.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - What does Rep. Vito Fossella have in common with O.J. Simpson, Patty Hearst and John Gotti?

The Staten Island GOP lawmaker has hired the same ex-NYPD gumshoes.

Well, I must say, that's quite a client list.

Told of the big-city Mickey Spillane-types sniffing around his case, laid-back Alexandria Commonwealth's Attorney Randolph Sengel chuckled.

"Great," deadpanned the veteran prosecutor, upon learning of the duo's celebrity client list.

In Sengel's 28 years as a prosecutor, rarely has he seen a DWI defendant hire private eyes. "That's pretty unusual," he said yesterday.

I guess our man Vito is pretty serious about avoiding jail time. Serious enough to have signed the O.J. Dream Team.

Race tracker wiki: NY-13

Yesterday was the first day of the petition season to get my name on the ballot for NY-13 and our dozens of volunteers, all determined to Get America Working Again, knocked on hundreds of doors and spoke to their neighbors and friends about our message of hope and determination.

The Republican search for a candidate ends with ... Francis H Powers.  With their first, second, third, and perhaps even fourth tier candidates balking at running and with the party near broke the Republicans have turned to the finest counterpoint to the "elitist" Democrats.  A rich investment banker.

http://www.silive.com/...

Things just got even worse for House Republicans; their top choice to replace disgraced Rep. Vito Fossella in New York's 13th District has turned down a run.

The decision by Mr. Donovan not to run was a stunning one to many Republican leaders on Staten Island. "It’s disappointing to me that Dan Donovan is not running," said Guy V. Molinari, the former Staten Island borough president and unofficial dean of Republicans in that borough.

"I believe that he was our strongest candidate and that some Democrats would have not run if Dan had been a candidate," said Mr. Molinari, who represented the district in Congress from 1981 to 1989. "We’re attempting to find the person who offers the best opportunity to hold the seat. But these aren’t good times for Republicans to begin with."

No, Mr. Molinari, they certainly are not.

Donovan's statement:

"While I am sincerely flattered by the time and attention focused on me at this time, and I am truly humbled by the expression of trust so many have placed in me and in my ability that they would forward my name to be the person to represent Staten Island in Congress, I feel that at this time, I am best able to serve the people of Staten Island in the position to which they re-elected me by such an overwhelming margin just six months ago as their District Attorney," Donovan said.

"Therefore, I am now removing my name for consideration for a candidacy for Congress. In doing so, I want to thank all of the individuals, too numerous to mention here, from both the local and national levels who
have contacted me urging me to run for Congress and offering their support. I am truly humbled by the faith you have expressed in me."

Translation: "There are things I'd rather do than parachute onto the Titanic, thanks".

Donovan's decision leaves State Sen. Andrew Lanza as the likeliest GOP candidate for this D+0.8 seat, but his candidacy presents another problem for Republicans; it would create an open seat in the State Senate, of which Democrats are attempting to gain control in November.

These are interesting times, indeed. Especially if you're a Democrat.

Race tracker wiki: NY-13

He didn't want to be a sacrificial lamb.

There seems to be no end to the aftershocks following Representative Vito J. Fossella’s decision not to run for reelection this year. The latest comes from Daniel M. Donovan Jr., the Staten Island district attorney, who announced today that he would not be a candidate for the congressional seat.

Mr. Donovan’s decision is a blow for the Republican leaders on Staten Island, who had considered him to offer their party’s best shot at retaining the seat they have held for 28 years.

Update: The Albany Project has more, with the state angle:

The GOP's best hope is now Republican state Senator Andrew Lanza. Lanza holds a senate seat that is absolutely vital to Joe Bruno's ever shrinking majority. Now that Donovan is out, will Lanza be able to resist the temptation to toss his hat into the ring? Is Lanza's ambition greater than Bruno's pull?

Race tracker wiki: NY-13

After digging in his heels over the past few weeks, scandal-plagued Republican Rep. Vito Fossella has decided not to seek reelection.

From the New York Times:

After more than two weeks of damaging and scandal-filled headlines, Representative Vito J. Fossella of Staten Island has decided not to seek another term in Congress, according to several people close to him.

From Fossella's statement:

"Despite the personal mistakes I have made, I am touched by the outpouring of support and encouragement I have received from so many people. Their kind words and prayers during this difficult time mean more to me than I can express. And while many have urged me to run for re-election, I believe this course of action is best for my family and our community."

In Fossella's absence, Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donovan is the likely Republican choice for the race. Apparently John Boehner himself has courted Donovan for the race. Another Republican possibility is State Senator Andrew Lanza.

Swing State Project reports that the Democratic frontrunner in the race, Brooklyn-based City Councilman Domenic Recchia, is likely to bow out of the race. Recchia would be an underdog despite his impressive fundraising, as the bulk of the district is based in Staten Island, and not Brooklyn.

With Recchia out, the lone Democrat in the race is attorney and 2006 candidate Steve Harrison. He is likely to be joined by a high-profile Staten Island Democrat; most of the talk has revolved around State Senator Diane Savino, New York Assemblyman Michael Cusick, and New York City Councilman Mike McMahon.

All of those three are Staten Islanders, and it's likely, as Jonah from the excellent NY13 blog says, that the state and national parties will coalesce around one of them to avoid splitting the Staten Island vote.

Race tracker wiki: NY-13

Rep. Vito Fossella has decided not to seek re-election.  

"After a great deal of consideration, I have made the decision not to seek re-election to the United States House of Representatives this November," Fossella says in the statement. "This choice was an extremely difficult one, balanced between my dedication to service to our great nation and the need to concentrate on healing the wounds that I have caused to my wife and family."

I just received breaking news via email from the Hill who is reporting that Representative Fossella will not seek reelection. " It is unclear if Fossella will finish out his term or opt to resign before the end of the 110th Congress". This is great news for the Democrats, Staten Island, and Brooklyn! The demographics of Staten Island have been supportive for the Republicans for years which some may question since it is part of NYC. The republicans have had a strong hold on Staten Island City Council seats in both the South and Middle Island, held the State Senate, Borough President, and the Congress for years. I hope in this year of change a Democrat can snatch this seat up!I think Steve Harrison can.

Give him your support and donate on act blue:

http://actblue.com/...

Website: http://www.steveharrisonforcongress.com/

A curious (bizarre, macabre, sick, weird) twist on Vito Fossella's little family or better families values. It seems he has a lesbian sister, with a partner who systematically snubs, not going to events they couple will be at.  You can't make this stuff up. Here's the source:

http://www.nydailynews.com/...

The sister, it turns out, is an activist, fairly well known in gay political circles. I suppose that's why he feels he has to disown her. It would raise too many questions or something. Of course, it's possible that they don't like each other quite apart from this, but it's just so hard for me to get into the head of someone like that. It's like he has to play the role of this right wing family-values politico with absolutely no humanity inside.

I'm not claiming that this sort of emptying oneself out is exclusive to Repubs (Spitzer had to be doing something like that too) or even politicians or public figures, but this guy has brought it to a really high level. It's not surprising then that he still wants to run. He's so into the role, so completely identified with it, that he has entirely lost touch with reality.

Only Cheated On One Wife

(reposted from www.richieville.com)

Richieville News Service – HILDALE, UT

In harsh and often scathing language, leaders of a fundamentalist Mormon sect here ridiculed the extramarital affair of Congressman Vito J. Fossella (R-NY), calling him a "pantywaist" who did not deserve the title of adulterer.  

"Fossella cheated on his wife with another woman," said Rulon Weevil, a leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Latter-Day Saints or FLDS. Mr. Weevil addressed reporters outside the gates of the 2,000 acre Road to Zion compound.  "You call that infidelity? Why, we got one guy who cheated on his 18 wives here with 21 wives over in Texas. Or was that 21 wives here and 18 in Texas? I forget. Hell, we don't even begin counting until you're cheating on seven or eight women at the same time."

So says the New York Post, which reports that he is planning on seeking reelection:

Defying disgusted constituents and angry Republican leaders, disgraced Rep. Vito Fossella has told pals he plans to seek re-election.

And, shockingly, the Staten Island pol is feeling "pretty good," he confided to friends.

Well, I guess it's nice that he feels pretty good. If I were facing a possible jail sentence and my infidelity had been plastered over national news for weeks, I might not feel so hot.

Then again, maybe Vito just ain't part of the reality-based community:

Fossella's statements not only defy national party leaders, who have said they will not back him, but suggest the congressman may be in denial.

He even expressed shock that other Republicans are eyeing his seat.

"What's this all about?" Fossella asked Molinari, of news reports naming potential GOP candidates.

He said he was "surprised" and "puzzled" that party colleagues are being mentioned as possible replacements, Molinari said.

Boy, I can't imagine what would lead other Republicans-and Democrats-to smell blood in the water. Two Dems are already in the race, and Swing State Project reports that three more are considering.

Well, if Fossella does want to run for reeelection, then more power to him. I encourage him to keep this scandal in the New York City news for as long as it is within his power to do so.

Race tracker wiki: NY-13

First it was drunken driving, then it was a baby momma. Now, the New York Daily News reports that Congressional investoagors are looking into the nature of a taxpayer funded trip to France in which there may have been more funny business than official business.

The WaPo had an article about how

The stakes in the (MS-)1st District special election couldn't be higher, strategically or symbolically. The loss of a traditionally GOP seat to a Democrat would be the third in a special election this spring and the second in the Deep South after the May 3 victory of Rep. Don Cazayoux (D-La.).

No kidding, we've got the bastards on the run, and now's not the time to let up.

Actually, they didn’t, but they did vote against Motherhood this past Wednesday.

Seriously.