Check out challengers before you vote Nov. 7

Democrats have increasingly greater chances to win a growing number of Congressional races, says The Hill News. Although recent polls may dispute that optimism (here and here), Bush bashers and Congress critics might be rejoicing that “here’s our chance to get it right.”

Be careful what you wish for. A spiffy new Democratic replacement for a retread Republican pol might not be a good swap — especially if the Democratic wannabe practices the grand old political arts of prevarication, inflation and misinformation that got the incumbent the job in the first place. If the wannabe is just as vague in political speech as the incumbent, think carefully before you pull the lever Nov. 7.

Consider Eric Massa, the Democratic challenger to my congressman, the Hon. John R. “Randy” Kuhl, of New York’s District 29.

Mr. Massa, blogging on Daily Kos, wrote:

Republican Party Chair for Massa (NY-29)
by Eric Massa

Wed Aug 23, 2006 at 12:02:34 PM PDT

My campaign is gaining momentum and support from far and wide and from young and old. From my loyal Netroots enthusiasts – those internet aficionados who taught me how to bring the old town hall meeting to a global community – to older supporters who have seen this great nation through ups and downs, and who know what sort of country they want to leave for their grandkids. I am thankful for both kinds of support, and this campaign would not be as successful without it. More than anything, I’m proud of how this campaign has brought our district’s citizens together, united in support of the values our campaign stands for, and the knowledge that our country needs change.

Eric Massa’s diary :: ::
Below is a letter I want to share with you. It is from Sherman Moreland, the former Chemung County Chair for the GOP and a born and bred Republican. If Sherman can no longer stand the tactics and values of the Republican Party – who can? And if you’re like Sherman, fed up with the way things are going, or believe that grassroots candidates funded by everyday people (like the netroots community!) can make our country and NY’s 29th a better place to live, then support the Netroots August Push by donating today…

• My campaign is gaining momentum and support from far and wide and from young and old.

What evidence supports this claim? How is that momentum measured? If Mr. Massa is referring to financial support, he’s right on the “far and wide” claim: In an earlier post, I calculate that about 70 percent of the roughly $500,000 (as of June 30) he’s raised comes from outside District 29.

• … how to bring the old town hall meeting to a global community …

Like every pol from the president on down to Rep. Kuhl, he misrepresents the meaning of “town meeting.” Today, it’s solely a scripted appearance by a candidate in front of (in person, televised or online) usually like-minded voters. But the historical town meeting of New England was participatory governance, not mere showcasing of political style. The annual town meeting legislated affairs for the community and enacted budgets. I’m tired of the perversion of the term by modern-day pols.

• I’m proud of how this campaign has brought our district’s citizens together, united in support of the values our campaign stands for …

Again, where’s his evidence for this less-than-masterful “spin” about the “success” of his campaign? It’s certainly not in his fundraising. In that earlier post, based on June 30 FEC data, I showed that of the 187 individual donations to Mr. Massa’s campaign, only 15 percent — roughly 30 contributions — came from zip codes inside District 29. My district has about 552,000 people in about 228,000 households. Mr. Massa’s vague claim about unity is mere fodder for the choir.

• … And if you’re like [Chemung County Republican chair Sherman Moreland], fed up with the way things are going, or believe that grassroots candidates funded by everyday people …

His campaign is not funded by “everyday people.” In that earlier post, I showed that he’s received more than $80,000 from PACs and poured $97,000 of his own money into the campaign — and more than half of rest comes from zip codes in or around Washington, D.C., and New York City and elsewhere about the country.

So here’s a Democratic challenger trying to oust a follow-the-House-leaders GOP incumbent. He presents himself almost mythically as a man of “the people.” But he’s using vague, vapid politicalspeak that fails to provide evidence for his claims.

Vote for Mr. Massa — and others like him — if you wish. But as you pull that lever, understand that if your choice wins, do you really know what you’re getting to replace an incumbent?

Politicians are writing and speaking in far more venues today than even four years ago. Video Web sites. Blogs. Their own campaign Web sites. But that means we have greater opportunities to see what they say and write. Too much of it is vague and self-touting without a scintilla of evidence to support claims made.

Don’t wake up on Nov. 8 wondering, What have I done? Test politicians’ speech now — not after they’re in office.

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