Arcuri’s ‘no’ vote alters political expectations - Utica, NY - The Observe... http://www.uticaod.com/news/x1176895780/Arcuri-s-no-alters-political...

Breaking News Several fire departments battle house fire north of Rome

Arcuri’s ‘no’ vote alters political expectations

By BRYON ACKERMAN
Observer-Dispatch
Posted Mar 27, 2010 @ 09:03 PM
Last update Mar 28, 2010 @ 12:13 AM

One vote could decide an election. But how?

When U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-Utica, decided to vote “no” last week on the health-care reform bill, it sent shockwaves
through the political landscape of the 11-county 24th Congressional District – simultaneously pleasing some Republicans who
opposed the bill and costing Arcuri his backing from some progressive groups who supported it and are now talking about
running a more liberal candidate against him.

What those shockwaves will mean in November as they ripple through the election year remains unclear. Reactions and
predictions are all over the board.

“I would think that the Republicans are more than pleased with the way Congressman Arcuri voted,” Chenango County
Republican Committee Chairman Thomas Morrone said. “He was voting the way his constituents were begging him to vote.”

Bill Wood, a member of the state Democratic Committee and former chairman of the Cortland County Democratic Committee,
said the health care law isn’t perfect, but it is a step in the right direction toward fixing a broken system.

“I think there are some Democrats in the county who are disappointed in the congressman’s vote,” Wood said. “I really don’t
know how it’s going to play out.”

Frances Edgett, 77, a registered Republican of Utica who is opposed to the new law, said Arcuri’s vote against the Senate bill was
significant to her and could impact how she votes in the election.
“I give him a lot of credit,” she said, referencing Arcuri’s “no” vote.

But Utican Damir Hejni, 55, an independent registered voter who was in favor of health care reform, said he is upset by Arcuri’s
decision.

“For me, it’s extremely important,” Hejni said. “He’ll never get my vote.”

While some Republicans have labeled Arcuri’s “yes” vote last autumn on the House bill and “no” vote last week on the Senate
version as flip flopping, Arcuri said that’s not an accurate way to look at it.

Local opposition to the health care reform bill increased dramatically from last year to now, Arcuri said, so he voted the way
most of his constituents wanted.

Multiple recent polls, including one by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, showed that significantly more people in the district
opposed the overall bill than supported it. Republican political operatives pointed to these polls earlier this month in suggesting
that an Arcuri “yes” vote would run counter to the sentiment of the 24th Congressional District.

The congressman also said that several differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill – such as that the Senate
bill doesn’t allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices to lower costs the way the House version would have – played a
role in his decision.

He said he believes that in the end, the majority of voters will reach the conclusion that he made the correct decision for the
district.

“You elected me to do what I think is right and to represent my constituents,” Arcuri said. “That’s what I did.”

Measuring the fallout

As a result of Arcuri’s health care vote, the Working Families Party and 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East union
announced it is withdrawing its previous support of Arcuri and seeking a primary or third-party candidate to challenge him. Les
Roberts, a Democrat from the Chenango County town of German, has been talking with the Working Families Party and said he
is considering a run.

Democrat Leon Koziol, a Utica attorney, also said he might run.

Republican Richard Hanna of Barneveld is challenging Arcuri in this year’s election in a rematch of their 2008 race, which
Arcuri won with 52 percent of the vote. Ernest Logan Bell of Trumansburg also says he plans to run as a Republican.

Steven Schneider, a political science professor at SUNYIT, said Arcuri is in a tough spot. His technical explanation about the
differences in the House and Senate bills is likely to get lost in the shuffle, and Arcuri could be left alienated from both sides of

1 of 8 4/8/2010 2:42 PM
Arcuri’s ‘no’ vote alters political expectations - Utica, NY - The Observe... http://www.uticaod.com/news/x1176895780/Arcuri-s-no-alters-political...

the argument, Schneider said.

Because Arcuri voted against the Senate bill, he will be unable to claim that he accomplished health care reform, the SUNYIT
professor said. And because he voted for the House bill, Arcuri won’t be able to say he firmly stood up against the issue and his
party, Schneider said.

“And those who want to support him have nothing to support,” Schneider said. “He ran away from the accomplishment, from a
political perspective.”

Arcuri, however, said political consequences didn’t factor into how he voted, and he doesn’t believe anyone should let politics
impact such an important decision.

“I say shame on anybody who does that,” Arcuri said.

‘The people back home’

Sherwood Boehlert, a Republican who held the local seat in Congress for 24 years before he retired and was succeeded by Arcuri,
would not comment directly on Arcuri’s decision or on the health care bill.

But in general, members of Congress have a duty to make decisions based on both their own thorough analysis of the legislation
and the views of people in their district, Boehlert said.

“The bottom line is the real title of the job is representative – not congressman,” Boehlert said. “I would hope that he and all of
his colleagues listen to the people back home.”

In e-mailed responses to questions, Hanna said Arcuri’s vote against the Senate bill doesn’t change his approach to the
campaign.

Hanna also was critical of the bill, saying it doesn’t include tort reform and insurance portability, doesn’t promote interstate
competition or transparency among providers and is full of special items and pork-barrel spending.

“Health care is a critical issue, and it’s equally critical that it is done correctly,” Hanna said.
Bell said he doesn’t think Arcuri’s decision on the Senate bill would have a major impact on the election. Arcuri did likely
alienate his Democratic base, but he made the right vote because it was a bad bill, as was the House bill Arcuri supported, Bell
said.

‘Not a friend’
Arcuri’s vote against the Senate bill could hurt his fundraising ability and decrease the likelihood that Democratic leaders such
as President Barack Obama and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi campaign for him in the area, said Josh Kraushaar, a
political correspondent with the nonpartisan online publication Politico.

“He certainly is not a friend of President Obama and House Speaker Pelosi right now,” Kraushaar said. “That said, if the House is
in play in November, they’re not going to hold a grudge and risk losing control of Congress just because he voted against health
care reform.”

Arcuri said he “absolutely” will still be able to work with Democratic leaders, and he isn’t concerned about losing his standing in
Congress as a result of his health reform vote.

“That’s not how it works here,” Arcuri said. “People know you have to vote your district.”

After Arcuri’s vote, the Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan publication, changed its projection for the 24th Congressional
District race from leaning Democratic to a tossup.

“The fact that Hanna entered the 2010 race in between Arcuri’s two votes makes the incumbent look like anything but a profile
in political courage,” the analysis says.

Cook Political Report House Editor David Wasserman said the problem for Arcuri is that he doesn’t have enough solid crossover
support from conservatives to be able to lose any backing from his own party as a result of his vote against health care reform.

Wasserman said his sense is that the anger from some Democrats will dissipate as the election moves on, but Hanna is a
credible candidate running in a better political environment for Republicans this year than in 2008.

“Arcuri’s last vote on health care is one of many reasons why this race is a tossup,” Wasserman said. “It’s not the only reason.
The main reason would be Hanna.”

Copyright 2010 The Observer-Dispatch. Some rights reserved

Comments (21)
oldutican
2 weeks ago
Report Abuse
You must be logged in to report abuse.

2 of 8 4/8/2010 2:42 PM
Arcuri’s ‘no’ vote alters political expectations - Utica, NY - The Observe... http://www.uticaod.com/news/x1176895780/Arcuri-s-no-alters-political...

How can the OD cite a poll from the Chamber of Commerce without citing that the chamber spent millions to defeat the bill? Hardly an objective source for a poll.
Yellow_Dog
2 weeks ago
Report Abuse
You must be logged in to report abuse.

@Editor
'Multiple recent polls, including one by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce'

You might as well have included a poll by the extremist-led TeaParty itself. The US Chamber of Commerce is a right wing lobbying group. It is not an agency or
department of the United States government. They make a habit of being opposed to anything that might be good for the working men and women of our nation.

After the Healthcare Reform bill (H.R.3590 - Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) passed and awaiting the President's signature to become law came
another vote. This second vote was on a bill that contained a number of improvements to the original bill. (H.R.4872 - Health Care and Education Affordability
Reconciliation Act of 2010)
Arcuri again joined the obstructionist, do-nothing Republicans and voted 'NO'! Why did he vote NO on this? Spite? Stubbornness?
Subtitle D of this bill contained provisions to fight fraud, waste, and abuse. (Sec. 1303 and Sec. 1304) Yet Arcuri voted against it!

I am unable to understand why after having been defeated, Arcuri would continue to play politics and vote 'NO' on improvements to the new Healthcare LAW!

I say shame on anybody who does that, Arcuri said referring to anyone who let politics impact their vote. Yet he clearly did just that.
If you are a rube or bumpkin and believe that he voted as he did on the first bill for the reasons he has given, ask him why he voted 'NO' on the second bill.
Politics. Pure and simple.
Shame on YOU, Mr. Arcuri!

someonewhocares
2 weeks ago
Report Abuse
You must be logged in to report abuse.

He's done in my book.

eastutican
2 weeks ago
Report Abuse
You must be logged in to report abuse.

Hanna seems to be a nice guy. Arcuri just doesnt get anything. Cooks rating for this race tells you what you need to know: if Arcuri had not flip flopped, the race
would lean Democrat. Our 'man of conscience' managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Hanna needs to show that he can be genuinely independent,
viewing each issue on its merits and not take orders from Boehner.
oldutican
2 weeks ago
Report Abuse
You must be logged in to report abuse.

3 of 8 4/8/2010 2:42 PM
Arcuri’s ‘no’ vote alters political expectations - Utica, NY - The Observe... http://www.uticaod.com/news/x1176895780/Arcuri-s-no-alters-political...

Hanna will win and quickly realize his GOP colleagues are right-wing crazies. He will miss his family and ask why the heck he got into this.
Yellow_Dog
2 weeks ago
Report Abuse
You must be logged in to report abuse.

@ editor This USA TODAY/Gallup Poll is much more reputable then the one done by the right wing lobbying group that your paper refers to:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2010-03-23-health-poll-favorable_N.htm

This poll indicates that more Americans FAVOR the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
overtaxed
2 weeks ago
Report Abuse
You must be logged in to report abuse.

Yellow Dow continues to want to cite the USA Today (liberal newspaper). The majority of polls show the citizens do NOT want the healthcare bill. Cite the liberal
poll all you want it is just being a hypocrite.
Arcuri has always run as being a moderate, the same as Boehlert. Even thou Arcuri's voting record is liberal he told us that he is a blue dog moderate. Now the left
wing loonies are mad about his vote? Mike has voted with Pelosi over 90% of the time, when they need Mike re-elected they will do anything to help him. The
Democrats have shown, with passing of the healthcare, that they have no morals, integrity, or any interest in anything other than keeping their power and doing
what they want, NOT what the people want. Let the extreme left wing run a candidate against Arcuri that will only seal the election of Hanna. Only about 20%, if
that, are liberals and that is not nearly enough to win an election. Arcuri did what he needed to do to have a chance at re-election and voted with the people and not
against them.
Yellow_Dog
2 weeks ago
Report Abuse
You must be logged in to report abuse.

USA TODAY a liberal Newspaper....just laughable! Yes, and I suppose that Gannett Corp., (former owners of the Observer Dispatch) USA TODAY's owners and
owners of 84 dailies is a liberal organization too.
And all the readers...yup' liberals. Many with degrees in liberal arts!!! (O Noes!)
Of course it goes without saying that the pollsters at Gallup are part of the liberal conspiracy too.

Absolute paranoia! I love reading the comments of bitter losers!

overtaxed
2 weeks ago
Report Abuse
You must be logged in to report abuse.

4 of 8 4/8/2010 2:42 PM
Arcuri’s ‘no’ vote alters political expectations - Utica, NY - The Observe... http://www.uticaod.com/news/x1176895780/Arcuri-s-no-alters-political...

Keep up posting the one and only poll to back your opinion. I will stick with the majority of polls and consider your insuts a display of ignorance.
If healthcare was so popular then why is Obama out campaigning for support even thou the bill has been pushed down our throats?
Why does Obama try to sell the plan to college students who if the pay any tax at all is probably very little?
Why doesn't Obama get out in front of the taxpayers and defend his so called healthcare bill?
Why did the CBO just determine that the countries dept in the next ten years will be higher than they originaly calculated, this after the helathcare passage that is
supposed to save money?
More of that fuzzy math for the Yellow dog.

We Americans are the losers not conservatives.

Only 34 percent of Florida voters support the new law while 54 percent are against it, according to the poll. Opposition is significantly strong among two crucial
blocs: those older than 65 and voters with no party affiliation. Seniors disfavor the bill by a 65-25 percent margin, while independents oppose the law 62-34.

V guy
2 weeks ago
Report Abuse
You must be logged in to report abuse.

I'll vote for Arcuri. he has shown courage in the face of stiff opposition.

The fact that SIEU and others are against him is actually a plus.Those people are ACORN.

Hanna seems to be alseep, trying not to aggravate anyone and as a result, is disdaining those who mike is now courting.

Mike listened to the people, the majority of whom voted for McCain in '08. Mike can win this one by staying consistent on the issues and running on his record.

Try driving a pickup truck to the rallies Mike, join the NRA and be the Congressman from upstate NY, as you have been this past year.
Jubal Harshaw
2 weeks ago
Report Abuse
You must be logged in to report abuse.

Mr. Arcuri hasn't released his internal polling numbers, but given his statements and the significant sums he's payed CPS for their services it's safe to assume that
he has a good idea of the actual opinions of the 24th's constituents.

SEUI's actions in the next month, including the WFP they essentially control, would be a good indicator of the just how much the district hates the law. Right now
all they've done to oppose Arcuri is engage in a little political theater and write a letter or two. If polling shows 'reform' is actually a loser issue that's about as far as
they'll go. Sure, there will be some jibba jabba, but in the end they'll line up behind Arcuri. I think that's the most likely outcome.

If, on the other hand, polling shows the district overwhelmingly supports 'reform', as some are claiming, it's likely they'll actually go through with the primary
challenge/third party run. In that scenario Les Roberts is pretty much the ideal candidate- an internationally known health professional who is strongly pro-reform
and, incidentally of course, beholden to SEUI for sponsoring his campaign. That would pretty much guarantee that the Moveon/Daily Kos crowd would get behind
him and cut off Arcuri.
oldutican
2 weeks ago
Report Abuse
You must be logged in to report abuse.

V guy: Nice showing of your ignorance. Obama won the 24th CD, not McCain. The union is SEIU, not SIEU.
oldutican
2 weeks ago
Report Abuse
You must be logged in to report abuse.

5 of 8 4/8/2010 2:42 PM
Arcuri’s ‘no’ vote alters political expectations - Utica, NY - The Observe... http://www.uticaod.com/news/x1176895780/Arcuri-s-no-alters-political...

Jubal: The point for SEIU and others is not how popular the bill may be in the district. (By the time the election comes around, opinion will be very close.) The point
is that Arcuri promised to do one thing, and then did another. This is about punishing politicians who betray their supporters and sending a message to them and
others pols that on core issues, their support can't be taken for granted.
Yellow_Dog
2 weeks ago
Report Abuse
You must be logged in to report abuse.

This just in to the newsroom...NY isn't Florida...film at 11. NY's 24th Congressional District is not located in Florida so whatever comparison you were trying to
make (?) doesn't apply.

How in the same comment can you possibly say, ' why is Obama out campaigning for support?' AND 'Why doesn't Obama get out in front of the taxpayers and
defend his so called healthcare bill?'
Thank goodness schizophrenia is covered by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Jubal Harshaw
2 weeks ago
Report Abuse
You must be logged in to report abuse.

'This is about punishing politicians who betray their supporters and sending a message to them and others pols that on core issues, their support can't be taken for
granted.'

I think the point is that their support *can* be taken for granted. They won't risk losing the 24th's seat to a Republican, so Arcuri will get a pass. They might
mumble and grumble, but, like every other Democratic special interest group, in the end they'll troop merrily along and do it with a smile on their faces.

At this point all they've done to 'punish' Arcuri is write two letters and make some phone calls. All this hub-bub is just political theater. Entertaining, no doubt, but
unless they demonstrate some actual integrity and go forward with the primary/WFP challenge it's pointless. In the end pragmatism will trump principle because
the internal polling shows overwhelming opposition to the existing 'reform'.
oldutican
2 weeks ago
Report Abuse
You must be logged in to report abuse.

I think they are serious. I know I am. Losing a House seat in CNY is not as important to organized labor as is getting something out of the work and money you give
to a politician, and letting others know that if you cross us on a core issue, we will help bring you down.
swimmy8
1 week ago
Report Abuse
You must be logged in to report abuse.

6 of 8 4/8/2010 2:42 PM
Arcuri’s ‘no’ vote alters political expectations - Utica, NY - The Observe... http://www.uticaod.com/news/x1176895780/Arcuri-s-no-alters-political...

I thank arcuri for finally listening to his constituents for a change. The law needed to fail. Too bad the rest of the elected officials were selfish idiots who ignored
their constituents and passed the worst piece of legislation in the 21st century!
RustyShackelford
1 week ago
Report Abuse
You must be logged in to report abuse.

1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East in the article saying it will withdraw support for Arcuri will probably help him more than hurt him.

the SEIU is a group of brainwashed zombies led by thugs loyal only to the secular Messiah, Obama. All SEIU will kneel before the altar of the Messiah and bathe in
the filthy water of change.

Obama has stated that he is in favor of wealth redistriubution, saying he did not believe the court went far enough in redistribution of wealth to blacks. He has
advocated for single payer in his book and has said time and again that he wants to 'fundamentally transform America.' The people are just starting to listen, in
spite of the massive effort by NBC and others to make the American people continue to think that change = not Bush. The 'change' Obama will ultimately try to
bring to healthcare: single payer, government controlled healthcare...leading to inferior care for all and rationing.

Start saving bandaids now.

PS: Generic medicines will be illegal under this 'reform.' Could it be because the government wants to eliminate affordable alternatives for real Americans who don't
want to be government dependents?
eastutican
1 week ago
Report Abuse
You must be logged in to report abuse.

real Americans??

zombies .. thugs .. messiah ... filthy water of change

and my personal favorite: generic medicines illegal. 'RustyShackelford' needs some generic anxiety relief medication AT ONCE. Will whoever lives with him please
remove any TV so he can stop watching FOX 'NEWS' ?

This is precisely the language of race hatred that has been the stock in trade of Glenn Beck and the merchants of fear for the last two years. As if RustyShackelford
would ever vote for Arcuri. He is happy to dance on this two-term loser's political grave as he spews the venom of union-busting, race-baiting that has been
developed to a fever pitch since Nixon broke the 'Solid South' with his White Man's Country strategy back in 68.

For the first time, just reading this post, you have to be reminded of earlier bigots and fear mongers from this country and around the world. Scare the bejeesuz out
of the 'folks', use diatribe and abusive language to drive down voting. Start saving bandaids?

One word for that post: paranoid. It would be sad if true but this is a manipulative Republicant strategy pursued with the singular purpose of breaking not Obama
but of repealing every social advance made since Hoover left the white House. Good luck with that, once the 'folks' figure out that RustyShackelford and his ilk are
no more authentic or honest than Joe the Plumber: not Joe, not a plumber and just another shill for those in favor of recreating a dog eat dog society.

starkreality
1 week ago
Report Abuse
You must be logged in to report abuse.

Chamber of Commerce source of funding for these negative ads are exposed by viewing this link: http://mediamattersaction.org/blog/201003110005 Big
insurance, big surprise!!
starkreality

7 of 8 4/8/2010 2:42 PM
Arcuri’s ‘no’ vote alters political expectations - Utica, NY - The Observe... http://www.uticaod.com/news/x1176895780/Arcuri-s-no-alters-political...

1 week ago
Report Abuse
You must be logged in to report abuse.

Doing nothing will guarantee the healthcare system will collapse under its own gargantuan weight sometime between now and 2019 when as this article predicts a
family policy premium will exceed $30,000 per year!!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/19/AR2009091900112.html
Login or register to post a comment:
Login
Username:
Password:
Forgot password

Register
Email:
First Name:
Last Name:
I agree to the terms of use
I am over 13 years of age

NOTE: Your inbox must accept emails from "no-reply@gatehousemedia.com"

Contact us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | About our Ads

The Observer-Dispatch | (315) 792-5000 | 221 Oriskany Plaza Utica, NY 13501

Copyright © 2006–2010 GateHouse Media, Inc. Some Rights Reserved.

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.

SEO by eLocalListing | Advertiser profiles | Cherrp Local

8 of 8 4/8/2010 2:42 PM