Down the ballot: 'Vito Finito'

Posted: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 9:09 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Democrats, Republicans, 2008

“[I]n the wake of his DWI bust and revelations about his long-term extramarital affair with a woman who bore his child,” New York Rep. Vito Fossella will not seek reelection, the New York Post reports. The Post dubs him Vito “Finito” because of it. "He is not resigning, but he's not running again,” a source told the paper. Fossella is expected to make it official today. “[I]n a statement released to the Staten Island Advance last night, Fossella said he'd decided to ‘concentrate on healing the wounds that I have caused to my wife and family... . I believe this course of action is best for my family and our community.’”

Will DSCC chairman Chuck Schumer’s winning streak in endorsing in contested primaries continue in Kentucky and Oregon today?

Also, the GOP race for one of their few open seat opportunities in the House (Oregon's 5th CD) is pretty nasty.

And more on Kentucky's downballot races:

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Comments

***Important Question

You know what I do not understand but would appreciate someone explaining this to me –Sen. Clinton wins in West Virginia by 41% (final total = 67% Clinton and 26% Obama)
YET ---the very next day the media is calling for her to step down. WHY?

It seems as though whenever she wins a state --the media spins this into their own sort of contorted facts to suit the candidate of THEIR CHOICE --Sen. Obama.

So I would appreciate it if someone out there can explain the clear bias. Is it because she is a woman? As a Canadian, it is extremely disturbing to see how clearly unbalanced the media had become in this election and makes me thankful that I am a Canadian.

Does the news media in the U.S. really think this little of the American people that they cannot choose for themselves a candidate who is more qualified and experienced to be the President, based on specific ‘qualifications’ –and NOT rhetoric of empty promises?

Canadian (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 9:15 AM)

This guy has been an utter embarrassment for us here in NY. He's the epitome of republican hubris and hypocracy. I hope he has a miserable post-congressional career, and that his wife leaves him!

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 9:16 AM)

That's a shame NOT. I think he should resign now. I have no tolerance for that stuff from people who hold elected office. My DH works in that neck of the woods and he noted that there is a lot of Dem. pressure on him to get out.

Finito indeed.

Lisa, New Britain, CT, Kudos to the entire Obama campaign network! (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 9:24 AM)

Another slimy repugnant republican pervert politician bites the dust because of his wicked ways. So much for the party of family values. Are there any honest politicians in New York who don't abuse the public's trust? Nope none that I can think of.

Go Obama 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 9:56 AM)

Canadian, I'll bite.

The short answer (assuming you're really asking) is that we've had many more contests than *surprise* just West Virginia. Its the overall count along the way that matters. Following the rules, Obama is near to getting a majority of pledged delegates and there is no way for Clinton to get to that point. So we can carry on (and she can carry on), but its futile.

Unless of course she changes the rules in the middle of the game, but many of us view that as cheating.

Have a nice day.

Lisa, New Britain, CT, Kudos to the entire Obama campaign network! (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 10:06 AM)

When Vito is finito (he's for family values, look! he has TWO families!) I sincerely hope the dems can knock off another Repugnantcan seat. Let's hope the reign of the GOP is finito, too.

Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:46 AM)

The great Republican con, outside of national security, has been convincing Americans that they are the moral Right. I have never seen more morally corrupt politicians than the Republicans!

Yola, FF, CT (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:55 AM)

Rep Vito is doing the right thing if he even cares about his family or expect to heal the wounds.

The Republicans urged him to run and was reported that he was told he could win regardless of the scandal.

First no he would not have won because there are consequences when you tout family values and religion and do just the opposite which has happened in the RNC far too many times.

We have to give this Rep credit for doing the right thing and putting his family first and above politics.

We wish him well a pray that he and his family can heal

By the way this is from a Moderate Democrat.

God Bless

gg, fl (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 1:03 PM)

Another one bites the dust.
A solid republican too.

Pacheck, Huntington Beach, Ca. (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 2:33 PM)

I thought that it would the Democrats to be caught with their pants down and the Republicans with the hand in the money jar. It appears that more Republicans are being caught with their pants down. When these Republicans talk about family values, I would like to know what these values are so I know which ones they are breaking.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 2:36 PM)

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