It's no secret the Schenectady County Republican Party is struggling to beat the band.
Only 15 or so committee members showed up recently when county Chairman Tom Buchanan was re-elected to a two-year term. During the GOP glory era, more than 300 turned out for every County Committee meeting.
Neighboring Albany became legendary and continues to be a Democratic bastion. Schenectady was just as solid Republican for decades before the GOP collapse.
The current Schenectady GOP situation is so bad, the party has about 150 vacancies on the County Committee. Buchanan is working at repairing many years of neglect, but that's a large order.
On the upside, the GOP Octoberfest drew 110, compared with only 70 last year. "That's an increase of more than 50 percent -- how about reporting that?" Buchanan asked after the event.
On the upside, the GOP Octoberfest drew 110, compared with only 70 last year. "That's an increase of more than 50 percent -- how about reporting that?" Buchanan asked after the event.
Schenectady County Legislature Republicans re-elected Bob Farley to serve as their minority leader, but the move wasn't a done deal from the start. GOP insiders say County Chairman Tom Buchanan wanted to dump Farley, but other party regulars convinced him it was a bad plan. They reminded the chairman that 30-year state Sen. Hugh Farley wouldn't be around forever. Because of the longtime name recognition, most politicians agree Bob Farley -- his son -- would be the strongest candidate the GOP could field to retain the critical Senate seat. Further, it was learned that Buchanan offered the minority leader job to county Legislator Joe Suhrada, but he declined the promotion. Buchanan reportedly was upset over reports that Farley wanted to oust him as party chairman. Farley denied going after the chairman and said he was unaware of the attempt to unseat him. "I do know that through the years, internal fighting has been the major reason our party has been failing," he said.
Buchanan reportedly was upset over reports that Farley wanted to oust him as party chairman.
This should come as no surprise to Buchanan. Everybody I talk to wants Buchanan out. Most of them feel that he is the reason the party is doing so poorly. And as much as I think Joe Suhrada is a straight shooter, he has made some enemies along the way. I would like to know what Buchanan's motives were to offer the position to Joe, other than his vindictiveness for Farley's past comments. Did Bucahanan actually think Suhrada would be a better minority leader?
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Saving GOP club Tom Buchanan, busy putting together the pieces of the partially shattered Schenectady County Republican Party, will make an attempt to reactivate the county GOP club. The club went on inactive status in December because of dwindling interest among a handful of remaining members. Buchanan, county chairman the last two years, hopes to hold a club 75th anniversary celebration in April. "You can't let this tradition die," he said. He's starting the rejuvenation push at an open meeting 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Scarborough's Restaurant in Rotterdam. "It took 10 years to turn Rotterdam around. Now we have a 4-1 GOP Town Board majority," Buchanan said. Republicans recaptured Glenville control, but lost all Niskayuna races last year. "We want to replicate Rotterdam success elsewhere," he said. "Politics is a lot of grunt work, not rocket science."
Saving GOP club Tom Buchanan, busy putting together the pieces of the partially shattered Schenectady County Republican Party, will make an attempt to reactivate the county GOP club. The club went on inactive status in December because of dwindling interest among a handful of remaining members. Buchanan, county chairman the last two years, hopes to hold a club 75th anniversary celebration in April. "You can't let this tradition die," he said. He's starting the rejuvenation push at an open meeting 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Scarborough's Restaurant in Rotterdam. "It took 10 years to turn Rotterdam around. Now we have a 4-1 GOP Town Board majority," Buchanan said. Republicans recaptured Glenville control, but lost all Niskayuna races last year. "We want to replicate Rotterdam success elsewhere," he said. "Politics is a lot of grunt work, not rocket science."
So, why do we need somone pretending to be a rocket scientist running the party?
"We want to replicate Rotterdam success elsewhere," he said.
First, I believe that it wasn't Buchanan who got the reps in Rotterdam. I believe it was the candidates themselves. Second, look who Tomasone was running against....Cooke. Now that was a hands down win for sure. And third, I think that the reps do need a rocket scientist before they become extinct in this county.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
I received the following email today. Anyone up to the challenge?
We are re-energizing the Schenectady County GOP Club, with a meeting tomorrow at 6:30pm at Scarboroughs Restaurant, in Hannaford Plaza, Altamont Ave, in Rotterdam.
We will be really changing the Club, and bringing in new people, with more activities. I hope you will consider joining us for this organizational meeting.
I'm just the messenger. I thought if they are trying to revamp the county club it should probably not be a secret. I don't know how or if it was advertised, I just got the email and sent it on to those who may be interested. I have no idea who the new people are, I don't know who the old people were. I suppose I will find out tonight. It's ok with me if there are no takers. I could really care less, I am a registered Republican and look forward to trying to make a difference is all. Everyone seems to be saying the Republicans in Schenectady County have fallen asleep, it is apparently time to wake up and I plan to give it a go. I guess it has to start somewhere or we could just keep hitting the snooze. I hear the wings are great.
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