Oct 29, 2008 — Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand and challenger Sandy Treadwell met for their final debate last night. The hour-long conversation was hosted by the Glens Falls Post-Star and WNYT television. As Brian Mann reports, the pair differed sharply over policy. But both politicians stepped back from the campaign's growing negativity.  Go to full article

Sep 04, 2008 — Sarah Palin left Republicans energized and excited last night as she made her case for the vice presidency, and laid out why John McCain should be elected president. She used her speech at the GOP convention in St. Paul to make repeated digs at Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate. She said McCain is exactly the kind of man she wants in the White House. McCain made a surprise appearance on stage after Palin's address last night. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Sep 04, 2008 — Former New York Governor George Pataki is one of the surrogates for John McCain at the Republican National Convention, making the rounds of breakfast and lunch meetings. Karen DeWitt caught up with Pataki at the Ohio delegation breakfast.  Go to full article

Sep 04, 2008 — Former Governor Pataki said he thinks McCain can win over independent New Yorkers, even help the state GOP to hang on to its one seat majority in the state Senate. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Sep 03, 2008 — Former New York Governor George Pataki says he supports Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's run for the vice-presidency. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Sep 02, 2008 — With the Republican convention on hold, many of the delegates found themselves with time on their hands. Even though the Minnesota State Fair was winding down, it was an opportunity to track down a Midwestern specialty--foods on a stick. Karen DeWitt takes us along.  Go to full article

Sep 01, 2008 — A scaled down Republican National Convention got underway in Saint Paul. New York's delegation mingled at a low key opening reception, but like everyone else were preoccupied with news of the hurricane and what it might mean for their political gathering. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Sep 01, 2008 — While some of New York's top Republicans chose not to go to St. Paul for the GOP convention, the rest of the delegation is there, ready for today's business-driven agenda. Karen DeWitt caught up with Don Leonard, the chair of the Tioga County committee, at the Minnesota State Fair yesterday, as he reviewed a Midwestern speciality: the foods-on-sticks.  Go to full article

Aug 27, 2008 — This is widely seen as a year when Republicans are struggling. The GOP's "brand" has been damaged by scandals, by President Bush's low approval ratings, and by the unpopular war in Iraq. But surveys suggest that the GOP's rural stronghold remains largely intact. According to a recent Zogby poll, small town voters nationwide favor Republican John McCain over Democrat Barack Obama by a sixteen-point margin. Those conservative rural voters could make the difference in key battleground states, from Colorado and New Mexico in the West to Ohio in the Midwest and New Hampshire in the East. Martha Foley talks with Brian Mann who covers rural politics for NCPR.  Go to full article

Aug 19, 2008 — The race for President continues to tighten in New York. A new Siena College poll shows Democrat Barack Obama leading Republican John McCain 47-39%, down from 50-37% in July and 51-33% in June. But state Democratic Party chair June O'Neill says it's early days yet. She agrees with what pollster Steven Greenberg said as he released the numbers yesterday: "Certainly the dynamic in the race will change with the two conventions." Not to mention the selections of vice presidential running mates. The Democratic National Convention is next week. New York's junior senator, Hillary Rodham Clinton, will have her name placed in nomination at the convention. She'll get a roll call vote. She'll also have a major speaking role at the convention, as will her husband, former President Bill Clinton. That after a bitter, and bitterly disappointing, primary campaign against Barack Obama. New York will send 281 voting delegates to the convention. Alternates bring that number up to 320; with families and friends, the total New York contingent is in the 650 range. That's the count from June O'Neill. As state chair, her role is part party whip, part travel agent. Martha Foley spoke with her during a lull, in her backyard in Morley, a rural hamlet on the edge of Canton.  Go to full article