Recent Features on Massa For Congress

Eric Massa issues Veterans Plan

On Wednesday, retired Navy Commander Eric Massa issued his Veterans plan. You can read it by clicking on the link below.

Eric's Veterans Plan (pdf)

Eric Massa's plan for Creating 21st Century Jobs for our Families' Future

"I believe that each and every individual in this great Nation deserves access to the best and most affordable college or vocational education available. A good education should not be luxury; it should be a right and an opportunity afforded to all. By creating and maintaining an educated workforce, we will attract good paying jobs with solid benefits to Western New York and ensure that America is always on the cutting edge."

A Message to our Netroots Friends and Supporters

Dear Friends and Supporters of the Netroots Community,

Eric Massa here at the keyboard. I am writing today to thank all of you for your past and continued support as we work to build a stronger majority in the House of Representatives. In 2006 and 2007, I was honored to meet with all of you at the YearlyKos conventions in Las Vegas and Chicago. We exchanged stories, discussed policy, and came together over our common goal of making this nation a better place to live and work. This year, as I continue in our challenge to defeat the final Bush rubberstamp left in Western New York, I was faced with a tough dilemma regarding my attendance to Netroots Nation in Austin.

I was hoping to attend and again visit with all of you next weekend, but I've been invited to meet with the leaders of 20 local labor unions in the Southern Tier of New York. This is by far the biggest labor gathering in this crucial region of our district, and their grassroots support will likely be the difference between winning and losing in November. Although we tried, it simply was not an option to move this event.

I am disappointed that I will miss seeing all of you this year, but I'm sure all of you will understand that I must do what is necessary to win this campaign to end George Bush's legacy in Congress.

Thank you for your thoughts, your support and your commitment to the people of this country.

Eric Massa
Congressional candidate, NY-29
US Navy Commander (ret.)

Over 7,000 grassroots signatures ensure Eric Massa's place on the ballot

ALBANY, NY- Today, the Massa for Congress campaign filed 7,209 signatures from registered Democrats all over New York's 29th District. This is a significant increase from the 2006 election when Massa's campaign submitted 6,180. Eric Massa, retired Navy Commander and Congressional candidate in New York's 29th district, issued the following statement:

"The tremendous level of grassroots support we've received throughout the petitioning process has been absolutely overwhelming. I am deeply honored to have a place on the ballot and the opportunity to represent the families of Western New York. Nearly 1,000 signatures came from Yates County alone and that is a testament to the growth of our grassroots campaign. This is undeniable proof that the people of Western New York are ready for change in Washington and I am ready and willing to lead this charge."

4th of July Parades!

Join us for Independence Day Parades!

Join Eric Massa and his supporters on the 4th of July for parades around the district:

10:00am - Andover Parade

12:00 pm - Hornell Parade

2:00 pm - Branchport Parade

5:00 pm - Chili Parade

The Cost of a war

Friends,

Today is the fifth anniversary of "Mission Accomplished," and I wanted to share this video on my thoughts with you.

"This race is and always has been about the families of Western New York" - Massa welcomes the challenge to represent NY-29

CORNING, NY - Following Randy Kuhl's announcement that he will seek reelection in New York's 29th Congressional District, Congressional Challenger Eric Massa issued the following statement:

"I welcome Randy Kuhl's participation in the political process," said retired Navy Commander Eric Massa. "This race is and always has been about the families of Western New York, not Eric Massa or Randy Kuhl. As we move forward, voters will have the opportunity to decide whether they want more of the same from Washington, or whether they are ready for a change in leadership and a new vision for America. I believe we must save our country's economy by enforcing fair trade, not by giving away living wage jobs through free trade agreements like CAFTA. I believe that all Americans should have access to the same quality health care that Congress already enjoys. I believe in ending the war in Iraq and bringing out troops home now."

"In November, together, I know we can move this country in a new direction."

Massa to Kuhl: "Getting a child to see a doctor should not be a political decision"

ROCHESTER, NY - Earlier today retired Navy Commander and Congressional challenger in New York's 29th District, Eric Massa demanded that his opponent, Randy Kuhl, vote to override George Bush's veto of children's health care on Wednesday. Surrounded by dozens of supporters, Massa addressed the media in his largest press conference thus far in the 2008 cycle.

"It's clear that working families are tired of roadblock rubber stamps in Congress denying health care to children," said Eric Massa after the press conference. "It is very disturbing that Randy Kuhl has no problem sending out a taxpayer funded mailer announcing his support of SCHIP as he prepares to turn around and vote against it for the fourth time in a year. While I sincerely doubt that it will happen, I hope Mr. Kuhl has a change of heart and votes to support children rather than tobacco lobbyists on Wednesday."

I Support Eric Massa!

Dear Friend and supporter,

My name is Kathie Dominic. I live in the village of Painted Post, New York just down the road from Corning where the man that I want to be my next Congressman lives. I had never heard of Eric Massa, nor had I met him, until he ran for Congress in 2006 and ended up 1% away from winning. When I heard that he was going to run again, I contacted him. I wanted to do everything I could to make certain that he would win in the face of the tremendous negative attacks that the right wing attack machine is sure to mount - a repeat of last year.� I've stuffed envelopes, made calls, canvassed my neighborhood and now I'm writing to you.

Randy Kuhl continues to revise history in Iraq... Eric Massa's vision for withdrawal remains consistent while opponent's timeline never stops shifting

CORNING, NY- Throughout the 2006 and 2008 election seasons, Eric Massa consistently held what has become known as the Biden Plan. This plan for Iraq consists of creating three separate semi-autonomous states, allowing the Iraqi's to form a government of their own choosing and bringing our troops home. This has been contrasted by his opponent's ever shifting withdrawal timeline. On December 16, 2005, Randy Kuhl said he anticipated "a major withdrawal in the next six months," (Corning Leader, 12/16/2005) yet here we are two years later with even higher troop levels and a Member of Congress who continues to vote in favor of this endless war in Iraq.

The Hypocrisy of Washington Incumbency... Kuhl votes against Energy bill citing too much pork, but fails to mention his own reckless spending

CORNING, NY- On Friday, Randy Kuhl voted against the Creating Long-Term Energy Alternatives for the Nation Act (H.R. 6). Kuhl lashed out against the bill claiming it was full of earmarks, but he often forgets that back in April, he set a new standard for using tax dollars for unnecessary purposes [Hornell Evening Tribune, 12/7/07]. Before Kuhl took a tax payer funded vacation in Brazil, he announced a $2 million government loan for the Canandaigua Bowling Alley (press release attached as it's been removed from Kuhl's website). What $2 million will buy you at a bowling alley has yet to be explained, but that hasn't stopped him from continually attacking Western New York priorities like reducing home heating costs and breaking our national addiction to oil.

"Instead of fighting for New York families, Randy Kuhl touts a $2 million he secured for a bowling alley," said Democratic candidate for Congress, Eric Massa. "Randy Kuhl's priorities are clearly in the wrong place. It's unconscionable that Randy Kuhl would vote against putting a stop to enormous George Bush tax breaks to oil companies as they rake in record profits. Gas prices continue to grow here in Western New York, and it only becomes more and more of a struggle to heat our homes in the coldest months of the year. When I am elected to Congress, I will stop these government hand outs for oil companies and will certainly put our community over funding for a bowling alley. It's time for independent leadership and a new direction."

Randy Kuhl votes against our Troops... Kuhl rubber stamps George Bush's failed Iraq policy

CORNING, N.Y. - Retired Navy Commander Eric Massa applauded the Democratic House Majority's vote yesterday to fund the troops while providing an exit strategy in Iraq. Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed the Orderly and Responsible Iraq Redeployment Appropriations Act (H.R. 4156) and once again Randy Kuhl rubberstamped George Bush's failed policies in Iraq. Kuhl has continually voted for the George Bush's war in Iraq while opposing any level of accountability from the White House.

Randy Kuhl votes to raise our taxes... Kuhl moves to protect millionaires' off shore tax shelters

CORNING, N.Y. - On Friday, Randy Kuhl once again rubber stamped George Bush's agenda to raise the taxes of middle-class Americans by opposing the Temporary Tax Relief Act of 2007 (HR 3996). This bill is estimated to reduce taxes for over 50,000 taxpayers in the 29th Congressional District according to the Citizens for Tax Justice. In addition, the bill would close some of the famous George Bush millionaire loopholes which have allowed millionaires to put their money in off shore tax shelters. Once again, Kuhl and all Congressional Republicans have put the greed of millionaires above the needs of working families.

Veterans Day

This weekend, in small towns and in our largest cities, in rural and in urban areas, Americans will be asked to step back and offer public recognition to the Veterans of America's Armed Services. It is fitting and just that we do so for without them there would be no America.

For better or for worse, over the last two years I have gained a public political persona during my bid to represent the 29th Congressional District in Washington. I want to take just a moment to discuss why I believe so many Veterans, especially those like myself who had never have been involved in politics before, are stepping forward to become involved in public policy at all levels of government. It's simple really, the Congress has fewer veterans now than at almost any other time in the history of the country. Veterans are under represented by a huge percentage. As a direct result, the benefits which all Veterans earned and deserve are being denied, compelling them to get involved. What's more, those in power who have never worn a uniform delight in standing in for photos with Veterans -- all the while attacking the service records of those who did and who disagree with them.

Randy Kuhl votes to export jobs to the world's 2nd largest producer of cocaine... Eric Massa denounces the Peruvian Free Trade Agreement

CORNING, N.Y. - Earlier today unabashed free trader Randy Kuhl rubber-stamped President Bush's Peruvian Free Trade Pact. Despite the abysmal failure of previous free trade agreements, Kuhl has once again voted to send American jobs overseas, this time to a country well known for its narcotics production.

It's official, Randy Kuhl is in the pocket of Big Tobacco... Kuhl pledges loyalty to tobacco lobbyists above the Nation's children

CORNING, N.Y. - Today, Eric Massa, Congressional candidate for New York's 29th District, held his opponent accountable for his loyalty to the tobacco industry. Massa's opponent, Randy Kuhl, has received at least as $17,000 in campaign contributions from tobacco lobbyists before voting to sustain the President's veto against children's healthcare. Acting as a loyal rubberstamp for big tobacco and George Bush, Kuhl has directly stated that he's opposed to any increase in the price of tobacco products. In addition, it was recently revealed that Randy Kuhl has been involved in a delegation of Congressional Republicans who have been lobbying pro-SCHIP Republican Senators to remove the tobacco funding for the bill.

SCHIP to be voted on again today... Massa issues concise statement

"No more dancing around the issue. For heaven's sake Randy, do the right thing for New York's children."

Massa stands against Drivers Licenses for Illegal Immigrants... Challenges Randy Kuhl on Border Security

CORNING, N.Y. - Retired Navy Commander and candidate for New York's 29th Congressional District Eric Massa, today came out against the recent proposal to grant driver's licenses to illegal immigrants in New York. Massa released the following statement:

"It's a serious problem that more than 12 million illegal immigrants currently live in our country. It is unimaginable that six years after foreign terrorists crossed into our country and attacked New York and Washington DC that this Administration has yet to secure our borders. And it's an even bigger problem that Tom DeLay legacy Washington DC Republicans have refused to work together with the new majority in Congress to create a bipartisan solution to the immigration crisis. Occasionally in politics, you find your opponent agreeing with you on an issue. In this case, we both oppose granting driver's licenses to illegal aliens, but he and I differ greatly in our willingness to address the problem in a bipartisan fashion.

SCHIP defeated... Randy Kuhl superglues himself to Big Tobacco and George W. Bush at the cost of children's lives

CORNING, N.Y. - Retired Navy Commander and Congressional candidate for New York's 29th District, Eric Massa, blasted his opponent for voting to sustain President Bush's veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) today. Kuhl, who took an additional $1,000 from tobacco giant RJ Reynolds just one week before the initial vote, voted to block approximately 10 million children in low income families from receiving access to private healthcare, including approximately 10,000 in the New York's 29th District. As noted by the American Cancer Society, this vote against kids could cost around 900,000 lives.

The American Cancer Society and cancer survivor Eric Massa challenge Randy Kuhl to shrug his loyalty to Big Tobacco and George Bush for the sake of Children

CORNING, N.Y. - Retired Navy Commander and Congressional candidate for New York's 29th District, Eric Massa, made a final personal appeal for his opponent, Randy Kuhl, to reconsider his vote against the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Kuhl, who took an additional $1,000 from tobacco giant RJ Reynolds just one week before the initial vote, has vowed to sustain George Bush's veto during the override vote scheduled for today. The American Cancer Society, the foremost authority on cancer legislation, has denounced the efforts of a handful of Congressmen, including Randy Kuhl, for protecting tobacco lobbyists above children. Below is a statement from the American Cancer Society regarding the SCHIP vote:

Randy, please don't raise our taxes by rubberstamping George Bush's veto against children!

CORNING, N.Y. - As George Bush's Congressional rubberstamps prepare to block privately administered health insurance for more than 4 million children, including approximately 10,000 kids right here in New York's 29th Congressional District, working families all around America are holding their breaths and watching. Randy Kuhl, who voted against the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) after taking thousands of dollars from tobacco lobbyists now faces a second opportunity to do the right thing. Kuhl has dished out all kinds of excuses as to why he has and will reject SCHIP, including that it is too expensive. Randy Kuhl didn't consider the impact of voting against SCHIP on our property taxes however.

Randy Kuhl Callously Attacks Eric Massa's "Character"

Massa to Kuhl "If you want to debate character with me, in the words of your own party, 'Bring it on'"

CORNING, N.Y. - In a Monday, October 15th interview aired on WLEA 1480 am, Randy Kuhl made a vicious assault on Retired Navy Commander Eric Massa's "character." Kuhl's charges stem from his accusation that Massa was not vocal enough in his opposition to the "General Betray Us" ads written by Moveon.org. Massa recently was quoted in the Hornell Evening Tribune (Oct 12th) and the Corning Leader (Oct 13th) opposing the Moveon.org ad.

Rather than discuss the influence of his own corporate financiers, Kuhl wants to distract the public away from the thousands of dollars he's taken from Big Tobacco (including $1,000 from RJ Reynolds just one week before the SCHIP vote) and his George Bush rubberstamp voting record by attacking Massa's "character." Below is a transcript of Randy Kuhl's comments on WLEA:

Top tier challenger Eric Massa raises nearly $150,000! 2000 contributors, no corporate donations, Massa has almost 15 times the amount of money he had in the same quarter last cycle

CORNING, N.Y. - Retired Navy Commander and Congressional candidate for New York's 29th District, Eric Massa, posted his 3rd quarter FEC Filing today. Having virtually matched his fundraising from the previous quarter, Massa raised over $149,000 and nearly doubled the number of individual contributors to his campaign with over 2,000 contributions. Massa now has over $215,000 cash on hand, which represents almost 15 times the amount he had during the same quarter in the 2006 cycle.

"I am honored to receive the support of the thousands of people who have helped us fund our campaign to bring a change in direction to our Nation," said Massa. "I've made a promise to always fight for hardworking American families and that's why I continue to refuse corporate PAC contributions. I believe that we can change the direction of our country and families in Western New York deserve a Member of Congress who puts their needs first. We now have over 2,000 donors and I firmly believe that raising an additional $150,000 demonstrates the momentum that we've created."

Toddlers or Tobacco? Randy Kuhl caves in to Big Tobacco Lobbyists and votes against the bi-partisan Children's Health Insurance Bill (SCHIP)

CORNING N.Y. - Today, Retired Navy Commander and Candidate for New York's 29th Congressional District Eric Massa defended children's health care and went on the offensive against his opponent Randy Kuhl. This past week, Kuhl voted against the SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program) Bill in Congress which would extend health coverage to millions of children in low income families. This is the second SCHIP Bill this year which Kuhl has opposed and even though this Bill is the result of bi-partisan compromise, which has been supported by conservative Republican Senators such as Charles Grassley (Iowa) and Orrin Hatch (Utah), Randy Kuhl and President Bush oppose it.

Esquire Magazine names Eric Massa in Nation's Top 100

CORNING N.Y. -- 29th Congressional District Candidate and Retired Naval Commander Eric Massa was listed as number 35 in Esquire Magazine's annual top 100 list. Massa is running against Republican incumbent Randy Kuhl after coming within 1% of defeating him in 2006 in the most Republican District in New York State. In August, Massa gave an interview with Esquire Magazine under the impression that he would get a brief write up, instead he got a full page article in the October 2007 issue. Below is an excerpt from the article which can be viewed in full on the web at http://www.esquire.com/features/esquire-100/ericmassa1007