Talk of the town

Good morning!

Let me be among the first to formally welcome Matt Burns, a 1996 Canton High School graduate, back to the north country. He started Monday as Dede Scozzafava's campaign spokesman and is spending what little downtime he'll have in Waddington.

And a fond (sort of) farewell to Shripal Shah, the DCCC's northeast regional press secretary. Shripal spent a hot week in the north country, helping Bill Owens with his press. But now he's back in his D.C. office, assisting from afar. I'll still bug the hell out of him, because I can't help myself. But I'm disappointed he won't be here. No word on his on-the-ground replacement yet.

And now to the news that's making headlines in the political world.

NY-23

Doug Hoffman, the Conservative Party's candidate, is promising not to tax us. He's wondering if his opponents will make the same vow.

Ms. Scozzafava is filling out her campaign team.

NCPR's Brian Mann provides some context for the NY-23 race by recounting what's transpired in the past three years. The two-part series starts here and concludes here.

The Plattsburgh Press-Republican decries what's transpired to block the appointment of John McHugh to the post of Army secretary.

Bill Scriber and the gang from Oswego Democrat get a little national attention and immediately start making bold predictions: Owens: 51%, Scozzafava: 39%, Doug Hoffman 10%.

Mayor Graham sees it more like 60-40 for Ms. Scozzafava over Mr. Owens. (No love for Mr. Hoffman?)

Meanwhile, Ms. Scozzafava is finding her support in the strangest of places: Minnesota?

Albany

Twenty-four Republican county chairs, including Jefferson County's Sandy Corey, want Ed Cox as the new state party chair. That may still not be enough support to push him over the top.