Tagged: bob mccarthy

With Republicans Chris Collins and Stefan Mychajliw ousting Democratic incumbents, and State Senator Mark Grisanti holding his seat in a largely Democratic district, the G.O.P. enjoyed a solid election night on the local political scene.

Former President Bill Clinton's recent visit to Rochester may play a key role in two close Congressional races.

Buffalo News Political Reporter Bob McCarthy was on hand as the former President energized a Rochester audience last Friday in support of incumbent Representatives Kathy Hochul and Louise Slaughter

McCarthy sees Clinton's popularity in stark contrast with that of President Obama, especially in the 27th Congressional district where Democrat Hochul is trying to fend off Republican challenger Chris Collins.

A veteran of many panels at area political debates, Buffalo News Political Reporter Bob McCarthy believes Tuesday night's debate between Kathy Hochul and Chris Collins was one of the best he has witnessed.

McCarthy was among the panelists at the studios of WNED-TV who posed questions to the candidates in the race for the 27th Congressional district.

As McCarthy sees it, both candidates were very clear in their positions and avoided many of the platitudes that bring little value to political discussions.

In his weekly Morning Edition conversation with WBFO News, Buffalo News Political Reporter Bob McCarthy said nearly $2 million in outside money has flooded into the district and onto the airwaves in the form of political ads.

"Some of these groups are not obliged to report their contributors," McCarthy said. "It opens up a whole new world for money in politics."

While many outside observers are crying foul over the emerging practice, insiders feel otherwise.

"As far as those people (political campaigns) are concerned, it's good."

A nation "curious about Mitt Romney," says Buffalo News Political Reporter Bob McCarthy, could draw an estimated 50 million viewers for tonight's Presidential debate.

As polls show President Barack Obama inching his way to a solid lead, McCarthy believes voters still want to see Romney's debate performances before they make their final decision on Election Day.

Buffalo News Political Reporter Bob McCarthy says Chris Collins showed "great confidence" as he swept aside David Bellavia in the Republican primary in the 27th Congressional District.

That confidence, McCarthy says, comes from the Collins' campaign understanding of the newly-formed 27th district. Tuesday's vote showed Collins winning easily in the towns of Erie County where Republican enrollment is high.

Miit Romney easily won Tuesday's New York State Republican Primary, though turnout was low.

In Erie County, only 5 percent of registered voters made their way to the polls.

Buffalo News Political reporter Bob McCarthy believes the GOP would have been more enthusiastic if the primary had been held earlier in the election cycle.

New York's GOP can offer surprises, said McCarthy, pointing to Carl Paladino's stunning win the state's gubernatorial primary in 2010.

Bob McCarthy spoke during Morning Edition on WBFO and AM970.