Politics

By Mark Scott

Buffalo, NY – It's primary day in New York, and it's a busy one. There are a number of contested races today -- the biggest in the 26th congressional district.

By Mark Scott

Buffalo, NY – Republicans will likely focus on national security while Democrats will address economic issues in the presidential campaign, according to University of Buffalo Assistant Professor of Political Science Joshua Dyck.

"The Republican Party will talk about the economy, but they'll only talk about it in terms of tax cuts. Then, they'll switch and say that the most important issue in this election is national security... that's an issue they own, that they poll well on," Dyck said.

By Mark Scott

Buffalo, NY – GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin is winning high praise from Republican delegates following a rousing speech to them Wednesday night at the party convention in Minnesota.

University at Buffalo Political Scientist Josh Dyck says Palin came out swinging, not only against Barack Obama, but against the media.

By Mark Scott

Buffalo, NY – Republican Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin will be in the national spotlight Wednesday night as she accepts her party's nomination. A University at Buffalo political scientist says the speech will be an important one as she tries to introduce herself to the American people.

UB's James Campbell says John McCain's selection of the Alaskan governor as his running mate was a huge surprise. Campbell says it's hard to know how this will play out.

By Joyce Kryszak

Buffalo, NY – Hurricane Gustav is playing havoc at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. Out of respect to victims of the storm, most of Monday's convention activities were suspended. Now going into the convention, Erie County Executive Chris Collins was scheduled to deliver a four minute speech Tuesday night at the Republican National Convention.

By Eileen Buckley

Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown is among the local democrats who traveled to Denver to attend the Democratic National Convention. Brown says he participated in round-table discussions as part of convention events.

Brown says the round table discussions included other U.S. Mayors. They discussed urban issues and needs of cities. Brown says it offered him a chance to bring forward some of the concerns of the Buffalo community.

By Eileen Buckley

Buffalo, NY – The leader of Erie County's Democratic Party says the Democratic National Convention was a blend of history, excitement, emotion and growth for the future.

County Democratic chairman Lenihan has been in Denver all week attending the Convention. He talked with WBFO'S Eileen Buckley about what's next for the party as they leave the convention on united front.

Click the "listen" icon above to hear Eileen Buckley's interview now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.

By Eileen Buckley

Buffalo, NY –
The leader of Erie County's Democratic Party says he thought Tuesday night's speech by U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton, at the Democratic National Convention, was spectacular.

Fresh off the excitement of the speech, Chairman Len Lenihan reached the WBFO Newsroom by cell phone from Denver.

Lenihan says he believes Clinton accomplished the task of creating unity to support Barack Obama.

By Eileen Buckley

Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown is officially supporting Barack Obama. Brown will be leaving for Denver on Monday to attend the Democratic National Convention.

Mayor Brown was a big supporter of Hillary Clinton. But after she dropped out as a presidential contender, Brown turned his support to Obama.

By Eileen Buckley

Cheektowaga, NY – As the Democratic National Convention approaches, talk continues to surface on who Barack Obama will select to be his running mate.

According to reports, Obama has dwindle the list down to four names, that includes U-S Senator Hillary Clinton. A long-time Clinton supporter appeared in Cheektowaga Tuesday and was asked to weigh-in on the topic.

By Mark Scott

Buffalo, NY – There's been some criticism of the major television networks this week for sending their top news anchors overseas to cover Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. Critics say Republican John McCain has not received similar coverage during his foreign trips.

By Howard Reidel & Eileen Buckley

Buffalo, NY – Republican Presidential candidate John McCain is coming to Buffalo Monday night.

McCain will attend two fundraising events, one at the private home of Anthony H. Gioia and another at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. McCain is expected to raise more money on this stop than any other political candidate ever has in Buffalo, more than one million dollars.

By Mark Scott

Buffalo, NY – There is now a fourth candidate seeking the Democratic party nomination in the 26th congressional district. Erie County Legislator Kathy Konst of Lancaster officially announced Wednesday.

Konst joins a race that already includes Akron businessman Jack Davis, endorsed Democrat Jonathan Powers and Amherst attorney Alice Kryzan. Davis, who has run and lost in this district twice previously, is pledging to spend $3 million of his own money this time.

Konst says she believes she can win with much less.

By Mark Scott

Buffalo, NY – Republicans don't like primaries. That was clearly evident yesterday when the top brass of the Erie County GOP helped Amherst businessman Christopher Lee officially launch his candidacy less than 48 hours after they were supporting someone else.

By Mark Scott

Buffalo, NY – It's Super Tuesday, part two. Presidential primaries are being held in Ohio, Texas, Rhode Island and Vermont.

WBFO's Mark Scott has been following this year's presidential race with University at Buffalo political science professor James Campbell. We reached him at his North Campus office on Monday.

Click the "listen" icon above to hear the interview now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.