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I’m not sure what is going through Rick Dollinger’s mind, but we read yesterday that he interviewed with the media about his soon-to-be-made campaign announcement… the Albany media that is.

 

Now, we’re wondering why Rick Dollinger would go out of his way to call James Odato at the Albany Times Union to leak his announcement that he’s going to make one sometime in March.  We figured he would have been better served leaking this to the local media, whom he’s going to want plenty of free coverage from over the upcoming months.

 

Here’s our thoughts on this:

 

1. Dollinger is just following orders — Like the past couple of state Senate races on the Democrats side, this one is also going to be controlled by Eliot Spitzer’s political machine.  Since Eliot’s most likely going to be paying the bills, he and his people are calling the shots.  The Albany TU is the paper Spitzer’s aides leaked some fabricated documents to, leading to the now well-known Troopergate scandal in Spitzer’s administration.  It only makes sense that he’d want them to get first crack at any announcements.

 

2. Dollinger <3’s *Hearts* Albany — I’ve heard people refer to Dollinger as ‘Albany Rick’.  It’s apparently common knowledge that Dollinger seemed to care more about making long-winded, flamboyant speeches in front of his colleagues in Albany about every single mundane piece of legislation under consideration, than attending events, honoring the good deeds of residents and meeting with constituents back here in Rochester.  Even Odato says Rick “… has a gift for oratory.”

 

3. Dollinger’s already in Albany cutting his deal with the Spitzer team — We reported here that Rick Dollinger should be asked what he was promised if he finally decides to run.  Why else would a guy who everyone here knows really wants to be a higher court judge, decide to run for a Senate seat he bailed on years ago?  Well, either a reporter did ask, or Rick read our article and started the damage control by claiming that he wasn’t promised anything.  If that’s true, he’s doing a very poor job negotiating a good deal for himself with Spitzer’s people.

 

4. Dollinger doesn’t trust our media to report it how he wants — Rick’s been out of the game for a long time.  A lot of politicians strive to becomes judges so they won’t have to deal with constituents and the media ever again.  Rick may not trust the local media to give him the ’shake,’ slanted dramatically in his favor.  He knows Spitzer’s people use the TU, so he knows he should be getting some pretty good praise from them.  I’m not sure he got what he was looking for though.

 

I actually thought the piece from Odato was very good.  Here it is with some of my commentary added:

Rochester Democrat Richard Dollinger, who left the Senate six years ago, said he will likely announce his candidacy for the seat now occupied by Republican Joseph Robach March 6 or March 7, he said today.

“…said he will likely announce his candidacy” — means Dollinger still hasn’t committed to the race.

He plans to set up his Dollinger For Senate committee next week so that he can begin raising funds. “This race will cost millions; I haven’t raised a penny yet,” he said.

“This race will cost millions; I haven’t raised a penny yet” — means he’s not gonna raise one red cent until Eliot ‘Daddy Warbucks’ Spitzer tells Rick what he’s putting in first.

Dollinger, 56, who served from 1992 to 2002, did not seek re-election to his post and became a town judge. He quit that job recently to prepare for the November election.

Dollinger quit the Senate to run for two separate judgeships which he lost.  He finally settled on convicting Brighton residents on traffic tickets.

He said the 56th Senate district is rich with Democrats and Robach’s conservative views are out of touch with constituents. Robach is a fierce campaigner and tireless worker and Dollinger has a gift for oratory, so the race may be among the most interesting.

“…district is rich with Democrats…” — means you are basically being told how you are supposed to vote.  I wonder if people mind that?

“Robach… tireless worker / Dollinger… gift for oratory” — means Robach will work hard and Dollinger will let the B.S. fly.

A former Democrat, Robach, 49, who entered the Senate in 2002 after five terms in the Assembly, said he’ll announce his intentions for re-election after the session. He said he’s focusing on improving the state budget to the benefit of the Rochester area.

Actually, I just think this is good all on its own.

He said he has a strong will to make sure that the 56th Senate district has a “loud and passionate voice . . . unrestricted by political parties or political leadership.”

Again… period.  If only they all acted this way.Rick Dollinger is a savvy enough politician who shouldn’t be making these missteps early on, if he ever makes up his mind to run.  We’ll keep you posted on that. Has anyone seen or heard anything from Willa Powell?  Is she even still in this?

Tags: Articles, Joe Robach, Mr. Peabody, Richard Dollinger //