- See more at: http://blogtimenow.com/blogging/automatically-redirect-blogger-blog-another-blog-website/#sthash.Q6qPkwFC.dpuf [Updated] Vote for Dan Padernacht Fliers Hitting Mailboxes; Padernacht Says They Aren't Coming From Him | Bronx News Networkbronx

Thursday, September 9, 2010

[Updated] Vote for Dan Padernacht Fliers Hitting Mailboxes; Padernacht Says They Aren't Coming From Him

We don't have a copy on hand, but mailers urging 33rd Senate District Democrats to vote for Dan Padernacht are arriving in mailboxes this week. But Padernacht, who essentially dropped out of the race earlier this week, says they aren't coming from him.

"Our campaign has not sent out any mailers," Padernacht said in a brief phone interview, but wouldn't elaborate or say who he thought might have sent them out. 

It's widely assumed that votes for Padernacht would help the re-election chances of incumbent Pedro Espada Jr.

Padernacht's name will appear on the primary ballot Sept. 14, but on Monday morning he announced that he would throw his support behind fellow challenger Gustavo Rivera, saying he felt the need to oust Espada was bigger than his candidacy. Many believed Padernacht would siphon critical anti-Espada votes away from Rivera, who has received loads of political, institutional and union endorsements.

Many of New York's most popular Democratic leaders hailed Padernacht as a hero for endorsing Rivera and campaigning on his behalf in the days leading up to the primary.

Death Panel-ish Mailer

Another mailer, showing a doctored photo of a menacing-looking Rivera is also finding its way mysteriously into voters homes. On one side, along with a picture of a doctor or nurse with their hand on a respirator above a patient (as if about to pull it it off), says: "Guess who's planning to pull the plug on your health care?"  And then on the back, with the menacing photo, it says: "Gustavo Rivera. That's who."

The accusations it includes, aside from pulling the plug on folks -- increased prescription drug costs for seniors, more seniors will be without insurance, shorter hospital stays and the closure of neighborhood clinics -- are completely baseless as far we can tell.

Plus, the mailers are being sent anonymously, meaning someone is trying to avoid scrutiny (or possible legal action) for sending these out.

We're waiting for a reply from Espada's campaign.

[Update: Haile Rivera, who is handling media responsibilities for Espada's campaign wrote in an e-mail: "all of our mail has 'New Yorkers for Espada' printed. Aside from that, I am not aware of such mailer."]

28 comments:

  1. Compare the address label on the putative Padernacht mailer with an address label on one of Pedro's invitations to get free food.

    They both have the same, very distinct, type face.

    I didn't even think of an Espada dirty trick last night when I first saw the Padernacht mailer. I was even a little outraged at Padernacht when I saw that the mailer was postmarked the 7th. How does this happen, that it gets mail 3 days after he said he is not running? Of course it happens because we have a dishonest slime bag Senator. Let's get rid of him on the 14th. YES WE CAN!

    ReplyDelete
  2. No way Dan would send out mailers especially after he threw his support behind Rivera!
    This has to be an Espada trick!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Let me get this straight...

    Espada directly stole money from the healthcare system. Now he makes up a story that somebody else will "pull the plug on your health care"?

    How much more dishonest and pathetic could he get?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Espada is gonna win this joint. He's a damn savage politically and the electorate for the most part is either apathetic or not informed. For shame, for shame.

    ReplyDelete
  5. MY VOTE IS WITH ESPADA, FOR EVERYTHING YOU GUYS ACCUSE HIM OF, THE GUY IS VERY APPROACHABLE I SAW HIM IN THE STREETS SPEAKING TO PEOPLE A FEW TIMES AND HE SEEMS LIKE A NICE GUY..

    ReplyDelete
  6. If the Padernacht "mailer" went through the USPS as presorted mail, it should have a permit number that could be traced.

    Somebody needs to get this to the Board of Elections ASAP!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Is it a Federal crime if it went through the Post Office?

    Maybe SOMEBODY will finally lock up this guy. How many laws can he break before somebody puts him away?

    ReplyDelete
  8. SERIOUSLY , WHAT HAS RIVERA DONE FOR THE COMMUNITY IN THE LAST 10 YEARS THAT HE'S LIVED IN THE DISTRICT, SINCE COMING FROM PUERTO RICO?
    IF YOU CAN NAME 3 THINGS THAT HE PERSONALLY DID THAT MATTERED IN THE DISTRICT OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS, THEN I WILL VOTE FOR HIM, IF NOT, ALL OF YOU SHOULD LEAVE THE BRONX FOREVER AND STOP PLAYING RACIST POLITICS WITH OUR COMMUNITY.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dear "Bronxite,"

    You might have a point... except Espada has been the ONLY person trying to play the race game in this election.

    You might have a point... except Espada hasn't done a single thing for our community. He doesn't even live here. He just has an apartment he didn't pay for. Soundview bought it, with money he diverted from healthcare for the poor.

    Your boss Espada really wants to make it look like Gustavo hasn't done much for our community. But it is obvious to everyone just how much your boss Espada has done TO our commmunity.

    ANYBODY would be a huge improvement!!!

    But go back and pick up your check from Espada for trolling the websites. You've earned your blood money for the day.

    ReplyDelete
  10. LOL. I was wondering when Espada was going to send this type of mailing. It is typical of him during a campaign.

    What three things Gustavo done for the community? One, he has worked with the U.S. Senator to better the community, help president Obama get elected at a state wide level and last, as Rev. Al Sharpton shared, he was involved in moving African Americans into higher political office. Here is the real deal, Espada has sold out every tenant in the Bronx. He receives support from the very SLUMLORDS that keep minority people living in horrible conditions. This guy should be ashamed of himself.

    By the way, let's begin taking down all of these posters Espada has putted up illegally.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am voting for Espada, I think he has the cojones to lead, furthermore I do not know anything about rivera or padernact, I do know i voted for Espada in 2008 and I do not regret it. Thanks for allowing me to post this, I think everyone has the right to their opinion.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Dear "Bronxite", "Anonymous" or whatever you're going to continue to call yourself on this post -

    1. Everything Mr. Rivera has done in his decade long career in Government (not politics!) has been to benefit the people of not only his community but across New York State (and across this country for Obama)

    2. He's been an educator and mentor to the youths of this community and across the Bronx (and all of NYC!) through programs like Somos El Futuro Model State Senate and other programs run by the New York Board of Education

    3. He's been a good friend to many of his neighbors in the community (including my family) for which he needs no medal, certificate or acknowledgment for. He will get that kindness back in support on September 14th.

    4. He stood up and ran against someone who has been stealing and stabbing this community in the back when no one else wanted to or could effectively.

    BY THE WAY, I CAN WRITE IN ALL CAPS, TOO. ESPADA IS SO CLEARLY SHAKEN BY MR. RIVERA HE CAN'T EVEN STAND TO BE IN THE SAME ROOM WITH HIM (LIKE AT THE NAACP EVENT WHEN HE WALKED OUT WHEN RIVERA WENT UP TO SPEAK, THAT FRIGHTENED LITTLE MAN). ESPADA STAFF MEMBERS WOULD NOT BE TRYING TO MAKE NICE WITH RIVERA CAMPAIGN STAFFERS IF THEY DIDN'T THINK THEIR JOBS WERE IN JEOPARDY. TOO BAD. HOPE YOU GUYS CAN FIND SOMETHING ON MANDY.COM. GOOD LUCK!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I AM NOT STAFF WHY ARE U ATTACKING SO MUCH, WHY DO YOU FEEL THE NEED TO REPEAT YOURSELF. YOUR RUDE. ONLY YOUR OPINION MATTERS? I WILL STOP POSTING SO YOU AND YOUR TWO FRIENDS CAN CONTINUE BLOGGING.

    ReplyDelete
  14. How is it that no one from the Espada Crime Family (credit to Juan Gonzalez at the DN for that name) has ever turned whistle-blower? Espada must have accidentally let at least one person with half a conscience into the fold? Someone must have seen this Padernacht mailer being prepared? Break the code of omerta before Tuesday -- help this district and this State begin to recover from a two year nightmare. You'll feel better for it.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Let me preface this by saying that I am not an Espada supporter nor do I plan on voting for him next week. With that said, Gustavo's community involvement is thin to non-existent. He is only getting support because he is not Espada--not because he's necessarily the best person for the job. If he had done something he would be touting that 24/7 as he has his helping our President get elected.

    I wonder how many people can make that claim...Obama had an unprecedented volunteer corps and robust campaign operation that brought scores of citizens in to the process, each of whom could lay claim to "I helped Barack get elected".

    There is also this notion that his work for Gillinbrand constitutes community service but here again, he has not noted any specific initiative or project that has directly benefited the 33rd.

    We all know that his endorsements are essentially "NO" votes for Espada.

    NRI has worked hard for him, and I credit them for their efforts. But Espada will win the battle of outsiders coming in and dictating who we should pick to lead us. It may be a distortion of what NRI is doing, but many voters will see White men telling Hispanics who to vote for.

    Espada is crafty as hell and it is unfortunate that he does not apply this acumen to the non-political aspect of his job. I wish Mr. Rivera all the luck in the world, I just wanted to make it clear, with all due respect to him and his supporters, that he is more of a default candidate than anything.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hey anonymous at 10:50pm,

    It's you're rude not "your rude." You're not the one writing Espada's lit are you?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Ill remind everyone again

    In 2008, there was a 3 way State Senate Race. Richard Soto, The 3rd Candidate Community Guy spent all summer trying to galvalize voters. most would say he was a viable candidate. One week before-he dropped out. Sadly though, not in time to take himself off the ballot. He made a brief announcement and said "Im not running dont vote for me". Espada Won 53-40, over Incumbent Efrain Gonzalez. 7% went to Soto. During The campaign many said Richard Soto was there to "deflect votes"".

    Sound Familiar?

    Most of the community will hope for baded breath for Gustavo Rivera, not because hes a viable candidate, because many would still question that. We will go to the polls for Gustavo, following the lead of the REAL COMMUNITY CANDIDATE Desiree Pilgrim Hunter, in her hopes, for victory-over a man and office, that, even I must at times compliment--not for their community service--but for Albany money being plucked for our community. AFTER ALL, that is what our Senator IS SUPPOSED TO DO. It is just sad, that between the both of them, we would have liked to have seen, in the words of Padernacht (and some of these bloggers) real community experience.

    North Bronx Democrats
    www.westsidebx.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. The "just because he's not Espada" explanation just doesn't hold up. I'll remind you that there was at one point 4 candidates running against Espada. Why did Mr. Rivera get all of this support? He's simply the most experienced. Many if the people who have endorsed him have worked with him before. He has been a soldier for the progressive democratic movement. He has taught young kids about the importance of civic engagement for a decade. They know his belief that our elected officials should be held to a higher standard and that there should always be transparency and accountability. They KNOW what he can and will do for not only the 33rd but for all of New York. He could not have built this coalition behind him if it weren't the case.


    As for the people who underestimate the voters of this community, I hope they'll surprise you in September 14th.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Last time I checked, the ballot doesn't ask why you vote the way you do. At this stage in the game -- who cares if someone votes for Rivera because they like him or because they hate Espada? If Rivera gets your vote by "default", great! If you think he is the best thing to ever happen in the 33rd, great! If you are somewhere in between, great too!

    I just do not understand why a Rivera supporter like Anon at 11:54 would challenge someone who says he is voting for Rivera! What-- you don't want the vote because that voter hasn't adopted your opinion of Gustavo? You have this person's vote! Move on to something that gets you another vote for heaven's sake! If Gustavo is half as good as you say, then you and Gustavo have 2 years to convince the default voters that they did not really understand how good a candidate he was. All you need today (and Tuesday) is the freaking vote!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Ummmm...outsider...as I recalled Espada lives in Westchester County. His so call non-profit is from the other side of the bronx, where the Diaz ran him out with his tail between his legs. IT is time to run Espada out of here. Enough is enough.

    ReplyDelete
  21. We need to vote a criminal out of office. Espada broke the law (and continues to break the law during this campaign) and needs to be punished! Rivera is not perfect, but he is not a criminal. Espada is a criminal. Vote Espada out! Really, it is that simple.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Lis, I agree with you. Gustavo is not a perfect candidate, but of the pool of challengers he came out as the most electable. When you have a criminal in office, electability becomes the most desired trait in a challenger. Desiree, Fernando and Dan all had more community involvement, but were not perceived as the most electable.

    This is probably due to a number of factors, among which are campaign experience, political connections, and (other than Fernando) broader appeal to a majority Latino district. Whether or not a non-Latino candidate can win in the 33rd is up to debate, but obviously it was a major factor in the minds of those making early endorsements.

    In any case, there are two main reasons we have to vote for Gustavo -- ending the political corruption in Albany that Espada is the poster boy for, and to change the vacancy decontrol laws.

    ReplyDelete
  23. SORRY for shouting but every argument for Mr. Rivera is BullCrap and his supporters know it.
    My question was what has he done, and the response was, he worked for other people who have done things!
    I have no negative opinion about Mr. Rivera except that he is part of the reason our community continues to suffer, because rather than push real people, local people..Like Pilgrim-Hunter, who actually is a community activist, he steps in with all the "puppet masters" and says, "I'm not Pedro Espada"...
    I don't work for Espada, I dont even like him much, but let Mr. Riviera pay dues to the community before trying to lead it, instead of paying dues to people like Bill Samuel and Dan Cantor who then make him a leader . Thats why Gustavo is a puppet, cause he is.
    I hopes he loses now and works in the community for the next 2 years to prove me wrong.
    Cause we know what the next 2 years with Pedro will be like, but we have no idea what Rivera will be like at all. if Mr. Rivera wins now, he will only owe those outsiders, but with the next 2 years of paying dues in the community, there will be no doubt about his commitment to us. Its nice being paid to care about issues in the community, but its another to put your blood, sweat, and tears in for free. Lets him do that for a try...

    ReplyDelete
  24. Is Haile Rivera volunteering as a campaign worker or fielding BxNN's calls on Senate time?

    ReplyDelete
  25. To "Boogiedowner": I am volunteering my time on the campaign (have been for a few weeks now).

    ReplyDelete
  26. Haile,

    You can't volunteer during work hours.

    ReplyDelete
  27. impersonating a lawyer? not a good idea.... maybe danny boy will press a civil suit.

    ReplyDelete
  28. For all of the people who work for Espada's senate office and for all the amount of money they're getting, they sure do seem to have a lot of free time on their hands to "volunteer". Espada's senate office must be empty most of the time. Every time there is a food give away or some important meeting/community event, they are there. It was also reported on some blogs that his senate staff were also the ones who spent all day eery day at the Board of Elections.

    ReplyDelete

Bronx News Network reserves the right to remove comments that include personal attacks, name calling, foul language, commercial advertisements, spam, or any language that might be considered threatening, libelous or inciting hate.

User comments are reviewed by BxNN staff and may be included or excluded at our discretion.

If what you have to say is unrelated to this particular post, please visit our readers' forum.