NY Politics: Maloney Will Skunk Saujani in Democratic Primary

A slew of skunks have been descending on and re-scenting northern Manhattan and the Bronx lately. There's going to be a huge skunk on the 14^th in the 14^th. On September 14^th, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney is going to skunk her challenger, Reshma Saujani, in the Democratic Primary for the 14^th District Congressional seat.

The 14^th District is my district. It includes the East Side of Manhattan, Astoria, Queens, Roosevelt Island, much of Long Island City, Sunnyvale, and parts of Woodside, NY.

For 18 years now, Congresswoman Maloney has represented the 14^th District and fought for issues that matter to my life. She fought to keep federal student loan interest rates low which will lessen the cost of my Master's Degree. Her "Credit Card Bill of Rights" stops banks from charging unfair fees and shafting me. For 18 years, Maloney has been fighting for the rights of women. Now, the sexual harassment I experienced in the past is nearly non-existent.

18 years ago, Saujani was a 16-year-old kid.

Saujani does not have the appropriate experience to represent my District in Congress. She does not have any political experience at all. She is an idealist. She published an article in Our Town on September 1^st, that tells me, vaguely, what she's going to do for me and the 14^th District. What is sorely missing from Saujani's article is the "how." She also posts her ideals on her website and she's been running around the city on a "Community Conversation Tour" in which she tells people what she "thinks" she can do. Saujani is all talk and no action compared to Maloney.

Maloney's record is proven. Her website lists her accomplishments, in detail, including: Laws enacted, appropriations obtained, specific projects of interest, major actions taken, and significant bills introduced. Maloney's all action. She's proven herself to be a fighter for the people of the 14^th District for many years. That is why I, and the rest of the District, need her in Congress representing us.

Saujani has proven nothing except that she can idealize.

In addition to Saujani's lack of experience, a recent Village Voice article connects her to Wall Street and scandal, "Having spent the last five years at three hedge funds that blew up in scandal or speculative overdrive, Saujani insists she should represent Manhattan's eastside and parts of Queens in the House on the strength of a bio that features felons and foreclosures." The article offers much more information about Saujani's past and past dealings.

Saujani's past is clandestine. Maloney's past is transparent.

I'm all for change, positive change. If a qualified democrat who could prove his or her experience and qualifications challenged Maloney, I would definitely take a close look and listen.

Speaking of change, Saujani is not only trying to change the holder of the 14^th District Congressional seat; she's trying to change the way the seat is obtained. The Village Voice explains, "none of the 17 city representatives in the House went straight there without prior public service, almost all [were] elected first, like Maloney, to the assembly, state senate or city council."

Instead of putting in her time and working hard to serve the public, Saujani is trying to win the seat with a modern, techy, Internet campaign. Granted, President Obama used this approach but "he" had experience and qualifications. Saujani is more like a kid playing house. Only instead of playing Mommy, she's playing Congresswoman.

I love my neighborhood and my city. To have Saujani "playing around" in Congress could have detrimental effects on my life and the lives of my fellow 14^th District New Yorkers. There is no evidence that Saujani could "play" with the Big Guns in Congress. Her ideals could be squashed like a cockroach on the sidewalk.

Maloney has proven that she can handle herself in the Congressional arena. She has fought the fight - many fights. Maloney is armed; Saujani is totally unarmed.

Congresswoman Maloney will skunk Saujani in the September 14^th Democratic Primary for the 14^th District Congressional seat. Genuineness beats gimmicks. There is no contest.

Sources:

Reshma Saujani, "New Solutions to East Side Problems, Our Town
Reshma Saujani, "Reshma for Congress," Reshma2010.com
Carolyn B. Maloney, "Legislative Accomplishments," Unites States House of Representatives
Wayne Barrett, "Reshma Saujani's Road to Congress? Right Down Wall Street. Let Me Be Your Guide," Village Voice