The City of Troy, New York, "Where Henry Hudson Turned Around."

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

NO PREMATURE WITHDRAWAL

FOR CUMMINGS

We were premature when we announced that Anasha Cummings did not meet his goal of 1,000 pledged votes and would therefore withdraw from the at-large council race. Our incorrect assessment was based upon a Saturday morning visit to his site. As of Saturday, October 11, the WFP & Green Party candidate had 912 voters pledged to support him.

The day before the deadline, Cummings announced, "We are up over 90% after a marathon day of ‪#‎DigitalDoorKnocking‬ and likely have enough supporters waiting in the queue to be verified to take us over the top, but there is still an hour to participate and be sure we make it!"

On the 912 votes, Cummings told the Troy Polloi, "these are unofficial results. There are some duplicates in the system that need to be cleaned, but also a large amount of data from a recent canvass that hasn't been accounted for yet, so we are busy crunching numbers, and will make an official announcement, with next steps either way, on our Facebook Page Monday morning."

Some are suspicious. The site's Anash-O-Meter was stuck on 912 pledged votes for 48 hours and then, after number crunching etc, Barbarossa met his goal. People are right to be suspicious. This isn't Honduras, where votes seem to just turn up. It's Troy, where votes are manufactured. That Doesn't mean Cummings has tweaked the math. It's a problem of controls.

Cummings can run if he wants. He could run without the pledge requirements. He chose the 1,000 vote pledge requirement. That benchmark was self-imposed.  The problem was that he did not set forth how these pledges would be calculated. How long they could remain in the queue, uncounted. Did the site meter rise automatically when someone filled out the on-line form. He did not mention, on the site, that paper ballots would be accepted. He did not explain how, if possible, he would weed out those who might take his pledge but only wanted him in the race as spoiler. In short, he did not set up the rules.

Cummings should release the pledges. He can redact enough information to protect identities but reveal enough information to establish authenticity. He should release the pledges that were not counted, those from people not registered or who may not be eligible to vote in Troy. In short, allow an audit. That would, we believe, satisfy skeptics.

Cummings has also stated that he will reevaluate on October 27 and determine if he has enough support at that time to move forward. Frankly, that's naïve. Once the machinery is in motion, once you're that close to election day, things take on a life of their own.

We are not bashing Cummings. We endorsed Cummings in the primary and may do so again. As we said, some are skeptical and we understand why. However, we can't help wonder if Cummings is playing it safe. Hoping that the pledges come through and he's not embarrassed on election day. Or, is this a brilliant PR ploy? Some way to keep a third party candidate in the news. Cummings should run or withdraw. Make a decision and move forward. That's what leaders do. This game of electoral blue balls wears thin.

54 comments:

Pol Watcher said...

Agree. In or out. Anasha can siphon off enough votes to effect the election. that's the only reason this is important. So crap or get off the pot. No wonder millennials piss people off.

Unknown said...

I'm losing respect for this man slowly but surely, run or don't, it's not like the city of Troy is hanging by the edge of our seats waiting for him to declare!! WTF

Velvet Librarian said...

Ibid@7:56

Anonymous said...

I hope this stunt backfires. What may have started out with good intentions, was fraught with problems. Where's the transparency, Anasha? By staying, he becomes a spoiler like all of Team Troy led by the kool-aid maker Rodney.

Anonymous said...

Who is "we" in this blog that has all these thoughts?

Anonymous said...

Sorry to go off topic, but I just saw a Cooper posting on his Troy Facebook Page that just cracked me up. Coop -- do you really believe that you would even last 30 seconds with Matt? If you decide to make a move on him, I hope your health insurance is paid up to date

Anonymous said...

Me and your mother 9:53

David Graham said...

Seems to me a reasonable effort. If he can guarantee 1000 votes, he has a chance to go from there. If not why bother. What matter to you if his "voting" process has some duplication? He is smart and does not follow the standard Troy political process. Look what that has got us.

Unknown said...

I'm ready to find out!

Phana24JG said...

It's really hard to say what impact, if any, he will have on an at-large race with I believe eight active candidates. Obviously, Dems are worried he could theoretically siphon off enough votes to slip a second Republican into an at-large seat. However, he may grab some "third votes" from less partisan Dems and blanks that would have possibly gone to a Rep.

Where I think he is making a huge mistake is his idea of deciding on the 27th(saw that somewhere on social media) whether to continue all out. Anasha, what will be the reaction of people who are busting their butt for you, especially the committed progressives? You are beginning to look indecisive and really amateurish. You are either all in, or get out. We understand it's your first plunge and you want to be unique and all that. However, the fact remains that you have to have reasonably broad appeal. Voters will overlook some lack of convention, but if you want to be a player in the future, a reputation as flaky (or perhaps more flaky in your case) and indecisive will really hurt.

Unknown said...

Why wouldn't you ask that question on the TROY NY page as well as here. Because there, you have to put your be on it. I wouldn't know Matt McGrath from a hole in the wall. I'm guessing his problem with me stems from my vocal displeasure of the Way his father does things, but I don't give a shit and am not one bit afraid of him. He drove by my house last week and screamed shit out his car window, but he kept going! Fuck him and his father, neither scare me. Why don't you blow them both

Anonymous said...

11:17. You wish.

Unknown said...

I don't sweat them for one second! Thanks :-)

Anonymous said...

This Anasha character (and that whole WPF "Team Troy" slate)is a joke. It also looks like this little PR stunt may have backfired. Time will tell.

Anonymous said...

Why is it that no matter what the original post is about things turn into Drew Cooper going on a tangent and telling somebody to blow somebody.?

Phana24JG said...

Geez, for a bunch of Dems this is a tough crowd. Granted, the "Troy Team" was less than impressive, but like him or not, Rodney clearly is someone to be reckoned with. If Bissember had done his homework on absentees he would have won, and while he is clearly a CommieLib, Anasha is a very intelligent guy who you should be recruiting.

I find his style and openness refreshing. It's a nice break from the normal political prattle we all use/used designed to look impressive while saying as little as possible. Hopefully, as he matures and is more exposed to the world we must live in, some of the radical tree-hugging and socialist silliness will disappear and we might have a very productive liberal(hopefully in opposition).

Anonymous said...

And some should thank the Lord that their brother is a Judge. Wink wink!!!!!! Rats of a feather flock together.

Anonymous said...

Sums it up perfectly. The wannabe McGrath's

Anonymous said...

Really? If you are this unsure of running in the lat days of the election you shouldn't be running for office. If you need validation to run for office, you shouldn't be running for office.

Is he going to pull stunts like this for the next 2 years if he gets elected or run childish polls when shit hit the fan (as it is sure to happen).

Truly Anasha, you are a nice guy-- But grow up.

Anonymous said...

The "we" in the blog is the "royal we." Or, there is more than one perpetrator of this blog.

Anonymous said...

Perpetrator?? Really Harry?? Does perpetrator rhyme with cheeseburger??

Anonymous said...

Who are you talking about?

Anonymous said...

If you hate this blog and hate the curator and hate Cooper and hate the comments and hate the subject matter why do you read every word of it and why comment. I felt the same way about the stalkers oops I mean Francos jailspin column, it was written by a bought and paid for shill, and it had the same 3 or 4 losers posting mean spirited, anonymous comments, no dought the same 3 of 4 losers who do the same thing here. So I stopped reading it. Simple as that. If you don't like this blog don't read it! Otherwise stop crying like the pussies you are and appreciate the brilliance of this blog. The fact that you bash this blog all the time but still read every word and still make mean spirited, anonymous comments makes you a hypocritical jealous wannabe! Go away and stay away. Or keep reading, enjoy the brilliance, and stop crying, whining and complaining like the cunts you are. Have a nice night

Anonymous said...

Rodney is only someone to be reckoned with because he'd lie to and steal from his own mom to win this race.

Anonymous said...

This is quite the blog. Tough guys, former felons, sexual deviants, and certifiably insane tree trimmers and that's just the people that run this blog.

Anonymous said...

No clarifying comment from Anasha?

Anonymous said...

And the fatasses, tax cheats, child abusers, wife beaters, county building hacks and three-job Bobs from the GOP lap it up like heavy cream. Sucks that Franco's blog is defunct, don't it boys.

Anonymous said...

And wreck her pool.

Anonymous said...

Coop, I'm so impressed you're not afraid of Mark and Matt. There's people out there that admire you for your bravery. I wish we all had that same courage.

Phana24JG said...

Come on, 7:54. The guy was the highest vote getter in 2013, and damn near beat the Party nominee in the primary. Most of you were very happy with him for a couple of years.

Anonymous said...

Speak for yourself. Most of us don't give a shit either way.

blah blah blah said...

Yeah it's so brave to tell people to blow you on a blog. Actually do something good for our city. Volunteer for something. Run for office. Stop running your mouth and make a positive contribution.

Anonymous said...

Anasha I hope you continue on because Troy needs you. The democratic party has had more than it's share of corrupt, moronic officials. I would hope you bridge your differences with Mr. Wade. He can't be all bad for expelling lowlifes like kevin Mcgrath and Michael Loporto shows he at least has some brain matter.

Unknown said...

There's no one in the city I need to impress or try to impress. But thanks

Anonymous said...

Ok cooper, thought you didnt post anonymously?? Can tell its you cause your the only moron that spells doubt "dought"!!

Anonymous said...

7:54 if you don't like it, don't read it and don't comment. It's as simple as that. I don't understand your need to try to discredit this blog (impossible) with your pitiful anonymous comments. Do you really think your comments matter to anyone else but you and your three other buddies at the county building. Your really quite sad!

Anonymous said...

I drive with illegal pills in my pocket and kids in the car. Worship me

Unknown said...

Thanks for your advice 9:10 and dislike to think I did do something, I coached youth baseball/sotfball basketball and football both in South Troy and North Troy, both my son's and my daughter in softball and basketball I volunteered my time and thoroughly enjoyed it. Not sure what I can do now I really have no interest to do anything besides work and golf and be a good dad. I have volunteered thousands of hours total and helped many kids be better athletes and people. I'm not atvall interested in running for any kind of office, I don't have the temperament for it, but If I see a candidate that is a good person and puts the voters ahead of his political all friends I will support him/her if I see a candidate who is bad, or somebody already in office who is bad, and shits on friends of mine or who violate people's civil rights or just an all around rotten person I'm not afraid to speak my mind and let voters know what kind of people they are. Doing this has made me many new good friends and a few enemy's. But the enemy's are the scumbag that I have called out for being scumbag so I would rather those criminals not like me, the feeling is mutual. I am far from perfect and have battled my share of demons. But I am who I am and a lot of people like that about me. But thanks for your advice it's much appreciated

Anonymous said...

He said "thanks" haaaaaaaaaaaaaa sharp as a tack!

Unknown said...

Again, stop obsessing, I didn't write it

total tool said...

Beer muscles, pictures of Dunne, tree trimmers, harry and cheeseburgers and Bootleggers all in the comment section of a post of the lifetime winner of the Robbie Coltrane lookalike contest. Classic, I missed this blog! I would draw the line at farm animals and creative uses of heavy machinery, though.

Unknown said...

I've done way worse stuff than that. Dug deeper you loser!

Unknown said...

4 posts in a row Harry ? What's the matter, you have nothing else to do? Put your name in it! Be a man! That may be asking too much, you haven't been a man ever why would you start now.

Anonymous said...

7:54 you just described Harry and his inner circle. I'm quite sure they have nothing to do with this blog. But keep trying

Phana24JG said...

11:10, I hear you. We have all the time in the world after 11/3 for that stuff. Frankly, I am shocked I have dodged the vitriol after a few "welcoming" remarks.

Anonymous said...

you volunteered for the benefit of your kids, go volunteer at a food pantry, there are many non profits looking for people.

Phana24JG said...

Well, love him or hate him, no one ever accused Kevin of lacking persistence. However, most of these Google blogs will not release IP addresses w/out a subpoena. Even an IP address can be meaningless if the author uses an offshore anonymizer.

Anonymous said...

Can you really call someone a loser???

Anonymous said...

I don't think Democratus is who we think he may be. Far to witty and subtle for the usual political crowd. I'd like to know. Should get a Pulitzer for local political writing.

Anonymous said...

Lmao Jig- or is it Kevin-- that s so rich. Police coming for what? Defamation? Your tax debts and deadbeat life are all public information. The truth hurts douchebag! !

Anonymous said...

Interesting that everyone assumes Democratus is a he.

Anonymous said...

Not everyone.

Anonymous said...

cant golf if the clubs are repossessed!

Phana24JG said...

Can you guys please stop talking about golf? Those of us unable to play find it terribly depressing.