Singer John Hall Targets N.Y. GOP Lawmaker

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

By BETH FOUHY
The Associated Press

FISHKILL, N.Y. - For a dozen years, upstate New Yorkers' view of Republican Rep. Sue Kelly could be summed up in a song - the 1970s pop tune "Still the One." This election year, a few Democrats, including singer-songerwriter John Hall who penned the tune, are looking to unseat the six-term congresswoman elected as part of the 1994 Republican revolution.

Hall, a 57-year-old former county legislator, has injected some celebrity sizzle into the contest. Singers Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne have held fundraisers. A fundraising concert featuring Rosanne Cash and Steve Earle is in the works for August. Marquee music names such as rocker Bruce Springsteen and producer Clive Davis have contributed to Hall's campaign.

Hall, who co-wrote the song and recorded it with his band Orleans in 1976, once demanded that President Bush's re-election campaign stop using the tune at rallies in 2004, claiming the Republicans never got permission.

Today, he is taking his politics one step farther, stressing universal health care and energy independence in his campaign for the House seat. He scoffs at Kelly's reputation for being a moderate in her party.

more: http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/36-07292006-690585.html

[salin]

1. Sure is turning into an interesting election cycle.

Remember when the 'conventional wisdom' in the days after the 2004 election was that there was no way the dems could take over the House...? Stories like these suggest a very strong energy coming from so many congressional districts around the country. Here in Indiana, the idea that we had a good shot at retaking one house seat - and a midshot and a longshot at two other seats - has now moved into the good shot at three house seats which would move 'red' indiana into having a majority blue congressional delegation.

Good luck to Mr. Hall!

[bleedingheart]

2. I wish himi the best and I hope he wins!!!