We received this e-mail from Congressman Massa's campaign office:
Hello,
We have been saying for months now that our race for re-election will be one of the top targeted races across the country by the GOP, and today Guy Harrison, the Executive Director of the NRCC confirmed this fact. In a recent interview posted on the website www.fivethirtyeight.com , Guy was interviewed about the upcoming 2010 races and he confirmed that our race will be a top target for the GOP this year and that they are actively recruiting Mayor Tom Reid of Corning to run against me.
"Q: If you are at liberty to discuss specific races the NRCC has at or near the top of the target list, can you identify some of these?
A: Well clearly most freshmen Democrats will be on the target list like Frank Kratovil (MD-01), Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24), Walt Minnick (ID-01), Alan Grayson (FL-08), Bobby Bright (AL-02), Parker Griffith (AL-05), Eric Massa (NY-29), Jim Himes (CT-04), and many others but there will also targets who got elected either in 2006 or prior like Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01), Charlie Melancon (LA-03), Steve Kagen (WI-08), and others."
"Q: There's been a lot of talk of Republican troubles in the Northeast, particularly New England. In those six states plus New York you're down to three seats, perhaps two depending on what happens in McHugh's district. How does the GOP turn things around in what once was a generally competitive region for Republicans?
A: What were are really going to focus on in New England and really all over the country is going after candidates who fit each district and candidates who can really win each district. Some of those prospects include Tom Reid, the Mayor of Corning, NY to run in NY-29 and John McKinney, the Connecticut State Senate Minority Leader in CT-04 and of course Frank Guinta, the Mayor of Manchester, NH, who is running against Carol Shea-Porter in NH-01. We are going to focus on strong candidate recruitment so that we can make a comeback with great recruits who can win for the GOP."
You can read the full interview here (click here) .
As long time supporters of my campaign, I wanted you to be the first to see this interview and know what we are up against. We will have a serious race on our hands, but if you want a Congressman that will vote for children's health care and equal pay for women in the workplace, then I welcome your support. If you want a Congressman that will demand an end to the war in Iraq and will fight for constituents back home, then please stay tuned to our re-election efforts as they develop. We can win, but not without you.
Also, in case you missed it, we recently received a bit of good press in the Buffalo News. I would encourage you to read it, and help spread the word around to your friends. Click here to read the editorial in the Buffalo News .
Thank you for all that you do.
Warmest Regards,
Eric