Maffei, Sweetland visit neighborhoods in their final push before the election.
Syracuse Post-Standard
Mark Weiner
November 3rd, 2008
Democrat Dan Maffei and Republican Dale Sweetland, two congressional candidates with starkly contrasting views on almost every issue, finally found something to agree on Sunday: Both said there's no substitute for face-to-face meetings with voters.
As the two made their final push in their campaigns for Congress, they ended up walking door-to-door Sunday; Sweetland made the rounds in East Syracuse in the afternoon while Maffei knocked on doors until dusk in Cicero.
"People like to see you," Sweetland said as he walked the village streets in East Syracuse. "They want to look you in the eyes. And one thing I've learned: They don't like politicians."
Maffei targeted likely voters in Cicero. He considers fast-growing Cicero one of the battleground towns in Onondaga County.
"I want to meet as many potential voters as possible and get them to vote," Maffei said as he campaigned with his wife, Abby, in a housing development off Lakeshore Road.
In East Syracuse, Sweetland was accompanied by his wife, Sue. They were introduced to voters by Mayor Dan Liedka and James Carr Jr., a village trustee, who served as guides.
Both Maffei and Sweetland were immediately recognized by most voters, and often greeted enthusiastically by people surprised to see a candidate standing at their door perhaps a measure of voter interest in the race to pick the Syracuse area's first new member of Congress in 20 years. Rep. James Walsh, R-Onondaga, is retiring at the end of his term in January.
On the campaign trail Sunday, most voters indicated they had made up their minds. And neither Sweetland nor Maffei made big pitches to sway voters. The candidates kept it simple, asking for support and volunteering to help those who need a ride to the polls or in locating their polling station.
In East Syracuse, Tom Gallery, 30, a state trooper who moved back to Central New York in July, was among those who has made up his mind. He said he plans to vote for Sweetland.
"I'm pretty much going on party lines and word of mouth," said Gallery, who stood in his driveway and watched as Sweetland greeted the family dog and had a conversation with his son, Gordon, 3.
"What were you for Halloween?" Sweetland asked.
"An alligator," Gordon replied.
"I bet you got a lot of candy," Sweetland said. "How old are you?"
"Three," Gordon replied. His father quickly added that Gordon's fourth birthday is Wednesday, the day after Election Day.
Gallery said he hopes Sweetland will do something to stop Central New York from losing more jobs and people who move elsewhere for employment opportunities.
"A lot of friends I went to high school with moved other places," he said, "and there are not too many of us who moved back."
In Cicero, Maffei was greeted enthusiastically by about a dozen people, starting the moment he stepped out of his car. "It's Dan Maffei," Ieva Doyle said as she and her husband, Jim, walked their dog, Beanie.
"I'm looking forward to voting for you," Ieva Doyle volunteered, adding that she wants to see big change in
Washington, D.C., and believes Democrats are in the best position to deliver.
Maffei thanked her, petted Beanie, and added with a smile, "I've also been endorsed by the Humane Society."
Likewise, Maffei was greeted by a big smile when Bev Gracz opened her door.
"Hi, I'm Dan Maffei and I'd like to ask for your vote on Election Day," Maffei said.
"You've got it," Gracz replied. "I can't wait. I'm all for change. And I'm very concerned about the economy."
Howie Hawkins, the candidate on the Green Populist line, said he hopes the "change" voters go his way. He spent the day greeting people in Valley Plaza and on Marshall Street in Syracuse . Based on how he was received, Hawkins said it appears his support is growing.
"I'm out on the street and people are saying hi to me like we're long-lost friends," Hawkins said.
Washington Bureau reporter Mark Weiner can be reached at mark.weiner@newhouse.com or at 202-383-7818.
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