New York

First there was Gerald Solomon, then John Sweeney. They were both pretty much lifers. When Sweeney was in office, the Democrats rarely even bothered to field a candidate. It wasn't until Kirsten Gillibrand ran in 2006 - and President Clinton came to this little burg to campaign for her - that we finally got Democratic representation. When Senator Clinton was appointed Obama's Secretary of State, Governor Paterson appointed Gillibrand to replace her as senator. That's when Scott Murphy ran. He won the first election and lost the second. I liked him a lot - and he was actually local! I passed his house today on my way home. *sigh*

You probably don't remember Gerald Solomon, but he became a national embarrassment when he made the national news. They showed a clip on Jay Leno's Tonight Show of him having a vociferous argument about guns with Patrick Kennedy. Gerry insisted that his wife Frieda needed a gun to protect herself when he was in D.C. and she was alone here in the wild North Country.

Now I know where he lived (not far from Scott Murphy, actually) and it's a very expensive neighborhood with big houses, not exactly the Wild West. And I thought of that today since I went to a family funeral where the burial was at Gerald Solomon National Cemetery. He was very popular in these parts. And on the way in, there's a big sign that says that no guns or weapons are allowed in the park. Remembering his gun stance, I found that rather ironic.