In the Spotlight: NY-22 & Trump's Address on Afghanistan

This series highlights recent work of political journalists covering the region and New York state.

This week S. Alexander Gerould visited with John Zogby for Observer Dispatch’s “NY-22 Congressional Race Shaping Up to be an expensive one.” Zogby estimated the campaign could cost $40 to 50 million.

Why? According to Zobgy, “This is a very important seat for the Democrats to pick up. They see that there was a Democrat once through much of the district; that it’s an independent (and) not ideological district; that had there not been a three-way race the last time they may have gotten the seat. So it’s winnable.”  

Mark Weiner spoke with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for Syracuse.com’s “Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand: Trump lacks vision for success in Afghanistan.” Senator Gillibrand’s reaction to President Trump’s address regarding Afghanistan was “terribly lacking.” The plan was “lacing in details, lacking in substance and lacking in a vision of what success in Afghanistan looks like.” Gilibrand is one of the biggest critics of President Trump and a potential presidential candidate, though she ruled that out last spring.