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Political world still grappling with sudden departure of Chris Lee

By Howard B. Owens

Rumors of Chris Lee flirting with women, and possibly more, have swirled around him since his 2008 campaign for Congress, the Buffalo News reports today.

Several people contacted the campaign of Lee's Democratic opponent in 2008, Alice J. Kryzan, to say they had firsthand knowledge of Lee cheating on, or attempting to cheat on, his wife, two sources with knowledge of the campaign said.

Kryzan decided against pursuing the accusations because she didn't want to run a dirty campaign, the sources said.

Lee's alleged behavior reportedly drew the attention of House Majority Leader John Boehner. According to various reports, including the Buffalo News, Lee was allegedly behaving inappropriately toward female lobbyists. Boehner reportedly told Lee, "knock it off."

Boehner has told reporters that Lee resigned on his own with no pressure from leadership.

Politico reports that Lee's sudden departure caught the GOP by surprise.

House Speaker John Boehner and other top Republicans were unaware of the brewing scandal before Gawker posted the story early Wednesday afternoon, meaning party leaders were caught flat-footed when the controversy broke.

“Lee’s people tried to handle it internally,” a senior Republican aide said of Lee and his staff, adding that such a move was “a big mistake.”

Meanwhile, Lee's former staff is now under the supervision of Clerk of the House of Representatives. All of Lee's offices are remaining open to handle constituent matters.

Reaction in Genesee County to Lee's resignation and allegations from the Internet news site Gawker.com -- that Lee sent a shirtless picture of himself to a woman he met through Craigslist -- has been one of shock and disbelief.

County Legislator Ray Cianfrini said Lee was a guy he had high hopes for.

"From everything I could gather he was a rising star," Cianfrini said.

"He was appointed to Ways and Means in his second term, so obviously, he had some respect (in Washington), so for him to self-destruct like this is a real disappointment."

Legislator Jay Grasso said, "We all worked really hard for him, so I'm disappointed."

Dean Norton, president of the Farm Bureau, said Lee's departure from the House is a potential set back for the agriculture interests in New York, both because of Lee's quick rise in power and his expressed interest in the ag business.

"We were looking forward to to having an ally on the Ways and Means Committee who would bring ag funding issues to the forefront," Norton said.

Batavia's Town Supervisor Greg Post had a little bit different take.

Post heard a talk-show host complaining about the fall of another leader and Post said, "He's not my leader. He's my representative."

"My comment would be that I'm not surprised by the higher percentage of failures in elected positions," Post said. "It's an accurate representation of what our nation has evolved to over the past 50 years. This isn't the same country I grew up in."

We also asked for a comment from Elba's Bill Kauffman, writer and iconoclastic historian, author of nine books, including "Dispatches from the Muckdog Gazette," and  a frequent contributor to the Wall Street Journal. Here's Kauffman's response:

"For 20 years, Genesee County was represented in Congress by Barber B. Conable, a thoughtful, rooted, humane man who was exactly what the Founding Fathers had in mind. The series of Erie County hacks who have succeeded him -- Bill Paxon, Tom Reynolds, and now the Shirtless Wonder -- have been disgraces.

"I'd love to see a decent, honorable insurgent Republican from one of the rural counties take on whichever humdrum timeserver the GOP bosses choose. And I hope the Democrats run a vigorous populist instead of a suburban liberal who gets the shakes when he/she crosses the Pembroke town line."

Dave Olsen

Of course I'd like to see an independent just pop up from the populace, with no political experience and no party loyalty. A person who'll show independence from their party, and not only is not afraid to rock the boat, but will in fact make a lot of noise, would be good too. My 2 favorite Congressmen are Ron Paul and Dennis Kuchinich. Total opposites ideologically, Paul is a libertarian, and Kuchinich is a socialist (a real one). Either one will stand up and rant to the House when they feel a bill is wrong, and will hammer members of their parties in the press, when the mainstream media isn't making them out to be buffoons. Don't care who likes or dislikes it. I believe character is more important than ideology. By character, I mean standing up for what you think is right, and not worrying about political fallout. Both these guys keep getting re-elected by huge margins BTW, so I'm not the only one who sees it this way. Both these guys are extremely at the ends of the political spectrum and I don't believe that everyone in their respective districts think like they do, they're just not mainstream, but they are both respected by their constituents. Take a lesson, potential candidates. As my friend Peter O'Brien says "Grow a pair".

Feb 11, 2011, 2:40pm Permalink
George Richardson

When the choice is between a turd that floats and one that sinks to the bottom of the bowl, which do you choose?
There is a poll question for you Howard.
I love everybody and I love everything. I say it to myself a hundred times a day and sometimes it helps a little bit.

Feb 11, 2011, 4:14pm Permalink
Dave Meyer

I could not agree more with Bill Kauffman's comments. Mr. Conable was truly an honorable man and the last 3 idiots (particularly that greasy S.O.B. Reynolds) couldn't wipe Barber's butt.
What galls me is the way the bozo republican bosses from Erie county are so goddam smug about what they perceive as their birthright regarding this congressional district.
They seem to feel that they can run any republican schmoe and he/she will be elected. Unfortunately, due to the political reality of simple numbers they're probably right.
I would dearly love it if the democrats could find someone so "Conable like" that the voters couldn't resist him/her.

Feb 11, 2011, 6:16pm Permalink
Jeff Allen

George asks "When the choice is between a turd that floats and one that sinks to the bottom of the bowl, which do you choose?" That is not a question that needs to be polled, scientific testing has already concluded that sinkers are indicative of a lack of fiber in ones diet. If you have sinkers, eat more bran.

Feb 11, 2011, 6:50pm Permalink
C. M. Barons

The deciding factor will be the inevitable redistricting to jettison two congressional districts. Erie and Monroe County political bosses will likely behave as opposing Sumo wrestlers, while the intervening counties function as mat- unless the unlikely happens; Democrats suppose Louise Slaughter's vulnerability in the conservative enclave mired between the sweating bulge of two heavy-weights. In any event, the unknown would seem to be, 'who will the Republicans endorse?' I don't know enough about Erie County to prognosticate. On the east side, you can bet Maggie Brooks will be interested.

I suppose if Genesee County sincerely wanted to elevate a hopeful above the foray, they'd start cranking up a viable conservative party candidate.

Feb 11, 2011, 9:24pm Permalink
kevin kretschmer

If she decides to run, and she is talking like she will, Jane Corwin will be the next NY26 Representative. Louise Slaughter could win re-election six years after she's dead and buried. She's a senior member of Congress and isn't going anywhere.

Feb 11, 2011, 8:02pm Permalink
Ricky G. Hale

The answer is simple,
There's this little "thing" that women possess that drive even some of the most respected men back into a primordial animal instinct, and they have no self controll over themselves.
Wars have been started over it. Wars have ended over it. Some claim it is more powerfull than 10 battleships.
Do I have to spell it out? (P _ _ _ Y).

Feb 12, 2011, 2:43pm Permalink
C. M. Barons

PENNY...? I got PEONY. 14 Down is eight letters, clue: misanthropy; I figured 'sardonic.' ...Gotta be an 'O' for the third letter. This is tougher than the New York Times puzzle!

Feb 12, 2011, 10:55pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

Well I got "panty", based on your clue, C.M. 14 down could be "eremetic" . That really puts a lot of weirdness into your comment Ricky. Marv Albert wants to party with you dude!!! ( all in good fun, don't get upset )

Feb 13, 2011, 9:20am Permalink

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