Eric Massa (D) accepts endorsement of VFW

Eric Massa was in Rochester early this morning to accept the endorsement of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars. Massa, a Democrat, is running against incumbent Randy Kuhl for the 29th district of New York in the US Congress. Randy Kuhl likes to talk about cutting government waste, then goes on to attack health programs like Medicaid, Medicare and veterans benefits. Meanwhile “there are more military facilities in San Diego than there are Wal Marts.” Massa, who served as a US Navy officer for 24 years says we need to get VA funding out of the political process. “Veterans should not be coming to us begging, we should go to them, helping.” Currently the VA is facing a 25 to 30 percent shortfall in funding in the face of increasing needs of those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

In presenting the endorsement, Vietnam veteran Gene Simes said “Eric Massa has been positive in everything he's said regarding veterans.” Massa's response was “they're gonna hold my feet to the fire.”

Massa's opponent, Republican incumbent Randy Kuhl had been scheduled to hold a press conference at noon before playing in a $2500 per round golf tournament at Oak Hill. That conference was abruptly rescheduled and moved.