The 2009 special election for the 20th congressional district of New York was held to fill the vacancy created when Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand was appointed US senator from New York, replacing Hillary Clinton, who had been appointed Secretary of State in the Obama administration. The two major-party candidates were Democrat Scott Murphy (pictured), a private businessman, and Republican Jim Tedisco, the minority leader of the New York State Assembly. Early polls favored Tedisco, but by February the race was considered a toss-up. The Republican Party considered the election to be a referendum on Obama's economic policy and injected significant funding into Tedisco's campaign. Major issues included Obama's stimulus plan, which Murphy supported while Tedisco eventually opposed. One early vote count had the candidates tied at 77,225 votes each. Absentee ballots decided the election; ballots were accepted until April 13. While Tedisco had been ahead in early counts, by April 23 Murphy had a 401-vote advantage and Tedisco conceded. Democratic electoral successes in November 2008 and Murphy's clear support of the stimulus package were credited for his success.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York%27s_20th_congressional_district_special_election,_2009
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1431:
Hundred Years' War: Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in Rouen, France, after being convicted of heresy in a politically motivated trial. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc
1854:
The Kansas–Nebraska Act became law, establishing the U.S. territories of Nebraska and Kansas, repealing the 1820 Missouri Compromise, and allowing settlers in those territories to determine if they would permit slavery within their boundaries. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas%E2%80%93Nebraska_Act
1913:
The Treaty of London was signed to deal with territorial adjustments arising out of the conclusion of the First Balkan War, declaring, among other things, an independent Albania. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_London_(1913)
1963:
Buddhist crisis: A protest against pro-Catholic discrimination was held outside South Vietnam's National Assembly, the first open demonstration against President Ngo Dinh Diem. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_crisis
1989:
Goddess of Democracy (replica pictured), a ten-metre (33 ft) high statue made mostly of polystyrene foam and papier-mâché, was erected by student protestors in Tiananmen Square, Beijing. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goddess_of_Democracy
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
have Van Gogh's ear for music: (humorous) To be tone-deaf. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/have_Van_Gogh%27s_ear_for_music
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
What all other men are is of the greatest importance to me. However independent I may imagine myself to be, however far removed I may appear from mundane considerations by my social status, I am enslaved to the misery of the meanest member of society. --Mikhail Bakunin https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Mikhail_Bakunin
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