Arcuri: I can't wait for Tuesday
By BRIAN LIBERATORE

Article appeared Nov. 5, 2006 on page 1A

This article stems from a suggestion to follow two congressional candidates for a day in the lead-up to a closely contested race. My thinking was if we spent enough time with the candidates they would take our presence for granted, forget to posture for the press and act like themselves. My editors liked the idea, so we shared our resources with the Utica Observer-Dispatch (a fellow Gannett paper) and put together a package that ran simultaneously in the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin and the Observer-Dispatch.

(Arcuri won the race)

Republican Sherwood Boehlert's retirement after 24 years in the U.S. Congress created a vacancy in the House of Representatives during one of the most highly anticipated midterm election years in recent history -- an election that could change America.

Democrat Michael Arcuri, the Oneida County District Attorney since 1993, and Republican Raymond Meier, a state senator since 1997, have been campaigning nonstop for that spot in the lead-up to Tuesday's election.

The prize is the 24th Congressional District, which includes about 654,000 people in Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Herkimer, Oneida, Ontario, Otsego, Seneca, Tioga and Tompkins counties. Republicans outnumber Democrats by about 40,000 in the district, according to Arcuri's camp.

At stake is a seat that could help swing the balance of power in Congress. As testament to the national importance of the race, attack ads have dominated airwaves and mailboxes, intensifying the fight and sending both men into the streets.

On Thursday, reporters from the Press & Sun-Bulletin and Observer-Dispatch in Utica followed the candidates on the campaign trail. This is a day in the life of Michael Arcuri:

The two men sat at a folding table in a room the size of a storage closet, their sport coats draped across the backs of their chairs. The only other piece of furniture in the room was a metal bureau opened to reveal a disorganized stash of office supplies.

Michael Arcuri leaned forward in the chair and rested his elbows on his knees. Across the table Steve Israel, the Democratic Congressman from Long Island, tapped a pen on a blank notepad.

"Savor it," Israel said. "Enjoy it."

Arcuri had been up since 4:30 a.m. At 4:30 p.m. he was halfway through a 15-hour day of campaigning. The Cortland County Democratic Headquarters, a small building marked only with a handwritten sign and set behind a law office in downtown Cortland, provided a quick respite between campaign stops.

"You don't realize how much fun it is till it's over," Israel said.

Five days before the election, Israel had flown in from Long Island to help Arcuri campaign.

As the temperature dropped below freezing, Israel mentioned he was invited to help campaign in Miami. "This shows you how much I like Mike (Arcuri)," Israel said laughing and pulling his coat tighter around him.

Thursday meant five more days of campaigning across the expansive 24th District. Arcuri maintains an informal tally of the numbers: 29,500 miles on his Buick, 1,800 doors knocked on in 26 communities, countless cups of coffee and too many meals replaced with Reese's Pieces and trail mix.

"It's fun," Arcuri said, a smile spreading across his face as he leaned back in his chair. "But don't get me wrong, I can't wait for Tuesday to get here."

8:50 a.m., Coffee Mania, Port Watson Street, Cortland

Arcuri pulled into the parking lot in a black Ford Explorer driven by his childhood friend, Pete Scalise. Scalise, a hardened investigator in Arcuri's office, took a week off from work to help Arcuri in his campaign.

Bob Messinger, a 67-year-old retired wastewater management engineer known by Arcuri's staff for his quirky sense of humor, was waiting. For the past several months, Messinger had volunteered his time coordinating Arcuri's campaign stops in Cortland County. "God love you," Messinger said, grabbing Arcuri's hand.

9:05 a.m., Kory's Place,Route 281,Homer

Ron and Jane Rowe of Homer sat in a booth closest to the window of the crowded diner. "That's Michael Arcuri," said Jane Rowe, looking out the window.

"Sure it is," Ron Rowe said.

Flanked by a handful of staff, Arcuri opened the front door of the diner.

"Michael Arcuri," he said, introducing himself to the Rowes. After a brief conversation with them, Arcuri stepped through the crowd to shake hands and talk politics with other customers. After about 15 minutes, a booth opened up. Arcuri sat down with Scalise, his communications director Hayley Rumback and a reporter. He ordered an English muffin and a cup of coffee.

10:45 a.m., Cortland City Fire Station, Court Street, Cortland

Cortland's fire department, housed in the 92-year-old fire station, is badly under-funded, said Cortland Fire Chief Dennis Barron. Cortland Mayor Thomas Gallagher and a handful of firefighters crowded into the cramped fire station with Arcuri.

Arcuri crossed his left arm over his waist and put his right hand under his chin as he listened to the chief.

"Do you get enough Homeland Security money?" Arcuri asked.

"That's a whole other problem," Barron said.

Arcuri nodded.

12:50 p.m., The Community Restaurant, Main Street, Cortland

Arcuri found a seat at the end of a table filled with Cortland County Democrats. In a discussion that never drifted far from politics, he revealed glimpses of guarded optimism.

"I'm convinced you're going to get elected," said James Ball, a lawyer from Delhi who stopped in Cortland to meet Arcuri. Ball added Arcuri would face tough re-elections.

"They said the same thing when I was a DA," said Arcuri, who has served in the position since 1993. "They said I'd only be in one term."

"One step at a time," said Cortland County Democratic Committee chairman William Wood. "Don't jinx yourself."

2:30 p.m., WKRT studios, Groton Avenue, Cortland

Arcuri joined Kevin Mooney,the host of WKRT's "Mooney in the Morning," in the studio. Fifteen minutes into the interview, Mooney asked Arcuri if he shares any characteristics with the man he hopes to replace, retiring congressman Republican Sherwood Boehlert.

"I always say I consider myself, to a large extent, to be the Boehlert Democrat," Arcuri said. "On stem cell research, we share the same ideology. On the environment, very similar attitudes."

3:15 p.m., Pall Trinity Micro Corp., Route 281, Cortland

Arcuri stood on the side of the road outside the factory with members of the United Auto Workers Union Local 1326, who held signs showing their support.

"Michael Arcuri, I'm running for Congress," Arcuri said, extending his hand to the employees headed toward their cars. Those who stopped returned the handshake and wished him luck.

5:15 p.m., J.M. McDonald Sports Complex, Cortland

More than 100 people filled the room with applause when Arcuri walked in. A jazz band played Kenny Dorham's "Blue Bossa," and one hockey player slammed another against the boards in the adjoining rink visible through a large window.

Messinger took the microphone and introduced a slate of local Democratic leaders, Israel and then Arcuri. 'This has been one of the hardest working candidates you could ask for," Messinger said.

Arcuri took 10 minutes to outline a few points on his platform: raising the federal minimum wage, providing health care for all Americans, funding stem cell research and increasing affordable student loans. The crowd greeted his speech with cheers and applause.

Outside the sports complex, Scalise started up the Explorer. Arcuri had to be in Utica at 7:30 p.m. for a rally with union leaders.

Before Arcuri left, Israel put an arm around him. "I'll see you in Washington on swearing-in day," Israel said.