The Daily Freeman in New York’s Hudson Valley region typically endorses the entire Democratic ticket, so it’s pretty bad when they refuse to endorse Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D:

We cannot, however, give a recommendation in the 22nd District, where incumbent Maurice Hinchey of Hurley seeks a 10th two-year term.

FOR DECADES, Hinchey has received our election endorsement every two years, first to the state Assembly, then, to Congress. But Hinchey’s idea of representation, which is to bring home as much bacon as possible, is increasingly out of step with the needs of the nation as a whole as it confronts the problem of the federal budget deficit. Hinchey seems quite determined to conduct business as usual.

Further, anyone who has viewed video of Hinchey’s befuddled response to a question about the federal deficit at a League of Women voters debate in Saugerties has to wonder whether he still has a firm grasp of the essential issues, much less an ability to vigorously articulate his own positions.