Power & Politics

Peter Guidarelli, a GOP political strategist and former Schenectady County Legislative Chairman along with Jason Palmer, Founder of Together! and former Democratic Presidential candidate, join Tom Eschen to discuss Tuesday's primary election results


0:00 – Introduction and overviewNew York primary results; NY-21 setup and guest introductions


0:56 – Peter Guidarelli on Constantino vs. SmullenTrump endorsement, money, and outsider vs. insider framing


4:00 – Organization, county committees, and turnoutHow money plus Trump shaped the primary


7:03 – Positioning for the general in NY-21Constantino’s message, independents, DSA label on Democrats, partisan lean of the district


9:48 – Solar farms and upstate backlashClimate policy, farmland preservation, and risks for Democrats in the North Country


12:10 – “Man of the district” questionsConstantino’s business background, energy prices, and tying costs to Democratic climate policy


15:22 – Constantino’s demeanor and “reset”Tone in the primary, rap videos, why NY-21 may become a national race


17:41 – General election money dynamicsGOP strategy, Constantino’s spending, and Democratic identity crisis after DSA gains


23:54 – Younger voters and socialismAppeal of democratic socialism, GOP opportunity on environment, generational shifts in both parties


24:10 – Governor’s race: Hochul vs. BlakemanAffordability, climate policies, Trump alignment, and the Vote Affordable line


28:31 – Transition to Jason PalmerNational lens on NY primaries and DSA’s surge


28:44 – A “political earthquake” on the leftDSA wins, Mondami’s influence, party tensions among Democrats


30:31 – Person vs. label and DSA’s growthComparisons to Tea Party/MAGA and what Democrats should learn


32:22 – NY-21 from the Democratic sideModerates vs. “socialist” caricatures and messaging challenges


34:27 – Future of the Democratic PartyBig-tent vs. left insurgency and reclaiming working-class voters


35:37 – Together’s strategyYounger, centrist candidates in purple districts and a shrinking political center


36:36 – The Trump factorPrimary strength, general-election liability, and how endorsements shape both parties


39:13 – AI and politicsRegulation, backlash to data centers, and why Congress needs AI-literate members


40:23 – AI on the issue agenda & closeWhere AI ranks among voter concerns, and podcast subscribe CTA

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Blair Horner provides his perspective on this year's legislative session, discussing Governor Hochul's approach to the budget process, the legislature's power, the bills that passed (redistricting), the ones that didn't (lobbying), and Zohran Mamdani

00:00 – Cold open and introduction to Blair Horner, NYPIRG00:29 – Hochul’s budget “hostage” strategy and compressed legislative calendar01:33 – Primaries, pay pressure, and why lawmakers left Albany02:04 – Governor’s constitutional budget power and late-budget leverage04:05 – Pros and cons of strong executive power and secretive budget add-ons05:34 – Lobbying muscle in Albany: Uber, auto insurance, and rising spending06:19 – What needs to change: extenders, reforms, and an independent budget office07:17 – Legislative leadership, lack of political will, and fear of courts09:19 – Missed transparency bills and why “no-brainer” reforms stalled11:21 – Packaging bill, floor debate time, and organized industry opposition12:03 – Redistricting fight, partisan gerrymandering, and the 2014 reforms rollback15:28 – How “independent” is the IRC and what’s really at stake15:57 – Governor–NYC mayor alliance, city influence, and Democratic unity17:18 – Urban aid, tradeoffs, and looming budget crunch
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Blake Gendebien and Stuart Amoriell are competing in the New York 21st Congressional District Democratic Primary, and debated at the CBS6 studios prior to the election. The moderator is CBS6's Tom Eschen.

00:00:00 – Introduction and Debate Rules00:01:31 – Stuart Amoriell Opening Statement00:03:11 – Blake Gendebien Opening Statement00:04:41 – “What Kind of Democrat Are You?” – Ideology and Coalition-Building00:09:04 – Key Differences Between the Candidates00:12:07 – Immigration Policy: Border Security, ICE, and Guest Workers00:21:56 – Farmers, Gas Prices, and the Iran War Debate00:29:25 – “Showing Up”: Constituent Services and Presence in the District00:34:34 – Trump Administration, Checks and Balances, and Use of Power00:41:33 – Establishment vs. Grassroots: Endorsements, Money in Politics, and Motivation to Run00:45:43 – Green Energy vs. Farmland: Solar, Hydro, and Local Rates00:49:43 – Rapid Fire: Biden 2024, 2028 Democratic Field, and the Olympics in Lake Placid00:51:10 – Blake Gendebien Closing Statement00:52:41 – Stuart Amoriell Closing Statement and Sign-off

This debate was recorded on June 11, 2026
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Albany County Executive Dan McCoy joined Power & Politics on Thursday, discussing his decision to pull the plan for a new bus terminal in Albany's South End.

The decision came less than 24 hours after McCoy posted an update on the project on social media, saying: "The Advance Albany County Alliance, in partnership with Albany County, is advancing plans for the development of a new Intercity Bus Terminal at 106 South Pearl Street."

As for what changed, McCoy said it was a buildup of certain opposition to the project.

00:00 – IntroTom Eschen introduces Albany County Executive Dan McCoy and the South End bus terminal debate.

00:29 – Why this siteMcCoy explains why bus companies wanted the former McDonald’s site and his vision to fix an “eyesore.”

03:53 – Pushback and pivotHe describes local opposition and shifting the property toward arena overflow and a potential sale.

13:21 – Timeline and fundingMcCoy talks about timeline of project and lays out how the project fit into a larger downtown funding package.

17:41 – Dropping the planHe explains why he’s walking away to focus on other county priorities and projects.

19:40 – Was it worth it?Tom Eschen asks if the process was a waste; McCoy reflects on loud voices versus broader community sentiment.

21:37 – What should go there?He recounts alternative ideas and argues the bus terminal was one of few viable options.

23:08 – Working with the new mayorMcCoy says future city projects will follow the new mayor’s vision, with the county in a supporting role.
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Drew Warshaw and Raj Goyle, Democratic candidates for NYS Comptroller, discuss their priorities and motivations in running for office at the CBS6 Studios in Schenectady.

NYS Incumbent Comptroller Tom DiNapoli was invited, but declined the invitation.

0:00 – Introduction and Debate Setup0:24 – Opening Statements: Goyle2:38 – Opening Statements: Warshaw4:11 – Why Run Now? Trump, ICE, and Pension Politics8:23 – Palantir, ICE, and Israel Bonds Debate10:35 – What Is the Comptroller’s Job? Competing Definitions and Powers13:18 – Pension Fund, Housing Crisis, and Investing Outside New York19:24 – State Budget Growth, Tier 6, and Taxing the Rich21:44 – Medicaid, Utility Bills, and “Value for Money” in State Spending32:01 – Upstate Cities in Crisis, Bandwidth, and Municipal Audits (Buffalo Focus)37:16 – Is the Pension Fund Being Politicized? Fossil Fuels, Israel Bonds, Palantir45:13 – Candidate Contrast: Experience, Records, and Progressive Cred49:02 – Rapid-Fire Round: Refund Checks, AI, and Unclaimed Funds53:37 – Closing Statements and Final Appeals to Voters
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