PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -
The Democratic National Convention is supposed to be a time of party unity.
"I'm not going to be attending the Democratic National Convention," said Rep. Bill Owens, D-New York.
In a story that has gained national headlines, about a dozen Democrats in Congress say they will not be at the convention either.
"With 240,000 new people I need to spend those couple of days in the new district," Owens said.
Some say the move is an effort by Democrats in close races to avoid being associated with President Barack Obama. This is what the National Republican Congressional Committee had to say: "Owens may have realized his re-election chances are sinking but hiding from Obama's convention won't fool North Country voters."
Owens says that is not the case for him.
"I'm not sure if I am dissing the president any more than I am Washington, I would lump it all together, unfortunately, a dysfunctional group," Owens said.
Political analysts say skipping the Party convention is not unheard of and in the case of Owens, this year, makes sense, especially since the race against Matt Doheny is expected to be very tight.
"So when you have a convention that is pushing Labor Day, you really don't want to spend your valuable last weeks of the campaign in North Carolina when you want to go familiarize yourself with Glens Falls and Washington County," said Harvey Schantz, a political science professor at PSU.
Adding fuel to the fire for Owens-- he has not endorsed President Obama is in run for re-election.
"When I look at the two potential nominees, I am going to make my judgment upon who I believe is for the middle class and who's going to most likely help us create jobs. Right now I think that is the president," Owens said.
Owens will find out in November if a trip to Saratoga, Warren and Washington counties was more beneficial than a week long trip to Charlotte to attend the Party convention.
A few Republicans have said they will not attend their Party's convention due to anticipated tight races.
File photo
Rep. Bill Owens
Harvey Schantz
