State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer raised some eyebrows the other day when he compared upstate New York to Appalachia.

Appalachia is the mountainous region which covers all of West Virginia and parts of 12 states, including areas of southwestern New York. It is heavily forested, isolated and wild.

Intense coal mining in the region began in the late 19th century, and is also associated with the region. So is poverty and lack of economic development.

Mr. Spitzer is running for governor; one can assume he did not intend to insult the upstate region. But he is challenging New York to do better. Most New Yorkers would acknowledge in their hearts that the state needs an economic revival.

Rather than criticize the allusion to poverty, New Yorkers should applaud the state attorney general for drawing our attention to an important concern.

- The Watertown Daily Times

Whether you fancy yourself on the left or the right side of the American political aisle, all observers of our national congressional drama must admit that news of the pending retirement of 12-term Republican U.S. Rep. Sherwood Boehlert means change is going to come.

The loss on Boehlert's retirement, beyond the possible danger to Cornell's cash flow, will be the absence of moderation and compromise.

In a world of soundbites and blogs, polarized politics is king. Few candidates succeed today by patiently explaining to voters that their anger and lusts may have to give some room for the anger and lust of others.

Boehlert's departure creates an open seat in the heart of Central New York.

From the more liberal outskirts of greater Ithaca to the staunchly conservative farming heart of Upstate, the contest for this seat should be loud and long.

- The Ithaca Journal