Lazio's Nomination Divides NY State GOP

NY State GOP Chair Ed Cox (AP)

Yesterday, the NY State Republican Party nominated Rick Lazio to face off against Andrew Cuomo in this fall's race for the governor. However, it seems the process has caused problems for the GOP, vs. the Democrats. The Post reports one consultant as saying, "This whole thing was a disaster. Politically, it was a disaster. Organizationally, it was a disaster. It was a train wreck."

Steve Levy, whose transformation from Democrat to Republican candidate was supported by NY GOP Chairman Ed Cox, was seen as a more potent challenger to Cuomo, because as Fred Dicker points out, he "has some $4 million in the bank, a track record as a fiscal conservative, and a natural base and proven bipartisan appeal in one of the state's larger counties. Had the Republicans granted Levy the right to run in the September primary, the threat of his candidacy would have hung over Cuomo all summer."

Now it looks like Carl Paladino, the Buffalo developer with millions at his disposal, will try to challenge Lazio in a primary this fall. Paladino, who is riding Tea Party emotions, said of the Republican convention, "I thought guys in construction were cut-throat but some county chairmen make those guys look like girls scouts... I thought the Republican process would be fair and open but it was not.. One guy even disinvited me to a meeting I was never invited to to begin with. The process was a joke... Rick Lazio is a nice fellow and we have developed a cordial relationship and I think he is a man of his word- but he took a $1.2million dollar bonus as a lobbyist for Wall Street Bank handed $25 Billion in the Federal bail out. That's our tax money Rick put in his pocket."

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By Jen Chung in News on June 3, 2010 11:43 AM

Comments [rss]

ANGRYGOD11

Over ten years ago, when he ran his bad senate campaign against Hillary, I knew the Bronx Republican Students (Yes, they do exist) who were furious when he failed to show up and didn't bother to tell them until it was too late. Whatever you think of Hillary, she was always willing to put in the effort.

He was a lazy campaigner then and it doesn't look any better now.

sfgal82

What a useless bunch! The only things Lazio are recognized for are 1) being a loser and 2)being a well-fed lobbyist.

If Mr. Palladino can get some press, his message is pretty good to me- cut taxes 10% right away, cut state spending 20% right away. Considering how much money the state wastes, this should be pretty easy to do if we support him. Anything is better than more-big-government cuomo!

John L

Our system is so corrupt and broken! The only thing that I think will have a instant and dramatic effect would be to BAN ALL LOBBYISTS, any politician that pushes for that has my vote. Lobbyists are corrupting and destroying our system, even the most well intentioned politician will eventually fall prey to these professional bribers and extortionists aka lobbyists..

Please keep in mind that since 1998 43% of the 198 members of Congress that left their government posts have registered to lobby ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobbying ). Lobbyists are the single largest obstacle to true democracy. When politicians making a government salary are dealing with lobbyists who make $3 million to "influence" their decision and the companies they represent stand to make millions based on that politician's decision, it's only a matter of time before the politician says "What's in it for me?"

LET'S TAKE BACK OUR GOVERNMENT! BAN ALL LOBBYISTS!!!