Senate Candidates Further Split NY GOP

Bruce Blakeman (AP)

Yesterday, the NY State GOP ended its "disastrous" convention by voting on candidates to challenge Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Bruce Blakeman, a Nassau County lawyer (and ex-husband of Paul McCartney's squeeze) got most of the votes, but former Bear Stearns economist David Malpass got enough votes for there to be a Republican primary this fall.

Former Congressman Joe DioGuardi, dad of American Idol judge Kara and the Conservative Party's choice, didn't make the cut but plans to petition his way onto the ballot. The Daily News says this "sets up a likely GOP slapdown... The prospect of a contentious - and expensive - Senate primary is exactly what some GOP leaders were hoping to avoid." But GOP chair Ed Cox reminded members, "These are great candidates, and we know they know who the enemy is: It's not each other; it's Senator Gillibrand and Senator Schumer."

We hope Blakeman uses a talking dog in his ads again.

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By Jen Chung in News on June 4, 2010 11:22 AM

Comments [rss]

Carla Cossack

The fact that Blakeman ended up with the GOP nomination is all thanks to the D'Amato machine. His ultimate goal isn't to see Blakeman succeed, but to push him forward knowing he will fail, ensuring a victory for Gillibrand. If this were an honest race based on the candidates' merit and stances on important issues, Joe DioGuardi would have the nomination right now instead of petitioning to be on the ballot. The great rift that the GOP decision has caused within the party is exactly what will put Gillibrand back in the Senate and cost New York any hope of a fresh start.

Malik

Disastrous is right, with us ending up with Bruce Blakeman, the most ineffectual candidate possible. The fix is in, Al D'Amato has got his grimy hands in both sides of this race to influence an outcome favorable to Gilly. You don't think our GOP would really nominate a failed pol from Nassau County who has never been able to not flush a budget down the toilet, do you? Acutally, these days, you never know.