Ognibene gets the Conservative Line

Thomas Ognibene, former City Council Minority Leader during the Giuliani Administration, has received the Queens County Conservative Party endorsement and assured by Conservative Party chairman, Michael Long, that he will get the backing from the other four boroughs. What does this mean? Well, it means, even if he loses the Republican Primary in September to Mayor Bloomberg, we will all see his name on the Conservative ballot line this November.


What will this do?
Firstly, it help his fundraising and allow him to campaign a "Get out and Vote" to conservative minded New Yorkers. Many registered Conservatives and Republicans have yet to contribute to Mr. Ognibene for fear it would be a waste if his campaign dies in September. Now, he will be in it until the very end.


Won't this take votes away from the Mayor?
Well, if there is no conservative minded candidate on the ballot, would you even bother to vote? Well, I would, but that's me. Many voters have a sort of indifference if no one on the ballot suits to their liking. Now registered Conservatives and Republicans will have a reason to vote. This should be considered great for democracy.


Won't this split votes for Bloomberg and Ognibene and allow the Democratic candidate to win?
Well, in all likelihood, it will, but that shouldn't be seen as negative. What it should do is encourage Republican candidates for City Council to seek the Conservative Party for November. If putting Mr. Ognibene on the ballot for November gets conservatives to the polls, Republicans have a chance of picking up a handful of council seats. And with a 48 to 3 imbalance, gaining three or four more seats is crucial to the Republican (and Conservative) agenda.