Thursday, April 28, 2005

Pataki's Successor?

The time has come for Republicans to stand up and to be proud of being Republicans [applause]. We don't need sometime Republicans, we don't need sunshine Republicans, we need some standin' up and fightin' back Republicans, we need some talkin' back [applause] Republicans, we need some Republicans who believe in themselves and their party and their country [applause]. We need Republicans who agree with Abraham Lincoln that we are the party of freedom, and we need Republicans who agree with Ronald Reagan who believe that we are the future, that we were right, that the policies we pursued were just - Ronald Reagan [applause]. Ronald Reagan is remembered, and he is revered by Americans, not only for the quality of his mind, which we have learned over time to appreciate, but this was a man who had core values and principles, and you knew where he stood, and he didn't equivocate. He was very clear that democracy was the best form of government, that communism would be relegated to the ash heap of history, and that we could get there without a war. He understood it even as many of us did not. And for that, he is a great man. ...


Now we have challenges in New York - and it's a matter of perspective, how you see things. ... I believe that we must harness the cost of government and bring it under control - I've said it before, I'll say it again: The government of New York is too big and spends too much of your money [applause]. And until we change that, until we change that, we cannot create the environment in which the investment will come into New York and create the new industries, and the new jobs, and the new hopes and opportunities of the future. We must change New York, we must and we can. ... We are capable of growing our way out of the economic hole that we are in; we have to make the decisions, do it, and move forward with the policies that will get us there. ...


- New York Secretary of State Randy Daniels, Speech to the Albany County Republican Party, April 19, 2005


Today's New York Sun ran an editorial voicing approval of the strong speech Secretary Daniels made the other day and wondered if this is a preamble to a run for Governor. The list of potential successors to Gov. George Pataki is slim, but the few that are floated appear to have strength. Right now, Mr. Daniel's and William Weld are possible Republicans that can run strong and successful campaigns against Eliot Spitzer. The Sun suggests they both run, along with perhaps John Faso, and give New Yorkers a Primary like the GOP is giving New Jersey voters. It is a smart move and Republicans shouldn't be afraid to hold competitive races for the most important office in the State.


It is likely that Mr. Pataki will not seek reelection and may spend his time between 2007 to 2008 raising money for a Presidential run. History shows that running for three terms maybe a charm, but four and voters will kick you out the door. It would be wise for Republicans to find a fresh face. The Republican Party needs to show it can have internal debate and not be afraid to run two or three people against each other. Republican and Conservative voters want a choice, not a Party Picked Person. It allows for the democratic process to choose the best candidate. We see it every election on the Democrat side.


Randy Daniels would definitely make it interesting as a candidate for Governor. However, I feel his best shot for office is running against Hillary Clinton for US Senator. I think the potential of putting another african-american, this time a Republican, in the US Senate behind Barak Obama, is a powerful argument to defeat Senator Clinton. It had been floated around some circles that after Sec. Colin Powell's retirement from the Bush Administration, he would return to New York and be a potential candidate for US Senator, but the Secretary has stated he does not wish to seek public office in the near future. Instead of Mr. Powell, I feel Mr. Daniels would be the next best thing. In fact, Mr. Daniels would certainly be a better choice over Mr. Powell, since he has been our Secretary of the State of New York under Gov. Pataki for some time.


It's a while until the State elections in 2006, so I will try to get back to my blog's primary purpose and focus on New York City.

Wednesday, April 27, 2005

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.

The Dying NY Conservative?

Eric Fettmann wrote an op-ed in today's New York Post about New York Republicans not being joined at the hip with the Conservative Party and that the "Party of the Right" should just throw in the towel. Though he may be correct in that our blue state influence pulls Republicans to the middle and to the left on social issues, to suggest that conservatives should simply give up is a bit irresponsible.


Third parties have always been influential in New York politics, whether it is on the right or on the left. The NY Conservative Party was formed in 1962 when the conservative movement was sweeping the Nation. It has helped many Republican candidates win in local and Statewide elections. Even though it appears the northeast is becoming bluer and bluer with each passing election, there is still a legitimate case to have a Conservative Party in New York.


Mr. Fettmann goes on to say that the most recent Republican executives, Bloomberg, Giuliani and Pataki, have all run with moderate to even very liberal platforms. William Weld is no exception to dancing in the middle. Even if the Republican Party chooses Mr. Weld as their candidate for Governor, he will likely not get the Conservative Party endorsement. But is it that important to have a Conservative Governor? Shouldn't third parties (and journalists like Mr. Fettmann) focus on obtaining smaller goals first?


The Conservative Party should continue to seek out and strenthen candidates for State Senate and Assembly. That's where the conservative agenda needs a strong influence, not necessarily the governor's mansion. A moderate Republican like Mr. Weld could simply say he is open to the democratic process and managing this state with various ideologies. Government is about working together, from all sides. Running candidates for the State Legislature and winning seats is far better than just getting a governor's mansion and having a bunch of moderate to liberal politicians in the two Houses.


The Conservative Party should focus on the State Senate, retaining the Republican majority and trying to get as many conservative Republicans in the Upper House. They should also run candidates for Assembly, whether alone as the Conservative candidate or by backing the Republican. In time, if having strong conservatives in State government proves to create jobs and a better life for upstate New Yorkers, then the party will once again regain its position of legitimacy.

Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Manhattan Borough Party

The Villager, the local newspaper for Alphabet City and much of the surrounding neighborhoods, has a wonderful piece on the ten candidates running for Manhattan Borough President this Fall. Yes, you read that right. Ten Canidates. And that is only the Democratic side.


The candidates spoke at the April Meeting for the Village Independent Democrats to seek its endorsement. Since there is such a large field, the V.I.D website has an online poll to get your opinion. The results show Margarita Lopez winning with 29.1% of the vote and I honestly think, with the responsibilities of the BeeP position, Ms. Lopez would likely do a fine job. Scott Stringer comes in second with 27.1% and in third is Brian Ellner with 14.9%.


At this time, I don't believe Republicans have a candidate, which is unfortunate. There was one in 2001, when David Berkowitz ran against the incumbant, C. Virginia Fields and garnered 8% of the vote. It's sort of silly to run a candidate against a strong incumbant in 2001 and not run someone when the seat is open, but this is New York, right? Maybe someone will turn up for the Republicans. In fact, last week, David told me he would consider a run again, but he hasn't decided yet.


It is quite possible some of the losers in the Democratic Primary may seek a ballot line for November from one of the other parties. We have the Republican Party, the Working Families Party, the Liberal Party, the Libertarian Party, the Conservative Party and the Independence Party all for the taking from any of the nine candidates that don't win the September vote. In all honesty, if you raise quite a bit of money and wind up losing, why not seek some other ballot line for November? It doesn't hurt. Especially when you have independents and Republicans looking for candidates other than the one picked by the Democratic Party.


In a way, I'm hoping something like this happens in Council District 2. There are seven Democratic candidates running for my district, all raising money and all wishing to represent the area. It would be nice to see the field expanded for November. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to seek a second or third party line myself. :)

Monday, April 25, 2005

Mayoral Mayhem: Are you listening?

Election day isn't until November, so many New Yorkers are simply sitting back and not paying too much attention to the battle that is brewing on the Democratic side or the Republican side. Some expect it'll be Fernando Ferrer against Michael Bloomberg, since they are considered the favorites to get their party's vote. Of course, anything could happen when those paying attention go to the polls for the September Primary. You might not think much of it, but an upset could be in store for us this year, like the one back in 1977, when a dark horse candidate, running fourth in the polls, won the Democratic Primary and ended up being elected Mayor. This past Friday, AMNew York ran a cover page story on how the four Democrats are stumbling towards the finish line with no clear cut favorite. Even the 1977 winner, former Mayor Ed Koch thinks, "...[N]obody is excited about the four. They don't appear to have gravitas..."


Fernando Ferrer has stumbled not once, but twice in his campaign. First, with his remarks regarding the Dialo shooting sent ripples through many supporters of his campaign. Since then, he has retracted his comments, but then he has announced a tax-hike plan that even his fellow Democrats are attacking as careless. Rep. Anthony Wiener is leading the attack against Mr. Ferrer's tax plan and is starting to get notice from the New York Times. Randal C. Archibold ran a lead piece in the Saturday Metro Section titled, "On Mayoral Issues, Weiner Has an Idea or Two (or More)." If that's not a clear sign of who the New York Times is starting to lean towards, I don't know what is.


With the Fab Four on the Democratic side getting tepid treatment from the press, one would think Mayor Bloomberg would just need to sit back and coast until a few weeks before Election Day when it comes time to start campaigning on TV and radio. But Mayor Bloomberg isn't going unchallenged for the Republican ballot line. He actually has two challengers who are going all out to either push Mr. Bloomberg to the Right, or simply knock him off the party line.


The first challenger is an investment banker from Brooklyn, Steve Shaw. Mr. Shaw is a fiscally minded Republican who has been charging forward with a campaign attacking the mayor on positions Mr. Bloomberg has taken during his first term. Mr. Shaw holds a strong libertarian view in that government should not be doing everything and that we new yorkers should retain our Rights to do what we please within the boundaries of law. Mr. Shaw attacks the mayor on the property tax increase, reinstating the sales tax and passing the smoking ban. The young investment banker has an uphill battle, but he's starting to get press and some notice.


The second challenger is former City Council Minority Leader, Tom Ognibene. After a Downstate Summit held by the Rockaway Republicans, which took to task the issues that face the Republican Party in New York City and State, Mr. Ognibene realized he could be a messenger for the conservative minded republicans who do not have a recognizable voice in this year's election. So Mr. Ognibene put together a campaign and entered the race for mayor. Immediately, he received support from the Queens County Republican Committee, but in the end, after courting the Bronx and Staten Island, would only receive an endorsement of one borough. Still, it's almost certain Mr. Ognibene will receive the Conservative Party line this November and he is running a well seasoned campaign of attacking the Mayor's liberal positions and forcing Republican voters to choose for a true republican candidate.


It will be interesting to see if it comes down to how much money you have or about true ideology on the Republican line. Mr. Bloomberg isn't going to move to the Right any more than he already is, so the primary goal in the Primary would be to remove his name from the ballot line. Even if Mayor Bloomberg loses the Republican line, he could very well get the Independence Party line, or even the Liberal Party line, if the Liberal Party seeks a ballot line this year.


It's still early and anything could happen next week or next month. Even if the Democrats are stumbling along without finding a favorite, it's definitely becoming more and more interesting on the Republican side. One can only hope New Yorkers are starting to pay attention to this race. One of our Magnificent Seven will be our next mayor.

Sunday, April 24, 2005

Welcome to my blog

Welcome to PetersonforNYC, a place where I will discuss topics pertaining New York City, as well as New York State. It will primarily be used for political issues and current events, and for this year, my campaign for City Councilor in district 2.