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Archive for April, 2010
Cuomo: Most Important Election ‘In My Lifetime’
Apr 30th - 10:01 pm
AG Andrew Cuomo delivered what sounded very much like a campaign stump speech in Niagara Falls tonight – no matter how much he insisted it wasn’t – telling a fawning crowd that the upcoming election is “the most important election for the State of New York in my lifetime.”
“And my friends, this state is at a crossroads,” Cuomo said. “I believe, depending on what we do now, this state will go up or this state will go down.
“And I maintain that this state is in drastic need of change and reform today.”
Cuomo went on to rail against the Albany establishment, calling it a “mess” and the legislative process “a disgrace.”
“We have to clean up the gridlock. We have to clean up the dysfunction. We have to clean up the waste. We have to clean up the delay. Enough is enough, my friends. The state government works for the people, and the people have been failed by this state government.”
“…We also have to say that in this Democratic Party, there is no place for government corruption. Period,” the AG continued. “This is a government that has violated the public trust and betrayed the public trust. And government is nothing without the public trust. That’s the bottom line.”
Cuomo later dodged questions from reporters about whether he will announce his gubernatorial bid soon, and even declined to acknowledge he’s running for anything at all.
More >
Cuomo Has Paterson’s Vote
Apr 30th - 9:27 pm
Here is a funny exchange the Governor had with the press corps in Niagara Falls, following his speech to the Democratic Rural Conference. At the end, he dodges questions of who he is supporting for Attorney General in tomorrow’s much anticipated straw poll. Though, most think he is supporting Eric Schneiderman, who was Paterson’s Deputy when the Governor was the Senate Minority Leader.
Here’s the exchange.
Q: Governor, your predecessor has reservations with Andrew Cuomo. Would you vote for him?
Gov: I’d vote for him.
Q: For Governor, for Attorney General, for Anything?
Gov: What one is he running for. I will vote for him.
Q: What about the Attorney General’s race, do you have any preference?
Gov: Yes.
Q: Who is that?
Gov: I can’t reveal that. {Laughter} I’ll tell you after I vote.
Q: Could it possibly be Eric Schneiderman, someone you worked very closely?
Gov: He is a very good friend of mine, and he’d be very successful at anything he did. I have a good relationship with all of the AG candidates. I worked on the public authorities bill all summer with Assemblyman Brodsky. It’s one of my favorite achievements. Kathleen Rice I knew from Nassau County years ago. She’d be quite good. I am sure the others would be good as well.
Sen. Smith Talks Party Politics
Apr 30th - 9:06 pm
Senate President Malcolm Smith sat down with Liz Benjamin at the Democratic Rural Conference to talk about the party’s chances of holding onto the state senate, and the future of one of the conference’s most controversial members – Pedro Espada Jr.
June O’Neil Discusses DRC Straw Poll
Apr 30th - 8:20 pm
NYS Democratic Party Executive Committee Chair June O’Neil gives us a preview of what to expect at the weekend’s Democratic Rural Conference.
Holtzman Says Money Won’t Deter A Run For AG
Apr 30th - 7:56 pm
Former Congresswoman Liz Holtzman is weighing a potential run for Attorney General. But she says her fund raising disadvantage isn’t going to deter her from deciding to seek the seat. During an interview tonight in Niagara Falls, Liz Benjamin asked the former New York City Comptroller, and Brooklyn District Attorney, if she would be able to catch up with better funded candidates like Eric Dinallo and Kathleen Rice. Holtzman said,
“It’s possible. I am not saying no. Nothing I have done so far has discouraged me from going further,” she goes on to say, “In many respects they have to catch up to me. They are not well known…I have 20 years in elected office fighting against corruption. And taking on polluters. And standing up against special interests.”
Smith Says Conference Is Supporting Espada
Apr 30th - 7:13 pm
Several people have called on Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr. to be stripped of his leadership post in light of the recent civil charges against him, levied by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. But the only person with the power to do that is Senate President Malcolm Smith, who appointed him to the role. (Something Senate Conference Leader John Sampson pointed out during an interview with Capital Tonight last week)
During an interview with Smith today in Niagara Falls, Liz Benjamin asked the Senate President if he would strip Espada of his title. He responded by saying, “The members in our conference, we spoke about who that appointment would be. So, obviously if members of the conference would want to change that, it’s something I’d have to respond to.” When asked if there had been any discussion among the conference, Smith said, “Members have talked about it individually, not a ground swell have come to me and said anything about it. Pedro Espada has his challenges.”
Smith goes on to take the same position Senator Sampson did when asked if the conference would support Espada in his primary challenge against Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter, saying, “As a rule, we support the incumbent Senators.”
Volker Says Potential Domagalski Run a Factor
Apr 30th - 5:21 pm
During today’s announcement, Senator Dale Volker did admit a potential run by Erie County Republican Chair Jim Domagalski played a factor in his decision not to seek another term. When asked by a reporter if the anti-incumbency, anti-Albany political climate played a factor in his decision, Volker admitted it has, and went on to say, “I’ll be very honest, having the County Chairman possibly running is a factor, I am not going to kid anybody.”
Domagalski has not officially declared that he is running for the seat. But Senate sources tell us he is a likely candidate.
Volker went on to say they bigger factor in his decision was his age (He is 69 years old), because his doctor told him he should slow down. And he also says that if he had run again, there was no doubt in his mind that he would have won.
Extras
Apr 30th - 5:18 pm
AG Andrew Cuomo isn’t on the DRC straw poll ballot, but might get nominated from the floor.
A judge heard oral arguments in the construction trades’ lawsuit against Gov. David Paterson.
Former Lt. Gov. Al DelBello argued on behalf of the Associated General Contractors.
Larry Summers and Mayor Bloomberg disagreed briefly in Washington.
Rep. Charlie Rangel insists he and his “beloved” mayor are in sync on Wall Street reform.
House Minority Leader John Boehner says 100 seats are in play this fall.
New Bloomberg Deputy Mayor Stephen Goldsmith is very different from the man he’s going to replace.
Goldsmith is a compassionate conservative.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy bragged to Fred Dicker about how much the RGA loves him.
Happy Asian-Pacific Heritage Month.
Rick Lazio slammed AG Andrew Cuomo for his ties to power lobbyist Jennifer Cunningham.
Azi Paybarah is getting creative with his slide shows.
NYSTI named a new interim director.
Liquor store owners are divided over the wine-in-groceries proposal.
So far, AG hopeful Eric Dinallo wins the “most creative sign” award here at the DRC in Niagara Falls.
Tension Building
Apr 30th - 3:28 pm
This comes to us from NY1′s Josh Robin:
Saturday marks one month since the state budget deadline came and went, and now increasing attention is being focused on the Lieutenant Governor, whose financial expertise and credibility were cited when Governor Paterson tapped him to the post last summer.
Now, instead of helping pass the spending plan and leading the state to sounder fiscal footing, Ravitch has described himself to associates as frustrated and annoyed. He’s seen Paterson undermine his own plan that calls for more executive power and borrowing to make up the multi-billion dollar deficit. And the lack of progress has strained ties in the Capitol and left Ravitch fighting for more influence.
Tune into “Inside City Hall” (NYC) at 7p or “Capital Tonight” (Upstate) at 8p for Josh’s complete report.
Whoops!
Apr 30th - 3:03 pm
Liz sends this to us from the Democratic Rural Conference straw poll in Niagara Falls. There are signs like this one throughout the lobby of the Crowne Plaza advertising receptions being hosted by various statewide officials who are seeking re-election… though it seems someone missed the memo about Governor Paterson’s decision to bow out of the race this year. Whoops!
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