NY's only statewide political program
Mike Whittemore
Mike is a Senior Video Journalist and Producer for Capital Tonight, New York's only nightly statewide political television program.
Homepage: http://www.capitaltonight.com/stateofpolitics
AIM: rockharmonica
Posts by Mike Whittemore
Governor Paterson Addresses Wall Street Bonus Tax, Gas Drilling
Apr 20th - 4:06 pm
At a news conference Tuesday, Gov. Paterson was asked about gas drilling in New York as well as the plan to tax Wall Street bonuses and the charges filed against Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada, Jr. by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.
Schneiderman Launches AG Campaign
Apr 19th - 9:23 pm
Manhattan Senator Eric Schneiderman talks about his decision to leave the Senate and seek the Attorney General’s office. Liz Benjamin asks him why he thinks he is the best person for the job, and why he decided to launch his campaign before the sitting AG declared his intentions.
Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch
Apr 19th - 9:00 pm
Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch, who took issue with the suggestion that Governor David Paterson actually stands to benefit from the ongoing budget stalemate and insisted – in a nice way – that the governor is working as hard as he possibly can to get a deal.
The LG also talked about his borrowing proposal and whether it’s getting traction in the legislature. And we ask him how often he’s in contact with the Governor and whether there’s bad blood between state leaders.
New Siena Polls Still Shows Cuomo Leading the Pack
Apr 19th - 9:00 pm
A new siena poll released Monday finds New Yorkers believe the kinder, gentler Andrew Cuomo storyline and want him to hurry up and declare his gubernatorial candidacy so he can get busy explaining how he’ll save the state. It also brings some not-so-good news for the rest of the Democratic Party’s statewide ticket, not to mention incumbent state lawmakers and a certain ex-governor who might be looking to make a comeback.
Siena Pollster Steve Greenberg dropped by the Capital Tonight studio to break down the numbers for us.
Reporter Roundtable
Apr 16th - 9:00 pm
Casey Seiler, State Editor of the Albany Times Union and co-host of New York Now, Bill Hammond, Columnist for the New York Daily News, and James Madore, Albany Bureau Chief for Newsday, stopped by the Capital Tonight studio Friday to discuss the week’s headlines.
Brian Kolb on Tax Day
Apr 15th - 9:00 pm
As many New Yorkers scramble to get their taxes filed by the April 15th deadline, Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb says he has a plan to reduce the amount you pay the state on tax day.
Malpass Enters US Senate Race
Apr 15th - 8:30 pm
Despite holding a two to one edge in enrollment in New York, many feel Democrats are vulnerable in some state wide elections this year.
Topping the list of potentially competitive races is the US Senate seat held by Kirsten Gillibrand. The Paterson appointee has failed to top 50 percent in approval rating in the polls and now three Republicans have lined up for the chance to challenge her come November.
Wednesday, David Malpass became the 3rd G-O-P candidate to officially launch his campaign for the seat, joining former Nassau County Lawmaker Bruce Blakeman and ex-congressman Joe Dioguardi in what is becoming a crowded primary field.
Malpass spoke to YNN’s Steve Ference from Syracuse to talk more about his campaign.
Obama Car Czar Named in Pension Probe
Apr 15th - 8:24 pm
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo dropped a bombshell in his ongoing pay to play pension fund probe, implicating several prominent political names. At the top of the list is former Obama car czar Steven Rattner. Cuomo says he hired Hank Morris, a former aide to disgraced Comptroller Alan Hevesi, to arrange pension investments with Rattner’s firm, Quadrangle Group. Under a settlement agreement with the AG, Quadrangle will pay 7-million dollars.
Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause New York, talked to Steve Ference about the recent corruption with the state pension system, saying it’s a clear sign New York needs to move away from a sole trustee deciding how the 129 billion dollar fund is invested.
Cox: Paladino May Have Trouble being Effective Candidate
Apr 15th - 5:10 pm
YNN’s Bill Carey talks to New York State Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox about the Governor’s race and Carl Paladino’s viability as an effective candidate.
Governor Paterson on Paladino
Apr 15th - 4:27 pm
Governor Paterson comments on Carl Paladino’s “outrageous” e-mails, Aqueduct, and tax day.
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