NY's only statewide political program
2010
Gov. Mermel?
May 24th - 9:28 am
There is now officially 4 Republican candidates for Governor.
Just moments ago, M. Myers Mermel officially launched his bid for the office, via press release. We knew this was coming after State GOP Chairman Ed Cox told us last week that Mermel had contacted him and expressed interest in being on the top of the ticket.
The former investment banker is touting his financial experience as a reason he should be the GOP nominee. And he says a recent poll he commissioned shows that New Yorkers prefer a candidate with his background, over one with Andrew Cuomo’s background.
“New Yorkers are barely hanging on after years of economic turmoil,” Mermel said, “We need a new team to tackle economic issues head on without conflicts of interest or ethical baggage that would hinder or prevent real reform.”
Mermel will be a guest on Capital Tonight. You can catch Liz Benjamin’s interview with him at 8:00pm and 11:30pm on YNN.
Incoming! LaValle Bats For Levy
Apr 14th - 1:45 pm
Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy’s campaign has deployed his hometown county GOP chairman, John Jay LaValle, to push back against shots fired over the past 24 hours by state Democratic Party Executive Director Charlie King and “boss” (as per Team Levy) Jay Jacobs.
LaValle accused Jacobs, who is also the Nassau County Democratic chairman, of presiding over “one of the worst abusers in the history pay-to-play during the Suozzi administration; a simple review of his filings would prove this.” (No supporting documentation was provided).
More >
Marist: New Yorkers Warming To Spitzer Comeback?
Apr 14th - 11:29 am
Today’s Marist poll brings some good news for former Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who has ramped his rehabilitation bid into overdrive in recent weeks, finding New Yorkers are thawing on the idea that he might one day re-enter the political arena.
Nearly six in 10 registered voters – 58 percent – say they don’t want Spitzer to run for statewide office this year, but that’s a big improvement from last September, when the number was 69 percent.
That’s not to say more people are in the “go for it” column when it comes to a return to public life for the disgraced former governor.
Just 30 percent said they would like to see Spitzer run for statewide office this year, compared to 27 percent eight months ago. Twelve percent are now in the “unsure” column, compared to 4 percent in the last poll.
“Eliot Spitzer’s political scars remain, although for some New Yorkers, they may have faded a bit,” said Marist pollster Lee Miringoff. “Eventually, voters may go for the idea of Spitzer running for office but not yet.”
Early WFP Nod For Schumer
Apr 12th - 6:36 am
The Working Families Party has issued its first statewide endorsement of the 2010 campaign season, throwing its weight behind incumbent senior Sen. Chuck Schumer.
This was sort of a no-brainer, considering Schumer has just one long-shot primary opponent – comedian and drug law reform advocate Randy Credico – and no GOP challenger yet for the general election.
The WFP’s executive committee voted unanimously last Friday to endorse Schumer after interviewing him at length during a late afternoon sit-down that followed his appearance in the NY1 newsroom (which was about the same time we learned of the decamping of Schumer spokesman Josh Vlasto to AG Andrew Cuomo’s yet-unannounced campaign for governor).
In backing Schumer, the labor-backed party cited his leadership as “key” to passing health care reform in Washington, DC last month.
When the insurance industry was on the brink of killing reform, we needed a hero. Chuck Schumer answered the call. Without his leadership, health care reform might never have succeeded,” said WFP Co-Chair Bob Master.
The WFP has made health care reform its cause celebre this cycle, pulling its support from the two House members who voted “no” – Mike Arcuri (NY-24) and Mike McMahon (NY-13), and even threatening to back primary challengers against them.
That’s actually more of a threat in Arcuri’s case, where the WFP has actually had discussions with a potential challenger, Les Roberts, who dropped out of the 2006 primary to clear the field for Arcuri and improve the party’s chances of winning a long-held GOP seat.
What’s perhaps most significant about this endorsement is the fact that Schumer is willing to accept it.
Take Capital Tonight and the State of Politics blog with you everywhere you go with our iPhone app! The mobile application features our blog posts, interviews, and a report news tool to send us your political news tips.