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2012
Long To Primary Opponents: Let’s Debate (Update)
Apr 24th - 11:16 am
Republican Senate hopeful Wendy Long today called for a three debates with her fellow GOP opponents Rep. Bob Turner and Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos that would start as early as next week.
In letter blasted out by her campaign this morning, Long, a Manhattan attorney running for her first political office, said the debates would allow primary voters to make “an education decision” as to who they would prefer taking on U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in Novemeber.
“I suggest, that starting the first week of May, we hold a series of 3 debates leading up to the June 26 primary,” Long wrote. “Local Republican organizations and/or local or regional media outlets could sponsor these debates. It is my belief this would be a great opportunity to showcase where each of us stand on the issues as well as the Conservative -Republican principles we hold in common.”
The debates would also serve the perhaps of potentially increasing the low name recognition for all three, especially Long and Maragos.
Turner, perhaps the best known of the candidates after his upset win in a special election to take a Brooklyn-Queens House seat, polls about the same as his opponents when matched up against Gillibrand.
The full letter sent today by Long’s campaign is below.
Dear George and Bob:
This is one of the shortest primary schedules in modern New York electoral history. It’s important to hold a series of debates across the Empire State, so that Republican primary voters can make an educated decision as to which one of us they prefer to face the U.S. Senate’s number one liberal, Senator Gillibrand, on the GOP line in the November election.
I suggest, that starting the first week of May, we hold a series of 3 debates leading up to the June 26 primary. Local Republican organizations and/or local or regional media outlets could sponsor these debates. It is my belief this would be a great opportunity to showcase where each of us stand on the issues as well as the Conservative -Republican principles we hold in common.
Obviously, time is of the essence, so I hope that you will respond to this challenge quickly, so that we can start to identify suitable dates. I am sharing copies of this letter with Chairman Cox and all 62 Republican County Chairs so that they may join us in the planning of what will be an exciting and informative series of debates.
Yours sincerely,
Wendy Long
Updated: Turner’s campaign spokeswoman Jessica Proud emails to say the candidate is looking forward “to debating key issues.”
We look forward to debating the key issues facing New Yorkers, including high unemployment, rising gas prices, national debt, deficit spending, and the complete lack of leadership in the U.S. Senate, which has failed to propose or pass a budget for three straight years.
DCCC Eyes NY House Candidates
Apr 24th - 10:50 am
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee likes what it sees when it comes to at least two House campaigns in New York, targeting the candidacies of Julian Schreibman in the NY-19 and Leslie Danks Burke in the NY-23.
Schreibman, running in the newly formed district represented by Republican freshman Chris Gibson, annonuced that D-Trip had earned a spot in the competitive “Red to Blue” program.
“I am honored that so many people in the Hudson Valley/Catskills Region have joined our grassroots campaign to create jobs, stand up for middle class families, protect Medicare and Social Security and fight for the American dream,” said Julian Schreibman. “The early strength we have demonstrated by being named to the Red to Blue program means we have the support, confidence, and momentum it takes to win in November.”
Danks Burke, meanwhile, hoping to unseat Rep. Tom Reed, said her race was seen as “an emerging race” by DCCC.
“We in the Southern Tier know that Tea-Party Republican Congressman Tom Reed has let us down. Reed consistently votes against bringing more jobs to our region, against improving health care, and against our families,” Burke said.
Both races, it’s worth noting, are seats held by first-term GOP representatives in areas that House Speaker John Boehner said yesterday in an interview he was especially worried about.
Boehner, in what was most likely an appeal to Republican donors and grass-roots supporters, said the GOP had a “one-in-three” chance in losing control of the chamber this fall. He was especially considered with states like New York, where the state party’s apparatus is not as strong and President Obama’s re-election effort is expected to bring out Democratic voters.
Ulrich Launches Campaign Versus Addabbo
Apr 24th - 10:09 am
Queens City Councilman Eric Ulrich announced this morning his bid to take on Democratic Sen. Joe Addabbo through a YouTube video.
“I will be a state senator that never stops fighting for the middle class,” Ulrich says in the video released just after 10 a.m. this morning. “I’ve watched too many of my friends and relatives pack up and move out of New York because they simply could not afford to live here any longer.”
The video was posted to Ulrich’s new website, which launched this morning as well.
Addabbo, of course, is one of the Democratic senators who switched their no votes to yes on same-sex marriage last year (the others being Sens. Shirley Huntley and Carl Kruger).
Ulrich, considered a rising star in the New York City Republican ranks and a councilman for the last three years, does not mention same-sex marriage or even his potential fall opponent.
Instead, he focuses on middle-class and business tax cuts. He also says he would push for “investment” in higher education so “young people” like him can stay in New York
Ulrich is also the chairman of GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney’s campaign for New York City. Earlier this week Romney said he was in favor of a Democratic-tinged proposal that would help lower student loan debt.
“I believe I can accomplish even more if you send me to Albany,” he says.
The announcement today is curious, considering that only days ago it was reported Ulrich was not interested in running for the seat.
A Senate GOP source was already crowing about what the 32-member majority believes is a chance to expand.
“This is more good news for the Senate Republicans and more bad news for the Senate Democrats, and they didn’t need any more bad news,” the source said. “We’re very high on Eric Ulrich and he’s gonna win this seat.”
DNC Chair: Too Early For 2016 Talk
Apr 24th - 7:48 am
ICYMI: Last night on CapTon, DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz gently chastised those who talking up Hillary Clinton 2016, saying it’s too early to discuss the next presidential contests when this one isn’t even close to over.
Interestingly, the pro-Clinton club includes Wasserman-Schultz’s good friend, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a longtime fan of the former first lady, who told BuzzFeed not long ago that she would be “one of the first” to ask the secretary of state to make another White House run for years from now.
Wasserman-Schultz and Gillibrand are co-captains of their respective chambers’ women’s softball teams. They have been good friends since Gillibrand’s arrival in Washington back in 2006. Former Rep. Gabby Giffords was the third member of their tight-knit circle in male-dominated D.C.
“My feeling is we need to focus on re-electing Barack Obama president of the United States on November 6th,” Wasserman-Schultz told me.
“And I think Hillary – Secretary Clinton – has done an amazing job as secretary of state. And I know that she plans some well-deserved time off. And the focus right now should be singularly on re-electing Barack Obama.”
“It is April of 2012. I think we have so much at stake. There are two completely divergent directions we can go in this country…making sure that Barack Obama goes back to the White House is our number one priority.”
Of course, it is the Florida congresswoman’s job as DNC chair to focus solely on the president and his re-election bid – something that, at least according to this Fox News report, she perhaps hasn’t done always as well as he might like.
The chairwoman urged me to “have me back after November 6th of this year” to talk 2016 – a year New York reporters are focused on due to the widespread belief that Gov. Andrew Cuomo will be in the hunt for the Democratic nod.
Of course, Gillibrand has her own re-election to focus on this fall, although polls have shown she has little to worry about from her three would-be GOP challengers so far.
A prodigious fundraiser, Gillibrand reported having $9.1 million on hand at the end of the first quarter this year.
She has turned her attention to helping the DSCC raise cash in a series of woman-focused events across the country.
On Primary Eve, Giuliani Backs Romney
Apr 23rd - 10:27 am
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, one of a handful of prominent Republicans in the state, has endorsed Mitt Romney a day before the Tuesday presidential primary.
“When I look at where we are as a nation and the challenges we face, I am convinced that Mitt Romney will provide a clear contrast to President Obama,” Giuliani said in a statement provided by the Romney campaign this morning. “Whether it was creating jobs in business, rescuing the Olympics, or turning around Massachusetts’ $3 billion budget deficit, he has proved, time and again, that he excels at turning around difficult situations. He has also proposed a bold economic plan that will help families that have been crushed by President Obama’s failed policies. With his plan to create more jobs, reduce our debt, and scale back the size of government, America will be back on the road to prosperity. I’m proud to support Mitt Romney and encourage all those who worry about our country’s future to do the same.”
The endorsement isn’t too much of a surprise, given that most of the GOP establishment across the country and here in New York have swung behind the former Massachusetts governor in recent weeks, including former Gov. George Pataki and state Chairman Ed Cox.
The Republican conference in the state Senate has also endorsed Romney.
Giuliani, of course, is a former primary foe of Romney in 2008 and there was little love lost between Romney and his opponents that year.
And late last year, Giuliani suggested former House Speaker Newt Gingrich would have been a stronger contender. At the time, Romney was still struggling line up the base of the Republican Party and Gingrich was the latest candidate to experience a surge in the polls.
“There’s something wrong when you’ve been running as long as Mitt has and you’re at 25 percent,” Giuliani said on “Morning Joe” in December.
Giuliani also took Romney to task for his shifting positions on cap and trade, abortion and gun control.
“I can go on and on,” he said. “What will Barack Obama do to that?”
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Pataki: Super PAC A Necessary Evil
Apr 19th - 4:06 pm
The rise of Super PACs in this election cycle has caused a lot of buzz and consternation, in part because they allow donors to avoid restrictions like contribution limits and reporting requirements while spending as much as they’d like to support their preferred candidates.
Former Gov. George Pataki made news last week when he announced he’s creating Tipping Point – one of the first Super PACs to focus specifically on congressional elections in a single state. Since he’s no longer running for anything hismelf, Pataki is now putting his fundraising skills and contact list to work for fellow Republicans. (This also enables him to collect chits should he ever decide to toss his hat back into the ring sometime in the future).
During an interview that will air on CapTon at 8 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. tonight, Pataki expressed distaste with Super PACs, but said they’re a necessary evil in a “screwed up” campaign finance system. He also opposes public campaign financing, which is being discussed in Albany at the moment, and reducing the limit on individual campaign contributions.
“I don’t think it’s a good system, but it’s the only system we have,” Pataki told me. “And if I had my druthers I would allow people to give far more to candidate races, but the system is screwed up.”
“You can give $2,500 to a candidate because if you give $2,600 somehow you might corrupt them. But you can spend $25 million anonymously supporting that candidate on the outside. It makes no sense. But those are the rules. That’s the law…I would love to see it different, but as long as this is the way it is, we’re going to help our side compete against the forces on the other side.”
State Conservative Party Backs Collins Over Bellavia (Updated)
Apr 19th - 3:21 pm
The state Conservative Party has decided today to throw its weight behind Republican former Erie County Executive Chris Collins over primary rival David Bellavia in the NY-27 — a move that reverberates from the 2011 special election.
“I think the common knowledge is he served as county executive for Erie County, the members there thought he did an excellent job and they feel he is strongest candidate to take on Kathy Hochul,” Long said in a phone interview.
Collins was given in the nod in part, however, because of the aftermath of the special election.
Bellavia, an Iraq War veteran, had sought the endorsement of the committee back in 2011, when the nod went to Republican Assemblywoman Jane Corwin, who ultimately lost the race in an upset to Democrat Kathy Hochul.
“I think some of the members were upset that he campaigned against the Conservative Party candidate Jane Corwin,” Long said.
Bellavia backed businessman and tea party candidate Jack Davis last time out over Corwin. Davis this year now plans to form a Super PAC supporting Bellavia against what is expected to be a well-financed ad war from Collins.
Collins lost re-election last fall for another term as county executive and while the newly drawn NY-27 does not include as much of Erie County as the predecessor district did previously, he still says his name recognition and record can propell him.
But Bellavia has racked up a long list of local county and town committees in the sprawling district on his side, giving him an edge in organizational, grass-roots support.
“We don’t pick candidates based on who’s supporting who and hopefully we made the right decision and I think Collins makes the strongest candidate there,” Long said.
Semi-related side note: As an aide-de-camp to 2010 gubernatorial nominee, Bellavia campaign strategist Michael Caputo called Long a “crazy old coot” in a tweet. Long, at the time battling with Paladino over the statewide ballot, laughed it off.
Update: Bellavia released a statement, noting that he has the backing of local committees and has ballot access.
We collected more than enough Conservative Party signatures to qualify for the ballot. Several Conservative Party chairmen and many rank-and-file members collected all our signatures. Naturally, I am disappointed to hear the the Executive Committee of the Conservative Party of New York State chose not to grant me a Wilson Pakula authorization to appear on their primary ballot. However, I respect the process and thank Chairman Mike Long and his committee for considering my candidacy. I especially want to thank the Conservative Party chairmen of NY27 who supported me and an open primary giving the voters a choice on June 26th: Chairmen Art Munger of Genesee, Chairman Allen Lofthouse of Orleans County, Chairman Jason McGuire of Livingston County, Chairman Michael Kloppel of Ontario County, and Chairman Dan Weiss of Niagara County.
Carvin On NRCC Radar
Apr 19th - 2:18 pm
It’s a busy day for the NRCC’s radar.
Joe Carvin, the Republican Rye town supervisor who hopes to unseat Rep. Nita Lowey this fall, is meeting the requirements to eventually be named to the NRCC’s Young Guns program, the committee announced this afternoon.
Earlier today another New York Republican, Maggie Brooks, was given the same on-the-radar distinction.
Carvin, who briefly considered running for the Republican nod for the U.S. Senate race against Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, can arguably give Lowey one of her first competitive races in years. The newly drawn district has been pushed further into northern Westchester County, which skews Republican.
Carvin, a hedge-fund manager, has already pumped $1 million of his own money into the campaign (fulfilling a vow from his erstwhile Senate campaign) and says he’s already close to approaching the $100,000 mark of raising independent cash.
Carvin’s campaign strategist, Bill O’Reilly, sent along this bit of reaction:
“This race will be competitive because of the issues, not because of money. Joe Carvin plans to run an aggressive, fact-based campaign about the unprecedented economic challenges facing the country, and how virtually nothing is being done about in Washington.Joe believes voters are ready to hear the truth about what it will take to save this country for our kids. And more than that, they are willing to do something about it if asked.”
Brooks On The Radar For ‘Young Gun’
Apr 19th - 11:02 am
National Republicans are favorably eyeing Congressional candidate Maggie Brooks by naming her as possible “young gun” — a designation that comes with both prominence and money.
“We are looking forward to working with Maggie Brooks, who has already proven herself by meeting rigorous benchmarks in the ‘Young Guns’ program that will position her campaign for victory,” said NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX). “Maggie’s dedication and experience enables her to advocate effectively for pro-growth policies and fight the failed status quo in Washington. This will stand in stark contrast to the Obama-Pelosi record of spending, borrowing and taxing that New York families and small businesses know has failed.”
Brooks, a three-term Monroe County executive, is running against longtime Democratic Rep. Louise Slaughter in a redrawn district that political observers say is friendlier to the Republican candidate.
Brooks has been on the radar of Republican establishment types for a while, with some suggesting that she take on Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand this fall (Brooks ultimately opted not to run). The attention culminated with former Gov. George Pataki at the state GOP convention last month urging her to seek federal office.
Slaughter, meanwhile, is still recovering from a broken leg after a fall in New York City and the 82-year-old says she is running for re-election.
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