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Turner Sees Himself In Herman Cain
Sep 9th - 4:20 pm
Republican NY-9 candidate Bob Turner declined to pick a favorite from among the 2012 GOP presidential contenders during yesterday’s NY1 debate with Assemblyman David Weprin.
But the Queens businessman apparently had a change of heart after his head-to-head. When asked on his way out of the newsroom by Juan Manuel Benitez which candidate he feels is closest to his ideology, Turner responded:
“That’s a very tough question, but I would think Herman Cain right now. I like him. I like the way he thinks, and he speaks plain and true.”
Make of this what you will.
Hanna, Hinchey Call For S. Tier Disaster Declarations
Sep 8th - 12:15 pm
Democratic Rep. Maurice Hinchey and his GOP colleague, Rep. Richard Hanna, issued a bipartisan call today for federal disaster declarations for the five Southern Tier counties now experiencing flooding after heavy rains from tropical storm Lee.
The counties in question: Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, Tioga and Tompkins.
If granted, these counties would be added to the list of some two dozen already granted federal emergency declarations by the Obama administration following damaged caused by tropical storm Irene. At the moment, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is in Broome County, one of the hardest hit by Lee, receiving updates on the flooding there.
Broome County Director of Emergency Management Bret Chellis is right now urging Binghamton residents in low-lying areas to evacuate ASAP, calling the flooding situation in the city “dire.”
A note on Hinchey and Hanna’s request: Hanna is one of several New York Republican House members who have rejected Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s call for disaster aid to be offset by budget cuts. In a statement to the NY Times earlier this week, Hanna said:
“Hurricane Irene funding should be approved as soon as necessary. Immediate offsets shouldn’t be required for disasters like this.”
Reed Supports Offsets For Disaster Aid
Sep 1st - 5:16 pm
Add Rep. Tom Reed to the list of New York Republicans who support House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s call for offsetting additional disaster aid in the wake of Irene with spending cuts elsewhere in the federal budget.
Reed (NY-29) told YNN today that he supports federal spending on post-storm clean-up, but added: “We’re going to have to offset it, because there’s just no money left in the till.”
“I will tell you, you know, as we face these natural disasters such as Hurricane Irene, we’re going to make sure in Congress, we’re going to take care of that funding,” the congressman said at an event in Brighton, just outside of Rochester. “That’s one of the fundamental things that Congress should be doing – is disaster relief.
“But it’s a commentary on the financial situation in which we find ourselves in America. And it should send an alarm to every American, that when we have to have a conversation about covering disaster costs by finding offset budget lines to cover those expenses, you know, that’s an alarm that every American should sense to say: We truly are in a fiscal crisis.”
The Democrats have been pressuring their GOP colleague to publicly declare whether they back Cantor’s call. Rep. Nan Hayworth (NY-19) has already said she’s on board, even as she called for the counties in her district to be added to President Obama’s disaster declaration list.
It’s Magic! (Updatedx2)
Sep 1st - 4:41 pm
A few rules of campaigning:
1) When you’re slipping, go negative.
2) When you’re really desperate, rely on props and/or gimmicks in hopes of humiliating your opponent and generating press.
Remember the guy in a duck suit sent last year by GOP gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino to harass frontrunner Andrew Cuomo for his supposed unwillingness to address “vital policy questions” like Obamacare?
I rest my case.
On the heels of a GOP-commissioned poll that shows the NY-9 special election a dead heat, with Bob Turner and David Weprin tied at 42 percent in a district that has an overwhelming Democratic enrollment edge, the Weprin campaign has decided to send a “Queens magician named Wendy Wizard” to “endorse” Turner outside his Belle Harbour Yacht Club fundraiser tonight. From the Weprin press release:
“Tea Party Turner’s smoke and mirror budget tricks require a level of magical ability that only the greatest illusionists have mastered,” Wizard said from her underground lair in an undisclosed part of Queens while stroking a black cat named Oolong.
“I’m proud to support my fellow magician’s candidacy because I know that Tea Party Turner will pull the money we need to save Medicare right out of thin air.”
This a riff off a line in yesterday’s New York Times editorial endorsing Weprin, in which the Gray Lady’s ed board opined:
“Mr. Turner argues that the federal budget needs to be cut by as much as a third. He also wants to lower taxes, especially on capital gains. He insists that that would not mean reducing benefits for those on Medicare and Social Security. That would take a magician, not a businessman.”
UPDATE: A reader notes the Turner campaign is not above gimmicks, either. A Turner supporter broke out the old duck suit to heckle Weprin at his fundraiser last night with US Sen. Joe Lieberman and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. The issue: Weprin’s abrupt decision to pull out of Monday night’s debate, citing Irene.
UPDATE2: Turner campaign spokesman Bill O’Reilly sends this gem: “”The Weprin Campaign has become increasingly bizarre. I suggest they head back to Hogwarts and regroup.”
I would be remiss if I didn’t note that props have been employed by even some of our best-known politicians.
Remember back in 2000 when then-former First Lady Hillary Clinton was first running for the US Senate in New York? Well, none other than Howard Wolfson (now a deputy mayor in the Bloomberg administration) showed up along with a Democratic State Committee member dressed as Uncle Sam at an event held by her GOP opponent, Rick Lazio, to taunt him with her property tax returns and demand that he follow her lead.
Mermel For Perry
Sep 1st - 3:47 pm
GOP donor and 2010 gubernatorial hopeful Myers Mermel (he of the very fun name to say) will host a fundraiser for Texas Gov. Rick Perry when he’s in NYC later this month.
A source with an invite, (if you’ve got a copy, please forward a copy), said the event will be held on Sept. 19 at noon at 16 Central Park West. Ticket price: $2,500 per person.
Technically speaking, this means Mermel, not former AIG head Maurice “Hank” Greenberg, will be hosting Perry’s first NYC fundraiser since the governor formally entered the GOP 2012 field – such are the bragging-rights benefits of throwing a lunchtime event.
According to Politico, Perry will also have an event with members of the Orthodox Jewish community while he’s in the Big Apple.
President Obama will also be in NYC Sept. 19 and 20. Officially, he’ll be attending, and speaking at, the UN General Assembly and the Clinton Global Initiative. But he’ll also use the opportunity to hit some of the city’s deep-pocketed donors up for more campaign cash.
Mermel is not the first member of the NY GOP to show support for Perry. A group of WNYers, including former senators Mary Lou Rath and Dale Volker, announced their backing od the governor back in August – even before he formally entered the presidential race.
Times Goes For Weprin; Dings Turner, Koch
Aug 31st - 5:30 am
The New York Times has given a full-throated endorsement to David Weprin in the upcoming Sept. 13 special election to replace disgraced ex-Rep. Anthony Weiner, saying the Democratic assemblyman would “represent the district with far more expertise, sensitivity and fiscal rationality.”
The Gray Lady is particularly pleased Weprin agrees with its stance that taxes on the wealthy should increase, while it panned Republican Bob Turner’s claim that cutting the federal budget by as much as a third would not require reducing Medicare and Social Security benefits, saying: ” That would take a magician, not a businessman.”
Expect to see this line repeated in Weprin mailers and/or a TV ad coming to mailboxes and sets near you soon:
“If Mr. Turner gets his way, it would be impossible to spare anybody who relies on the government for benefits or to keep the air clean or their food safe.”
The Times also takes a shot at former NYC Mayor Ed Koch, who crossed party lines (again) to endorse Turner, saying the NY-9 special should be a referendum on President Obama’s statement that Israel’s pre-1967 borders should be the basis for negotiating a peace agreement – with mutually agreed land swaps.
The paper’s editorial board called Koch’s nod the “least helpful contribution to this race,” noting that while both Weprin and Turner have been equally critical of Obama, Weprin has a “proven record in support of Israel.”
There has been much debate over the waning power of newspaper endorsements, and the Times has a mixed track record when it comes to picking candidates who actually win on Election Day.
The paper’s nod generally is considered to carry slightly more weight in a Democratic primary, but this is going to be a low-turnout special election at a time when anti-Obama sentiment is running high.
While Weprin is the favorite in this Brooklyn/Queens Democrat-dominated district, the GOP insists it has a shot. Of course, why anyone would want the NY-9 job is another story, since it’s widely expected to be redistricted out of existence between now and 2012.
Romney’s NY Nightmare: Perry-Giuliani Collaboration
Aug 29th - 1:47 pm
A highly-placed New York Republican called late last week to note a story that went largely unnoticed in all the pre-Irene hoopla regarding Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s signing of the Susan B. Anthony List’s antiabortion pledge.
Perry’s signature would pretty much rule out the Perry-Giuliani ticket floated recently by former NY GOP Chair Bill Powers – or the appointment of the former NYC mayor to any cabinet posts (like US AG, for example), since the document requires the nomination of only antiabortion judges and appointees.
Perry’s main GOP 2012 rival, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, refused to sign the pledge, calling it too broad.
The Republican who brought the Perry story to my attention is a Romney supporter, and also thought it worth highlighting that Perry endorsed Giuliani for president back in 2008.
What I found noteworthy about this exchange was the fact that a NY Romney supporter would be seeking to drive a wedge between Perry and Giuliani.
My GOP source explained that Romney, thanks to his 2008 run and tenure as governor in neighboring Massachusetts, is considered a strong frontrunner in New York – particularly with ex-Gov. George Pataki out of the race (if anyone really considered backing him) and Giuliani pushing off a decision until the end of this month.
Perry is unknown to many New York GOP operatives and county chairs, but he’s starting to make some inroads here.
He already has some WNY backers, including former Sens. Mary Lou Rath and Dale Volker. The governor also keynoted the NYC GOP’s Lincoln Day dinner back in June, filling in for Donald Trump after the developer decided to take a pass on 2012.
Trump is now saying very nice things about Perry, and has reportedly been chatting with him on the phone. Getting support from The Donald, who hasn’t completely shut the door on an independent White House run, is a top priority for a number of the GOP presidential contenders – including Romney, too.
Romney backers in the Empire State worry Perry’s operation, which is pretty much nonexistent here, would get a big boost if Giuliani decided to throw in his lot with the Texas governor.
Apparently, a number of key GOP county chairs are making noises about backing Romney, but – like the bulk of the national GOP – aren’t quite sold. They’re still hoping NJ Gov. Chris Christie will change his mind, which would shake up the field in a big way.
King Robos In Defense Of Turner (Updated)
Aug 25th - 5:41 pm
Dueling Zadroga robocalls is the storyline in the NY-9 race today.
First Democratic Assemblyman David Weprin launched a call recorded for him by John Feal, founder of the FealGood Foundation, who played a key role in getting the 9/11 health care bill passed by Congress.
In that call, Feal slammed Weprin’s GOP opponent, Bob Turner, for telling the DN editorial board that the Zadroga Act is too “broad” and perhaps should not apply to volunteers.
Democrats swiftly seized on that gaffe – a particularly egregious error, considering the special election comes two days after the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11. And Turner’s campaign was forced to do damage control, insisting the Queens businessman has always been a Zadroga supporter and has 9/11 firefighters and volunteers in his family.
Now comes the coup de grace of the Turner pushback in the form of a robocall from Rep. Pete King, the Long Island Republican who co-authored Zadroga. The call is hitting tonight, according to Turner campaign spokesman Bill O’Reilly, which means people coming home from work will receive them back-to-back.
The script and audio appear below.
“Hi, this is Congressman Pete King, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. I helped write the law to give health coverage to firefighters, cops, and 9-11 volunteers – and I can tell you point blank that Bob Turner supports that legislation.”
“It’s one reason I’m supporting Bob Turner for Congress.”
“So don’t believe anyone who tries to tell you that Bob Turner doesn’t stand with all the brave men and women who worked and volunteered at Ground Zero.”
So please join Mayor Ed Koch, Rudy Giuliani, firefighters, police officers, first responders, and me, Pete King, throughout Brooklyn and Queens in supporting Bob Turner for Congress. He will never let you down.”
UPDATE: A response from the Weprin campaign appears after the jump.
Dems Use Zadroga Comment Against Turner (Updated)
Aug 24th - 4:03 pm
The Democrats are gleefully pouncing on GOP NY-9 candidate Bob Turner’s ill-timed comment to the DN editorial board that the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act is “too broad” and shouldn’t cover volunteers.
Turner was no doubt trying to come off as fiscally responsible, but you’ve got to wonder what he was thinking – particularly since the Sept. 13 special election comes just two days after the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Two of the Zadroga bill’s authors, Rep. Carolyn Maloney and Jerry Nadler, issued the following statement through Assemblyman David Weprin’s campaign:
“Bob Turner’s blatant disregard for the sacrifices made by volunteers in the aftermath of 9/11 is outrageous and offensive.”
“These brave men and women put themselves at risk to help their fellow New Yorkers and the very least we can do is to support them in their efforts to combat the injuries and illnesses sustained during their rescue efforts. Bob Turner has proven once and for all that he has no business representing New Yorkers in Congress.”
As you’ll recall, the former occupant of this seat, ex-Rep. Anthony Weiner, memorably ripped apart his GOP colleagues on the House floor when they voted against the Zadroga bill after attaching controverisal amendments to it that the Democrats opposed.
Weiner then sparred on national TV with Rep. Pete King, a Long Island Republican who also happened to be a Zadroga sponsor.
King endorsed Turner not long ago…wonder what he thinks of the candidate’s comments on this act?
Giuliani Plays In Utica Mayor’s Race
Aug 24th - 1:24 pm
Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani appears in a TV ad endorsing Bob Cardillo, the Republican running to become the mayor of Utica this fall.
According to the Utica Observer Dispatch’s Dan Miner, the GOP primary between Cardillo and Michael Cerminaro has become pretty heated in recent weeks.
Cardillo, a Utica native, is a management expert, according to his official bio. He’s now in the private sector, but worked for HUD and coordinated its disaster response activities in Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina (not sure that’s something to brag about, but there you go).
Prior to joining HUD, Cardillo worked for Giuliani managing New York City’s public affairs activities for the NYCOTB Corp.
The current mayor of Utica, David R. Roefaro, is a Democrat. When he was elected in 2007, he became the city’s first Democratic executive in more than three decades. Roefaro had an on-again/off-again re-election campaign this year.
First he was in, then he was potentially running for former Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito’s seat, then he was out again.
When he abruptly changed his mind back in April, Roefaro didn’t say much about why, exactly, he decided not to seek a second term. In May, there was a report that he was reconsidering yet again. When I chatted with him during one of our Friday Getaway shows earlier this summer, he was firm in his decision not to run – ostensibly to focus on running the family funeral home.
The Utica Democrats endorsed Robert Palmieri, a former codes commissioner fired by Roefaro during a City Hall clean-up, to run for mayor.
As for Giuliani, he recently said he’s not yet ready to make a decision about 2012 and won’t likely do so until the end up of September.
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