Nita Lowey unlikely to leave power post in the House for the potential of a short term stay in the U.S. Senate, according to a Friday story in the Journal News.
An opinion in today’s Journal News compares the position that Governor David Paterson may soon find himself in to Shakespeare’s Richard III, assuming perhaps that the behind the scenes jockeying for the Senate appointment could take Shakespearean twists…and I guess it could, considering the build up and all that may ride on this appointment.
Meanwhile, sources say Obama’s appointment of Hillary to the Secretary of State position will come tomorrow. She says she will accept. That leaves the next move to Governor Paterson, who has said (below) that he will wait until her formal appointment, after January 20, 2009 to name her successor.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Some criteria
What is the criteria that Governor Paterson and his team will use to choose the next Senator from New York? As always, he’s in good humor about it, despite the pressure the pick must be adding to his otherwise pressure-packed brief tenure as Governor.
"I think I read in the New York Times yesterday, they said you have to find a woman, who is from upstate, who's Hispanic, very close to the Jewish community, and who gets along with everybody," Paterson joked, according the Albany Times Union.
Demographics
Gender: Senator Clinton is a woman. The statewide slate up in 2010 includes three men: Paterson, AG Andrew Cuomo and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. The other statewide elected is Senator Charles Schumer. All men. The top of the 2010 Democratic ticket needs to include a woman. The Governor has two opportunities to make sure that happens. He will pick the next Senator and also his Lieutenant. If Paterson wants to, or needs to, pick a man for Senate, he will be able to pick a woman for his team next year.
Geography: Paterson, Cuomo, and Schumer are from New York City. DiNapoli is from Nassau. The general sentiment is that the pick should be from Upstate (north of the Bronx). The problem: they also need a candidate with statewide name recognition.
Race/Ethnicity: We have an African American Governor, two Italian Americans in DiNapoli and Cuomo, and Schumer, who is Jewish. There is considerable sentiment that the next Senator should come from the Hispanic community.
Electability: While New York has proven itself to be bluer and bluer, the Republicans will likely make runs at each of the statewide seats filled with appointees. The next Senator must be prepared to run and win a statewide campaign in 2010 and again in 2012. He or she must be a proven campaigner, have statewide stature of have the capacity to get there in a hurry.
Fundraising: The next Senator must be able to raise enough money—from inside and outside of New York—to stave off potential Republican opponents in both of the upcoming races.
Others?
"I think I read in the New York Times yesterday, they said you have to find a woman, who is from upstate, who's Hispanic, very close to the Jewish community, and who gets along with everybody," Paterson joked, according the Albany Times Union.
Demographics
Gender: Senator Clinton is a woman. The statewide slate up in 2010 includes three men: Paterson, AG Andrew Cuomo and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. The other statewide elected is Senator Charles Schumer. All men. The top of the 2010 Democratic ticket needs to include a woman. The Governor has two opportunities to make sure that happens. He will pick the next Senator and also his Lieutenant. If Paterson wants to, or needs to, pick a man for Senate, he will be able to pick a woman for his team next year.
Geography: Paterson, Cuomo, and Schumer are from New York City. DiNapoli is from Nassau. The general sentiment is that the pick should be from Upstate (north of the Bronx). The problem: they also need a candidate with statewide name recognition.
Race/Ethnicity: We have an African American Governor, two Italian Americans in DiNapoli and Cuomo, and Schumer, who is Jewish. There is considerable sentiment that the next Senator should come from the Hispanic community.
Electability: While New York has proven itself to be bluer and bluer, the Republicans will likely make runs at each of the statewide seats filled with appointees. The next Senator must be prepared to run and win a statewide campaign in 2010 and again in 2012. He or she must be a proven campaigner, have statewide stature of have the capacity to get there in a hurry.
Fundraising: The next Senator must be able to raise enough money—from inside and outside of New York—to stave off potential Republican opponents in both of the upcoming races.
Others?
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Senate Blogwatch
Yesterday the Washington Post handicapped the race, here, and today a number of blogs followed suit. (By the way, the Washington Post put 3 to 1 odds on Tom Suozzi.)
Using the Washington Post as a springboard, the Huffington Post brought out a 2006 New York Magazine profile in a piece on the potential of Senator Suozzi.
“On paper, Suozzi seems like a consultant's wish come true. He's a reform-minded Democrat in a largely Democratic state ripe for reform. He's young (43), suburban (born and raised in Glen Cove, Long Island), and a practicing Catholic (check that: pro-choice Catholic). He's got early-Pacino good looks, and a hey-let's-put-on-a-show enthusiasm that makes him the guy you want to talk to, whether it be at a Staten Island potluck or a policy conference in Albany.
And he's got sparkling political credentials. At 30, Suozzi, a lawyer and CPA, returned home to Glen Cove, ran for mayor, and went on to save his beloved town from fiscal disaster. In 2001, he pulled off a colossal upset and was elected Nassau County executive, the first Democrat in three decades to hold that position in the 55 percent Republican county. Once in office, Suozzi eliminated a $45 million deficit that had threatened to balloon to $400 million by 2005 and send the county into bankruptcy. The county's bond rating skyrocketed, and Suozzi was named a Governing magazine "Public Official of the Year."
A clip from today’s Newsday’s Spin Cycle provides a quick take on the pros and the cons of a Senator Suozzi
"A look at the upside and you figure, hey, why not Suozzi? He's young enough, sharp enough, and attractive enough. He's Irish and Italian, a Catholic from the suburbs who stands to draw upstate appeal. He's raised funds, even against the strong tide for Eliot Spitzer to whom he very lopsidedly lost the Democratic primary for governor. He's been at the helm of a county that recovered fiscally after he took over (and isn't tanking any more dramatically than its neighbors or for any different reasons).
As statements of the past two days show, he's on the same page as senior Sen. Charles Schumer when it comes to a salient issue with which he's familiar -- Medicaid funding. Paterson has strong ties to Suozzi through family/law firm connections of their fathers and his top aide is Long Islander Bill Cunningham III, who's close to Suozzi."
And from today’s Times Union’s Capitol Confidential Paterson Will Wait until Hillary’s Confirmation
"Paterson said he “will likely wait until after Clinton is confirmed before announcing publicly who will replace here, because he doesn’t want to “interfere in that process.”…When asked whether he had a short list of candidates, Paterson replied: “I don’t know what the definition of a short list is.” Paterson talked about the issue of diversity in his pick, only to say that he wouldn’t pick someone just because they were demographically diverse, but that there were many qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds. “I won’t have to worry about diversity that much,” he said."
The DaBrinker Report says:
"[Suozzi] has statewide campaign experience, which will be a necessity because the person chosen will have to run twice in the next four years. He has an unparalleled handle of one of New York’s most pressing issues—property taxes. He serves as the chair of the Governor’s Commission on Property Tax—aptly named the Tax Cap Commission. He is young, dynamic and he runs one of the State’s largest counties, larger than most States. "
The Albany Project says...
"Over at The Washington Post's blog, The Fix, a variety of contenders are given odds on filling Senator Clinton's (presumptive) vacancy. One interesting name at the top of the list is Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi. While I didn't consider Suozzi a likely contender at first, his name is now at the top of this list for a variety of political and electoral reasons."
Andy’s Take Away from Today:
If we take Paterson for his word today, we are waiting two months before there is a decision on who will be New York’s next U.S. Senator. Who he chooses will depend on the criteria he uses to evaluate candidates, coupled with how the stars align in the coming two weeks. Two months is a lifetime in politics. Where will the stars be then?
Using the Washington Post as a springboard, the Huffington Post brought out a 2006 New York Magazine profile in a piece on the potential of Senator Suozzi.
“On paper, Suozzi seems like a consultant's wish come true. He's a reform-minded Democrat in a largely Democratic state ripe for reform. He's young (43), suburban (born and raised in Glen Cove, Long Island), and a practicing Catholic (check that: pro-choice Catholic). He's got early-Pacino good looks, and a hey-let's-put-on-a-show enthusiasm that makes him the guy you want to talk to, whether it be at a Staten Island potluck or a policy conference in Albany.
And he's got sparkling political credentials. At 30, Suozzi, a lawyer and CPA, returned home to Glen Cove, ran for mayor, and went on to save his beloved town from fiscal disaster. In 2001, he pulled off a colossal upset and was elected Nassau County executive, the first Democrat in three decades to hold that position in the 55 percent Republican county. Once in office, Suozzi eliminated a $45 million deficit that had threatened to balloon to $400 million by 2005 and send the county into bankruptcy. The county's bond rating skyrocketed, and Suozzi was named a Governing magazine "Public Official of the Year."
A clip from today’s Newsday’s Spin Cycle provides a quick take on the pros and the cons of a Senator Suozzi
"A look at the upside and you figure, hey, why not Suozzi? He's young enough, sharp enough, and attractive enough. He's Irish and Italian, a Catholic from the suburbs who stands to draw upstate appeal. He's raised funds, even against the strong tide for Eliot Spitzer to whom he very lopsidedly lost the Democratic primary for governor. He's been at the helm of a county that recovered fiscally after he took over (and isn't tanking any more dramatically than its neighbors or for any different reasons).
As statements of the past two days show, he's on the same page as senior Sen. Charles Schumer when it comes to a salient issue with which he's familiar -- Medicaid funding. Paterson has strong ties to Suozzi through family/law firm connections of their fathers and his top aide is Long Islander Bill Cunningham III, who's close to Suozzi."
And from today’s Times Union’s Capitol Confidential Paterson Will Wait until Hillary’s Confirmation
"Paterson said he “will likely wait until after Clinton is confirmed before announcing publicly who will replace here, because he doesn’t want to “interfere in that process.”…When asked whether he had a short list of candidates, Paterson replied: “I don’t know what the definition of a short list is.” Paterson talked about the issue of diversity in his pick, only to say that he wouldn’t pick someone just because they were demographically diverse, but that there were many qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds. “I won’t have to worry about diversity that much,” he said."
The DaBrinker Report says:
"[Suozzi] has statewide campaign experience, which will be a necessity because the person chosen will have to run twice in the next four years. He has an unparalleled handle of one of New York’s most pressing issues—property taxes. He serves as the chair of the Governor’s Commission on Property Tax—aptly named the Tax Cap Commission. He is young, dynamic and he runs one of the State’s largest counties, larger than most States. "
The Albany Project says...
"Over at The Washington Post's blog, The Fix, a variety of contenders are given odds on filling Senator Clinton's (presumptive) vacancy. One interesting name at the top of the list is Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi. While I didn't consider Suozzi a likely contender at first, his name is now at the top of this list for a variety of political and electoral reasons."
Andy’s Take Away from Today:
If we take Paterson for his word today, we are waiting two months before there is a decision on who will be New York’s next U.S. Senator. Who he chooses will depend on the criteria he uses to evaluate candidates, coupled with how the stars align in the coming two weeks. Two months is a lifetime in politics. Where will the stars be then?
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
New Senator Speculation Watch
While Hillary Clinton remains New York’s junior Senator, speculation abounds about her replacement.
Kirsten Gillibrand, who hasn’t yet completed her first term in Congress, is among those on the short list, according to a Time Warner Cable news report today. But Governor Paterson didn’t give much of a hint, when he said "The skill level can be the same among individuals, but there is history and individuality from people who come from different parts of the state or have unique backgrounds that we would like to see in government."
Yesterday, the Times Union Blog, listed a power ranking of potential replacements, including Gillibrand…but it only listed New York Congressional members. That narrows the list considerably. Could it be that the Governor will only look at pols already in Washington?
Senator Schumer—was in Albany today, and is said to have made a recommendation to the Governor, but he did not show his hand on his preference. Instead he spoke of a potential Federal bailout for states, in the form a boost in Medicaid aid.
Interesting….
If you haven’t had a chance to read Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi’s letter on Politico.com, he proposes to get “the federal, state, and local governments working together on the same side. It deals directly with America’s Medicaid program and will provide immediate budgetary relief for states and, where applicable, local governments that contribute to the cost of the program.” For more, click here.
Kirsten Gillibrand, who hasn’t yet completed her first term in Congress, is among those on the short list, according to a Time Warner Cable news report today. But Governor Paterson didn’t give much of a hint, when he said "The skill level can be the same among individuals, but there is history and individuality from people who come from different parts of the state or have unique backgrounds that we would like to see in government."
Yesterday, the Times Union Blog, listed a power ranking of potential replacements, including Gillibrand…but it only listed New York Congressional members. That narrows the list considerably. Could it be that the Governor will only look at pols already in Washington?
Senator Schumer—was in Albany today, and is said to have made a recommendation to the Governor, but he did not show his hand on his preference. Instead he spoke of a potential Federal bailout for states, in the form a boost in Medicaid aid.
Interesting….
If you haven’t had a chance to read Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi’s letter on Politico.com, he proposes to get “the federal, state, and local governments working together on the same side. It deals directly with America’s Medicaid program and will provide immediate budgetary relief for states and, where applicable, local governments that contribute to the cost of the program.” For more, click here.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Feds, State and Locals Need to Pull Together
A letter by Tom Suozzi published on Politico.com over the weekend demonstrates why the Nassau County Executive is the best person to succeed Hillary Clinton as the next U.S. Senator from New York. He writes:
“I’m cutting jobs, eliminating programs, and in the case of Nassau County, reducing capital spending and raising property taxes for the first time in five years. We have to. Because unlike the federal government, states and localities must, by law, balance our budgets every year, leaving us no choice but to make difficult decisions…In the war to save America’s economy, the local, state, and federal governments are all on the same side but pulling in opposite directions…State and localities need our federal government’s help.”
Our economic crisis has made us all reconsider what we spend our money on. We have to balance our budgets. That’s true for me and my friends. It should be true for government as well, even when it hurts a bit.
While I have seen no fewer than ten names floated for the position, Suozzi is by far the most qualified among them. He’s the executive of one of the largest counties in New York State, responsible for a budget larger than sixteen states.
He’s not afraid of taking on the issues that matter most to New Yorkers. As chair of the Governor's Task Force on Real Property Taxes—he has held hearings around the State—and has demonstrated an unparalleled understanding of New York's number one issue—property taxes.
His experience running a statewide campaign will serve him well when he has to run to keep the seat in 2010 and then again in 2012.
“I’m cutting jobs, eliminating programs, and in the case of Nassau County, reducing capital spending and raising property taxes for the first time in five years. We have to. Because unlike the federal government, states and localities must, by law, balance our budgets every year, leaving us no choice but to make difficult decisions…In the war to save America’s economy, the local, state, and federal governments are all on the same side but pulling in opposite directions…State and localities need our federal government’s help.”
Our economic crisis has made us all reconsider what we spend our money on. We have to balance our budgets. That’s true for me and my friends. It should be true for government as well, even when it hurts a bit.
While I have seen no fewer than ten names floated for the position, Suozzi is by far the most qualified among them. He’s the executive of one of the largest counties in New York State, responsible for a budget larger than sixteen states.
He’s not afraid of taking on the issues that matter most to New Yorkers. As chair of the Governor's Task Force on Real Property Taxes—he has held hearings around the State—and has demonstrated an unparalleled understanding of New York's number one issue—property taxes.
His experience running a statewide campaign will serve him well when he has to run to keep the seat in 2010 and then again in 2012.
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