The latest news from Governor Paterson has got me scratching my head. According to Irene at the Capitol Confidential, he has new thinking about "who he will pick to replace Sen. Hillary Clinton. In a press conference, Gov. David Paterson said, 'I’m having new thinking about who I’m intending to appoint, and am having a few follow-up conversations with some of those people who’ve put themselves forward.' When asked whether he regrets having taken so long to make the decision, Paterson replied, 'No. I feel that in situations like this, there are always intervening events that can change them.'
What are the new events? If it is poll results than he is looking away from Kennedy and he is being pushed from NOW and other women's groups to go with a women. Carolyn Maloney was in Albany today pushing her own candidacy, according to the Daily News. Is he aiming toward Maloney now?
The Governor either has a really good poker face or he has no cards he likes so he keeps drawing new cards until he has one he can play. Which is it? I'm thinking he doesn't like his hand. The question is: is he going for a royal flush, a straight or high pair. Whatever it is, he's playing a high stakes game, and he doesn't like the cards he's holding.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Field Narrows as Race Comes Down to the Wire
With eleven days before the inauguration of President-Elect Obama and the transition of Senator Clinton to her appointed post of Secretary of State, a couple of new developments appear to be narrowing the field of replacements, and Nassau County Exec Tom Suozzi may be one among those still in the field, and since he continues to be fighting for property taxpayers he should be.
First. Governor Paterson yesterday suggested publicly that Caroline Kennedy is not qualified. He said that her lack of legislative experience hurts her in comparison to her office-holding rivals.
The TU put Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand’s chances on the front page of their paper this morning, but also admits that her relationship with Speaker Pelosi could hurt her chances. She is ambitious...and has a new website: www.selectgillibrand.com.
Others still appearing to be in contention—Reps. Steve Israel (long island) and Caroline Maloney (long island), Suozzi (long island).
While all the jockeying is going, Mr. Suozzi is again making inroads with his efforts on behalf of New York’s property taxpayers. He was in the Daily News last week pushing his idea for a federal takeover of Medicaid, a move that would take local government and local property taxpayers out of paying for the gigantic government-run health care program, see Want a fast stimulus? Have feds pick up Medicaid tab.
Another move that demonstrates Suozzi’s leadership on behalf of taxpayers? The Federal Stimulus package being drafted in congress right now targets more federal Medicaid funding directly to counties, including Nassau, Suffolk and every other county in NYS.
The field is narrowing and as we move closer to January 20th, will narrow even further. It’s time for Governor Paterson to put in place the best qualified leader and most able campaigner to be the next Senator from New York.
First. Governor Paterson yesterday suggested publicly that Caroline Kennedy is not qualified. He said that her lack of legislative experience hurts her in comparison to her office-holding rivals.
The TU put Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand’s chances on the front page of their paper this morning, but also admits that her relationship with Speaker Pelosi could hurt her chances. She is ambitious...and has a new website: www.selectgillibrand.com.
Others still appearing to be in contention—Reps. Steve Israel (long island) and Caroline Maloney (long island), Suozzi (long island).
While all the jockeying is going, Mr. Suozzi is again making inroads with his efforts on behalf of New York’s property taxpayers. He was in the Daily News last week pushing his idea for a federal takeover of Medicaid, a move that would take local government and local property taxpayers out of paying for the gigantic government-run health care program, see Want a fast stimulus? Have feds pick up Medicaid tab.
Another move that demonstrates Suozzi’s leadership on behalf of taxpayers? The Federal Stimulus package being drafted in congress right now targets more federal Medicaid funding directly to counties, including Nassau, Suffolk and every other county in NYS.
The field is narrowing and as we move closer to January 20th, will narrow even further. It’s time for Governor Paterson to put in place the best qualified leader and most able campaigner to be the next Senator from New York.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Kennedy shortcircuited by her un-campaign?
Caroline Kennedy’s Un-Campaign May Be Working Against Her
Will the blowback from Caroline’s uncampaign help Paterson not pick her? The answer should be yes, and let’s all (and by all I mean Governor Paterson) and pick a viable, suitable, experienced and up-for-the-job candidate to be the next U.S. Senator from New York. Oh yeah, and she’s not planning to attend the Governor’s State of the State address on Wednesday. Will she fill out the 28 page financial disclosure form that Governor Paterson sent to potential Hilary replacements?
An editorial in yesterday’s Times Union put it nicely:
“Just because she's quite sure she's the best candidate to succeed Mrs. Clinton — "I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I would be the best," she said in one of her clearer statements to the Times — doesn't make it a majority sentiment.
Those waiting for Governor Paterson to cast the one and only vote in this high-profile election would be forgiven for finding Ms. Kennedy's case for herself to be short on specifics.
Her problem, in essence, is the "why" question. She hasn't come close to answering it.”
Today Maurice Hinchey’s name was floated. Ok, now we are talking about more qualified candidates. At least he's run for elections...and won...several times.
Back to the Sate of the State…I wonder if there will be a hint coming from the Governor in his speech. If he’s leaning one way or another you’d think he’d start elevating (leaking trial balloons). His choice is going to seriously hurt or help the beginning of his 2010 run for Governor. Who does he need most over the next two years and how can one of these individuals help him. He needs voters, money and diversity, in that order. More on this later.
Will the blowback from Caroline’s uncampaign help Paterson not pick her? The answer should be yes, and let’s all (and by all I mean Governor Paterson) and pick a viable, suitable, experienced and up-for-the-job candidate to be the next U.S. Senator from New York. Oh yeah, and she’s not planning to attend the Governor’s State of the State address on Wednesday. Will she fill out the 28 page financial disclosure form that Governor Paterson sent to potential Hilary replacements?
An editorial in yesterday’s Times Union put it nicely:
“Just because she's quite sure she's the best candidate to succeed Mrs. Clinton — "I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I would be the best," she said in one of her clearer statements to the Times — doesn't make it a majority sentiment.
Those waiting for Governor Paterson to cast the one and only vote in this high-profile election would be forgiven for finding Ms. Kennedy's case for herself to be short on specifics.
Her problem, in essence, is the "why" question. She hasn't come close to answering it.”
Today Maurice Hinchey’s name was floated. Ok, now we are talking about more qualified candidates. At least he's run for elections...and won...several times.
Back to the Sate of the State…I wonder if there will be a hint coming from the Governor in his speech. If he’s leaning one way or another you’d think he’d start elevating (leaking trial balloons). His choice is going to seriously hurt or help the beginning of his 2010 run for Governor. Who does he need most over the next two years and how can one of these individuals help him. He needs voters, money and diversity, in that order. More on this later.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year, countdown hits 20 days and counting
Happy New Year.
There are 20 + days to go now until Senator Hillary Clinton becomes the Secretary of State and Governor David Paterson appoints her replacement to the U.S. Senate from New York.
It has been over a month since my last post and what a bizarre time it has turned into on many fronts. The most bizarre of which has been the entry of Caroline Kennedy into the mix. She has inserted herself into a mix that she doesn’t belong in. There is no shortage of highly qualified candidates out there to fill this post. Any of those mentioned before on this blog and in many news reports—from congressional representative Brian Higgins, Nydia Valesquez, Nito Lowey, Kirsten Gillibrand, Steve Israel; to AG Cuomo and of course Tom Suozzi. All of these potential replacements are elected officials who have campaigned, have been vetted by the media and New York voters and have governed.
Granted, the Kennedy name is attractive and the access to fundraising cash is attractive. But we could do a lot better for Upstate New York and for all of New York, to pick a more qualified person who understands the plight of New Yorkers who have been waiting for 20 years for a turn around that would help to put the state back in the right direction. Picking Caroline Kennedy would do nothing to put NYS back in the right direction.
Picking a two year place holder like Mario Cuomo or Bill Clinton or Carl McCall or someone else for a two year stint until voters can pick in a primary would be a lot better for New York and New Yorkers than to anoint a Senator with little or no experience with the issues that matter most to most New Yorkers.
Please, Mr. Governor, don’t pick Caroline Kennedy.
There are 20 + days to go now until Senator Hillary Clinton becomes the Secretary of State and Governor David Paterson appoints her replacement to the U.S. Senate from New York.
It has been over a month since my last post and what a bizarre time it has turned into on many fronts. The most bizarre of which has been the entry of Caroline Kennedy into the mix. She has inserted herself into a mix that she doesn’t belong in. There is no shortage of highly qualified candidates out there to fill this post. Any of those mentioned before on this blog and in many news reports—from congressional representative Brian Higgins, Nydia Valesquez, Nito Lowey, Kirsten Gillibrand, Steve Israel; to AG Cuomo and of course Tom Suozzi. All of these potential replacements are elected officials who have campaigned, have been vetted by the media and New York voters and have governed.
Granted, the Kennedy name is attractive and the access to fundraising cash is attractive. But we could do a lot better for Upstate New York and for all of New York, to pick a more qualified person who understands the plight of New Yorkers who have been waiting for 20 years for a turn around that would help to put the state back in the right direction. Picking Caroline Kennedy would do nothing to put NYS back in the right direction.
Picking a two year place holder like Mario Cuomo or Bill Clinton or Carl McCall or someone else for a two year stint until voters can pick in a primary would be a lot better for New York and New Yorkers than to anoint a Senator with little or no experience with the issues that matter most to most New Yorkers.
Please, Mr. Governor, don’t pick Caroline Kennedy.
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