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.