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Spencer to Challenge Hillary for Senate
TJN

Posted on 06/01/2005 7:38:54 AM PDT by sdk7x7

Jeanine Pirro may not be ready to say which office she's seeking next, but former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer is — he's running for U.S. Senate.

Spencer, who was forced from office by term limits in 2003, said yesterday that he would seek the Republican and Conservative nominations to run against Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. He described himself as the ideal conservative alternative to the incumbent Democrat.

"I obviously see what's going on in politics, and I think I am uniquely qualified to debate with (Clinton) on the issues," Spencer, 58, said.

Spencer said his experience as mayor gives him an edge when it comes to serving the needs of the public and on issues like job creation. He described Clinton as "locked into some of the shenanigans" in Washington, such as the filibustering of judicial nominees.

"She's beatable," Spencer said of Clinton. "She's liberal, and she is on the wrong side of many issues and, quite frankly, these issues have to be enunciated to the people of New York state."

Howard Wolfson, a Clinton spokesman and Yonkers native, shrugged off Spencer's entry into the race.

"A number of Republicans, including Mr. Spencer, have put their names forward," Wolfson said. "While Republicans sort through their process, Hillary Clinton will continue to work hard for the people of New York in the Senate."

With immense fund-raising ability and strong poll numbers, Clinton is viewed by most pundits as a difficult candidate to beat in 2006. Yet, a handful of Republicans has already expressed an interest in the race.

Several Republican leaders have encouraged Pirro, Westchester's flamboyant district attorney, to challenge Clinton. Pirro announced last week that she would not seek re-election and would seek statewide office next year. She did not specify which one: U.S. senator, governor or attorney general.

Pirro, through a spokeswoman, declined to comment on Spencer's Senate candidacy.

Other Republicans who have expressed an interest in running include Edward Cox, President Richard Nixon's son-in-law, and Adam Brecht, a Manhattan-based public relations executive.

"Like all potential statewide candidates, we've encouraged (Spencer) to go out and meet with county GOP leaders and try and garner their support," said Ryan Moses, executive director of the state GOP.

"We have not made any commitment to any candidate yet," said New York Conservative Chairman Michael Long. "I think the more people that get into the race, the more we can debate the issues. I think it is a healthy sign."

Spencer, who was approached by Republican leaders as a possible opponent for Sen. Charles Schumer in 2004, said it was too early to discuss potential primary opponents. He added, however, that Pirro would make an excellent candidate for state attorney general and chided Republican leaders for not seeking him out earlier about a potential run in 2006.

"Right now, it looks like a very dictatorial style," Spencer said. "I don't know how you choose a candidate for such a position without even talking to the mayor of the fourth-largest city in the state."

Among the most mercurial public figures in Westchester, Spencer won election as mayor in 1995 and was widely praised for turning around the city's fortunes and spurring economic development, especially along the city's waterfront.

Yet, Spencer also generated heavy criticism, especially concerning the almost-yearly financial crises at Yonkers schools and his frequent, often acerbic, clashes with Westchester's Republican leadership.

Critics also charged that Spencer bloated Yonkers' payroll with friends and relatives. Just before leaving office in December 2002, he approved $1.1 million in retroactive raises to 120 managers and department heads, including his wife and former chief of staff, Kathy Spring-Spencer.

Spencer's relationship with Spring-Spencer was a frequent source of controversy. After living together for five years and having two children together, the couple married in June 2003. The wedding took place about a month after Spencer's divorce to his first wife, Eileen, was finalized.

Always reluctant to discuss his personal life, Spencer said he did not believe his family would be an issue in a Senate campaign.

Since leaving office, Spencer, a recovering alcoholic, said he's worked to establish his own consulting firm to advise employers on substance-abuse issues and the creation of employee-assistance programs. He also was named by current Mayor Phil Amicone late last year to represent Yonkers during an audit of the city's finances by the state comptroller.


TOPICS: Government; Politics/Elections; US: New Jersey; US: New York
KEYWORDS: 2006; electionussenate; gopprimary; hillary; johnspencer; mayor; senate; yonkers

1 posted on 06/01/2005 7:38:55 AM PDT by sdk7x7
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To: sdk7x7

Hate to say it, but I think Pirro is the only one who stands a chance. This is Blue Country.


2 posted on 06/01/2005 7:43:31 AM PDT by sdk7x7 ("This time I think the Americans are serious. Bush is not like Clinton. I think this is the end.")
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To: sdk7x7

When I hear that the Hilldabeast is even popular among independents and some republicans upstate---that's upsetting. I don't know anything about Spencer, but he should give it a try. I have nothing against Pirro, but don'tcha think her hubby's past legal stuff would be a barrier? Yeah, she's a woman, moderate Republican with name recognition...but still.


3 posted on 06/01/2005 7:53:24 AM PDT by brooklyn dave (USA OUI *** FRANCE NON)
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To: brooklyn dave

Pirro's husband's misdeeds will certainly come up... after all, she did sign off on his tax returns which ended up being fraudulent.

Then again, Hillary's husband wasn't exactly a knight in shining armor, especially since he was held in contempt of court while serving as President.

I could definitely see Pirro saying something along the lines of "Yes, my husband made a mistake and he was punished for it... but your husband broke the law while serving as President and was impeached. Which is worse?"

Pirro's also very tough on crime, which is good, but questions will come up about her experience in foreign policy, etc.

I don't know for sure Pirro's stance on gun control, but I'd be willing to guess that she's not a favorite among the NRA.


4 posted on 06/01/2005 8:16:02 AM PDT by sdk7x7 ("This time I think the Americans are serious. Bush is not like Clinton. I think this is the end.")
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To: sdk7x7
said yesterday that he would seek the Republican and Conservative nominations

Sorry, John. You're going to have to decide between one or the other. You can't run for both.

5 posted on 06/01/2005 8:33:34 AM PDT by tnlibertarian ("In my opinion, they have no rights, except a safe return to their homeland. - "Robert Vazquez")
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To: sdk7x7

The whole foreign policy lack of experience shouldn't be a big thing. You learn as you go...like they all did...and most of them are still doing a lousy job. As far as not being a favorite of the NRA....gun rights aren't such an issue for NY'ers as in other states except for store owners to defend themselves from thugs. She could always throw the Bill thing in Hilldabeast's snout.


6 posted on 06/01/2005 8:49:57 AM PDT by brooklyn dave (USA OUI *** FRANCE NON)
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To: sdk7x7
"She's liberal, and . . .

It's New York, buddy. I'm all for you, but if you are a sleazy, corrupt Marxist seeking a Senate seat in NY, you have a slam dunk. Hillary has a slam dunk.

7 posted on 06/01/2005 8:54:42 AM PDT by Dont_Tread_On_Me_888 (The Republican'ts have no backbone--they ALWAYS cave-in to the RATs)
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To: sdk7x7

Why should Spencer's being a recovering alcoholic be a big deal. OK, ex-governor Ann Richards of Texas was a recovering alcoholic--there was some issue made of it. Bush doesn't drink anymore--not that he is in "recovery"----buzz word for being in AA...yet we hear all kinds of crap about it. The biggest drunk on capitol Hill TEDDY 'hiccup" Kennedy
never gets lambasted except by Sean Hannity for being a lush. But if Teddy should get sober, even he should be given a fair shake and his boozing shouldn't be brought up----except he'll always have Chappaquiddick hanging over him. But he's lasted this long in the Senate without that terrible incident doing him much harm.


8 posted on 06/01/2005 8:58:58 AM PDT by brooklyn dave (USA OUI *** FRANCE NON)
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To: brooklyn dave
When I hear that the Hilldabeast is even popular among independents and some republicans upstate---that's upsetting. I don't know anything about Spencer,

Think Giuliani but in the suburbs. He was a fantastic mayor for Yonkers. Definitely not a party hack and the cruddy county GOP really hated him. That said, he would lose bad.
9 posted on 06/04/2005 4:10:45 PM PDT by Conservative til I die
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To: tnlibertarian
>>>> said yesterday that he would seek the Republican and Conservative nominations <<<
>> Sorry, John. You're going to have to decide between one or the other. You can't run for both. <<

You certainly can in New York state. George Pataki wouldn't have won the Governor's race in 1994 if he hadn't been on the ballot under both the Republican Party AND the Conservative Party slots.

10 posted on 06/26/2005 7:29:17 PM PDT by BillyBoy (Find out about the Chicago Democrat Machine's "best friend" in the GOP... www.NoLaHood.com)
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To: tnlibertarian

He most certainly can.


11 posted on 06/26/2005 7:39:59 PM PDT by Republican Wildcat
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