Posted on 02/27/2010 12:57:46 PM PST by neverdem
Downtown developer Carl P. Paladino, who is nearing a decision on whether to run for governor this year, said Monday that if he enters the contest, it will be as a candidate for the Republican nomination.
Paladino, who earlier this month said “tea party” activists are urging him to run on an independent line, now says his best option lies in a challenge to presumptive Republican nominee Rick Lazio, the former Long Island congressman.
“If we’re going to do it, that’s the way,” he said. “I’ve ruled out all these other options.”
Paladino, who had been a Democrat for many years, said he left his old party in 2005 following the election of longtime foe Democrat Byron W. Brown as mayor of Buffalo. He said he does not anticipate much of a positive reaction from the GOP organization and acknowledged that most of its committees and chairmen have committed to Lazio.
But he said he would welcome the party’s endorsement and hopes to attend the state convention in New York in May to obtain the 25 percent support from the state committee that would put him on the September primary ballot.
“Our Republican Party today is in such a shambles that it can reconstitute itself as an agent for change,” he said. “These pigs who call themselves party leaders tell us Lazio is our guy. He’s a nice man, Mr. Lazio, but he doesn’t understand what needs to be done here.”
Paladino denounced the process that has thrust Lazio into the spotlight as one of “we’ll take care of our own.” But he said he rejects the party’s attempt to offer the same “lame and dysfunctional people” as Republican candidates.
He also said if the party does not grant him 25 percent support to qualify, he has the ability to make the primary ballot by collecting the required 15,000 signatures on statewide designating petitions. That could be accomplished through either volunteers or paid workers circulating the petitions.
Paladino said that while some tea party supporters are urging him to run on a line linked to their movement, he sees little chance of success running on a minor party line. Independence candidate B. Thomas Golisano ran three times for governor and spent about $75 million, he said, but never garnered enough votes to pose a genuine threat.
“I will not ask anyone to contribute a nickel unless we can go there to win,” Paladino said. “If I still have that fire-in-the-belly feeling, I’ll blow the bugle and ask everyone to get on their horses.
“I really want to do this,” he added, “and make it as fun as possible for the people.”
Paladino said he has a host of issues he wants to bring to the table, including what he called the ease of out-of-state residents to move to New York and collect various benefits.
Erie County Republican Chairman James P. Domagalski was not available to comment.
rmccarthy@buffnews.com
New York’s new choices are: Cuomo and Anyone But Cuomo. Since the latter has a lesser chance of winning in that landfill of a state, I welcome the strongest candidate for the nomination. Let’s not be too altruistic.
Yes. It sounds like a guy who intends to pull another “Bloomburg” on the Republicans, figuring that he can buy them more cheaply that the Democrats.
NYC mayor Bloomburg did the same thing. Then he dropped his Republican affiliation and supported 0.
I like the candidate “anyonebutCuomo”. It’s got a nice ring to it. Cuomo is no better than Spitzer, and maybe even worse, if that’s possible.
Rick Lazio ran a stupid campaign, organized by handlers sent to him by Juan McCain, and lost to Hillary, even though Hillary was a carpetbagger who ran one of the worst campaigns in history.
I don’t know this other guy. But he’s right that the task is to beat Andrew Cuomo, who is an almost certain winner. And you won’t do that by splitting the vote between Tea Party and Republican, or Republican and Conservative.
Cuomo is a corrupt crook, but he has the bully pulpit of the AG’s office, and bigtime name recognition. He will be very hard to beat.
Judging by his record at HUD, I think you are absolutely right.
Laundry List of Anti-Gun Bills Introduced in the Empire State
Gillibrand Sighs With Relief As Paterson Exits
Rotten - Led by New York, big-government blue states sink deeper into corruption.
FReepmail me if you want on or off my New York ping list.
If he wants to run on the tea party coat tails, then he ought to say why he is running, and what he offers that Rick Lazio doesn't.
A former Democrat does raise suspicions. The Dems are trying to takeover the teaparty.
Thanks for the ping!
I drafted Carl, he is a friend and you could not find a man more against corruption than him or me. I got him on board the tea party band wagon and we have had a few events on our own.
Carl is very conservative and when you see what he wants to do to Albany, everyone will get on board with him. We are running as a team, he and I have gotten 3 senate candidates and will be getting more.
We will turn Albany upside down. Where are you? Get a group together and we will come to you and your friends, as many as possible.
Here’s the link to the Paladino interview you sent me. Love it!
http://audio.wben.com/m/audio/29227874/carl-paladino.htm?pageid=26753
His website says he wants a “Tea Pary-related line.”
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