DRUDGE: SOURCES: NY GOV PATAKI WORKS BEHIND SCENES TO BE CONSIDERED HOMELAND SECURITY SEC

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[t_skoz]

Aww, S@#T !!!!

[firebrand]

The biggest gun-grabber in the universe. He actually pushed a gun-control bill that was confiscatory and much more draconian that the one devised by the legislature.

Plus he's a lazy swine--always at home, never in Albany. I think I remember that he's pro-abortion and made sleazy deals with the gay-agenda movement (got SONDA passed) and the health workers (gave them an obscene amount of money in their contract) in order to get elected.

On a good day, he might have the fire-in-the-belly of a wet dishrag. The only time I ever remember him energized was when he was feeding off the Lazio frenzy at the 2000 convention.

Fi! and Pfooey!

[Fury]

I agree with you regarding the governor's seat (although the Legislature and their relationship with the public schools is more to blame for the fiscal problems then Pataki), and he should get out now.

Add to that many players in the K-12 education space. For example, the Campign for Fiscal Equity (CFE) court case will end up putting more money in NYC schools. My question is - from where? The New York State School Board Association (NYSSBA), along with the teacher's unions, etc., are salivating at this prospect of additional $$$ for NYC, with NYSSBA Executive Director Tim Kremer stating:

"The masters call statewide reform of the education funding system “a critically important task.” School boards throughout the state celebrate the court’s determination to protect the children of New York City. However, it is unthinkable that the governor and the Legislature would leave children from other high-need school districts out in the cold. It is up to them to apply any reforms adopted regarding New York City to the entire state."

In a not so subtle way, Mr. Kremer is saying "If NYC gets more $$$, upstate schools need more money"

The problem is that the numbers being floated around for additional aid to NYC schools - around 5 BILLION DOLLARS - have to come from somewhere. I see the state income tax being hiked and property taxes going up even more.

Groups like NYSSBA are forgetting about the people that support the public schools with their property taxes when they talk about the need for more funding.

[The Mayor]

I agree!

[ken5050]

Wrong..they've just been doing a beter job of concealing it here in NY..we haven't had an on-time budget in, what, 25 years..

[clyde260]

"I think NYers posting about how bad Pataki is, have short memories about how bad things were under the Cuomo/Dinkins regimes."

Heck no, I remember. But that doesn't make Pataki any better.

[firebrand]

Don't forget that the GOP cross-endorsed Leland De Grasse. We're to blame as a party for the school-funding decision, and we're stuck with Leland for another 13 years.

[oceanview]

that is true, the Spitzer/Ferrer years will wake some of us NYers up. My family has been here since the late 1930s, I hope to be able to stay.

[oceanview]

what can you do when your own party is voting to override your budget vetoes? Pataki is standing alone in Albany on almost any issue of sanity, and this recent court ruling on school funding is going to blow the doors off this place.

[t_skoz]

Yeah, we need failed Drug Czar and anti-Constitution FREAK Asa Hutchinson as top Security guy, about as much as we need a hole in the head.

this disgraced NYC cop, George "Boy King" Pataki, Asa Hutchinson... this is the best we can do?

We're toast.

[Terpfen]

It figures. All the RINOs see SecHomeSec as a position which will cover up their liberalism in hopes of running for president some day.

Keep Pataki in NY. We need someone pro-border control at the post.

[t_skoz]

"My family has been here since the late 1930s, I hope to be able to stay."

My family has also been in NY for a long time. Now I'm looking at escaping to New Hampshire, as soon as possible!

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Sounds a lot like the situation that developed in California over the past 20 years. The main reason for the liberals' taking control in California, aside from unrestricted immigration, is the gerrymandering of political districts which has left the Democrats in ever-increasing majority and the Republicans in a near-death state.

With a stranglehold on power, there is no fear of reprisal for taking the most ridiculous position on any issue, particularly spending initiatives. Of course, the socialist media does its part to keep the sheeple in line. Last November, the populace voted to spend $3 billion on a medical experiment -- this while the state is running annual deficits of over $10 billion after having gone into debt for tens of billions to pay for past consumption spending. There is absolutely no fiscal sanity in Californiaq.

[freeperfromnj]

Ollie North is the best suggestion I've heard anywhere. I never even thought of him. He would be perfect.

[ken5050]

He's been running hard left for 8 years..his budgets have been crazy.. the legislature's has been crazier..the state books are a disgrace.. the unfudned mandates and off books "Authorities" borrowings are HUGE.. Pataki's given sweetheart labor deals tot he unios for their support. If the general won't lead, the troops ain't gonna follow..NYS will, IMHO, have to file for bankruptcy, to abrogate the union and pension obligations..

[oceanview]

Ollie North could never be confirmed, the media would have a field day with him, and our side isn't tough. can you just imagine Scott McCllean coming out to a microphone to make a passionate defense of North? Forget about it.

[NYFriend]

"He's been running hard left for 8 years..his budgets have been crazy.. the legislature's has been crazier..the state books are a disgrace.. the unfunded mandates and off books "Authorities" borrowings are HUGE.. Pataki's given sweetheart labor deals tot he unios for their support. If the general won't lead, the troops ain't gonna follow..NYS will, IMHO, have to file for bankruptcy, to abrogate the union and pension obligations.."

Remember, the Governor starts the budget process. Everyone has to work off of his proposal each year. The Constitution prevents the Legislature from considering a budget bill before both house pass or vote down the Executive Budget. So, nearly every year, the Governor has proposed increased spending, and often times he proposed paying for a portion of that increase by proposing cutting the Legislature's priority programs, like Universal Pre-K. He knows, absolutely, that the Assembly won't pass a budget without UPK, so he can count on that (and many other cuts) coming back. It's disingenuous to say that the Legislature has been driving these spending hikes. There are a lot more problems with budgeting, like padding the appropriations for State Operations, when he knows that his agencies are never going to see or spend all of that money. The final problem has been his use of the Budget to enact policy changes, which ties up the budget with some of his proposals that have little to do with spending.

As far as Pataki being Homeland Security Chief, if he feels safe to be conservative, he'll probably act conservatively. I don't see him not doing whatever the President told him to do.

[eno_]

this disgraced NYC cop, George "Boy King" Pataki, Asa Hutchinson... this is the best we can do?

Hey oceanview, it isn't rank and file Republicans' fault all these guys are buffoons. Nobody held a gun to Kerik's head and said "Behave like a priviledged aparatchik! Everyone else does!"

How about we find some quality people instead of people who do damage to the Republican party with their actions?

[rs79bm]

Does he think only RINO governors are qualified?

Careful, I've meet Pataki personally and find him to be a much better nominee than Kerik. One thing about it, Pataki is honest, down to earth, good natured, and loyal.

[rs79bm]

PATAKI HAS BEEN A DISASTER FOR NY.

Funny thing New Yorkers didn't think that when they re-elected him.