Posted on 06/17/2005 8:56:41 PM PDT by neverdem
As Gov. George E. Pataki prepares to reveal his political plans for 2006, New York State's Republican Party is riven by conflicts in finding formidable candidates for three key races next year: for governor, attorney general and the United States Senate seat held by Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Some potential Republican candidates have accused the state party of taking a top-down approach to picking their electoral prospects. Several Republican hopefuls and their supporters are sniping at rivals and trying to undercut them, with some even playing up chats with White House officials to bolster their candidates. Several county Republican leaders, meanwhile, complain that the state party is making bad callsfavoring Republicans with deep pockets instead of those with good messages.
This unusual early state of anxiety about 2006 has built up over months of silence from Mr. Pataki, whose campaigns have been a center of gravity for the party for a dozen years. He has signaled that he will decide on whether to run for a fourth term in the next few weeks, and if he does not run - as is the conventional wisdom in the capital - Republicans fear the Democrats could win control of all major statewide offices for the first time in generations, particularly with Attorney General Eliot Spitzer running for governor. Furthermore, midterm elections often go badly for the party that holds power in Washington, and President Bush's poll ratings are currently low.
"There's a great deal of concern out here in the grass roots about 2006, so much that I told Governor Pataki, 'you need to run,' " said Robert Smith, the party chairman in Onondaga County, a Republican stronghold.
With Mr. Pataki lying low, the intraparty tensions have largely centered on the strategy of his handpicked and relatively untested state party chairman, Stephen J...
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
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Governor- If Rudy Guiliani were ever needed, it is this year. He retains the political strength to defeat Elliot Spitzer.
Senate- The only credible potential candidate is Westchester D.A. Jeanine Pirro. Though far behind in the polls currently, she has the star quality and presence to make a race of it. Hillary can be beaten, though it won't be easy.
I agree about Jeanine Pirro. She is one tough prosecutor, DA of Westchester Co, who is really attractive, smart, and thinks quickly on her feet.
She has hubby problems, Mr. Pirro served time in the slammer for tax evasion.
Does one creep of a husband cancel out another?
Pirro's also pro gay and pro abortion...tell me why is she a Republican again?
We need a true conservative Republican to get out the vote and fire up the conservative base - otherwise Hitlery has this wrapped up.
She's a Republican because she's tough on criminals believes in national security. Also, she's probably the best option available in New York.
Most Dems say they are tough on crime and Hilliary sits on the Armed Services Committe and talks tough on keeping bases open - superb liar that she is.
No, that is no enough. I guess Pirro's only strength is that she might be more "bitchy" than Hilliary...that might help. But not enough to fire up the conservatives in this state. When the time comes, I will support anyone running against Hilliary but will hold my nose and keep my wallet shut.
Agreed. The National Senate Republican Committee sjhould pledge Rudy all the money he needs if he runs. and as an alternative the President should beg him to run for Governor to beat Spitzhead.
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