Posted on 12/28/2005 2:22:50 PM PST by Patriot814
ALBANY - Republicans close to Gov. Pataki are trying to recruit state Health Commissioner Antonia Novello to run against Sen. Hillary Clinton, sources told the Daily News. Novello, a high-profile Latina who was U.S. surgeon general during the first Bush administration, has a strong understanding of federal policies, particularly health care, and would be in good position to battle Clinton on those issues, the insiders said.
A native of Fajardo, Puerto Rico, Novello, 61, was on vacation yesterday and could not be reached for comment. Sources said she was waiting for the dust to settle from Jeanine Pirro's withdrawal from the race last week.
"Any race with Sen. Clinton in it will get huge national attention, and that could tempt Novello, who has a lot of confidence in herself," said one Republican operative.
Novello's spokesman Rob Kenny did not confirm or deny the efforts to get her to run. "At this time we cannot comment on any political speculation," Kenny said.
Pataki and top GOP officials have been cool to the candidacy of Republican John Spencer, the former Yonkers mayor who until last week had been in Pirro's shadow.
Told about the new GOP interest in Novello, Spencer said, "They can do whatever they want, and I'm still running."
One benefit from a Novello candidacy, GOP insiders said, is that it could help the Republican Party with Hispanic voters, who have been solidly behind Clinton.
Anyone serious about launching a run against Clinton will have to do it very soon, said Marist College pollster Lee Miringoff.
"The clock is ticking, and fund-raising will have to start almost immediately," Miringoff said. "The Republicans don't have any points to give right now running against Sen. Clinton."
Antonia Novello
Personal: Born Aug. 23, 1944, in Fajardo, Puerto Rico.
Education: Doctorate from University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine in 1970; master's degree in public health from Johns Hopkins University.
Medical specialty: Pediatrics
Marital status: Divorced after a lengthy marriage to Dr. Joseph Novello, a child psychiatrist who is the brother of Don Novello, best known for playing Father Guido Sarducci on “Saturday Night Live.” The couple had no children.
Career: Appointed U.S. surgeon general in 1990, becoming the first woman to hold the post. Became New York's health commissioner in June 1999.
Don Novello?
(if I had a pic)
aka Father Guido Sarducci.
I believe she is "Father" Sarducci's sister.
Actually, she is "Father" Sarducci's sister-in-law. "Father" Sarducci was arrested by the Swiss Guards at the Vatican in 1981 for impersonating a priest because they were doing a photo shoot of him in a priest's cassock.
BTW, Don Novello tried to run for California governor in the 2003 Gray Dufus recall election. If I recall correctly he was disqualified by the election commission, for some trivial technical reason.
Too bad his bro. isn't married to this NY lady anymore, imagine the campaign trail jokes Father Guido could make about the Hildebeest....
"Actually, she is "Father" Sarducci's sister-in-law. "Father" Sarducci was arrested by the Swiss Guards at the Vatican in 1981 for impersonating a priest because they were doing a photo shoot of him in a priest's cassock."
LOL!!! Let Hellarat and her Clintonita run with that one!
"Actually, she is "Father" Sarducci's sister-in-law. "Father" Sarducci was arrested by the Swiss Guards at the Vatican in 1981 for impersonating a priest because they were doing a photo shoot of him in a priest's cassock."
LOL!!! Let Hellarat and her Clintonista run with that one!
(Correction - I was LOL too much)
Isn't someone already running against her?
"Isn't someone already running against her?"
Jeanine Pirro was going to but advised against running for the NY senate vs Hellrotham.
We have to find someone who will at least give her a fight, make her spend some of that money.
This just shows you how silly the NYS Republican establishment really is. This childish bunch of jerks is so afraid of running a true conservative that they have gone from bad ( Pirro) to worse.
Hey guys stop this non sense and get behind John Spencer!
Antonia Novello? PulEEEEEZE!
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