Candidate hopefuls make case to GOP

Albany Times Union ^ | January 22, 2006 | ELIZABETH BENJAMIN

[jmaroneps37]

SYRACUSE -- Six weeks after GOP leaders failed to select consensus candidates for the top of their ticket this fall, a gaggle of statewide office hopefuls gathered Saturday to plead their respective cases to rank-and-file Republicans in central New York.

Former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer appears to have the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate sewn up since Pirro dropped out of the race and her closest rival, Manhattan attorney Ed Cox, halted his campaign when Pataki backed Pirro last October. Cox said he might re-enter the race if Pataki backs him, although a Pataki spokesman made that sound unlikely.

Asked what he thought of Cox's comment, Spencer replied: "Not much." Spencer said he's starting to win GOP leaders' endorsements and feels the party will soon coalesce behind him.

[jmaroneps37]

Even the old media is starting to get it. John Spencer is the warrior we have been waiting for. He is coming for Hillary Clinton and he is not afraid of her.

[yoe]

If Hillary runs and wins, she will not finish out her term and New Yorkers know that. It is anything but a given she can win either race. Sincere candidates with leadership quality do not use the MLK holiday as a platform for party politics - is it not ironic that Hillary placed herself on the plantation, the Democratic Plantation that day? Informed New Yorkers on either side would do well to vote for John Spencer who will not only serve out his term for NY but comes without the baggage of a Clinton.

By the way some Republican speeches I’ve read given on the MLK holiday were respectful and insightful of just what King wanted and would approve of such speeches.