Mr. Hevesi, again (NY Comptroller now caught using gov't staff for campaign)

Albany Times Union ^ | October 4, 2006 | Masthead Editorial

[neverdem]

For the second time in recent days, he's taken to task on the misuse of the public's money

No one is suggesting this election season that New York Comptroller Alan Hevesi lacks the specialized skills to perform one of the more critical jobs in state government. The questions instead are simple enough to be of the layman's variety. For example, where is this man's common sense?

Last week should have had Mr. Hevesi especially on guard. It began with him having to repay the state some $83,000 after he was caught using a comptroller's office employee to act as a driver for his ailing wife. Only by week's end, Mr. Hevesi was scrambling to resolve another embarrassing misuse of the public's money that never should have occurred in the first place.

Both Mr. Hevesi and his suddenly more aggressive and viable challenger, Christopher Callaghan, spoke to a New York State Association of Counties conference in Lake George. When it was Mr. Callaghan's turn, Mr. Hevesi had him tape-recorded.

That much has become rather routine in political campaigns, a reality driven home by U.S. Sen. George Allen of Virginia and his already infamous "Macaca" comment. Such work is usually done by campaign aides. In Mr. Hevesi's case, though, it was one of the press aides from the comptroller's office, as the New York Daily News reported.

That's right. A public official already engulfed in a scandal is using state employees for political errands. What is it about the personal use of what's ultimately the taxpayers' money that Mr. Hevesi still doesn't get? Oh, he was typically quick enough with an explanation and a remedy. Last Thursday will be recorded as a personal day for Mr. Hevesi's press aide.

"Now that you've pointed it out to me -- I didn't realize it -- I'll pay for that tape."

The education of Mr. Hevesi is becoming rather comical. What it reveals is that another incumbent politician was so sure of his own re-election that he had next to nothing in place by way of a campaign operation. Mr. Hevesi's missteps play right into Mr. Callaghan's hands, though. At this rate, the comptroller might well have quite a campaign army in force by Election Day.

As for Mr. Callaghan, he'd be wise to spare no effort or expense taping Mr. Hevesi. Whatever will he do or say next?

[conservative in nyc]

The Republicans might win one statewide seat after all if Hevesi keeps this up. Then again, I wonder what our last minute switch rules are....

[neverdem]

Hevesi is a real piece of work sans common sense.

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FReepmail me if you want on or off my New York ping list.

[Daaave]

State Comptroller Alan Hevesi

[conservative in nyc]

Our poorly written, confusing election law is available here. I can see a way that the Democrats might be able to cynically engineer a Hevesi switch up until 7 days before the election. It's unlikely, though.