Posted on 05/08/2008 5:28:28 PM PDT by neverdem
Sen. Chuck Schumer, who likes to say he doesn't choose sides in Democratic primaries, is poised to break that rule yet again in a contentious state Senate race.
Veteran Brooklyn State Sen. Marty Connor said he was shocked when Schumer informed him during a rural Democrats' event in Saratoga Springs on Saturday that Schumer will back his former aide and political neophyte, Daniel Squadron, against Connor this fall.
According to Connor, Schumer, speaking in "a cold voice," informed the former state Senate minority leader: "You weren't there when I needed you; I owe you nothing."
At issue was Connor's 1998 endorsement of then-Rep. Schumer's U.S. Senate primary opponent, Geraldine Ferraro. Schumer went on to win the primary that year and oust Republican Sen. Alfonse D'Amato in the general election.
"Chuck's so powerful now he thinks he can go back and get even with everyone who slighted him over the last 10 years," said a miffed Connor, whose encounter with Schumer was seen by several Democrats and independently confirmed by one of them.
Schumer spokesman Josh Vlasto said the senator has not endorsed anyone yet, but added: "Daniel Squadron is one of the smartest, most honorable, and hardest-working people ever to serve in his office; anything the senator does will be based on the relative quality of the candidates."
Squadron, who co-authored Schumer's book, "Positively American: How the Democrats Can Win in 2008," has never held elective office. He recently left the consulting firm Knickerbocker SKD (founded by ex-Schumerite Josh Isay) to campaign full time for Connor's seat and has been endorsed by the Working Families Party.
Schumer's fund-raising prowess and clout could enhance Squadron's chances. A third potential Democratic candidate, developer Ken Diamondstone, who failed to unseat Connor in 2006, has yet to formally announce if he's running.
Schumer informed Connor his decision was also due to "loyalty" to former aides.
But the senator has opted against endorsing ex-staffers at least twice, staying neutral when Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn, Queens) ran for mayor in 2005, and again in 2006 when Brooklyn Councilman David Yassky ran for Congress.
Schumer, who also heads the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and is the third-ranking Senate Democrat, is on the record as saying he "always stays out of primaries."
But he is backing New York's junior senator, Hillary Clinton, in her presidential primary battle with Barack Obama.
He angered Virginia Democrats by backing now-Sen. James Webb against Harris Miller in 2006, and also endorsed then-state Controller Carl McCall in a 2002 gubernatorial primary against now-state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.
“”Chuck’s so powerful now he thinks he can go back and get even with everyone who slighted him over the last 10 years,” said a miffed Connor, whose encounter with Schumer was seen by several Democrats and independently confirmed by one of them.”
That is Chuckie! Let us hope it bites him on the ass severely
one day.
Daniel Squadron is the son of the late Howard Squadron, a prominent lawyer who died in 2001. News Corp. and Murdoch were clients of his.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E06E1DC1131F93BA15751C1A9679C8B63
Anne Squadron, Daniel Squadron’s mother, lives in a grand building, which suggests that she is still rich:
http://fundrace.huffingtonpost.com/neighbors.php?type=name&lname=squadron&fname=anne&search=Search
If Daniel Squadron were a nobody, Schumer might be less sympathetic to his cause.
Schumer is backing Hillary for President? What a racist.
Schmuckie is the worst senator in United States history.
Schumer’s head is so big, I am surprised he can get through the bathroom door in the mornings.
Not to change the subject, but has Schumer had hair transplants in the front of his head. Saw him on TV the other night and the camera angle was from above him. His hairline sure did look weird, but not as weird as Schumer himself.
Sure makes you wonder how a person can be so full of himself.
Schumer - stabbing people in the back just the way he is backstabbing our troops.
The man is a disgrace to humanity.
He’s got a lot of competition for that title, especially in the current Senate.
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