Senate GOP campaign chief Cornyn turns his attention to NY race

The Hill ^ | October 23, 2009 | J. Taylor Rushing and Aaron Blake

[Clintonfatigued]

Senate Republican campaign chief John Cornyn (Texas) turned his eye toward New York this week, and on Thursday he expressed confidence the GOP could go after Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) in 2010.

New York has emerged as perhaps the next big recruiting target for Cornyn. Candidates have flooded primaries in other races, but all eyes in New York are on Gov. George Pataki, who could decide as early as the next two weeks.

[Clintonfatigued]

I hope George Pataki runs. He was a fairly conservative governor during his first two terms. He unfortunately moved to the left during his third and last term, but there’s a good chance he’s learned from that mistake.

[GeronL]

Does the article mention NY-23?

[GeronL]

i doubt it

[Clintonfatigued]

Not this one.

[MSF BU]

Well hopefully they nominate from the Right/Center and NOT the Center/Left.

[Buck W.]

He would be a good candidate. I’d like to see Peter King run, too.

[EternalVigilance]

A more accurate headline would be:

Senate Republican leaders looking to recruit more pro-abortion liberals in NY

[dangus]

Goddamned phony conservative Cornyn chasing after DIABLO Pataki. Pataki wasn’t “fairly conservative”; he was a screeching liberal, and I’ve never seen anyone move to the right after going to Washington. Pataki was to the left of Giuliani, minus the boldness, persistance and character. Maybe Cornyn can get Scuzzyflava to run for the post.

Seriously, we have to get rid of Cornyn. His staffers were trying to tell me how loyal and conservative Specter was THE VERY HOUR Specter announced he was a Democrat.

[dangus]

If Pataki wins, I’m renaming New York “New Patakistan.”

[BillyBoy]

Even during his first two terms, Pataki was well to the left of say, Lindsey Graham (for example, Pataki has always been pro-abortion, pro-gun grabbing, water boy for the EPA, huge proponent of Indian casinos, etc.) so I find it amusing that Clintonfatigued describes him as "fairly conservative". He did do a couple of decent conservative things during his first two terms (cut taxes and spending, restored death penalty, etc.) but overall he's certainly not conservative.

The funny thing is that Pataki likely wouldn't be the worst new GOP senator, or even in the top 3, but that's solely because the other "recruits" the GOP is working on -- Mark Kirk of IL, Mike Castle of Delaware, Rob Simmons of Conn., etc. are even worse. The others are virtual Democrats (DIABLOs) to begin with, whereas Pataki is more of a irksome Colin Powell type.

Buck W. mentions hoping that treasonous RINO Peter King runs as well. Actually, that's entirely possible they could BOTH be in the general election, since Schumer's seat is up for re-election in 2010 as well. Polls show King is about as likely to "win" statewide as Hamas is likely to convert to Orthodox Judiasm. However, I would certainly favor a King candidacy for the same reason AuH2ORepublican looks forward to Castle leaving his house seat for a Senate race -- it gives us a chance to finally put a decent non-RINO in his Republican-friendly house seat. (yes there's a possibility King's house seat could be drawn out of existence in 2012, but Rod Blagojevich thought the same thing when he decided to give up his house seat to run for Governor in 2002 -- and they ended up eliminating southern Illinois' house seat instead. Let's focus on what's attainable now in 2010). So if any freepers can pry King's attention away from kissing Dede Scozzafava's behind long enough to discuss the Senate race, please encourage him to run for Schumer's seat in 2010. Then the RINO will get crushed so badly he'll never run again, and he'll and no longer plague us in Congress.

Between the two of them, Pataki probably actually has the "more liberal" record on legislation but King is probably the more dangerous RINO of the two due to his extremely cozy relationships with socialists and terrorists (and this is no exaggeration, he's the no. #1 fan of the IRA in the U.S. and he's quite public about the fact he's a best friend of the Clinton crime family). I would probably hold my nose for Pataki because he's almost certain to be an improvement over Gillibrand since she jettisoned all her "moderate" values the moment she entered the Senate. King I wouldn't support for dog catcher.

[OrangeHoof]

While I'd love to see a pro-life, pro-gun Republican get that seat, I'll settle for Pataki or Giuliani just to thwart more Obamunism in 2011-12. Rudy is, at least, a quite forceful speaker who can be a galvanizing force on the party in the Senate. He's not likely to cower as much as most Republicans in the Senate and he can put an end to the lie that the GOP can't win in the Northeast.

As for Cornyn, I'm not thrilled with his judgement when it comes to supporting candidates.

[GeronL]

or left/lefter/lefter/leftist

[JSDude1]

You know what as a Conservative I disagreed quite a lot with Rudy’s positions on the issues in the 2008 Presidential Primary, but the one think I can say about the man: He knows what he believes and STICKS to it, at least I can believe him when he says something..much cannot be said for most “Moderates”!

[perfect_rovian_storm]

Peter King is an anti-gun, anti-freedom, progressive, piece of slime. He’s a RINO in the worst sense of the word.

[Jim Noble]

He unfortunately moved to the left during his third and last term, but there’s a good chance he’s learned from that mistake.

What's your basis for that statement?

Pataki is a RINO, and a crook besides. Has he endorsed Hoffman?

[perfect_rovian_storm]

As a lifelong NYer who really doesn’t like Pataki very much, I also want Pataki to run and will back him 100%. I’ll do so enthusiastically. I’ll back him with not only money, but with my time as well. And that’s a lot coming from me.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

Do you have someone better who can run for this seat with a chance in hell of winning?

And I’ll remind you that we’re not talking about a Lincoln Chaffee here. Pataki ain’t perfect, but he’s Not Arlen Spector either.

[BillyBoy]

Peter King reminds me of Bwarney Fwank every time he opens his mouth. Both of them are cocky obnoxious blowhards with a hoarse voice and a lisp who go on TV and attack anyone who goes after liberal scumbags. Not only does he sound like Bwarney, he's starting to look the part!

[neverdem]

thanks, bfl