Staten Island GOP Exec Committee Nominates Fossella For Old Job

I just confirmed with a source who was at tonight's executive committee meeting of the Staten Island GOP that both Michael Allegretti and Michael Grimm were turned down for the nomination for ex-Rep. Vito Fossella's old seat (now held by Democratic Rep. Michael McMahon) in favor of... Vito Fossella.

The ex-rep was not present at the meeting, but his name was put up by Chairman John Friscia, the source told me.

Both Allegretti and Grimm went through the interview process before Fossella was nominated in absentia, the source said: "There was no explanation. Everybody walked out with their mouths, like, hung open. [Fossella] didn't ask for our endorsement or our support. John Friscia did."

That source and another source confirmed that the committee tabled the vote on a nominee for the 60th Assembly District -- feeding into already existing rumors that there might be a push to get Allegretti to go for that seat instead. (The 60th is currently represented by Democrat Janele Hyer-Spencer.)

Fossella, as you know, saw his political career go down the drain after a 2008 drunk-driving arrest led to the revelation that he had a secret second family in Virginia.

He has been rumored to either be mulling a comeback or trying to move the chess pieces around in the 13th District in order to make a run easier during the next election cycle.

However, in recent days, Fossella has refused to comment on whether he actually wants his old job back.

Tom Wrobleski, the Staten Island Advance's man for all things politics, is reporting it this way:

In a stunning turn of events, Staten Island's GOP Executive Committee has nominated Vito Fossella to take on Democratic Rep. Michael McMahon in the November election.

The GOP interviewed declared candidates Michael Grimm and Michael Allegretti at the Roadhouse Restaurant, Sunnyside earlier this evening. Fossella, who has repeatedly said he has no plans to return to politics, was not in attendance. He could not be immediately reached for comment as to whether he will accept the nomination.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/05/breaking-si-gop-exec-committee.html#ixzz0oRH4NgRI

This is the old guard telling the Tea Party Movement that little kids should be seen but not heard.

This will not stand. How can a man purport to stand for Conservative values and have two families?

If Vito declines - no harm, no foul. If he seeks to use this recommendation as a springboard to the nomination - watch out.

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