Lazio [will run] for Congress [again]

PoliticsNY.com ^ | 3-18-02 | Enos Throop (PoliticsNY.com staff)

[GraniteStateConservative]

Lazio [will run] for Congress [again]

Sources close to former U.S. Rep. RICK LAZIO (R-Brightwaters) have told PoliticsNY.com that Lazio will run again to regain the 2nd District congressional seat he vacated to run for the U.S. Senate in 2000. Lazio will face freshman U.S. Rep. STEVE ISRAEL (D-Huntington) in what is expected to be one of the most expensive House races in the country.

During the St. Patrick's Day weekend in New York, Lazio looked like a soon-to-be candidate as he huddled with Conservative Party Chairman MIKE LONG at the 218th annual all-male dinner of the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick at the Sheraton Centre in Manhattan.

Apparently, U.S. Rep. TOM REYNOLDS (R-Clarence), the executive chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, made the previously reluctant Lazio an offer he couldn't refuse.

In the meantime, the GOP's chances of retaining control of the U.S. House could depend on Lazio's success in Suffolk County's 2nd Congressional District.

[MamaLucci]

When did he promise?

Back before the election, he promised not to post here (unless someone posted TO him first) if Gore lost.
He's been breaking his promise pretty regularly ever since.
He has a BIG ol' problem with Lazio, like a dog with a bone.

[nutmeg]

While Rick Lazio may not look to be the very picture of a conservative in Montana or Texas, he is remarkably far removed from the fever-swamp type of liberal that seems to prevade much of New York State politics.

Exactly. When I last checked Lazio's ACU (American Conservative Union) rating in Congress back in Fall 2000, he was rated at about 69%. While not at the preferable 100%, 69% is really not bad for the liberal Blue Zone of the Northeast. The three "Republican" Congress critters in my state of CT are currently each rated in the mid-40s by the ACU. (Chris Shays: 44%, Nancy Johnson: 45%, Rob Simmons: 44%)

[Young Rhino]

It is nice to see the GOP fielding such strong candidates as Lazio and Liddy Dole. /sarcasm, but nausea continues.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Back before the election, he promised not to post here (unless someone posted TO him first) if Gore lost.

Maybe he is one of those poor souls who say Gore DIDN'T lose!! LOL!

He's been breaking his promise pretty regularly ever since.

Once a Democrat, always a Democrat, I guess! Say, doesn't forum etiquette require us to flag him to this discussion of his activities? I'm surprised that the thread title hasn't already caught his attention.

[Consort]

A majority that includes RINOs is still a majority, as in: being in charge, chairing the committees, setting the agenda, etc. RINOs and DINOs are a fact of life that both parties have to deal with.

[nutmeg]

He made a couple of anti-Lazio posts yesterday on a thread about the Illinois race between O'Malley and Ryan, Torie is my witness! Puzzled some of the Illinois types considerably.

I can practically guarantee that Tuco will post on this thread, invited or not. Tuco's got this very weird obsession with Rick Lazio. The fact that he was babbling on about Lazio on an unrelated thread dedicated to Illinois candidates only reinforces that point.

[Dan from Michigan]

I have a BIG problem with Lazio's gun views(NRA D-). I also know that Long Island New York is not Livingston County, Michigan either. Steve Israel certainly hasn't been a friend of gun owners either.

I personally don't see much difference between the two on my issues...but one. Committees. Israel will back Conyors for judiciary. Lazio won't. That's the difference. Lazio while is Anti-gun, wasn't as outspoken about it like John McStain is.

Does anyone here want John Conyors and Henry Waxman as chairs of committees. That's as good of reason as any to vote for Lazio.

[crasher]

How reliable is this source?

[nutmeg]

That pin photo looks like John Cusak. What was that election movie he was in where he ran for a House seat? He was caught taking kickbacks. I think it was a fictional (yeah right) Massachussetts seat.

I don't know what movie that was. I'd like to know... it sounds interesting! John Cusak is one of my favorite actors (I know... he's probably another liberal). If Cusak makes any Alec Baldwin-like statements about Dubya, the GOP and/or Fox News, he's off my list!

[Torie]

Not very. But they do manage do avoid embarrassing themselves with absurd calls. Putting Colorado and Tennessee into the plus and no loss columns comes close though. But their numbers aren't all that different than mine.

[crasher]

Yeah, they conceded NC. But that's not what I was asking. How certain are we that Lazio is running? I cannot find another site confirming this.

[Torie]

Don't know. We shall see.

[afuturegovernor]

Gotta love the fact that Bush only got about 35% of Nassau.

Just wondering...are you really proud that Bush got so few votes or were you being sarcatic?

[rmlew]

Two factors
1. Immigration. Nassau county is no longer Blue collar whites and Country Club republicans.
2. The shift of Wealthy suburbs to the Democrats as sociali issue trump economic ones.

[Torie]

That sums it up nicely, except that Bush suffered a hemmorage among lower middle class and blue collar whites as well there. I don't think NY likes a Texas accent very much, and perceived that Bush was a dumbo, and New Yorkers like to elect high profile politicians that they think have the smarts all things being equal.

[pro-life]

Haven't you learned anything from Simon in CA. a liberal republican is not necessary just because it is a liberal leaning area. we just need to field conservative candidates who aren't afraid of the truth, and who know how to run a smart race. Simon has proven that a conservative can win anywhere if he plays his cards right.

lazio is a baby-murdering republican, and it does not matter if we have baby-murdering republicans or democrats in the house. either way, they vote to murder more innocent pre-born babies. the only way we can take this country back is to elect conservatives. having a little (R) after their name does not mean anything when they still vote for legalized murder.

[pro-life]

if the republicans cant put a conservative candidate through. vote third party. at least you won't be voting for a baby-murderer like lazio.

[pro-life]

it does not matter if he is 69% conservative if part of the 31% is votes to murder babies. baby murderers dont deserve votes even if they put a little (R) after their name.

[alphadog]

Lazio=RINO

Oh, let's all vote for Israel then, right? Is that what you mean? If not, then zip it. Enough with this crap.

I got your zip this right here!... RINO,

[crasher]

I am not convinced at all that Lazio is running. I will feel much better when he announces. I wonder if we are right to assume that both parties will lose a seat from redistricting. Charlie Cook has said this could go to court and if it does, we could go -2 here.