Posted on 05/10/2002 2:48:34 AM PDT by kattracks
State Democrats are about to unleash a new razor-tongued weapon against Gov. Pataki — spinmeister James Carville, known for being about as subtle as a pitbull on steroids.With Pataki's ratings high as he seeks a third term, the Democrats have lined up the party's Ragin' Cajun to rip the Republican incumbent at their May 22-23 state convention in Manhattan.
Carville, who served former President Bill Clinton as a top strategist and is now co-host of CNN's "Crossfire," is expected to make a point of linking Pataki to President Bush, who two years ago was crushed in New York by Al Gore in the race for the White House.
"[Carville] is going to remind us that post-war approval ratings mean nothing when you go straight to the voters with the issues," said state Democratic spokeswoman Serena Torrey, noting Carville's tactics helped make Bush's father a one-term President.
Negative Attack Politics
State GOP Director Patrick McCarthy slammed the Democrats for rolling out their "top national attack dog," saying, "Everyone acknowledges that this is a time to unify New Yorkers."
"He'll do what Democrats do best — negative, partisan, attack politics," McCarthy said.
Key Democrat Bill Clinton will be a no-show, Torrey said.
The former President had been invited for a prominent speaking role but will be traveling outside the country at that time, Torrey said.
The attendance of Sens. Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer is iffy because congressional votes are scheduled on both days of the convention.
Pataki has led his two Democratic rivals, Andrew Cuomo and state Controller Carl McCall, by hefty margins in a string of recent polls. The governor is scheduled to kick off his reelection drive in his hometown of Peekskill tomorrow.
If so, Bush is really good and more proof the Bush bashers underestimate the man.
as subtle as a pitbull on steroids.
the party's Ragin' Cajun to rip the Republican incumbent
linking Pataki to President Bush, who two years ago was crushed in New York by Al Gore
to remind us that post-war approval ratings mean nothing
Class, make sure you take notes on the way our journalist makes his objective points.
Make that metro NYC. Gore did very well in Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties as well.
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