The Paterson controversy may create a bigger opening for Andrew Cuomo's inevitable decision to run for Governor, but that controversy, combined with all eyes focused on the Massachusetts Senate race, the tragedy in Haiti and the ongoing NFL playoffs, certainly made for bad timing on Bruce Blakeman's announcement to run for US Senate. With everything going on today not many people were paying much attention to a long shot Republican named Blakeman, who was a former Nassau County Legislator, former candidate for State Comptroller and candidate for New York City Mayor last year.
For those of you unfamiliar with Blakeman, he was beaten badly by Carl McCall in 1998 for Comptroller and just last year dropped out of the mayoral race against Michael Bloomberg, who he later endorsed. At Blakeman's announcement today was Former US Senator Al D'Amato who was a prominent supporter of current US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. His remarks I am told were focused on security, cutting spending, creating jobs and promoting middle class values.
The good news for Blakeman, however, is that it appears he could have a clear run at the Republican nomination. Rudy is out, Liz Feld has taken her name out of consideration, Pataki has been MIA, Congressman King has stated publicly he is not interested in the promotion and Susan Molinari recently announced she would not make a run. If the field is totally clear it could help rally Republicans and be a shot in the arm for Blakeman's bare bones, upstart campaign.
On the Democratic side Gillibrand, in a sign of possible desperation, mixed things up late last week by coming out against the President's new proposal to tax the financial services industry. In her effort to flank Harold Ford's credibility among Wall Street executives, she may have put herself at odds with the sitting President who is doubling down on a populist approach to recover TARP money spent on freeing up credit, buying off toxic assets and bolstering support of the automotive and real estate industries. Just recently the President's spokesman announced the White House's opposition to Harold Ford's primary challenge, but with Gillibrand's public opposition to a key Obama policy decision, national support may dwindle considerably, especially in light of a new poll that came out last week showing Kirsten Gillibrand in a vulnerable position.
Gillibrand still leads Ford in a head to head match-up, but only by 19 points. More troubling, however, was Gillibrand's pitifully low 24% voter approval rating. A quarter of those polled had no opinion of Gillibrand at all. The image of Gillibrand is that she is a mediocre politician who lacks the charisma and gravitas New York Democrats are used to. According to a New York Post article today Gillibrand has, "failed to capture the hearts and minds of New Yorkers the way her outsized forbears - Bobby Kennedy, Pat Moynihan and Hilliary Clinton - did." It's going to be hard to keep up with everything in New York State politics in the next few months. I expect we will see a lot more horse-trading, posturing and positioning among politicos on both sides of the aisle as we move into February. It looks like Blakeman and Gillibrand will both have their work cut out for them in the next several months.
From your post, Bugs: ”... Gillibrand, in a sign of possible desperation, mixed things up late last week by coming out against the President's new proposal to tax the financial services industry...”
ReplyDeleteSadly, she is wrong – this targeted tax is directed to big banks and it is warranted ... some will be exempt, those who are not can absorb this tax – the struggling public gave them huge amounts of money – now, we want that money back.
Gillibrand needs a primary ... but sadly, the DEMS around here are not likely to allow that. And, I wonder, with DEM being the first three letters of Democrat Party and democracy, it sure kinda makes you wonder: What are they afraid of?
I'm tracking her and Ford here
Dan, Obama is putting the tax squarely on about 50 financial institutions, those ones that have assets more than $50 billion. Almost all of the TARP money has been paid back except for about 117 billion. Most of the institutions being taxed never accepted any TARP money and the ones that are did have paid almost everything back including interest. Obama conveniently exempted GM and Chrysler who took about $66 billion in loans. The auto manufacturers are not subject to the new levy. How would you respond to the criticism that Obama is just playing politics, trying to win populist support for a program that taxes new entities that are not actually liable for the TARP money to begin with? Everything he is doing is meant to do one thing - nationalize the nation's banking industry. Do you really think large banks will help free up credit once they get slammed with another .15 percent tax on their liabilities? Come on...
ReplyDeleteI hold nothing against Gillibrand except her mediocrity. God knows, we need nothing if not less mediocrity in NY. Take a stand. Take a swipe. Take something more than desperate attempts to keep in good favor with the status quo and Schumer. Common sense people are smarter than politicians give them credit for. I can't believe that the only candidate willing to come out for US Senate against her is a politician. A politician. Haven't we had enough? Hasn't NY realized that we lead, not follow. NY produces, is not consumed. It is clear that we need to stand out, not fit in. We are the pinnacle in America's property. NYers are proud, loyal and yell to each other, not at others. We are generous, kind and driven and we see an elephant in the room if there is one. Schumer later. Gillibrand now. Good solid fiscal responsibility, love of small business like the one's started 100 years ago by immigrant families, opportunity for anyone willing to do hard work and play by the rules, and love of state, country and God. This is not asking alot. Republicans ought to be able to come up with something here, something there, something real.
ReplyDeleteBuggs,
ReplyDeleteAs if the NY Post is a credible newspaper?
Also the poll never asked if people approve of Gillibrand. But instead it asked respondents if they think she's doing an excellent, good, fair, or poor job.
Dan,
Why don't you run? It would be nice to have someone from the north country as our senator.
7:24 - if I could get the support and signatures for a primary I would - 100% ... but that ain't gonna happen - the DEM machine will not allow that. They are protecting Gillibrand, who need I remind anyone, did not run for this seat.
ReplyDeleteAs I said, what are the DEMS afraid of? She needs a primary and I don't think it's anyone like Ford, either ... honestly.
1:00... the president's tax on the banks can be seen here.
ReplyDeleteBank Tax to Recoup Taxpayers' Money
I stand by my post - I suppport this temporary tax on the 50 or so giant banks ... we shall see.
Foonote on the bank tax:
ReplyDeleteIn Congress, the tax is receiving a predictable partisan reaction, with Democrats embracing it and Republicans rejecting it.
"The financial institutions collectively, particularly the larger ones, caused problems by their errors — their errors of judgment, their irresponsibility, in some cases their skating around dishonesty," said House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank, D-Mass.
He further said, "I think it is entirely reasonable to say that the industry that, A, caused these problems more than any other and, B, benefited from the activity, should be contributing."
I agree. Mr. Frank is correct and so is Mr. Obama with this proposal.
Dan,
ReplyDeleteIf you start circulating petitions now maybe you can get on the ballot. Has there ever been a senator or governor from the North Country?
8:45 - why don't you help with the petitions and be my "quasi-manager" and organize it. The candidate does other things.
ReplyDelete