Would Giuliani Be Better Suited for the Senate?

Word is leaking out that former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is considering a run for the New York State's governorship. If he does, he can expect my full support. However, he may be making the wrong move politically.

Consider the next race coming up next year in New York. Current junior Senator Kirsten Gillebrand may face a stiff challenge from fellow Democrats for the nomination. She is seen as too conservative for many of the New York City elite... and worse for them, she's from Upstate.

Giuliani would likely face off against Andrew Cuomo if he ran for Governor. Cuomo, the son of former Governor Mario Cuomo is the current Attorney General. Cuomo's approval rating stands above 60% recently and made headlines by pushing for an investigation of disgraced former Governor Eliot Spitzer.

Polls place Cuomo ahead of the former Mayor. However, Giuliani may be better able to use his political capital challenging Gillebrand. Assuming she survives the primaries, Giuliani can use his former position for pull with the New York City voters. He can say that he knows what it's like to run a major city and can state that his views on issues like gay marriage are authentic, unlike Gillebrand's perceived waffling.

Gillebrand is also a lightweight as far as a resume is concerned. Just elected to the House in 2006 and appointed to the Senate this year, Giuliani can argue that his long record as Mayor and prosecutor shows that he is up for the job.

Giuliani has a major shot of winning the Senate seat next year. Unless Cuomo gets involved in a scandal or loses in the primaries, Giuliani might lose by fifteen percent.

Remember to bookmark our site!
Consider advertising on our site!

An Interview With Mark Finkelstein

Mark is a vice-chairman of the Tompkins County Republican Committee. He blogs at NewsBusters and FinkelBlog and hosts the award-winning TV show, Right Angle. Jumping in Pools is proud to present our twelfth in our interview series.

1. With the mess in the New York State Senate, is it likely that one party will be able to reap significant political gains in the 2010 elections?

I'd say the Republicans stand to gain. Not that they've done much to merit support, but the Dems have been the party in power both in the Governor's mansion and the legislature. So a disgusted public wanting to "throw the bums out" is more likely to turn its anger on Democrats. The Republicans could have helped themselves if they had announced some real reform goals when they took over the Senate. Instead, their "reforms" were about getting an equal share of the spoils. Not exactly the kind of stuff to inspire people. Even so, by default Republicans represent change, and that's surely what New Yorkers want.

2. Would you say that NewsBusters has made the mainstream media more responsible, or is it simply looked down upon?

There's no question that NewsBusters has made the mainstream media a bit more accountable. MSM members are very aware that we are out there watching and writing. You'd be surprised how sensitive they are to criticism. I have often heard from major media figures offended by something I've written; wanting to set the record straight, etc. Sure, the MSM remains liberal. But I think they have become a bit more sensitive to the need to show some balance.

3. Who do you believe is more likely to emerge as the Democratic nominee for NY Governor-- Attorney General Andrew Cuomo or current Governor David Paterson?

Definitely Cuomo. He has been smart enough not to hog the limelight too much as the state and Paterson have melted down. He will look like a reasonable alternative to Dems thoroughly disgusted with the status quo. I'd say the only way Paterson could conceivably win a Dem primary is if it's a three-way race with two people splitting the anti-Paterson vote.

4. Do you foresee a political comeback for disgraced former NY Governor Eliot Spitzer?

Possibly, yes! He might have been an egomaniac, and he obviously committed serious mistakes. But he paid the price and accepted the blame. He obviously wants to get back into politics, and might come to be seen as a more competent alternative to the people currently in charge.

5. When do you believe that the 'honeymoon period' between the US public and President Barack Obama will end?

It depends largely on the economy. If by spring of 2010 unemployment hasn't decreased significantly, and especially if inflation has started to rear its head, Pres. Obama and the congressional Dems will be in serious trouble. Foreign affairs is a wild card. In the event of a crisis people might rally around the president. But if he is seen as weak or in some way responsible for the problem--think Jimmy Carter and the Iranian hostage crisis--then his political fortunes could nosedive. All of the personal traits that the public currently likes about him could become grating virtually overnight. Think of the end of a romance in which what used to be charming habits suddenly become annoying tics.

Remember to bookmark our site!
Consider advertising on our site!
Also, if you need to search anything on Google, please use the bar below:

Paterson's Choice of Gillibrand a Poor One

Governor Paterson of New York, who I personally like, has made a poor choice of the next Senator from our state. Instead of choosing Attorney General Andrew Cuomo or Assemblyman Pete Lopez, he chose Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand.

Gillibrand is a shrill, partisan hack who's only advantage is from being from Upstate. She worked hard for the tobacco industry, helping them stay on track selling cigarettes. Gillibrand has a poor record in Congress and is divisive. Her complete lack of sense on foreign policy is another strike against her.

What a poor choice. What a poor Senator.

Special election time?

Well, the front-runner for the Junior Senator from New York, Caroline Kennedy, the flamboyant in-experienced Liberal that she is, announced that she is dropping out of the race to become the next Senator due to personal problems/issues within the family. Meaning the race for New York's next Senator is wide open, so I propose instead of Paterson appointing someone, and 21 months later we have the special election, then 2 years after that we have another election, why not plan a special election in May of this year, so both the GOP and Democrats vote for their candidate, and avoid another election next year?

I doubt they will do this. But lets see what happens.


Also, if you need to search anything on Google, please use the bar below: