I Almost Feel Sorry For You, Mr. Faso

After watching George W. Bush's latest offspring, John Faso, tonight on NY1 's Inside Politics , I felt myself dozing off repeatedly at the sound of his voice (not to mention the long-winded explanations about who pays what taxes in which brackets and on and on and on).

I felt like I was back in economics class with a right-wing Republican professor. I did manage to stay awake long enough to realize one thing:

The only issue Faso has any confidence in is Taxes and the Economy.

Does he really think this is going to work over the long haul of a campaign?

If he does, he's in for a rude awakening. Waving the "taxes taxes taxes" flag is typical Republican maneuvering. And, while no one is disputing that lower taxes are appealing, you need much more in your bag of tricks.

And Faso's bag of tricks is filled with far-right wing trash.

He has piles of votes that can be exploited. Some controversial, and others, well, not so much (but that's what good campaign consultants are for -- to make even the most benign look cancerous).

Then, of course, you have all the social issues from stem-cell research to abortion to gay rights to immigration reform -- many of which the Spitzer campaign will propel front and center. Along with areas like education and healthcare which are largely ignored under Pataki, and Republicans in general. Faso is on the wrong side of each and every one of these issues.

Yet according to Faso this election will be about reforms needed to grow New York's economy.

Oh Really?

You mean after 12 years of Pa-Pa-Pataki (a.k.a. Sleepy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) we need to elect another Republican to do what the last one couldn't?

Good luck with that...

We all know your economic dance will just be tax breaks for the rich, while spending is cut from "liberal" programs many New Yorkers rely upon to survive -- just like your friend, George W. Bush, "The Worst President Ever." Who, I might add, has an approval rating around 29% in NY State (and that's polling conducted before the Homeland Security cuts announced this week).

Mr. Faso, beloved Breck-girl of the right-wing extremists, I have news for you. You will not be defining this debate. You have , and will continue to have, a lot less money than Spitzer and you are 50 points behind in the polls.

Your best bet is hoping someone uncovers a video of Spitzer kicking a few puppies. Barring that rather disturbing scenario, your campaign will run on the fumes fueled by the media outlets that pay attention in order to satiate their need for a "story."

And, finally, invest in a voice coach. Your peevish monotone drone is no match for Spitzer's Jame's Earl Jones-esque gravitas.

I almost feel sorry for you, Mr. Faso.

-- Greg