Jeanine Pirro may have been a nightmare as a Senate candidate, but any Democrat that underestimates her chances of winning Attorney General would be wise to rethink their stance.
I know what the polls say -- Andrew Cuomo easily trounces Pirro in a head-to-head match-up. And, as a Democrat, I will not be casting my vote for her. But, she has a certain appeal. A non-threatening Republican with a well-honed message that could sway swing voters and females who are not too keen on Cuomo.
Do I think she will win?
No. The Spitzer/Clinton headwinds will carry Cuomo. Unlike John Faso who is being framed as "far-right" (and largely ignored except for politico geek shows, local blogs and the obligatory articles in the NY print dailies) and Spencer (who is a loose cannon with no support), Pirro talks about issues many NYers care about. She's also keeping a safe-distance form George Bush's clone John Faso. More importantly, she's honed her attacks on Cuomo (many of which are valid) and speaks passionately about the issues she cares about.
But doesn't Cuomo talk about issues many NYers care about?
Sure. But for all the genetic speaking skills he may have inherited from papa Mario, he's still lacking passion in his voice. He comes across as someone who is using this as a political stepping stone. The passion and fire in every interview I've seen is not there.
Mr. Cuomo, it's time for a course correction:
- Start speaking from the heart, not your talking points.
- Take your top three issues and don't just state them, but develop them. Own them.
- Stop speaking like the issues you plan to attack as AG are plucked from a focus group check list.
- Don't let Pirro have the upper-hand abnd contine to define you (which she is doing quite forcefully). A Rose Garden campaign against Mark Green worked, but it's not the right approach for Pirro.
If you don't make some changes, NYers will see right through you. And this race will be a lot closer than you want it to be.
-- Greg
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
Democrats throughout New York should be elated that Faso was endorsed as the Republican Gubenatorial candidate. Let's just hope he wins the primary.
Why is this good news?
Well, if it's not obvious, Faso is a George Bush Republican. He's anti-choice, anti-gay and, I can assure you, he will join forces with the extremists in his party seeking to haul Mexican illegals out of the country and kick them back to Mexico. And that's just the start.
There is a treasure trove of things Spitzer can exploit.
Weld, on the other hand, may have baggage from his days running that southern technical college, but he has undeniable experience running successful campaigns and ability to appeal to a segment of the Democratic constituency. His patrician airs are annoying, but less of a negative than Faso's boring demeanor.
Today the Republican base signed on with the Conservative party and made its choice. Republicans delude themselves into believing they can energize their base and win in New York when their party registration is outnumbered 2 to 1.
Governor Spitzer 2006 vs. Faso who couldn't even beat Allan Hevesi
Music to my ears!-- Greg
Jeanine Pirro may have been a nightmare as a Senate candidate, but any Democrat that underestimates her chances of winning Attorney General would be wise to rethink their stance.
