Comments for Rick Lazio To Run for Governor at http://www.urbanelephants.com , comment 1 to 16 out of 16 comments http://www.urbanelephants.com Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:34:38 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.urbanelephants.com/index.php/home/64/1595-rick-lazio-to-run-for-governor.html#comment-5301 Daniel Paterson, I agree that that Martin's logic doesn't justify being against a convention. Right now Shelly and his cronies are in control. While they may or may not be in control of the con-con, at least we, the people, can try to take control, and push for badly needed reforms. I think all state-wide office holders should be elected by the people, and the governor shouldn't just be able to appoint whoever he likes. Also, if you are adding seats to the assembly, why not double its membership, so there can be some accountability. Right now each assemblyman represents around 130,000 New Yorkers. How can they be held responsible? If we reduced that number closer to 50,000 they'd be more accountable to those they represent. - osher g. Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:21:18 +0100 http://www.urbanelephants.com/index.php/home/64/1595-rick-lazio-to-run-for-governor.html#comment-5297 Message to Lazio. Be very careful of the company you keep. Some of them have no party loyalty. http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/09/former-gop-senator-raises-cash.html "Several readers forwarded this invite to a fundraiser being hosted this Friday for AG Andrew Cuomo by former GOP Sen. Nick Spano" & "Nick Spano isn't the only Republican helping Cuomo. Former US Sen. Alfonse D'Amato held a fundraiser for the AG last February (he also raised money for Gov. David Paterson and his predecessor, Eliot Spitzer). This past summer, former MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow, a major GOP fundraiser, voiced support for Cuomo. Former Gov. George Pataki's fundraiser, Cathy Blaney, is working for Cuomo's 2010 campaign committee" - Daniel Peterson Wed, 23 Sep 2009 05:27:04 +0100 http://www.urbanelephants.com/index.php/home/64/1595-rick-lazio-to-run-for-governor.html#comment-5296 George Marlin wrote that he opposes a Con-Con because it would be a con. http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/the_con_con_con_OscjcAruvVCyp01eHK2FEM While I understand his fears, according to the rules, I thought when changes are proposed they are actually voted on by the people. So if Silver drafts a change that favors lawyers and expansion of special interests, the voters could keep voting down these proposals until one sticks. The changes I'd like to see is clearly defined changes for statewide seats. Of the three "filled" seats, the most democratically voted candidate is DiNapoli, our comptroller. with the exception of succeeding the governor with the Lt Gov, the new Lt Gov and all other statewide seats should be voted on by both legislative houses. I would also like to suggest 151 seats in the Assembly so it is an odd number like the House of Reps is an odd number. - Daniel Peterson Wed, 23 Sep 2009 05:20:18 +0100 http://www.urbanelephants.com/index.php/home/64/1595-rick-lazio-to-run-for-governor.html#comment-5295 George Marlin wrote that he opposes a Con-Con because it would be a con. http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/the_con_con_con_OscjcAruvVCyp01eHK2FEM While I understand his fears, according to the rules, I thought when changes are proposed they are actually voted on by the people. So if Silver drafts a change that favors lawyers and expansion of special interests, the voters could keep voting down these proposals until one sticks. The changes I'd like to see is clearly defined changes for statewide seats. Of the three "filled" seats, the most democratically voted candidate is DiNapoli, our comptroller. with the exception of succeeding the governor with the Lt Gov, the new Lt Gov and all other statewide seats should be voted on by both legislative houses. I would also like to suggest 151 seats in the Assembly so it is an odd number like the House of Reps is an odd number. - Daniel Peterson Wed, 23 Sep 2009 05:19:11 +0100 http://www.urbanelephants.com/index.php/home/64/1595-rick-lazio-to-run-for-governor.html#comment-5293 This guy isn't just a "has been" - he's a "never was." I worked for his election to the Senate and voted for him in a vain attempt to stop Hillary in 2000. I was a very idealistic 23 year old kid at the time who thought that the good will always win out over the bad, and that a native New Yorker like Lazio could beat a carpetbagging opportunist like Hillary. Sadly, Rick believed this too - except he should have known better as he was not young and dumb like me. I am of the firm opinion that while I have gotten a little older and wiser (though still somewhat idealistic), poor Rick is still the same empty suit that he was in 2000. I think he's still taking marching orders from other has-beens and never weres from the Pataki years, and that this is a destructive and self-indulgent exercise designed to keep Rudy from either running or getting elected. As I've said before on this site, we need new blood in the NY GOP. Isn't that what Ed Cox is supposed to be all about? But if we are going to reach back to the 1990s for our candidates, can we at least pick someone who was remotely effective? That would be Rudy. My disagreements with him are pronounced and they are many, but my sincere admiration for him has never waivered. He has been (next to Ronald Reagan) the most effective Republican politician of my lifetime. Rick Lazio is not worthy to hold his coat. - Frank Ammendolea Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:24:09 +0100 http://www.urbanelephants.com/index.php/home/64/1595-rick-lazio-to-run-for-governor.html#comment-5292 Osher g, great points. The system isn't really the problem - it's the people who inhabit the system and the fact that our government wasn't really designed for the level and scope of government spending taking place today in America. I don't get this push to discuss the Congressional composition when there are so many issues to rally around AND, more importantly, this is a general election discussion NOT a primary discussion. Does Lazio actually believe he already has the seat? I hope not as he's got much to prove before he's coronated. Congressman King would have been much better as a candidate for this job, but he just can't seem to take the leap - and that's too bad. Lazio's name even doesn't work - Lazy/Lazio. Maybe that's why he's having such a hard time gaining traction. If he changed his name to "Rock Steel" do you think he could win? Maybe that's what he needs...;) - Jay Golub Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:59:51 +0100 http://www.urbanelephants.com/index.php/home/64/1595-rick-lazio-to-run-for-governor.html#comment-5290 One thing I don't get about about Lazio's plan for a unicameral legislator is if 62 senators have destroyed the institution we know as the senate, why does that mean we should get rid of the senate? Shouldn't we just get rid of the senators? Besides, however scary the thought of three men in a room is, the thought of just two men in that room is even scarier. Power has to be taken away from the speaker and the Majority(/Conference) Leader, and it has to be returned to the 150 assembly members and the 62 senators. That would be a good start. - osher g. Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:08:16 +0100 http://www.urbanelephants.com/index.php/home/64/1595-rick-lazio-to-run-for-governor.html#comment-5288 I don't know who the candidate will be in 2010 for governor or the other offices. But you can bet is that the state GOP leaders may not like some of the favorites or front-runners and try to get others to run. That's how KT McFarland got on the primary ballot against John Spencer. - Behold a Pale Horse Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:22:11 +0100 http://www.urbanelephants.com/index.php/home/64/1595-rick-lazio-to-run-for-governor.html#comment-5285 There needs to be a "Who is Rick Lazio?" commercial. I said this in 2000. When Giuliani hopped out and Lazio hopped back in, the first commercial should've been, Hi, I'm Rick Lazio, I was congressman on Long Island for x number of years and worked hard to fight for my constituency. My accomplishments were: bam, bam, bam. Now I'm running for Senate and I ask that you join me to fight for all of New York. Run a commercial like that upstate and all over and people who soon learn who Lazio is. Instead we get Hillary is indirectly responsible for the US Cole bombing. What does that have to do with Lazio? And why should I be voting for him. The first thing Lazio needs to do is create a "spot" on who he is and what accomplishments he has in public and the private sector and how it will benefit NYers if he utilizes his accomplishments in an executive manner. - Daniel Peterson Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:28:56 +0100 http://www.urbanelephants.com/index.php/home/64/1595-rick-lazio-to-run-for-governor.html#comment-5284 In my view, if Rick is to actually go for this properly, he needs to get right out there with a bang and excite the rank-and-file Republicans in the State. Before really campaigning, speaking, etc...he should outline what it is he would do as Governor and I think the best way for him to do that is to: Outline what he will do with the State budget and it's projected deficits Outline how he reforms the State's pension system, which is the key to protecting the financial future of NY State Explain how he will get the municipal unions on board with his State financial plan demonstrate that he's tough, ready to fight and campaign hard and, essentially, demonstrate he's in this to win. Lazio's rap is that he's soft. This was highlighted by his horrific effort against Hillary Clinton. If Paterson is the candidate, which will be the case unless Obama offers him a big enough position in D.C. to leave town, then this is a race a Republican could win. The GOP should not fully support Lazio's run unless he demonstrates he's up to the task. And dumping D'Amato wouldn't hurt either... - Jay Golub Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:53:45 +0100 http://www.urbanelephants.com/index.php/home/64/1595-rick-lazio-to-run-for-governor.html#comment-5278 It's been almost 10 years since Lazio has been on the scene. In the last decade, he seems to have become an answer to a trivia question: "Who did Hillary beat in 2000 to win election to the Senate?" What's he done since then? He toyed with running for Attorney General and even for his old seat in Congress, but he never did. How has he helped the GOP in NY? Lots of people think he lost only because in that debate, he invaded "Hillary's space" by crossing over to her to deliver the agreement to reject soft money. But as QJ noted, Lazio ran a poor campaign. Is he really state-wide material? - Behold a Pale Horse Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:14:19 +0100 http://www.urbanelephants.com/index.php/home/64/1595-rick-lazio-to-run-for-governor.html#comment-5274 I should add that when I first called Lazio headquarters, I was told that Lazio wouldn't be needing any volunteers. The most pathetic thing about working for the Lazio campaign was opening the envelopes from all over America enclosing checks for $5 and $10 from senior citizens and others, with handwritten notes enclosed begging Lazio to work hard to defeat Hillary. Lazio's cavalier and lazy attitude toward his own campaign betrayed their trust. - Quickjustice Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:04:05 +0100 http://www.urbanelephants.com/index.php/home/64/1595-rick-lazio-to-run-for-governor.html#comment-5272 I volunteered for the Lazio campaign against Hillary Clinton. As Hillary Clinton relentlessly campaigned through Republican strongholds in upstate New York, making herself known to those constituencies, Lazio, who was unknown in upstate New York, went on vacation. In justifying his vacation, he publicly said that New Yorkers would "never vote for Hillary." The profundity of Lazio's insight was demonstrated on election day. I think Lazio lazy and stupid. Someone prove me wrong. - Quickjustice Tue, 22 Sep 2009 08:42:29 +0100 http://www.urbanelephants.com/index.php/home/64/1595-rick-lazio-to-run-for-governor.html#comment-5270 The one thing I don't like about his "platform" is taking the bicameral legislature and making it a single body. That has to be the dumbest idea I've heard for some time. Talk about giving the state to Democrats. Whose idea is this? - Daniel Peterson Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:29:05 +0100 http://www.urbanelephants.com/index.php/home/64/1595-rick-lazio-to-run-for-governor.html#comment-5267 "The problem is not the people of New York. The problem is the government of New York. We have some of the smartest, most creative, hardest working people in America. And probably the worst state government in America. It's a disgrace. It's an embarrassment." - Rick Lazio Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/09/rick-lazio-change-agent.html#ixzz0RqjbieLn - Steven Tue, 22 Sep 2009 06:27:55 +0100 http://www.urbanelephants.com/index.php/home/64/1595-rick-lazio-to-run-for-governor.html#comment-5262 http://lazio.com/ Rick Lazio has a campaign web site up and running live! Rudy, "you snooze, you lose." NY GOPers can't wait for you to "hem and haw." - Steven Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:36:24 +0100