City Hall News reports that former Larchmont Mayor, Liz Feld, is seriously considering a run against Kirsten Gillibrand next year for NY's junior Senate seat.
She won considerable praise within Republican circles last year for mounting a spirited challenge to State Sen. Suzi Oppenheimer, in which she made taxes the centerpiece of her campaign and was endorsed by, among others, Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Feld lost by an almost 2-1 margin in a heavily Democratic district, but struck an anti-incumbent chord that many Republicans feel may resonate deeply next year.
Ms. Feld is also a former White House aide who has ties to National Republicans and could be next year's K.T. McFarland, only without the helicopters. Her bio includes:...
In her two terms as mayor, Ms. Feld has restored the Village surplus to $2 million; led a $4.5 million public/private park renovation that includes a synthetic turf field, waterfront environmental trail, picnic areas and other enhancements; spearheaded flood mitigation efforts and infrastructure improvements; and secured $4 million in grants from outside funding sources for her constituents.
The one issue that would probably cause some issues with Republicans and Conservatives is obviously the first thing that comes out of the mainstream media's mouth (or consultant, Bill O'Reily's). Liz Feld markets herself as pro-choice. This would immediately sink her candidacy if she makes this a prominent issue to voters. It would be wise to tone down this issue if she runs, and offer a more measured position to pro-lifers in the state where most would be willing to listen. Perhaps to offer balance with the US Senate seats, chairman Ed Cox would implorer former secretary of NY State, Randy Daniels, a well known conservative, to challenge Charles Schumer for the senior Senate seat.
If her campaign focuses on the right issues, Ms Feld could be very formidable in the 2010 elections and could add the right balance on a statewide ticket.
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written by Quickjustice , November 25, 2009
I've met Liz Feld. She's a nice person. None of the issues for which she takes credit have statewide traction, or traction with crossover Democrats and independents.
To have any chance of success, she'll have to pick a big fight on a major statewide and national issue in the near future. There are plenty of such issues out there, but Feld's ability to identify one and exploit it will determine whether she's ready to play in the majors.
written by Daniel Peterson , November 25, 2009
Of course, there are always issues and it seems this is one that Ms. Feld would need to get through if she plans to expand her reach.
http://feldfiasco.com
http://www.gunpoliticsny.com/?p=443
written by Frank Ammendolea , November 25, 2009
Sounds like a "B-Team" candidate to me.
We have a real shot at taking a Senate seat for the first time in a decade and the best we can come up with is a Mayor who no one's ever heard of? If this is true, it is sad.
At this point, Giuliani has to get into this thing if he truly wants to be seriously considered for another shot at the presidency. He needs to stay relevant on the policy issues and he needs a forum to juxtapose himself against Obama regularly.
I'm sure Miss Feld is a nice woman and may even be a competent public servant, but running her would be like starting your batting practice pitcher in the 7th game of the World Series. Ed Cox would be wise not to do it.
If Ms. Feld wants to make a name for herself statewide, she should run against Chuck Schumer. It's a win/win situation for everybody. She gets introduced to the larger statewide electorate, we get someone to run for what appears to be an unwinnable race and if 2010 turns out to be a banner year, she could benefit from being in the right place at the right time.
But first things first. Lock down a top tier candidate to run Gillibrand out of D.C.
written by Behold a Pale Horse , November 26, 2009
The U.S. Senate sounds like a stretch. She would be another Howard Mills.
Feld should run again for the State Senate in Westchester or the Assembly.
Astorino won the second time around. Why not her?
written by Frank Ammendolea , November 28, 2009
Good point, BaPH. Especially the Howard Mills analogy.
From what I've heard, it doesn't sound like Liz Feld could get the Conservative Party endorsement. Since we just saw this little drama played out with disastrous effects upstate, why would we want to take the same chance on a statewide race? The GOP should really get together with Mike Long and company and make sure we're all on the same page.
If Rudy runs for the Senate, at this point he has moved enough to the right that Mike Long could justify backing him. Remember, in 2000 the condition for Rudy getting the line was to disavow support for partial birth abortion - not all abortions, just partial birth. At the time, Rudy had his eye on the Liberal Party line and was unwilling to do it. Since then he has moved right on the issue, as well as some others.
Liz Feld doesn't have the same credentials as Rudy Giuliani on other issues important to conservatives which would make them cut her the same pass. I think such a candidacy would insure some kind of third-party effort from the right and doom our chances at taking the seat.
Better that she take a run at Oppenheimer again, or find a "fair fight" Assembly district to run in. Westchester is becoming a battle ground again. We could use some strong candidates for local races, and she could be one of them.
written by osher g. , November 29, 2009
Frank, do you really think the Conservatives will have Rudy run on their Party's line? Last time he ran for public office he ran as a Liberal/Republican.
It's not just partial birth abortion, it's also affirmative action, gun control, school prayer, capital punishment, immigration, civil unions, repealing don't ask don't tell, among a whole host of issues.
But I don't think that should stop us from choosing him as our party's candidate. He's probably our best chance of getting that seat back.
written by Jay Golub , November 29, 2009
"If Rudy runs for the Senate, at this point he has moved enough to the right that Mike Long could justify backing him."
The CP endorsement has nothing to do with ideology, Frank. Rudy will get any CP endorsement because he can win, not because he's moved his political compass in one direction or another...
It doesn't seem to me that Rudy runs for anything this year. I think it was Governor or nothing. For that reason we should stop discussing everyone potential candidacy in comparison to what they would be like next to the former Mayor. It doesn't help us in our selection process...
written by chancehaywood , November 29, 2009
If a flaming liberal like Bloomberg has endorsed her we need to question if she is actually a Republican.
written by Daniel Peterson , November 29, 2009
I think Bloomberg's backing of Feld was a one-issue gun oriented backing.
It appears Liz Feld is in favor of keeping legal guns out of the hands of law-abiding citizens just like the New York City mayor. Other than that, she appears to favor tax cuts and a promotion of small business like most Republicans.
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