Every day brings a new twist and turn for the third largest political party of New York State. For those not aware, we have a party called the Independence Party of New York. But there is also the Independence Party led by Lenora Fulani, which is ostracized by the state chairman, Frank MacKay.
Recently, it was reported that a lawyer of Mayor Bloomberg took a hit for misuse of funds. DA Cy Vance goes after the IP even after AG Andrew Cuomo accepted the party's line for governor.
The Independence Party has been showing anything BUT independence in the past few election cycles. It also has backed away from one of its founding principles, which is term limits. By endorsing Mayor Bloomberg for a third term, people started to look at the party as just a patronage party.
This week, we learned Sliwa side-kick Fran Morano, an executive committee member to the party, quit.
Then we learn the State and City factions are fighting over other local seats. In Queens, two Republicans were pulled out on the carpet for using NYC IP volunteers to petition. One was given the line, the other denied.
It's become the corrupt element of ticket-fusion. The Independence Party more often than not, becomes a second line for incumbents and nothing more. The State Party rarely runs a candidate on its own and hides behind a "reform agenda" that it does not even care about.
I'll say this. There are many things that could make you dislike the NYC chapter of this party, but the one thing I give them credit for is that they will more often adhere to their five basic positions in reforming government. I can't really say that about the State Party.
The Independence Party of New York has seen its time. It should collapse and fold up shop. Let a real independent Third Party sprout up and pick up where the IP failed. Perhaps in, in four years, we'll see such a Third Party. And the IP will disappear and no longer confuse those new registered voters in thinking they are registering as an independent.
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written by Daniel Peterson , July 22, 2010
Today, Attorney General candidate Daniel Donovan announced that he is removing his name for consideration in receiving the Independence Party line this November.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/34723074/Letter-to-Chairman-MacKay-Final
This is a huge risk the district attorney is taking and it puts comptroller candidate Harry Wilson, who was endorsed on the line, on the spot.
Will more candidates follow?
written by Frank Ammendolea , July 22, 2010
Dumb move by Donovan. As a Republican running in a Democrat state - with a potentially weak standard bearer at the top of the GOP ticket - he needs every line he can get (while still adhering to his principles). The AG race traditionally flies below radar, meaning that many will simply vote down the line. This makes the Indy endorsement a game changer for the candidate who lands it.
If Donovan has reservations about that party's leadership he can simply explain it away the same way Ronald Reagan did when people tried to tag him with extreme positions held by some of his supporters. Just say, "If they are supporting me, they're buying into my agenda. I'm not buying into theirs."
I hope Wilson does not follow this foolish gamble. It is looking more and more like Wilson is going to be our best (and possibly only) shot at a statewide win. To do it he is going to need his three lines.
written by chancehaywood , July 23, 2010
Frank
It is good to know you value winning above character or principles.
written by Frank Ammendolea , July 23, 2010
To the contrary, chance. Read my statement fully and you will see that I said, paranthetically, "while still adhering to his principles."
By that, I mean it would be distasteful for someone like Donovan (who fashions himself as a conservative Republican) to take a line like the Working Families Party. But the Independence Party has proven that it stands for very little in terms of ideology. Their endorsements make no sense from an ideological or principle-based perspective. They endorse some of the most conservative politicians in the state, as well as some of the most liberal.
I simply think that Donovan is getting involved in an internecine fight when he doesn't have to. As a Republican, he can legitimately state that he supports the reform agenda that the Indies claim to stand for, and that he hopes to champion it if elected. The leadership disputes have little to do with him because he is not an Independence Party member.
Character and principles should be front and center when voting for a candidate. But as the old saying goes, "politics ain't beanbag." And we do ourselves a disservice when we risk losing elections just so we can congratulate ourselves on being "principled."
I would like to see Mr. Donovan be so "principled" when it comes to repudiating one his key supporters - Mike Bloomberg - who just endorsed my Democrat incumbent Senator here in Nassau County, as payback for his vote to divert millions of dollars in education funding to NYC. In a year when this district has been targeted by the GOP in its effort to take back the State Senate, a Dem win could result in continued one party rule in NYC. By your logic, the "principled" thing would be for Dan Donovan to wade into that fight and distance himself from Mayor Mike.
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