Posted by In a mock election, a nation-wide Gallup poll shows Republicans beating Democrats at the voting booth 49% to 43%– it’s a record! No wonder Republicans in New York are hopeful for a successful November and anxious to color a state red that is mostly governed by Democrats. They are a hopeful Party – yes – but do they want to win?
Golden Fact: No Republican in New York has been elected to state-wide office without the endorsement of both the Republican and Conservative Party.
That is because New Yorkers are mostly registered Democrats and in some places out-number Republicans 7 to 1. A united Republican and Conservative front is the only way to overcome the numbers and why – paying attention to the Golden Fact – attaining ballot access to both party lines is imperative, h-e-l-l-o-?
It would have been nice if the Leadership in the two Parties got together to discuss formidable candidates setting forth a united front and two separate primaries if necessary. Egos, loyalties, handshakes, and non-aggression pacts got in the way of meaningful cohesion, however, resulting in two split Republican and Conservative tickets and two Parties that are not in it to win it.
Rick Lazio wins designation from Republican and Conservative Party for Governor
Mike Long, Chairman of the Conservative Party, a true leader (in my mind) runs his party from the bottom- up – in other words – key decisions are made at the local level, not by deal makers in Albany, except in the case of Lazio, Long is operating from the top-down. (If Conservatives want to act like Republicans, than I might as well be a Republican.)
Holding his state convention before the Republicans (instead of the norm – vice-versa) on May 28, Long may (and that’s a BIG may) have influenced Republicans to support Lazio who received the designation at the rate of 59.6% from the Republicans on June 1. No one blames Long for being supportive of a candidate he trusts, that’s o.k.!
The problem with Long’s influence is two-fold however; a) Lazio is a lackluster, unelectable candidate with so soft conservative credentials that the grassroots does not like him; and b) Republicans did not choose the same candidates for U.S. Senate at their State convention– splitting the tickets, the vote, and any chance of winning two vulnerable seats.
Ed Cox, Chairman of the Republican Party, backed Steve Levy for Governor, but was unable to convince Republicans that Levy is the only electable candidate – his best attribute – and the only candidate with a fiscal conservative plan for New York. In further defeat, Cox failed to convince his own party to permit Levy to challenge Lazio in a primary. Either Cox is a failure for lack of leadership or he never backed Levy to begin with.
Republicans endorse Bruce Blakeman, Conservatives endorse Joe DioGuardi
Cox caves-in to the demands of Alfonse D’Amato, former U.S. Senator from New York, at the Republican state convention on June 3 by nominating stand-in candidate, Bruce Blakeman, and crushing any chances of defeating Kirsten Gillibrand, the current Senator from New York.
The sad truth is D’Amato wants Gillibrand to win because there is a close relationship between Gillibrand and D’Amato and D’Amato strong-armed the Republican Party to support a stand-in candidate guaranteeing a Republican loss and a Gillibrand win.
If you do not believe the rumor, take a look at these two pictures, taken 18 months apart:
Announcement photo of Bruce Blakeman for U.S. Senate.
Announcement photo of Kirsten Gillibrand for U.S. Senate.
Adding insult to injury
Cox had a viable Republican in Joe DioGuardi to challenge Gillibrand, but Cox kicked DioGuardi to the curb, how could he? DioGuardi did everything right; he raised money, hired a qualified staff, campaigned hard and secured the Conservative Party line. Joe’s a republican’s Republican, a conservative’s Conservative and the only candidate who is electable. If Republicans cannot get elected in New York, they cannot effect change in Albany.
Republicans endorse Gary Bernsten, Conservatives endorse Jay Townsend
These are both good candidates; Townsend with the know-how and credentials to give current U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer a race; Bernsten with the determination and presence to fight to the end. The best case scenario here is a primary to let the voters decide, but that would involve some far-reaching maneuvers neither party is willing to contrive.
If the ticket stays split between the Republicans and Conservatives in this race, Schumer, the man who does not lift a finger for your vote, will skip to re-election.
My message to the Leaders of the Republican and Conservative Party is this: FIX THIS MESS!
Hi Raquel.. This convention clearly shows that the republicans do not want to win and is politics as usual.. The only great vicyory for me was Gary Berntsen.. He seems determined to change things in DC.. But can he beat Schumer.. I hope so.. Also I have no idea who Blakeman and Malpass are.. Now by reading you blog you answered my question.. Seems like tey are following the stick of D’Amato.. Crazy.. This is what disgusts me.. It is all about politics as ususl and not listening to the people.. I personally liked Tim Chichester(Which probably no one heard of) I just met him at a cndidates night that my 912 group had in May and he rocked te house.. He was the only candidate to stress social issues.. Raquel you know how headstrong I am about that.. But apparently he didnt make the ballot so I am throwing my support for DioGuardi.. He has a great fiscal plan that works.. Hopefully he will get on the ballot.. I am tired of the establishment candidate.. that is what Lazio is.. I never liked him since the days against Hilary.. Also we do dot agree on social issues and he is a softee.. We need someone in the Christie mold.. I believe it is Carl Paladino.. Yes he can be al ittle winded.,. BUT maybe that is what we need.. The people like him.. Who cares about his so calle contributions to Schumer and other Dems.. He is a businessman.. He has GREAT ideas to Clean up the Mess in Albany.. I will work my hardest for him.. Also as far as the disappointing 19th I am going to support Neil and see he gets on the ballot.. I CAN NOT VOTE FOR NAN.. and won’t vote for HAll.. Neil is a longshot but there are plenty of us who oppose Nan and how she stands on very important social issues.. And I believe She is Hall in a Skirt.. She will flip flop if she ever gets to DC.. She is of the Democratic mold for sure.. So we will see if the republicans will listen to the people for a change and not the special interests ..
By Carol on Jun 4, 2010
Raquel, I will have to disagree with you on much of this as a defeat for Republicans here. The rules in New York State permit what has happened at these conventions and if we don’t like it, we should change the rules on two fronts.
1. Discontinue Electoral Fusion
2. Discontinue Multiple Party designation
There are many points you make that argue against your support of multiple parties.
Golden Fact: No Republican has won statewide w/o Conservative Party.
Untrue: Conservative Party has only existed since 1962. Before then, many Republicans have won.
Also, if New York were like New Jersey, where you do not have Electoral Fusion, a Chris Christie-type candidate can very well win in a two way or three way race with the ballot showing only Democrat – Republican – Independent
Rick Lazio as candidate. To argue against this when both your party (Conservative) and my party (Republican) pick the same candidate is a one-eighty on your “Golden Fact.” You get your joint-ticket wish and you contradict it by attacking the candidate-designee.
One thing you also fail to point out, Pataki won with the Conservative Party, but neither the Republican nor Democrat had the Independence Party 1994 and that is a relevant point that the Conservative Party fails to mention with their Fusion example.
“If Conservatives want to act like Republicans, they might as well be Republicans.”
Well, you know, both the GOP and CP went their own way in many races, so it looks to me Conservatives acted like Conservatives and Republicans acted like Republicans. They focused on their own party’s convention to nominate their preferred candidates.
Cox also, did not cave into D’Amato. This is not a one man show. You were there. Blakeman was the first man into the race. He was the first Republican touring the state going to all 62 counties. Though I have no intention in voting or supporting a D’Amato candidate, he did what he was required to do. The argument against DioGuardi (from the GOP perspective) was Joe spent most of his time courting the Conservative Party moreso than his own Republican Party. Perhaps if he made a little stronger effort in reaching out to the Republican chairs and county organizations, he would have earned a spot on the ballot. This is not the fault of Ed Cox making a deal with D’Amato.
One cannot argue on the Berntsen and Townsend race. Both are complete unknowns and both have an opportunity to go around and make a name of themselves. Townsend rightly argues he has an upperhand with having a second line (the Conservative), but you cannot argue the parties didn’t do their job.
Getting back to DioGuardi, he had the inside track to get the Independence Party nomination. He argued that by having these two other lines, that the GOP should jump in and support his candidacy. It didn’t happen, but he should still court the IP. If the IP is willing to nominate him for Row C, he’ll have two rows guaranteed. And if he succeeds in petitioning for a primary, he can fight to lock down the Republican Party line as well.
DioGuardi still has hope. It does hinge on whether the Independence Party is willing to go with the Conservative Party designee over the Republican and Democrat designee.
You cannot argue the Republicans messed things up when you belong to a different party. I’m sorry, but it’s just silly to me. If you are worried about the split vote on the right, well then perhaps we should fold in the Conservative Party all together and have its leadership run for Republican committee seats throughout the state next year and infuse basic conservative principles into the New York Republican party. Otherwise, we cannot demand fixing anything.
By daniel on Jun 4, 2010
Rachel
I unequivocally disagree that the Republican Party needs the Conservative Party line to win any office in this state. People in your party often point to Pataki’s first win for governor as evidence to backup this claim. I would counter that in his two re-election even without the CP votes he won by 600,000 votes in both races just from the GOP line. We can argue all day about this but this all comes back to the point I’ve been making with you for a good month….
Stop worrying about what the Republican Party does and run your own candidates.
By Chance Haywood on Jun 4, 2010
BTW I completely agree with Dan’s assessment that DioGuardi’s failure to secure the line for the primary had everything to do with the strategy of putting too much effort into the minor parties and not nearly enough on his own.
Of course it also didn’t help that he was a late comer to the party and being supported liberal leaning GOP chairmen. (coughsavinocough)
By Chance Haywood on Jun 4, 2010
Danny,
I’m talking about current day Parties, obviously, previous to the CP different demographics existed.
I’m all up for changing rules to make things transparent and fair, but you and I know that accomplishing rule changes is out of my control, and difficult.
You can support Blakeman in this race, you are not alone. I understand he has a core team behind him, and I applaud him for that. But, this isn’t about Blakeman, and that’s pretty much the point.
From my perspective, the whole thing is rigged, decisions are made beforehand, despite what the candidates themselves have in mind.
I sincerely wish Lazio the best, and the two endorsements by the Parties will help him. My favorite up until now was Levy, and I don’t think Cox did enough to support him.
DioGuardi will petition to get on ballot. I think he will be able to do that and can win in a GOP primary.
You are right that I have taken both sides of the issue at times, but understand that my main goal is to get a Republican elected.
Electability deserves more credit than it receives.
By Raquel on Jun 4, 2010
P.S. With respect to Townsend and Bernsten, I argue that the Parties did a good job finding two good candidates. My problem is that backing two different strong candidates — having one carry one line and the other carry the other — guarantees not just a loss to Schumer, but Schumer will not lift a finger. How is that good?
By Raquel on Jun 4, 2010
Chance, Maybe you should stop worrying about what I write at my blog and stop your obsession with Conservatives running their own candidates.
The Conservatives ran me as a Conservative in 2005 for NYC Council, so there’s one example. Why does it bother you so much anyway?
By Raquel on Jun 4, 2010
Ya know I was trying to actually be nice but since you want to get into it I guess I can treat you like Hamilton treated Clinton in their many battles in public publications. Ready?
First. Your Golden Fact is a lie your party likes to present, strangely uncontested by Republicans, to justify it’s pathetic existence. How do I know it is a lie? In 1962, 1966 and 1970 Nelson Rockefeller won when your party ran Paul Adams and David H. Jaquith. So please stop using that “fact” because it isn’t true.
Second. Your assertion that Rick Lazio is unelectable another lie. Lazio has lost one election in his political career but won six other times. That pretty much disputes the thought the guy can’t win an election since he has many times over.
Third. Cox didn’t kick DioGuardi to the curb. DioGuardi lost out because his campaign made several tactical errors. Starting with coming into the race too late. Then investing too much effort in securing minor party endorsements and not enough on his own party. I also think being endorse initially by some GOP chairman who like to support liberal Democrats didn’t help him out with the more conservative state committee members.
Fourth. Where have I ever complained about your party running it’s own candidates? Or that your party screwed us by running candidates that wasn’t supported by our party? I’m not the one whining about how the Conservatives won’t win because they endorsed DioGuardi of Blakeman. Or they support Lazio instead o some “conservative” ideal. Personally I think the Conservative Party is more like the Kiss of Death than any help. If you look at the election results there are far more races statewide where we lost being associated with the Conservatives than we won.
And as Danny said if you are worried about what the GOP does maybe you should switch your registration and run for state committee.
By Chance Haywood on Jun 4, 2010
There must be a difference between fusion and what we have in NY, because fusion was outlawed by SCOTUS. Is the difference that the party the candidate is registered under must allow the multiple line, whereas in fusion it’s the candidate’s option?
Anyway, interesting discussion, and I don’t think the problems all come from the fact that there are two more or less conservative parties, each able to run the same candidates or not. It is partly just the uniqueness of New York State, a state with an enormous amount of wealth and the service people that are employed by that wealth. We have too many Democrats (some states are worse), but we also have the country club Republicans. The Conservatives try to give social-issue ballast to them but can create more trouble by splitting the conservative vote.
I had an experience in 1994 when I was poll watching for Pataki. I asked the coordinator of the site where the phones were, and he said something like “Oh, you have to call your lord and master?” But contrary to that view of top-down leadership in the GOP, the exact opposite is true. The Dems are the ones with the well-oiled structure and the rank and file who wait their turn and listen to their masters. They make a big show of letting the people decide, but they follow their leaders out the window for the most part. The Republicans want to each go his own way–an admirable trait in almost anything but not in trying to get your party elected.
It’s something we need to think about. We’re all so smart, and we’re all so sure we’re right. As Obama said the other day to a bunch of Russian kids, LeBron was the best player but Boston had the better team.
By Toni Rachiele on Jun 4, 2010
Chance, you be nice, when?
When you live in New York your whole life, and follow politics closely election after election, then come and talk to me, everything else is gibberish.
By Raquel on Jun 4, 2010
Thanks so much for your comments Toni (-something to think about-). Nice to see you and Evan yesterday. I have known Evan “on-line” for a while, but it was the first time we met.
By Raquel on Jun 4, 2010
Raquel,
Nowhere have I ever said I’d support Blakeman. In fact, I have said any candidate that has close ties to Alphonse D’Amato will NOT get my vote. D’Amato does not know how to be cordial to his constituents and is a complete phoney. Just because I explain the facts about a candidate, does not mean I support such a candidate. It just means I understand the logic.
Now, 1994, was a completely different bird.
Democrats had the Liberal Party for a statewide Fusion.
Republicans had the Conservatives for a statewide Fusion.
A candidate that had the independence Party as well would most have certainly won the Election, whether Cuomo or Pataki.
But neither did.
Golisano ran and had the line.
Golisano ran against Pataki three times taking the Independence line from both the GOP or Dem.
2006 was the first year the IP actually cross-endorsed a candidate.
The IP has power.
In fact, I think it has more power than the Conservative Party.
I think Dan Donovan, if He secures the IP, it’ll carry much weight.
If Harry Wilson secures the IP, we may very well see AG and comptroller go to the GOP.
What if the Independence Party decides to nominate Joe DioGuardi, the Conservative candidate, over Blakeman and Gillibrand. It would assure a strong 3-way race. I’d actually like to see it happen and I hope someone with pull in the IP really pushes DioGuardi for the line.
By daniel on Jun 4, 2010
Daniel,
I’m not saying you support Blakeman, I said you can support him if you like. Frankly, I don’t know who you support. Maybe you support Gillibrand because if you would “like to see” a 3-way race, you know Gillibrand will win! R.
By Raquel on Jun 4, 2010
Great blog and very thoughful answers. When our powerful weapon of the expression of the free people of America was utilized, with rallies of millions in DC, against the elite rulers in Congress and was defeated with the signing of Obamacare into law, we the consrvatives, republicans tea partiers etc, have turned on each other and forgotten who the enemy is. We are at war with an ideology that wants to destroy our once great indpenedent America. We need to lick our wounds, mobilize and rally again by the millions for our candidate of choice. When the passion and leadership abilities of one candidate stands out and shines above all others, let’s all unite behind a unifying force to win back seats in November.
And I would propose dumping Michael Long from the helm of the CP and instead Raquel should be Party chair!!
By Phil Orenstein on Jun 4, 2010
http://mitchell-langbert.blogspot.com/2010/06/malpass-for-senate.html
Malpass for Senate
Raquel Okyay made several damning accusations in her blog yesterday. Okyay writes that the New York State GOP has nominated a loser, Bruce Blakeman, for US Senate because Alfonse D’Amato is friends with the Democratic candidate, Kirsten Gillibrand and backed Blakeman so Gillibrand could win. “Why is D’Amato standing next to Gillibrand while she announces her candidacy in the above photograph?” Okyay asks.
Okyay notes that two good candidates, Joe DioGuardi for Senate and Steve Levy for governor, have been “kicked to the curb.” Ed Cox, the colorless state chair, claimed to back Levy, but his motive may have been to give the appearance that he is not part of New York’s loser-GOP machine. Levy only won 43% of the vote in a second ballot at the convention but needed 50% to force a primary. Cox lacked the courage and/or the integrity to insist that Levy be able to challenge the Rick Lazio in a primary. Cox either is incompetent or never backed Levy in the first place, Okyay concludes. As well, Cox has gone along with D’Amato’s demand for Blakeman, for Senate.
The New York Sun blog seems to have been resurrected (Yay!) and they are endorsing David Malpass. Blakeman edged him out in the convention, but if the state’s Republican voters back Blakeman and the ineffectual and corrupt GOP insiders whom he represents then the party is not worth saving. The Sun writes that the Republican Party “has been waiting for a long time for such a candidate as Mr. Malpass.”
By Mitchell Langbert on Jun 5, 2010
Ha ha Phil, that’s a little too much to ask!! However, I will not rule it out in the (far) future.
I was officially appointed last night to Vice Chair Town of Plattekill Conservative Party, I have 146 Conservatives in my district, I’m ready to build a committee, ect. ect., I’m ready to rumble.
Much thanks to Ed Gaddy and Ulster County Conservatives!
By Raquel on Jun 5, 2010
Raquel
I just lost any respect I might have had for you. I point out a major error in your piece, yet again, and you can’t even admit you made the error?
By Chance Haywood on Jun 6, 2010
Chance, The reason I do not address your comments is because no matter what I write, you always come to the same conclusion: CP should run their own candidates and I should be talking about something else.
So, excuse me, for not admitting an agreement with your views, because, although I would like to, I do not take you seriously.
By Raquel on Jun 6, 2010
Wow! The author is definitely onto something here. This article is very well written and this information appears to be coming straight from the horses mouth. I also like to thank Mitchell Langbert for the 3 paragraph executive summary.
By Chris on Jun 7, 2010