Posted by Republican decision-makers in New York missed the boat – big time.
The U.S. Senate junior position currently held by a one-time “conservative” Democrat turned mouth-piece for Sen. Chuck Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand, is probably the weakest seat in the state. According to a June 14 Sienna College poll, Gillibrand’s favorability rating is down six points from last month to a dismal 36%. Here is the perfect opportunity to show the rest of the country that even liberal New York is ripe for upheaval.
New York State Conservative Party got it right when they chose former Congressman Joe DioGuardi as their designated candidate to run against Gillibrand. DioGuardi has a long record of supporting a transparent government that works for the people not at their expense, and in an era of public demands for government restraint, Joe DioGuardi is the obvious choice.
In addition to being pro-life, pro-family and pro-America, Joe wrote the book on sound fiscal policy before it was popular in Unaccountable Congress – It Doesn’t Add Up (Regency, 1992).
Joe DioGuardi has written a courageous and practical book about the phony budgeting process Congress uses to sustain its financial profligacy. He has both a keen understanding of its accounting gimmickry and some excellent suggestions about how to straighten out our budgetary tangle” – William E. Simon, Former Secretary of the Treasury
Joe DioGuardi has the name recognition and long line of supporters needed to overcome an incumbent Democrat in New York, yet Republicans either naïve or paid-off, afforded a win to former Long Island Legislator Bruce Blakeman at the rate of 51%.
Republicans working against Joe DioGuardi
The problem with choosing Blakeman is that Blakeman is the choice candidate of the “Gillicrew”. The Gillicrew consists of former Republican U.S. Senator from New York Alfonse D’Amato, former Republican Governor, George Pataki, and any other Republican elected official who want Gillibrand to win and the Republican candidate to lose.
After rumors surfaced in early 2009 that Gillibrand would be selected to the U.S. Senate to replace Hillary Clinton (who departed to become Secretary of State), D’Amato went into high gear securing Gillibrand’s seat, first making sure Pataki would not enter the race.
Pataki’s longtime ally, Al D’Amato, the former senator who still wields major power in the state’s fractured GOP, has been actively working behind the scenes to make sure that no one, not even Pataki, challenges Gillibrand, whom he’s known since was a baby. – The Village Voice Blogs
Politico.com Blogs describes the long familial relationship between D’Amato and Gillibrand:
Gillibrand’s father, Doug Rutnik, is an Albany insider and lobbyist whose ties to former GOP powerhouses Joe Bruno, George Pataki and Al D’Amato are legendary. In fact, Gillibrand won her seat when a state police domestic violence report about the GOP incumbent, John Sweeney, was mysteriously leaked, ostensibly with the acquiescence of the Pataki administration, which had its own reasons to oppose Sweeney. ..Rutnik dated, and eventually lived with, a top Pataki and D’Amato aide for many years, until he broke up with her in 2006 to marry [someone else]. Rutnik and D’Amato have been registered lobbyists for some of the same clients.
The below links show D’Amato being photographed with each candidate at their formal announcement:
Announcement photo of Bruce Blakeman for U.S. Senate.
Announcement photo of Kirsten Gillibrand for U.S. Senate.
The reason why D’Amato picked a candidate from Long Island is because of the weighted vote of registered Republicans in the area compared to the rest of the State. D’Amato was able to peel enough votes to divide the convention and deliver a win for Blakeman – a win that was strategically planned.
Joe DioGuardi – Candidate of the People
Voters are pulling for Joe DioGuardi in spite of D’Amato’s tricks, because they know Joe has a history of choosing people over politics and because they also know he is the only candidate who will clean up the corruption if elected.
A Siena Research poll and a Rasmussen poll again confirmed that I am the strongest opponent to Sen. Gillibrand in this race. When asked, New York voters did not echo the feelings of party bosses or the backroom deals they have tried to cut; instead, their support continues to align with our message of fiscal responsibility and standing up for the people, instead of big government and corporate malfeasance. — DioGuardi Campaign Update (June 2010)
New Yorkers: Send a message to the Gillicrew that says NO to pulling strings, NO to cozy jobs, NO to handshakes and payoffs. Support Joe DioGuardi by helping him get on the ballot in September’s GOP primary. If Joe wins the GOP primary together with the Conservative Party endorsement, the road is clear to victory in November. Do not be complacent — the time is now.
One does have to consider what kind of viability Bruce Blakeman has when he’s considered an “unknown” yet ran for statewide office already and got only 32.7% of the vote.
http://www.elections.state.ny.us/NYSBOE/elections/1998/COMPWEB.pdf
He was also majority leader of the Hempstead council during the years the Republicans pretty much ruined the county and voters rebelled by voting out the Republican legislators and electing Tom Suozzi as county executive.
While I do like David Malpass and would choose him over Blakeman, Joe DioGuardi has the far superior resume and experience as a legislator and would make a great candidate against Gillibrand. Many of us down in Queens County are petitioning for Joe and we hope to file a few thousand signatures for him to successfully get on the primary ballot.
By daniel on Jun 24, 2010
I have known Joe personally for over 20 years now and I can tell you firsthand that he has always operated with a level of ethics sorely lacking from our public servants.
What makes DioGuardi so good on the campaign trail is that he loves the people stuff. He became a better grass-roots campaigner after years of battling with party bosses. Also, Joe was a tea party guy before tea parties.
DioGuardi know public finance as well as anyone in America. Fighting the national debt is his strongpoint. He’s also a better speaker (can’t wait to see him debate).
But the surprise in this election will be Joe’s knowledge of foreign policy. He’s a seasoned human rights activist and grasps national security, home and abroad.
Of course, DioGuardi is a true conservative — fiscally and socially. The State GOP may have snubbed their noses at him at their convention but the polls show him far ahead. Why? DioGuardi’s connecting with a silent majority who cares about fiscal and social reforms.
He’s barnstorming Upstate New York, has Bronx roots he has never forgotten and he must already be the strongest statewide candidate in the suburbs.
Taxpayers trust Joe DioGuardi. The pro-life community trusts Joe DioGuardi. I believe the tea party movement has a genuine simpatico with this reformer.
It’s nice to see a man who was walking in the vineyards and the political desert for so long end up coming back with such an exciting race!!!
By Bob Fois on Jun 24, 2010
I like Joe DioGuardi also as a choice for the people.. What the establishment has given us are relatively unknowns and are weak candidates.. They are paving the way for a Gillibrand win.. Thanks to Al D’Amato.. Joe would be my second choice however.. My first choice is Tim Chichester.. I didn’t know who he was until the Patriot Group Orange/ Sulivan had a meet the candidates nite back on May 8.. It was a huge success.. Carl Paladino was also present.. WOW!! he was amasing !! and a man of his word.. Need to clean the mess in Albany.. If you like what Christie is doing in NJ.. You will LOVE Paladino!.. Also Tim Chichester.. He calls the social issues like abortion, gay marriage a ticking time bomb.. We need to restore America to its traditional values and principles.. This social chaos is damaging along with everything else like the economy and foreign policy.. He spoke very well on all the topics.. He received a lot of standing ovations.. He really touched everyone.. The thing is not evertyone knows him.. That is why I am one of many petitioning for Tim Chichester.. He was the candidate that an up and coming movement Primary challenge Endorsed.. I suggest everyone check them out.. They are about picking the PEOPLES CANDIDATES NOT Establishment candidates.. As you see this is what is happening across the country like Nevada, South Carolina, Missouri.. Unfortunately New Yorkers are stuck in the RINO mode and the idea that you have to resemble a Democrat to BEAT one.. UNTRUE.. Americans want REAL people.. Tim is a REAL person Along with Neil DiCArlo and Carl Paladino.. That is why I am commited in petitioning for them.. Like I said I will work hard for Tim but if he does not get on the ballot come SEptember.. Joe will be my Choice..
By Carol on Jun 25, 2010
Thanks Carol, as always, for your insightful comment!
When Chichester doesn’t make it on the ballot, I look forward to working with you to help Joe DioGuardi win this thing!! Have a wonderful day!
By Raquel on Jun 25, 2010
Upstate Political Report “loves” my blog!
Thank You Sam Foster for this neat introduction:
http://upstatepoliticalreport.blogspot.com/
By Raquel on Jun 25, 2010
I recall that Joe supported the KLA – an Albanian terrorist group that engages in drug smuggling. Let us not forget that in the Balkans, Moslems are repressing members of the Eastern Orthodox church. I find Joe’s support of Albania to be disturbing.
By Alice L. on Jun 25, 2010
Joe started the American Albanians Civic League http://www.dioguardi.org/albanian-american-civic-league which associated with the KLA.
The KLA started because the Albanian muslim community were the ones being repressed. If I could find the WSJ article I read one time, many muslims in that part of the world realized they were being denied an identity just like Israel is denied by the Arab world today.
Anyway, do we all still question Pete King’s support for the IRA back in the day?
By daniel on Jun 25, 2010
Actually, I do think that King was out of his mind “back in the day”. However, DioGuardi has not wised up unless he thinks that burning Orthodox churches is ok. Eastern Orthodox are a minority in Albania.
By Alice L. on Jun 25, 2010
I know the they are the minority but they were the ruling party and suppressing the ethnic identity of the majority. I’m not one who is up to speed on the whole thing, however much of the fighting seems to be about ethnic and cultural identity moreso than religious identity.
By daniel on Jun 26, 2010
Actually, a lot of the fighting is about religion and the Moslems have destroyed Christians shrines – in addition to running drugs and prostitution rings. That is why I could not back Joe.
By Alice L. on Jun 27, 2010
Alice,
I know for a fact that Joe DioGuardi has never supported any Albanian guilty of a criminal act.
The Albanian American Civic League (AACL) and Joe DioGaurdi were peacemakers in the Balkans during a time when the Serbians were ruthlessly violent with the Albanians in Kosovo.
And, yes, that included Joe separating himself entirely from the criminal and violent factions within the KLA. People forget how Joe fought against the black market and corrupt Albanian leaders.
Joe’s one of the good guys.
As for what happened in Serbia, the Greeks and Russians were part of a proposed Pan-Slavic Union that wanted a warm water port and control of the mineral deposits in the mountains around Kosovo. This was a land grab by Milosevic, not some traditional claim to a homeland.
It was about money.
The empty villages, the mass graves, the raping of Albanian women by Serbian military, the corrupt Serbian courts, the violent police and the mass genocide by Milosevic is just one of the reasons that the KLA happened.
They were worse in Croatia.
What Joe DioGuardi and his wife did as human rights activists was stop the killing. They stabilized the communities, the courts, the schools and ended the bloodshed. People forget the nightmare of ethnic cleansing by Serbians — and the uncounted dead still hidden in mass graves all over the Balkans.
The Serbian mobsters had the monopoly on the drugs and prostition, Alice. The Greeks looked the other way in Macedonia too.
Joe’s an unsung hero for another reason:
Had Milosevic gotten his way with a Greater Serbia that joined with the Greeks and Russia, a war against Turkey and NATO would have caused World War Three.
I worked closely with Joe on these issues for seven years. He’s an honest man who never made money as a lobbyist helping Albanians.
He risked his life every single time he stepped into the Balkans. I personally would watch him pack the bullet proof vest. Arrangements had to be made for him to always be accompanied by journalists and Congressional members to keep him alive!!!
Milosevic had wanted him dead since 1989.
This was a 20 year journey for a man who already felt politically exiled from the Republican Party. This is a comeback of the best kind.
I’m proud to know him.
I believe Joe DioGuardi is the best Republican to defeat Kirsten Gillibrand.
By Bob Fois on Jun 28, 2010
Sorry, Bob but I have heard different things about the Balkans and the Albanians do not look innocent. Kosovo is the site of one of the most important shrines in the Orthodox faith and it has fallen into the hands of Moslems. You also need to remember that when Bosnia broke away, it declared itself an Islamic Republic. As for the Croats, they were worse than the Nazis during WWII and still goose step on occasion and have brought back Eustache emblems. But once again, I must single out the KLA for their abusive behavior. As for Turkey, it has gone over to the Islamist dark side.
By Alice L. on Jun 28, 2010
Dear Raquel: You might want to restrict who can advertise on your site with Google ads. Tom Perriello is a big Dem here in Virginia, he voted for Obamacare, and his ad is showing on your page.
By Susan Hardwicke, Ph.D. on Jul 7, 2010
Thank You Susan — will do!
By Raquel on Jul 8, 2010
You’re right Raquel, New York Republican’s missed the boat. Over the past few weeks I have been keeping up to see what each senatorial candidate has been doing and latest poll results. It’s crystal clear, DioGuardi has been working around the clock meeting with locals, getting signatures and demonstrating what a politician should be doing!
38% to Joe, Gillibrand at 49% close race. I don’t see Blakeman and Malpass anywhere. Check out the note on his Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=135836139778449
By Stephen R. on Jul 9, 2010
The title of this article says it all: people over politics. That is what puts Joe DioGuardi head and shoulders above Blakeman and Malpass. He works at the grassroots level to truly understand the people he represents. As a former Congressman and a trusted CPA, Joe also possesses special knowledge and a unique vantage point on Congressional accounting, budgeting and reporting, something that should be very important to the people. If New Yorkers want their state to be wiped clean of corruption to move toward a brighter future, they need to help Joe get a spot on the GOP primary ballot!
By Carla Cossack on Jul 9, 2010
What really annoys me is that Malpass and Paladino have formed this third line “Taxpayers party” that will only further fraction the Republican vote and make Gillibrand stronger. Why are they doing this? Because they fear Joe. They know his numbers are going up and that he is really connecting with the people because he is an honest guy who has put the work in. So this is the only way they can get on the ballot.
By Taylor Crosse on Jul 9, 2010
Alice L – “Have heard” doesn’t really count as hard data and the “look” of people can be contrived by whoever is reporting.
I am not an Albanian and do not have any connections to the Albanian community (i.e., no agenda). When I have researched this issue, I learned about the Milosevic-directed wholesale slaughter of ethnic Albanians. I also learned that the issue is not as simple as Christian vs. Muslim as some would have us believe. Before you repeat hearsay, you might want to read history and statistics from reliable sources.
By Susan Hardwicke, Ph.D. on Jul 9, 2010
Great post, Bob! Joe DioGuardi is authentic and has the credentials the U.S. and New York need now.
By Susan Hardwicke, Ph.D. on Jul 9, 2010
Raquel, I am so glad to see you calling out the NY GOP for bowing to the pressures of corruption in backing D’Amato’s pick, the ever-listless Bruce Blakeman, instead of what the Conservative Party and the rest of us, you know, regular people, see as the best pick to run for the GOP, which of course would be DioGuardi.
DioGuardi has been an avid supporter of fiscal conservatism, long before our economy saw it’s way into this mess and fiscal conservatism suddenly became the hip thing in D.C. If that were his only upside, I’d still pick him over Bruce Blakeman, who couldn’t even succeed running for Comptroller in ’98. And lets not forget David Malpass, or rather do let us forget him because, well, what has he done? Ever?
The point is, it makes perfect sense for the polls to show the DioGuardi/Gillibrand matchup being the closest. The people know and like DioGuardi and what he stands for, never mind the relentless campaigning he has been doing since the race began. So, hurrah for the public not being swindled by D’Amato, and I hope it continues this way until November. My support is with Joe DioGuardi.
By Malik R. on Jul 12, 2010
Go Joe! Joe DioGuardi has reached the number of
petitions for his name to appear on the GOP ballot, and he will personally take them to the NY State Board of Elections building today (7/15) at 2:30 PM! http://www.facebook.com/notes/joe-dioguardi-for-us-senate/breaking-historic-event-invitation/137882426240487
By Jeremy Sellis on Jul 15, 2010
Great news Jeremy! Thanks for the update!
Go Joe Go!!!
By Raquel on Jul 15, 2010
Joe DioGuardi is the perfect candidate for America not just New York i cant wait i cant wait to vote for him!!!!
By Marko on Jul 20, 2010