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(Photo taken at Be Heard fundraiser on August 5. From Left: Shirley DioGuardi, Joe DioGuardi, Raquel Okyay)
Several GOP primary races in New York State have voters excitable this year, but none more than the race to challenge Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. Gillibrand’s credibility as a “moderate” Democrat she once claimed to be has long since faded since she was first appointed Junior U.S. Senator from New York in March of last year.
Being a “moderate” in Democrat party circles today is not what it used to be yesterday. If Democrats do not adhere to a party agenda that asks not what we can do for our country, but what can we take from the tax payers who support it, their opinions are no longer welcome.
Saying Gillibrand is part of the problem in Washington D.C. is an understatement. Rather than standing by conviction and the will of the people who are screaming for government restraint, her voting shows a dismal record of yes, yes, and yes, to every spending bill imaginable. She is a walking, talking, parrot of the Obama administration; the same administration that hard working Americans are fighting to dismantle.
New York: We can do this
For Republicans who want to win, they will be heading to the polls on Tuesday September 14 (primary day) to vote for former U.S. Congressman and Conservative Party designee for U.S. Senate, Joseph DioGuardi.
For Republicans who want to lose, they will be heading to the polls on Tuesday September 14 (primary day) to vote for either GOP designee Bruce Blakeman or Wall Street economist, David Malpass. Both candidates have zero electability, and both candidates face a landslide loss against Gillibrand, yet both candidates are being backed by two separate power- broker groups, high- up in the Republican party who want Gillibrand to win.
Former U.S. Senator Republican Al D’Amato who is publicly supporting Blakeman but privately supporting Gillibrand, fought hard to keep DioGuardi from winning the GOP designee spot, possibly in a slap to the face of Conservatives who overwhelmingly support DioGuardi, but definitely because his close and long-standing relationship with Gillibrand and her family has D’Amato supporting Gillibrand all along.
New York State Chairman Ed Cox, on the other hand, is publicly supporting Malpass but privately supporting Gillibrand and took a public bruising recently when his favored choice of candidates in the Governor’s race failed miserably at the convention. (My guess is) Cox’s motives are purely egotistical. Joe DioGuardi represents a different kind of state government and a different kind of Republican Party. This is what Cox is afraid of with DioGuardi. Joe is ready, able and willing to say No! to a party that says is about principles, yet is more interested in power and control.
New Yorkers want Joe DioGuardi to win
DioGuardi’s lead in the polls is steady and is one indicator of growing support among primary voters.
Among Republicans, DioGuardi continues to lead, 19 percent to eight percent for Blakeman and five percent for Malpass, with 68 percent of enrolled Republicans undecided. Siena College Poll 8/18
Joe DioGuardi credits his lead in part to “Facebook, Twitter, and other networking websites that increase my ability to communicate with voters, so it has had its effect.” Indeed Joe’s Facebook friends and twitter fans dwarf both of his opponents in the GOP primary race. That is because the electorate is learning that Joe is the real deal, a true leader in government reform, and fully focused and determined to bring common sense to Washington D.C.
If we elect Joe DioGuardi to the U.S. Senate, we would elect the first practicing certified public accountant to the chamber; we would elect a proven, fiscal conservative; and we would elect someone who opposes the termination of innocent human life through abortion.
Joe DioGuardi is a Republican’s Republican; a Conservative’s Conservative. The more I talk to him, the more I like him. If you have not met him already, call his campaign office, get his schedule, go and meet him yourself. Joe DioGuardi is jumping through hoops in his fight to be a voice for the people not the establishment, help me, help him get there!
Vote for Joe DioGuardi on primary day, Tuesday, September 14.
Haven’t we been here before?
It’ll be interesting to see how these primaries will play out.
I have not seen any commercials for the Republican candidates.
I hope Republicans don’t plan on staying home September 14.
By daniel on Aug 23, 2010
Don’t worry Daniel, we real Republicans who actually care will be out in force voting for DioGuardi.
By Luan Bukolla on Aug 23, 2010
Tonight, NY1/YNN will host the debate between Blakeman, DioGuardi & Malpass.
Last night, it hosted the debate between Berntsen & Townsend.
It’ll be interesting to see what will transpire.
Last night’s debate didn’t go as smoothly as I had hoped and wish our candidates chose to do townhall debates throughout the State.
The frustrating this is the standard, “I have the Conservative line. No Statewide Republican has one without the Conservative line since the Ford administration.”
This falls into that, “If you can’t vote for a ‘Republican’ or you can’t vote for a ‘Democrat’ you have the option to vote for the person on another line. ”
This is bull-manure. Just because NY has Electoral Fusion, it is trumped up as if people cannot cross vote to the other major party in the polls. New York is like any other State. Only a minute number of voters are that feeble minded to follow such a silly “rule.” If this was how voters saw the electoral process, Jon Corzine would be serving another term.
For argument’s sake, let’s look at our “Statewide Republican” win by having both lines. Republicans like to point to George Pataki winning with the “C” line. Well, I recall that the “D” didn’t have the “I” line. It was a three-way in 1994, remember? Golisano had money and the Independence line and ran against both Pataki & Cuomo.
How did our other statewide guys do? Herbert London. John Faso. Bruce Blakeman. They all ran having both the “R” and “C” and guess what? No victory.
Of course DioGuardi will trump up “I have the Conservative line” just like Townsend did. People won’t be voting based on how many party lines you accumulate. They will vote for the better candidate, or against the guy they can’t stand or don’t believe will do the job.
By daniel on Aug 24, 2010
Blakeman will lose because he has never engaged in this race and is still relying on the cronyism of Al D’Amato to pull this off– and he needs spelling lessons.
See this poor excuse for an attack ad and the DioGuardi camp’s appropriate outrage.
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/08/senate-hopeful-bruce-blakeman.html
By Chappaqua Bud on Aug 24, 2010
Conservative is not a dirty word.
The Conservative Party principles are identicial to the platform for the Republican Party. It’s not the Conservative Party’s fault that the Republicans in New York left the national platform behind 50 years ago.
And New York is far worse for the way Republicans keep running scared from their own platform. Look around you … Are we better off for Pataki’s liberalism? Our state is an economic travesty.
Joe DioGuardi is the Conservative Party’s Carl Paladino; an independent, a true conservative and and honest man capable of reforming/downsizing/right-sizing government.
Perhaps if the Republicans could start acting like real Republicans, they would not need the Conservative line to win. The Conservative Party also draws far more than its registration in each election — and draws even more Republicans to vote on the Republican line than the candidate without the Conservative line.
This is common sense, not politics or some fusion conspiracy.
Neither Bruce Blakeman nor David Malpass are qualified to run, except their money. The fiscal failures of Nassau County in the 1990s and Wall Street only two years ago is all the more reason NOT to elect either man.
DioGuardi was denied the Republican line at the State GOP Convention due to stubborn narrow-minded pride — and by a political heirarchy who keeps failing us. Paladino was denied by the same rocket scientists who convince themselves every year that they are brilliant. Merci’.
You don’t have to remind me that my own party chose Rick Lazio — and I am holding my nose as we speak — and the Conservative Party’s choices have to also improve in the future … no doubt.
But I would take the Conservative Party’s principles anyday over the wishy washy games played in Albany by the State GOP.
This is why Joe DioGuardi’s candidacy is so important.
DioGuardi is a Reagan Republican, a fiscal conservative and has been a brilliant diplomat overseas on human rights issues. Joe’s precisely what New York and the country need, a common sense Republican who won’t be fooled by the usual suspects in Congress.
With DioGuardi, Republicans and Conservatives have hope of drawing a reasonable vote in November. Without Joe, both parties are in serious trouble for many years to come.
By Bob Fois on Aug 24, 2010
Bob, you make some interesting points, however I’m not sure where you arrive at some of your conclusions. Readers of this blog don’t suggest the Conservative Party is a “dirty word.”
And your suggestion that Blakeman has money, I think you should recheck the fundraising.
As for qualifications, I just finished watching the NY1/YNN debate for the lower US Senate seat and I’ve come to some conclusions.
First, they stood in height order.
Second, DioGuardi did very well but he actually was not the best candidate in the debate. David Malpass, came off as attentive and knowledgeable of answers to the questions posed. In my view Malpass, though not a smooth speaker, was the winner. Blakeman came off oily. As a D’Amato man, it doesn’t surprise me. He also said he would nix the filibuster and when Malpass said he wouldn’t an pointed out that Blakeman would, the former Nassau legislator claimed he never said he’d get rid of the filibuster. It was a great debate.
Also, Blakeman accused DioGuardi of being a paid lobbyist and the congressman had to correct him on having his facts wrong. So clearly Blakeman lost to the other two candidates.
I’ll be satisfied with either a DioGuardi or Malpass victory in the Republican Primary. New Yorkers should open to both of them as well.
By daniel on Aug 24, 2010
There is a huge difference between DioGuardi and Malpass! Malpass is not electable and not a strong enough conservative to motivate a base. DioGuardi has a base from years of experience and from being a voice for the people, people know Joe and they support him.
Where is the Malpass base? With both the CP and GOP DioGuardi has the best chance to beat Gillibrand. He will definitely get the most votes between the three candidates, and that’s the point, let’s give Gillibrand (a vulnerable incumbent) a run for her money, a vote for Joe DioGuardi on primary day will do that.
By Raquel Okyay on Aug 25, 2010
Malpass was impressive even with his Robert Barone-type appearance. I would not argue he isn’t electable. I think he has a very good grasp of economic issues and he worked under Ronald Reagan, which adds to his allure of believing in federalism and free market principles.
If you want someone who can analyze spending and present a case of fiscal responsibility, you have DioGuardi.
If you want someone who will vote on free market legislation which could generate/promote job creation, you have Malpass.
I don’t really know what qualities Blakeman brings and I didn’t get any last night.
By daniel on Aug 25, 2010
Did anyone see the debate last night? DioGuardi proved his being the best candidate to face off against Gillibrand, as he showed his poise under fire and didn’t end up wrapped in the bickering Malpass and Blakeman engaged in the whole night. It’s great to see at least one candidate give a show of professionalism, which is exactly what Joe did.
By Malik on Aug 25, 2010
Raquel, What’s with Townsend admitting to being arrested? Do you know what went down? According to Liz Benjamin’s blog he dodged the questions about the altercation.
By OC Patriot on Aug 25, 2010
Why isn’t Malpass electable?
The answer to that question is simple.
Bear Stearns.
After reading the book “House of Cards” about the collapse of Bear Stearns, I was struck by the witless decisions by the executives at Bear Stearns. They had no clue (or at least claimed they had no clue) that their company and Wall Street was about to collapse.
After reading “The Big Short” by Michael Lewis (author of Liar’s Poker), I understood why the financial collapse of Wall Street was inevitable — and that it should have been forecasted by economists.
Well … Malpass was a chief economist at Bear Stearns. He was paid to be one of those economists who should have seen the fiscal problems coming.
We want to elect this man to the U.S. Senate?
As for Blakeman, his association with Nassau County’s fiscal collapse in the 1990s should have been grounds for early retirement — but the State GOP actually had the cruelty to dare run him statewide for Comptroller.
Why is this man running for U.S. Senate?
Joe DioGuardi is ready to face off against Gillibrand and she’s not ready. Her numbers are soft. She’s hovering around 50 percent or below. This is not a strong appointment by an already weakened Governor in a year when the Democrats are due to get spanked (even in Cuomo breaks 50 percent).
DioGuardi can win.
By Bob Fois on Aug 25, 2010
As Miss Proud is quoted as saying, “Mr. Malpass is an economist, not a banker. It would be like blaming a meteorologist for a snowstorm.”
As an economist, he would number crunch and paint the good, the bad, the ugly, the rosy picture for the bankers. He was in an advisory role and had no say in the actions of Bear Sterns. If you are not in the field of banking, finance, or real estate investment, you should be cautious with criticism.
If voters are really going to listen to the candidates this year, there is no reason we can’t see Donovan, Wilson, and either DioGuardi or Malpass, win their races.
By daniel on Aug 25, 2010
Dan … Great quote but forces of nature didn’t doom Bear Stearns.
Wall Street was brought down by its hubris and a lack of honest and/or accurate financial analysis by its number crunchers — analysis that was either ignored/disregarded by executives or never done.
Listen … I am sure Mr. Malpass might have only been a spectator but have you read the New York Times article on how much Andrew Cuomo knew about the sub-prime debacle before he left HUD ten years ago?
Are you going to tell me that David Malpass had no idea how much trouble Bear Stearns was in, that he couldn’t be a whistleblower if they ignored his warnings — if he warned them at all?
This is what’s wrong with corporate culture. Why repeat the same mistakes on the floor of Congress?
Are you following what’s going on in the housing market this summer and what is simultaneously happening on Wall Street?
How many more times must we accept that these executives and their employees had no idea what would happen to our economy?
They are all pretending to be unware of the remaining tranches of credit default swaps that were improperly rated and insured. The bonds are crap. They’re worthless. The taxpayers bailed out a used car with no engine or transmission inside. We have repossessed a vehible made of paper mache. There is no value, except a pure bottom, and that’s why only a slight drop in the housing market caused the last market crash.
Can you imagine what a 50 percent drop will do to Wall Street now?
Malpass and Lazio too should be speaking firsthand about Wall Street’s systemic problems. Oh, I’m sorry. They’re only spectators at this snowstorm.
Well, sorrry Dan, we don’t need spectators on the floor of the U.S. Senate … or in Albany.
By Bob Fois on Aug 26, 2010
Bob, I don’t know Malpass and I don’t work for Bear Sterns. I do know someone who did work for BS and Malpass will be a guest of the NYYRC at Slate on the 31st. You are welcome to come down to Manhattan and you and I can grill him together.
Over the past few years, I’ve learned not to become too critical of all the available candidates out there. Some will receive my displeasure, but in a “not-too-offensive” way. I’m sure saying I’m not a fan of Blakeman because of his association with D’Amato is not an offensive point. In fact, the idea of Blakeman running for mayor in 2009 seemed like an “attractive” option.
We have many GOP primaries this year. It’s a HUGE shame that newspapers like the NY Post, with what is considered a conservative editorial board, has chosen to ignore the three statewide for Republicans. Oh, they seem to have no problem mentioning the Democratic Attorney General candidates and their primary. Republican though? When a paper often encourages the NY Republican Party to flesh out ideas by presenting us with more primaries, it’s a shame it ignores them when we do have them.
By daniel on Aug 26, 2010
Hi Raquel, I just Googled the candidates names because I wanted to do some last minute research before going downstairs to vote (luckily there’s a booth in my building, as I have a nasty cold and am happy not to have to travel far). Anyway, your blog came up among the top results. You go girl!!!
By Paula on Sep 14, 2010
Excellent! Thank You so much Paula!
By Raquel on Sep 14, 2010