New York Conservative Party Stands Behind Lazio: State GOP Sharply Rebuffed Over Levy

By a 5-1 margin, the New York State Conservative Party has endorsed Rick Lazio for Governor.

Conservative State Chairman Mike Long has read the riot act to State Republican leaders backing Steve Levy.

"Rick is exactly the person we need in Albany to fight for the people of New York. He's not just calling for change, he's calling for fundamentally changing the very way Albany does business," said Long.

Lazio stated that he is committed " to running on the Conservative line all the way through to election day."

He better.

Wouldn't be the first time a candidate took a party's line and vanished (ie. Andrew Cuomo and the Liberal Party, circa 2002).

Lazio cut deeply into Cuomo.

"Andrew Cuomo is appallingly liberal, a tool of the special interests, and has done nothing to fix Albany in thirty years," said Lazio. "Indeed, he has been a part of the Albany culture his whole life."

The New York Daily News reported that a lengthily and sometimes heated meeting took place in Brooklyn today, some holding out for Steve Levy and others for Carl Palandino.

"When push came to shove, the vote was overwhelmingly for Rick Lazio," said party Chairman Mike Long. "I didn't use the proxies. I didn't have to use them. Those present listened to all the arguments and debate."

"...It took a long time because I gave them all time to speak. Some spoke five or six times. Some of them got a little excited, but I just let it happen."

But the grassroots support for Lazio has not been overwhelming -- and Long's committee has now set a scenario in motion that holds them hostage to Finkelstein, Inc.

Lazio's campaign needs a swift kick in the ass.  Short of shock treatment, Republicans with clout need to shake the cobwebs out of the current Conservative-Republican establishment.

Worse, Conservatives endorsing Lazio so earlier has placed Carl Paladino on the outside looking in.  It potentially alienates a cross-section of voters tired of business as usual by party leaders.

It could actually empower a third party movement behind Carl Paladino, whose ties to Golisano could bring him the Independence Party line.  It also opens the door for George Marlin to run statewide on the Conservative line.

Madness ...

The New York Post reported on Bronx Conservative leader Bill Newmark expressing his own concerns about Lazio's campaign.

"Republcans only win when they polarize...not by race....but by issues," he said.

"There's no enthusiasm (for Lazio) at all," he added. "Nobody wants to get out to work for him. The state senate will remain gone if Lazio's at the top of the ticket."

Bronx County GOP Chairman Jay Savino has been among Republicans leaders supporting Steve Levy.

Comments

[Steven G. Poyzer]

There was a western NYer Carl Paladino who has also thrown his hat in the ring, hoping for the Conservative nod. Oh well I guess the admonishment I received for an early endorsement is more a matter of do as I say not as I do!