Poll: Pataki doesn't look good for fourth term, or Senate

[cal04]

Republican Gov. George Pataki's chances for winning a fourth term against potential Democratic candidate Eliot Spitzer don't look good, according to a statewide poll of registered voters released Monday.

Pataki would do even worse if he tries to unseat Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, the poll from the Siena College Research Institute found. The poll also found Democrat Clinton beating former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani should Giuliani try to take her on in 2006. Giuliani would top Spitzer, however, in a run for governor, the poll found.

Pataki has not said if he will run for re-election in 2006, but has indicated he doesn't have any interest in running for the Senate. Spitzer, the state attorney general, said he will run for governor.

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-bc-ny--pataki-poll0207feb07,0,5092466.story?coll=ny-topstories-headlines

[Azathoth]

2. Poor George thinks he's going to get the GOP nom for President in 2008

No one has had the heart to break the bad news to him yet :evilgrin:

[BrklynLiberal]

7. I never voted for him..but knew his number was up when the NY Post, a

Rupert Murdoch rag, blew the whistle on his maid scandal. Guess the RW Nuts don't want a moderate to have even the slightest chance of gaining a national office.

[gWbush is Mabus]

3. Pataki sold his soul at the GOP convention

I lost all respect for him when he gave that speech

[tabasco]

4. Good ! It's time for Dems to rally and get rid of these bums !

Kaleefoneeya needs to eject their steroid-addled idiot too.

[hadrons]

5. it's the "three-and-out" thing NYers have ....

Coumo, D'Amato were three-terms and out ... and people were sick of Giuliani proir to 9/11

[BrklynLiberal]

6. If it wasn't for 9/11 W and Giuliani wouldn't be anything but bad memories

by now.

[makhno]

10. Still

What's this damn obsession with Rudy? What did he objectively do on 9/11 that paints him as such a great leader?

Nothing, that's what he did.

[Azathoth]

11. He didn't run away on 9/11 like Dubya did

That's his claim to fame. As soon as bad things started going down, Dubya took off like a coward and disappeared. People were looking for a leader, and Rudy was there running all over the place for the cameras.

[makhno]

12. It's his city

Where was he supposed to go, New Jersey? When I think back to that day, Rudy's performance is the last thing that comes to mind. I guess others perceive it differently.

It just pains me to see him being considered as a possible positive force for the state of NY, especially compared to a guy like Spitzer.

[Renew Deal]

31. I was in the city.

I honestly thought about where Bush and Guiliani were that day. They and the military were all we realistically had for protection. I knew Bush was in Florida and I knew the command center was at World Trade. I was really worried about Guiliani when the first collapse happened and I was happy to hear he was alive. He went through a lot that day, as many people have. Being in elected office doesn't end the humanity of it all, the difference is the coward (Bush) and the fighter(Guiliani). Guiliani went out of his way to let people know that there was someone still in charge and that was a good thing.

[calimary]

13. Exactly. Even all the way out here in California, we could see that

clearly. I will NEVER, as long as I live, forget hearing the various TV anchorpeople who repeatedly said "WHERE is the president?" And, like him or not, Rudy Giuliani WAS there. At least he stuck around, providing some "formalized and official presence" that we needed at that moment, and weren't getting from the White House. Nobody knew where the human embodiment of the White House even was for most of that day. Some leadership. And for a lot of people who aren't New Yorkers, that's the main impression they have of Giuliani. They don't know squat about how he ran or failed to run the city or what kind of shenanigans he pulled or any of that. And they're the most likely to be wooed by him, especially for higher-profile regioinal office like the governorship, or even national office.

If Pataki had had any sense or ruthless political shrewdness, he woulda bigfooted Giuliani and gotten his mug out there in front of the cameras every hour on the hour instead of standing quietly behind Rudy every time there was a press briefing. So he got no mileage out of it at all. In fact, I suspect most people watching those briefings were wondering who those nameless guys are standing behind Giuliani, Pataki being one of them.

It was so bad that day that people were willing to cling to ANYTHING. And since dear darling duhbya left a nice big vacuum, Rudy was VERY shrewd to move directly into it and settle in comfortably for as long as he could play it out.

[hatrack]

35. Sad, isn't it?

His claim to fame is that he did his job. Kind of like an NFL lineman making a tackle (which is what he's paid to do) and then treating the world to a celebratory dance.

Of course, in politics, the celebratory dances are far more damaging . . .

[BrklynLiberal]

15. He did what ANY Mayor of NYC would have done in that situation.. nothing

more extraordinary than anyone else in that position would have done.
Of course, no one else woud have turned to Bernard Kerik and said "Thank God Bush is President".

[Renew Deal]

30. He was pretty close to getting killed.

Because of a mistake in planning. The emergency command center was in the basement of 7 World Trade IIRC. They were stuck in there and I think they had to run from the collapse. A couple of his top people were killed including the fire cheif IIRC, the fire chaplain ans some others. As someone else said, he didn't run away like Bush.

[NYC]

42. What Giuliani did on 9/11:

For a few weeks, he was not obnoxious. That was a major change, and we all give him credit for not being obnoxious for about 3 weeks.

Other than that, he was Giuliani, and it was beyond time for him to go. It didn't take him long to get back to his dictatorial ways. New Yorkers didn't grow fond of him because of 9/11.

The rest of the country has a different image, it seems.

[vickie]

14. I'm so glad Rudy the Jackal is polling poorly. The right wing

press during the post 9/11 GOP swoon dubbed him "America's mayor". He isn't. Never was. He's a media whoring, glory hogging goon. Be gone with him already!!!

[Beetwasher]

8. Spitzer Is Going To Be An Amazing Governor!!!

Man, I can't wait!

[The White Tree]

20. I was watching him on C-Span last night - He is sharp

I guess he was talking at the Nat. Press Club last Monday. This was a replay. He was explaining all the investigations his office had initiated, why and what people did to try to stop them. He was making great points about the role of government in buisness and the lack even a mention of the corruption in the industries by members of the Bush administartion.

His best point was explaining how all the fraud, lying and extortion that his office was uncovering undermines the free market that repuglicans claim to beleive so much in because it creates a dishonest situation where investors and companies cannot make sound decisions because they have no real knowledge of what is going on.

He was awesome.

[GOPBasher]

9. Man I love my state.

I love NY. It gets bluer all the time. Now, for the rest of the country...

[imenja]

16. why don't you all have gubernatorial term limits?

Most states only allow two terms. I'm glad Florida limits governor's terms, or we might be stuck with Jeb for far too long.

[GOPBasher]

23. Well it sucks that we don't have term limits, but

we don't elect terrible people regardless. Pataki is pro-choice, pro-gay rights, secular, pro environment, pro education. He's a Republican only by NY standards, but he's actually about as liberal as Bill Clinton. We don't elect any Jeb Bush's.

[bunkerbuster1]

36. Term limits suck.

There, I said it.

[imenja]

37. I support them for executive offices

If not, we might be stuck with the Bushes forever. Allowing governors and presidents to keep power forever allows far too much power in the hands of the executive. Some countries, like Mexico, allow presidents to hold only one term.

[bunkerbuster1]

46. Eh. We would've had another four years of Clinton, at least.

Don't forget the reason that amendment was passed, was to prevent another FDR.

And anyways, who's to say we won't be stuck with Bushes forever? Lessee, Jeb's in from 2009-2017, then how old will NotJenna be?

[imenja]

47. I wouldn't want Clinton, Bush, or FDR for another four years

I don't like the idea of an imperial presidency. The fact is, those who have power do everything they can to hold on to it. It's too close to tyranny. We don't need anyone with that much power. Presidents have usurped more and more power in recent years. Bush wields far more power presidents have in the past. The last thing we need is for one individual, whether Bush or the most benevolent Democrat, to hold power without limit. Democracy requires sharing of power. I think the legislature is different from the executive, because Senators and representatives have far less power than president or governor. Term limits in legislature enhance the power of the political parties. For the executive, however, it is crucial to have limits. The principle of democratic rule with a limited rather than an imperial presidency is more important than who in particular rules.
I also doubt that Bill Clinton would have been re-elected for a third term regardless.

[BornaDem]

17. Good! No Repug should be elected dog catcher in a "Blue" state.

[shantipriya]

34. Pataki

I agree.It is a shame that we have REPUG Governors in the three most liberal/democratic states!

[NorthernSun]

18. Diebold

Are their any Diebold trucks crossing the NY state line yet?

[Gloria]

19. What took 'em so long, getting rid of this dip?

Of course, he may be recycled somewhere....as a full-time Bush bootlicker somewhere....

[PROGRESSIVE1]

21. Pataki is done with.

[Historic NY]

22. Poor George....what will he do.....good riddence I say....n/t

[Moderator]

24. Kick

[The Sheik]

25. Poll: N.Y. Gov. Likely Won't Be Re-Elected

ALBANY, N.Y. - Republican Gov. George Pataki's chances for winning a fourth term against potential Democratic candidate Eliot Spitzer don't look good, according to a statewide poll of registered voters released Monday.

Pataki would do even worse if he tries to unseat Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (news - web sites), the poll from the Siena College Research Institute found. The poll also found Democrat Clinton beating former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (news - web sites) should Giuliani try to take her on in 2006. Giuliani would top Spitzer, however, in a run for governor, the poll found

Continued at: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&e=1&u=/ap/pataki_poll

[borlis]

I'm sure they will bring in "special" voting machines n/t

[brooklynite]

This is New York

We'll still be using 1950's lever machines for years.

[progressiveandproud]

48. Brooklynite:

I've heard about NYC's old lever machines. Any idea how secure they are? Like, do they produce a lot of "glitches" or "irregularities" during elections? And are they so antiquated that they discourage/prevent large-scale fraud, or is something like ballot-stuffing still an issue?

If you could help me answer even one of these questions, I'd be grateful. Just plain old curiosity.

Besides, I think my state (Maryland) used to vote on lever machines, prior to the installation of... are you ready for this?.... Diebold machines!

Jonathan

[progressiveandproud]

Good point.

If the voting machines to be used are not secure, then victory is NOT assured. Just ask Max Cleland.

[fujiyama]

Looks good

It looks like Spitzer will win the NY governor's race. I think he has a chance to beat Giuliani as well. Maybe in time he could be on a national ticket as well.

Nice to know that Corzine will likely win the NJ race. Now, who's likely to run for the NJ senate seat though?

[TomClash]

Bob Menendez nt

[ClarkUSA]

House Representative Bob Menendez

[Historic NY]

I'm a happy NY'er....I like Eliot Spitzer........

met him numerous times since he was elected AG...a real nice guy, concerned about people & their lives.

[EST]

Saw him on cspan

Looked and acted like he was ready, willing, and even anxious to start slapping the shit out of those pesky satan spawn CONservatives! I liked him immediately.

[Kolesar]

Me too. Here is the DU adulation thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3066494

[EST]

33. Thanks for steering...

J

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

What excellent news! I cannot stand Pataki. He started out as the

Mayor of Peekskill (city next to my town), and with an unexpemplorary record, made a meotoric rise with help of Alfonse D'mato's coffers. Most people hadn't a clue who he was, and that helped in his defeating Cuomo, whom obviously the majority of NYers tired of.

Why he was re-elected the last time is beyond me. He has strangled municipalities with cuts, and as a result real estate and local taxes had to be increased. Right now he is on a mission to rape medicaid.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=169&topic_id=2403

You would also thing that someone so buddy buddy with * would lobby to help NY and yet http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=169x2728

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

now who's going after bloomberg later this year?

i thought mark green would want a rematch, but i now hear he's in the AG race

bloomberg is very beatable and i hope the dems don't blow the chance to get a high-profile win in our column this year

[TomClash]

Miller, Ferrer, Fields

[Lauri16]

26. As an Upstate, New Yorker..........

all I can say is.....WOOHOO! I can't believe that he actually won the last one.

[GCP]

Hi, Lauri16, welcome to DU!

:party::toast:

[Renew Deal]

27. He ran against a couple losers.

McCall and Cuomo Jr. were horrible candidates.

[Cha]

29. I liked Andrew but it wasn't in the

stars for him to run..they said it was Carl H McCall's turn and he was definetly not a good candidate to run against the turkey.

Andrew bowed out and then not too much later..it came out that his wife was having an affair with some repug.

Only rudy gets to have affairs with impunity.

[NYC]

28. Giuliani would top Spitzer?

Where?

[Cha]

That surpried me too.

ANd what about this Anthony Weiner who wants to boot bloomberg out as mayor of NYC?:)

[TomClash]

He's milquetoast

He was my Congressman for a while - he's going nowhere.

[NYC]

45. I don't know, but what was Wiener doing in India?

http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/congtravel/member_report.php?member=483

Just found that instead of a biography.

[Tweed]

LOL

I'm sure there are some people in New York that haven't paid attention to Spitzer. I'm guessing its close to impossible, because I live in Illinois and I know about Spitzer and I'm a huge fan. Many people don't know what a great guy he is yet. I'm sure once people got to know him, they would chose him over Guliani in a second.

[CAcyclist]

A lot of people out here in CA

don't know who Spitzer is, but I'm spreading the word, becuase he needs name recognition now if he's going to be our president in 2012.

Eliot Spitzer is my idol. I love, love, love him!

[TomClash]

You have your own Spitzer

His name is Bill Lockyer - he's a bulldog but not as much of a press hound.

[progressiveandproud]

1. Yes.

And it's refreshing to hear a Democratic official who stays progressive around the issue of gay marriage. As Spitzer once said, if two people of the same gender love each other and want to make a lifetime commitment, then that is their right.

Dems who cite their values, or those of "mainstream America", as reason for restricting the freedom to marry... well, kind of like George Lakoff says, they are alienating their progressive base and activating the conservatives' frames in the minds of voters.

In the end, all I know about Eliott Spitzer is that he's willing to fight corporate corruption -- unfortunately, this seems to be an unusual quality -- and that he is making a tough stand on the freedom to marry. Not bad!

[HockeyMom]

40. BEFORE 9/11

Still a lot of us New Yorkers remember what Rudy was like before 9/11. No, thank you. Plus, now he has become a poster boy for Bush. DEFINITELY, NO THANK YOU.

[NYC]

41. I can't even print on the internet what some New Yorkers said

about Giuliani before 9/11. (and since :) )

I even knew people in Long Island who didn't like Giuliani when he was mayor. I can't believe Giuliani would beat Spitzer.

[EST]

32. He has waged a highly successful war in his current position.

Could it be (in deference to the Peter Principle) that he will be less valuable as a gov? Men of principle and effectiveness are so very few, even among us, the party of values and ethics.

Very thin butter on a LOT of toast.

[AP]

38. Patakis the three-toed sloth of NY politics.

He seemed like a steady, moderate when compared to a Mario Cuomo who grew to seem to liberal, too distracted, going off in too many different directions without being able to focus and solve problems.

But now NY has been taken over again by quick-thinkers with energy and vitality -- Clinton, Schumer, and Spitzer.

In that mix, Pataki really looks like the odd many out, and I think NY'ers probably feel like it's time to get some energy and wit back into the governor's mansion.

[Lexingtonian]

39. Usually reform tends to begin at the bottom

tiers of the political ladder. NY chews up incumbents and seems to have begun with the top (Senators and President), then the bottom and top (county government and House Reps, and NYC Mayor and Governor), and is now getting at the incumbents who can entrench most deeply as a group- the Legislature.

There's also the other pattern that is national: Old Democrat => variably bad Republican => sensible Democrat. Koch/Dinkins-Giuliani-(Bloomberg, arguably). Cuomo-Pataki-(Spitzer). Moynihan-flirtation with Lazio-Clinton. Javitz-D'Amato-Schumer.

2006 could be a very good year for NY Democrats. Spitzer in as Governor, Democrats probably getting to majority in the state Senate, maybe some more county governments falling Democratic. There's also Peter King probably retiring and essentially handing over his House seat to Democrats, maybe there's a better shot possible at Fossella on Staten Island. Who knows, maybe Sherrie Boehlert's seat too. Say goodbye to the D'Amato/Lazio/Giuliani era and the Forever Seventies incarnation of the NY Republican Party. Things depend a little on how quickly gay marriage legalization stuff blows over, of course, but you're not going to need more than several months for that to happen.

[Dr Fate]

43. Looks like the GOP/media has some "Swiftboating" to do.

n/t

[Dr Fate]

44. Looks like the GOP/media has some "Swiftboating" to do.

n/t