N.Y. Conservatives Move to Pre-Empt GOP

[brooklynite]

ALBANY, N.Y. - New York's small but politically important Conservative Party will pre-empt the Republican Party by holding its state convention to choose nominees for governor and U.S. Senate before the GOP meets, Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long said Tuesday.

The move could have dramatic consequences in New York politics and puts extra pressure on the GOP because Long and state GOP Chairman Stephen Minarik disagree about who should run for governor.

No Republican running statewide in New York has won without Conservative Party backing since 1974.

Long said the convention's selection for governor would "overwhelmingly" be former state Assembly Republican Minority Leader John Faso and its choice to take on Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton would be former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060411/ap_on_el_gu/conservatives_vs__gop_1
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For an explanation of what this is likely to result in, take a look at a diary I wrote last year on Daily Kos.

[electropop]

1. Why don't they just endorse Hillary?

Then they get a winner and a conservative. I heard her this morning, with a bunch more corporate-speak, not wanting to roll back the irresponsible and greedy tax cuts for the rich, but claiming she is for fiscal responsibility.

[Faygo Kid]

2. Say it isn't so

Did she endorse making the cuts permanent? Good grief.

[electropop]

3. She refused to commit.

This is not a complicated question. Either you're for a rollback, or you're against the American people.

[Tiggeroshii]

4. hehehe

Though it's not nice illiteration like the more popular catch phrase, I still enjoy the sound of Republicans in dissaray.