If New York's so liberal

[George_Bonanza]

After all, Gore won the state 60-40 percent, I think, which is more than most states. If NY's so liberal, than why do they elect Republican mayors and governors?

[Armstead]

1. It's liberal in urban areas and conservative in the sticks

Saying "New York is..." is like saying "America is...."

It's a big state and a very diverse state. New York City and rural upstate and western New York have as much in common as Kansas and California.

[Dookus]

2. What Armstead said...

Plus, a NY Republican would be a democrat almost anywhere else in the country.

[Brian Sweat]

Bloomburg bas a Democrat up until he decided to run for mayor.

He is more liberal than many Democrats. Samething with Rudy.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

3. first of all Bloomberg is a life long registered democrat until 2 weeks

before he was elected...and Pataki is a RINO...he protested side by side with us in Vegas and at GE ...hell Pataki even wore a white Hazmat suit at the anti-GE protests...to get GE to clean up their PCB mess out of the Hudson River :)

[maha]

4. Rudy was an anti-crime mayor.

First off, few of our "Republicans" in NYC are like "Republicans" elsewhere. Most of 'em would be "Democrats" elsewhere. They tend to be social liberals -- pro choice, pro civil rights, etc.

Just going from memory, before Rudy G. was elected I think you have to go back to John Lindsey to find a Republican mayor, and Lindsey was a flaming liberal. That was a long time ago.

Rudy G. came in when crime was soaring, and he was well known to the city as an anti-crime guy. But he is also a social liberal in most respects. Mayor Bloomberg, although a Republican, used to be a Dem and is also socially fairly progressive. He changed parties and got elected because Giuliani endorsed him, but conventional wisdom says he's a one-term wonder.

[Ontour]

7. Liberal Republicans

I couldn't agree more with maha.

I am also reminded of other Northern Republican Liberals such as Rockefeller (notwithstanding his attitude toward drug use), Romney and others (that I can't remember). NY, PA, RI, MI and Ohio all have a history of Liberalism, regardless of party. I think It is the conservative extremists in today's Republican Party that has forced out the more moderate libetrals.

[newyawker99]

17. Hi Ontour!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[George_Bonanza]

5. Bloomberg, Giuliani, and Pataki are more liberal than most Dems?

That's interesting. Very interesting. What about Giuliani's "tough on crime, weak on public education" stance. Sounds more Republican to me.

[maha]

11. On the other hand

Giuliani is pro-choice and a great friend to the NY gay community, I understand.

Before 9/11 came along and made him Saint Rudy, the city was down on him because of his record on public education and the perceived association between Giuliani and police brutality.

But at the time Giuliani was first elected New York City had gotten very hard to live in, crime was so bad, so even liberals were ready to kick some criminal butt.

[AP]

6. Cuomo ran a terrible campaign in 94 (95?)

He really opened the door for the Republicans. Once they got in, they got entrenched.

[maha]

13. Hmm, well,

I don't know if Pataki is "entrenched." There's really not that much to him; he's moderate and doesn't do a lot of stuff that pisses people off. But I don't know if he can run again after his current term.

If the governor's seat is up for grabs next time the Republicans certainly won't own it. Rudy Giuliani would be a presumptive favorite if he wants the seat, but he'd have to fight for it.

[Cooley Hurd]

15. In 1994, NY had the same economic problems as the rest of the US...

...and '94 was the year of the "Contract w/ America" crap, so the repugs had an easy time at it. And Pataki rode Clinton's Economy all through the 90's and then faced a candidate (Carl McCall) who was sacrificed by the DNC to redirect $$$ to close senate races. Except for places like Saratoga Springs, et. al., we're mostly Dems here... Don't forget, we're the home of both Roosevelts!

[fatalaccident]

8. the new mayor

Of NYC is an iodiot. He sounds stupid when he talks.

[NewJerseyDem]

9. Their moderate

Bloomberg is basically a democrat who just realized that he couldn't win in the crowded Democratic primary. Also, his opponent was pretty bad so that helped. Giuliani is also a moderate and Mayor Dinkins wasn't exactly the best mayor NYC ever had so it was easy to beat him. Pataki is a moderate republican and he won in the 1994 year of republicans and once he got in he has been able to win reelection. Calr McCall ran a bad campaign last year and Pataki was able to win but I don't think he got a majority because I believe Tom Golisano got a lot of votes.

Basically the governors and mayors have nothing little to do with how liberal a state is. Wyoming has a democratic governor and that is one of the most conservative state in the country. What matters is the senators and congressmen and New York has 2 democratic senators and a majority of democrats in its House delegation.

[leftwingpunkrocker]

10. stupid damage control

What I don't really get is why Ed Kouch, the former mayor of NYC would support Bush and the Republicans. On the RNC's website, he says Howard Dean is just another McGovern and that Our Great Leader should continue to ruin our lives worse than they've already been ruined.

[maha]

12. Koch must be gettin' on in years.

Dementia?

[newyawker99]

18. Hi leftwingpunkrocker!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[screaming_meme]

14. Because said governors and mayors arent that conservative

Most GOP types consider them RINO's.

[nedlogg]

16. Here on Long Island . . .

you have to search far and wide to find any Democrats.

[Chovexani]

19. A funny thing happened to me on the weekend

I was having a nice day of shopping with mom and sis out in Westbury (we were looking at the home shops 'cause mom's getting the kitchen renovated). I went into the Borders to pick up some books and I was shocked to see a lot of copies of "Dude, Where's My Country?" all stacked up and prominently displayed right when you walk in. O'Lielly's book was shunted off on some table in the back somewhere. Even better, when I was flipping through MM's book, I noticed several looks of approval directed my way.

Shocked I tell you! I always thought LI was as bad as upstate as far as Repukes go. Well, not really as bad, cause there are areas upstate that look like Deliverance.

FWIW, I'm from Brooklyn.

[THUNDER HANDS]

21. I just bought that book from that very same bookstore

And it is prominent, right when you walk in. The same spot they had Hillary's book the first week it came out.

[THUNDER HANDS]

20. that's not true

The Nassau County legislature is controlled by the Democrats.

The Nassau County Executive is a Democrat.

Tim Bishop, a Dem, was just elected to congress, unseating Felix 'Firecracker' Grucci.

A Democrat, Steve Levy, has an excellent shot to be the Suffolk County Executive.

Four out of five of the congressional seats on Long Island are held by Democrats.

This area is trending Democrat. The days of Long Island being the Northeast heart of the GOP are over.