With His Party in Conflict, Pataki Faces Contentious Final Year

[FarLeftRage]

This sounds good!

With His Party in Conflict, Pataki Faces Contentious Final Year
By MICHAEL COOPER
ALBANY, Dec. 2 - As Gov. George E. Pataki prepares to enter his 12th and final year in office in New York, he is finding out the perils of being a lame duck, with his power under attack as never before - even from within his own party.

The Republican Party in New York is at war with itself, with some factions embracing a governor's race by Mr. Pataki's longtime nemesis, Tom Golisano, and others trying to force Mr. Pataki's pick for the United States Senate, Jeanine F. Pirro, out of the race. In New York City, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, a Republican, is trying to seize more control of the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site, one of Mr. Pataki's signature projects. And Republicans in the State Senate blocked several of his appointments here this week.

Mr. Pataki is about to begin his final legislative session next month after a summer and fall that were punctuated by many out-of-state trips, from Iowa and New Hampshire to China and Finland. Back at the fractious State Capitol, where governors rule through a combination of rewards and retribution, his announcement in July that he would not seek a fourth term was considered by some as an act of unilateral disarmament, and an opportunity.

For several years, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a Democrat, and Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno, a Republican, have bucked Mr. Pataki on everything from budgets to new stadiums to new laws, and some lawmakers and strategists in both parties are already writing off the governor.

more at http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/05/nyregion/05pataki.html?hp&ex=1133758800&en=7a955dd6e788e1e2&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[Rhiannon12866]

1. I've heard that Pataki isn't running again for governor because

he has his eye on running for president. The man is insane since he stands no chance of even being re-elected governor! He has hitched his wagon to a falling star (remember his 2004 convention speech? :eyes:) and is probably going to be replaced by a Democrat!:woohoo:

Great article! Thanks! And welcome back to DU, my friend!:hi:

[FarLeftRage]

2. Yeah, it's something like that...

Thanks! :woohoo:

It is good to be back... :hi:

I'll call you on Saturday. :)

[Rhiannon12866]

3. It's exactly like that, my friend! He doesn't have a prayer!

And I'm so glad that you're back and look forward to hearing from you, as always...

Rhiannon:hi::hug:

[nuxvomica]

4. It's only going to get better

I hope Pirro sticks it out in the Senate race cuz we could see even more and bigger gaffs from her and please, please, please let Golisano be the gubernatorial candidate. It doesn't matter who runs against Spitzer but Golisano's downspiral is likely to be especially entertaining. :-)