GOP Roots for (Democrat) Suozzi in NY Governor Race

[SOS]

From today's NYT:

G.O.P. Roots for Suozzi and His Slingshot

"After a stormy political winter, New York Republicans are suddenly speaking to donors, party activists, and reporters about a candidate for governor who just might help their chances to win this fall. Oh, and did they mention he was a Democrat?

The candidate, Thomas R. Suozzi, the Nassau County executive, is receiving a lot of Republican love these days because he is trying to do what the Republicans have failed to do over the last year: bloody the leading Democratic candidate for governor, Attorney General Eliot Spitzer..."

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/20/nyregion/20gov.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

But it's not just Wall Street CEOs and Republicans who like Suozzi.

"Schumer Apparently Backing Spitzer's Opponent Tom Suozzi for Governor of New York" - (source, MYDD quoting a scrubbed NY Post article from 11/2005):

"Sen. Charles Schumer is secretly encouraging Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi to challenge Attorney General Eliot Spitzer for the Democratic nomination for governor, insiders have told The Post.
Schumer's backing of the just-re-elected Suozzi, which includes informal advice on strategy and fund-raising, results from a long-standing rivalry with, and a deep personal dislike for, the high-profile Spitzer, Democratic Party insiders say.
Schumer, who has strong ties to many leading Wall Street bankers, has also objected to some of Spitzer's aggressive prosecution of investment-banking firms and insurance-industry executives."

http://www.mydd.com/story/2005/11/21/205139/78

Thanks alot Chuck! :eyes:

Vote Spitzer - September 2006!

[kaygore]

1. I don't know what Schumer plans to get out of this

Spitzer's ads are great and so is his reputation, especially given how fed up people are with corruption.

[400Years]

11. Schumer is a scumbag

[kaygore]

13. Perhaps he is afraid that once Spitzer leaves the governorship

He'll go after his senate seat!

[Renew Deal]

2. Bullshit. Suozzi is no republican and will never take their support.

He's true blue. He will take their money and prides himself in being able to bring republicans on board, but that's it. He's responsible for the greatest fiscal turnaround of any municipality in the country. He recently signed a living wage bill. I saw him give one of the best leftist speeches last October at our convention. Suozzi would be a perfect fit for governor. I just don't know if he can win.

One more thing. Suozzi would be a nightmare for the pukes. He's young, good looking, a proven leader and pretty cool to boot. he would wipe the floor with the pukes.

[SOS]

3. So what's up with Schumer?

Last August in Georgia Schumer said:

"We are going to intervene if any one Democrat attacks another, we're doing that in states where there are primaries. We can't afford to do it anymore."

And then he secretly backs a challenge to the Democratic front runner in his own state?

[Renew Deal]

6. He likes Suozzi.

I am not even kidding. He really likes him. I have seen Schumer at a bunch of our Nassau County events.

[zalinda]

4. He's great...............so what.............

He will split the dem vote and a repub will get in. Shades of Nader.

zalinda

[Renew Deal]

5. It's not a 3 way race.

So I don't get how you figure.

[zalinda]

8. No repubs running?

[SOS]

10. The Republicans are figuring

"It starts with Suozzi, and continues to Bill Weld. Once Suozzi softens up Spitzer, Weld will walk in and take him out." said Mr. Minarik, who supports Mr. Weld for governor.

[SOS]

7. He's taking their support now

"New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer's challenger for the state's Democratic gubernatorial nomination received hundreds of thousands of dollars from people with ties to Home Depot Inc. founder Kenneth Langone, a registered Republican and target of a Spitzer lawsuit.
Langone, a defendant in Spitzer's suit over ousted New York Stock Exchange Chairman Richard Grasso's retirement pay, supports Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi for governor. Suozzi's campaign received at least $300,000 from Langone, his wife, Elaine, and two adult sons, and present and former business and charity group associates, Suozzi campaign records on the state Board of Election Web site showed."

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=washingtonstory&sid=as8GzLnlD_1Y

Here are some of Langone other contributions.

http://www.newsmeat.com/billionaire_political_donations/Ken_Langone.php

[AX10]

9. Then why is the GOP backing him?

If what you say is true, then Suozzi is another Spitzer, why the hell would the GOP support him?

[Ignacio Upton]

12. Suozzi should stop taking GOP money

He should also get himself out of the race. Spitzer is beating potential opponents, and all Suozzi will do is create a bloody primary. In New York, primaries do nothing but DIVIDE parties, due to their September dates and the historically ambitious nature of NYS pols. It would serve the New York State Democratic Party to try and force Suozzi out of the race. I wish that Dean or Bill Clinton would take Suozzi to the side and tell him to get out, because I don't think that someone like Sheldon Silver or Chuck Schumer could do it.

[WI_DEM]

14. Spitzer is a lock, Schumer should stay out of this