All about guns, legislation and politics in New York
The Trump for Governor farce is over.
Here’s a helpful tip for other rich people wanting to run for office: Cash is King. Hand out large bags of money before you announce your intention to run to buy party support. Don’t make vague promises of donations later if and only if you get a clear path to the party’s nomination.
The detestable Katie Couric (whose mummification process looks to be coming along nicely) interviews the even more detestable Michael Bloomberg on his legacy as Da Mayor.
On the topic of guns:
Some highlights:
“… Asked if he could outspend the National Rifle Association and other opponents of gun control measures, Bloomberg casually replied, “Oh sure.” But then added, “I’m not the only funder of this.” …”
True, he’s got the cash, but what he doesn’t have is genuine public support. That’s why after spending tens of millions of dollars over the years Congress blew him off. If Couric had any journalistic objectivity left she should have asked him why, if he’s got more cash and public support than NRA, did he lose?
I have said before that Governor Cuomo has problems with other Democrats, something the media refuses to acknowledge. Here’s some more proof:
“A labor-backed coalition is airing television ads attacking Governor Andrew Cuomo by name for a budget it says “continues to short-change our communities.” … The group, New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness, is also running a radio ad and has started an online site declaring “winners and losers” in Cuomo’s budget …”
Putting the issue aside, I believe this is the first time Cuomo is being attacked personally by other Democrats.
“… Since he took office, advocacy groups of all stripes have been hesitant to criticize the Democratic governor by name; in 2011, New York State United Teachers changed an ad to replace Cuomo’s name with “Albany.” …”
Advocacy groups of all stripes except one and one is all you need because “If you could make God bleed, people would cease to believe in him, there will be blood in the water, the sharks will come …“
Donald Trump continues to make noise about running for Governor. I still don’t see him doing it, especially now that Rob Astorino has declared. Nevertheless, he continues to make the rounds and was in Syracuse yesterday at a GOP function where he spoke on a number of issues including the SAFE Act:
“… You have the SAFE Act, which is a total catastrophe. It’s hard to believe it even got passed. Look, you’re sitting at home and a bad guy walks in with a gun. At least you want to have a shot at it, right? You don’t want to be defenseless … But this SAFE Act is a disaster. Whoever ultimately is going to be the nominee for the Republicans, they better bring it up very loud and clear because that act is a catastrophe. I call it the unSAFE Act …”
The NY Post reports:
“Gov. Cuomo is expected to unleash a $10 million package of TV attack ads designed to “define’’ his newly announced Republican challenger, Rob Astorino, as a “right-wing nut,” … The negative commercials will be primarily aimed at convincing independent and moderate voters, especially women, that Astorino holds what Cuomo has already branded as “extreme conservative’’ views on … gun-ownership rights … Longtime Democratic consultant Hank Sheinkopf said he expected Cuomo to unleash a series of costly harsh attacks — with a price tag of “about $10 million.” …”
Bring it on. Cuomo blew $400,000 last year on a series of ads last spring through his “New Yorkers for Gun Safety” PAC trying to convince people the SAFE Act is a good thing. Then he directed the state Democrat committee to spend probably over $1 million in a series of five full color flyers attacking Ed Manago for not support SAFE during last years Nassau County Executives race which Mangano ended up winning by 20 points. In addition, Astorino’s opponent last year Noam Bramsom spent heavy on antigun ads (1,2) and all that got him was a 10 point loss in the general election.
Legislative Report #14 is now online.
Antis lame attempt at intimidation:
“New Yorkers Against Gun Violence called on Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, a candidate for New York governor, to explain his opposition to the New York SAFE Act when he appears today in the Bronx. Astorino has repeatedly criticized the landmark gun safety law, passed by a bipartisan legislature and signed by Governor Cuomo in January 2013. He is on record as saying that it is “a bad law that accomplished nothing.” …”
Simple. He doesn’t want his approval ratings to drop ~25% like Andrew’s did. Given NYAGV tried and failed to make SAFE into a winning issue for their endorsed candidates in both the Westchester and Nassau County Executive’s races last year there is no reason for Astorino to pay any attention to them.
God wants you to have a fugly AR-15.
Church in Troy giving away "legally modified" AR-15 at event: "Does the Bible defend my right to keep and bear arms?" http://t.co/BzjR3NMWl9
— Liz Benjamin (@CTLizB) March 5, 2014