Month: August 2014

No love loss for Cuomo

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I have said time and time again that Democrats have a real problem with Governor Cuomo.  It’s coming out in the open now:

“The state’s second-largest public workers union on Thursday endorsed Zephyr Teachout’s insurgent Democratic primary campaign for governor over incumbent Andrew Cuomo … PEF President Susan Kent said the endorsement was a “testament” to the democratic nature of the union … Cuomo and PEF, a union of mostly white-collar workers, have not had the best relationship …”

Plus:

“Democratic former mayor of Binghamton Matt Ryan on Wednesday endorsed Zephyr Teachout for governor calling her a “real alternative” to incumbent Andrew Cuomo …”

And:

“The Village Independent Democrats club withdrew its endorsement of Kathy Hochul for lieutenant governor Thursday night and instead threw its support behind insurgent candidate Tim Wu …”

There has to come a point where even Cuomo’s media allies will not be able to report with a straight face these ridiculous polls saying he has a 30+ point lead over Rob Astorino.

Going to hit the fan

On: By: admin

The Daily News reports gun money has stopped following to Albany because of SAFE:

“National pro-gun groups have largely holstered their checkbooks since the passage of Gov. Cuomo’s tough gun control law early last year.  The National Rifle Association, the National Shooting Sports Federation, and gun manufacturers have donated just $33,893 to candidates in New York since the beginning of 2013, far less than in previous two-year election cycles, a Daily News review determined.  By comparison, the groups gave candidates a more robust $110,000 from 2011 through the end of 2012.  That was before state lawmakers passed Cuomo’s controversial SAFE Act in January 2013, just a month after the Newtown, Conn. elementary school massacre …”

Someone, however, didn’t get them memo:

“… Surprisingly, the biggest donation, $7,500 from Buffalo-based bullet maker Pierce Munitions, went to Cuomo in June of last year — six months after the gun law passed.  A company rep did not return a call for comment …”

My  guess is that they did it in hopes of getting tax credits or something to expand their business.  That’s how our Tammany system works in the state.  Whatever the reason this was an exceptionally stupid move on their part.  As word gets out, and it will considering the size of the Daily News distribution, they are in for a world of grief.  Plus, they make ammo for Ted Nugent who is a magnet for bad press.

Pissing off the RINOs

On: By: admin

There’s a lot going on in this Post article:

“Louisiana’s Bobby Jindal has become the first Republican governor to defy Chris Christie by helping cash-strapped Rob Astorino raise funds to challenge Gov. Cuomo, The Post has learned. Jindal, like New Jersey’s Christie a potential presidential candidate in 2016, agreed last week to host a big-ticket fund-raiser for Westchester County Executive Astorino in Manhattan on Oct. 16 … “Gov. Jindal believes this race is winnable by Rob, and he wants to come in, and he’ll be doing the fund-raising event for us,’’ Astorino spokeswoman Jessica Proud told The Post … Among GOP governors planning to campaign — and raise funds — on Astorino’s behalf are Mike Pence of Indiana, Rick Perry of Texas, and Scott Walker of Wisconsin, who has already held one fund-raiser for Astorino, officials said.”

Good.  Help Rob and diminish Christie for ’16.

“… Republicans were in open rebellion at a recent state committee meeting in Syracuse when Tom Dunham, chief political operative to Senate GOP leader and Cuomo ally Dean Skelos, refused to commit to helping Astorino’s campaign …”

That’s because Skelos and most of the Senate Republicans have given their defacto endorsement to Gov. Cuomo.  They are his biggest cheerleaders, not Democrats.

Who Will Be Indicted Next?

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There are so many possibilities it’s hard to pick just one.

Vote Row C

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Republicans targeting Cuomo

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Some Republicans are going on the offensive against Governor Cuomo.  Too bad they don’t actually live in New York:

“A new outside spending group whose treasurer has ties to some of the nation’s most prominent Republicans is poised to target Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Papers have been filed with the state Board of Elections to form “Rescue New York, Inc.” … According to a spokesman for the state Board of Elections, the group’s paperwork states that it was formed to support Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino, and to oppose Mr. Cuomo …”

Good.  The people running the group have some experience as well.  This shows that the Rockefeller RINOs are the only ones who think Cuomo cannot be beaten, not the rank-and-file GOP voters.

“… Another group, Balance New York, is set to help Republicans in their efforts to keep the state Senate, while another pro-GOP group, Protect NYS PAC, has been spending money on polling in the race for attorney general between Democratic incumbent Eric Schneiderman and Republican John Cahill.  Both groups have gotten funding from the influential national Republican State Leadership Committee …”

Even better.

Crazy Cuomo

On: By: admin

The first post-Moreland poll shows Governor Cuomo with a 53% approval rating.

I doubt it is really that high.  There is just no enthusiasm for him.  Nevertheless, it does indicate Moreland-gate is having a negative effect on the Governor’s image.

This drop has not, however, prompted Governor Chrisitie to endorse Rob Astorino.  Chrisitie is head of the Republican Governor’s Association and could direct resources towards Astorino’s campaign.  In an ideal situation, Moreland-gate knocks Cuomo out this year and Christie out for ’16 presidential consideration.

The bad news is starting to stick

On: By: admin

The Post has some good news on the Moreland scandal:

“Gov. Cuomo, “crazed with anger” and increasingly abusive to those around him, fears the first round of public polling since the “Morelandgate” scandal will take a major toll on his — until-now — sky-high popularity, administration insiders say … Administration insiders, aware of private polling data already collected by Cuomo’s campaign, say the public poll likely will show the governor’s approval rating plummeting …”

Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.

Sooner or later Cuomo is going to need a fall guy, the most likely choice being Larry Schwartz.  What has Larry been up to lately?

“… Larry Schwartz, who holds the title of secretary to the governor, agreed in recent weeks to meet with prosecutors from the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office, the person said, a development that suggests investigators are interested in learning more about the administration’s actions before and after the commission was shut down in March.  Mr. Schwartz was Mr. Cuomo’s conduit to the Moreland Commission, and it is his alleged actions that have served as the basis for accusations that the administration improperly interfered with the commission’s investigations, directing them away from any entities with ties to the governor.  Mr. Schwartz didn’t respond to email or phone messages on Sunday evening …”

Schwartz would do well in prison where his “pull it back” statement would have a whole new meaning.