Gun Politics New York

Old Andrew returns.

Spitzer: Cuomo ‘Dirtiest, Nastiest’ Of Politicians:

… “Everybody knows that behind the scenes that he’s the dirtiest, nastiest political player out there,” Spitzer said of Cuomo Thursday …

In TV Ad, Cuomo Levels First Attack on Paladino:

… Andrew M. Cuomo … unleashed his first direct attack on Mr. Paladino on Thursday with a television advertisement that criticized him for his donations to Albany politicians and for his failure to create jobs after winning tax breaks intended to promote economic development …

I don’t think this helps Cuomo.  It’s going to remind people of his previous campaign for governor.  Plus, the Paladino campaign seems to be enjoying it:

… “Andrew Cuomo’s opening gambit falls flat,” said Michael Caputo, who is Paladino’s campaign manager. “Any day our campaign wakes up talking about Carl Paladino’s business and his 450 employees is a good day for Carl Paladino.”

… “As long as he wants to play the tit-for-tat game, we’ve got a whole box of ammunition here that we’re just going to throw right back at him,” Paladino said on upstate YNN’s “Capital Tonight” Thursday evening …

Andrew Cuomo’s lead over Carl Paladino continues to shrink.  Quinnipiac shows him up 49% to 43%.  This is a bad sign for Cuomo considering all Paladino did was just win the GOP primary.

There’s signs of the “old Andrew” resurfacing as well:

… “If a guy says you have no cojones, how do you punch him back, call him an asshole?” …

This race is Cuomo’s to lose.  If he opens his mouth he loses.

Mayor Bloomberg is set to endorse Cuomo today.  I can’t see how this helps him.

In the first post-primary poll Andrew Cuomo holds a 16 point lead over Carl Paladino.  That may seem like a lot, but he was leading by 30+ points a few months back.

I would not have thought it back in the spring, but it is conceivable that Paladino will beat Cuomo in the general election.  Cuomo got the party nomination through his family ties and because there was no other strong Democrat (like Chuck Schumer) who wanted to run.  He has been on his best behavior and if Paladino can get him off script, the “old Andrew” could resurface.  That’s clearly what the Paladino campaign is doing with their “No Cojones” ad.

Carl Paladino’s upset was the topic of discussion on Wednesday’s NRANews with Ginny Simone.

Mike Long wants Rick Lazio to stay in the gubernatorial race on the CP line despite his humiliating beating Tuesday.  He just does not get it.  Hopefully this clip from Top Gear will explain things:

Paul Helmke on Paladino’s primary victory:

“… In Delaware, New York, Nevada, Utah, Kentucky and Alaska, statewide candidates who reject common sense gun laws have won Republican primaries. Carl Paladino in New York wants to repeal the state’s assault weapons law …”

He must be referring to the mailing the campaign did:

“… A letter to prospective 58,000 gun owners—based on NRA records and state gun records and licenses—says “the restriction of our firearm rights went too far under Governor George Pataki and Assembly boss Sheldon Silver,” who it notes later is from New York City. It also calls the recent micro-stamping bill “more Liberal, feel-good claptrap.” …”

This is why he won the GOP primary over the objection of party bosses.

Victories:

• Carl Paladino defeats Rick Lazio for GOP line 63-37.
• Mike Miller wins Democrat primary with 76% in AD-38.
• Sam Roberts wins Democrat primary with 45%, defeats party favorite in AD-119.
• Greg Ball wins GOP and Conservative write-in primaries in SD-40.
• Andrew Russo defeats Bloomberg Mayor Dan Liedka in GOP primary in SD-49.
• Dutchess Co. judicial candidate Peter Foreman wins Independence & Conservative primaries.
• Sullivan Co. judicial candidate Mike McGuire wins Independence & Conservative primaries.

Defeats:

• Rick Lazio defeats Ralph Lorigo for Conservative line 60-39.
• Eric Schneiderman wins Democrat AG nomination with 34%.
• Ginny Fields loses Democrat primary 53-47 in AD-5.
• Harvey Weisenberg wins the Democrat nomination with 60% in AD-20.
• Francine Delmonte loses the Democrat nomination to John Accardo 47-52 in AD-138.
• Sam Hoyt wins the Democrat nomination in AD-144 with 5069 votes to Joe Golombek’s 4677.
• Neil Breslin wins the Democrat nomination in SD-46 with 58%.
• Bill Stachowski loses the Democrat nomination to Tim Kennedy 26-63 in SD-58.

Other:

• Francis Becker wins GOP primary to challenge Carolyn McCarthy in CD-4.

My morning e-mail brought me this from a local talk show host:

“Lazio’s campaign called yesterday more or less demanding an interview segment. I suggested they contact you by e-mail to arrange it. Man, did I get an earful. They are aware of your comments about Lazio and they DON’T like you.”

Oh, well.