{"id":1151,"date":"2010-04-01T12:58:21","date_gmt":"2010-04-01T16:58:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gunpoliticsny.com\/?p=1151"},"modified":"2010-04-01T12:58:21","modified_gmt":"2010-04-01T16:58:21","slug":"endorsements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.gunpoliticsny.com\/?p=1151","title":{"rendered":"Endorsements"},"content":{"rendered":"

I’ve had candidates inquire about endorsements<\/a> for this falls elections for almost a year now and we’re still eight months out from the elections. \u00a0Contrast that to the Republicans<\/a> who can’t even find candidates to run<\/a> in all statewide races. \u00a0They’re really digging around the bottom of the barrel<\/a> for people willing to run under their banner.<\/p>\n

NewsCopy has a theory<\/a> on this: Voter suppression strategies relying on less-than-competitive top-of-the-ticket races to ensure that Democrats don’t overcome Republicans and they can win back control of the State Senate<\/a>. \u00a0While I believe this theory does have some merit, I think the driving force behind their problems are the party leaders, hacks and consultants running the GOP. \u00a0They’re totally out of touch with the concerns of the average person.<\/p>\n

Take a look at the campaign websites for Rick Lazio<\/a>, Steve Levy<\/a> and Carl Paladino<\/a>. \u00a0Levy and Paladino are trying to organize issues-based coalitions. \u00a0Lazio isn’t. \u00a0All he lists are endorsements by politicians and party functionaries. \u00a0Where is the endorsement by Joe Citizen? \u00a0When was the last time a statewide Republican (or Democrat) candidate actually tried going to the people for support? \u00a0The present tea party surge should provide a golden opportunity for the GOP to pick up seats top to bottom all across the state. \u00a0Right now it looks like they’re going to blow it.<\/p>\n