Garden State Patriot

‘America’s Mayor’ apparently is going to bypass a run for the NY governorship and turn his sights toward ousting Kirsten Gillibrand (who was appointed to the seat vacated by Hillary Clinton).

Here’s the story from the WaPo:

After months of relative quiet regarding the political future of former mayor Rudy Giuliani (R), the New York newspapers have exploded this afternoon with reports that not only has he decided not to run for governor in 2010 but that he plans to enter the Senate race against Kirsten Gillibrand instead.

Maria Comella, a spokeswoman for Giuliani, released a statement insisting that no decisions — about the Senate or governors races — have been made; “When Mayor Giuliani makes a decision about serving in public office, he will inform New Yorkers on his own,” added Comella.

According to conversations with several Giuliani insiders, the Mayor has not made up his mind yet although a run for either governor or Senate is not likely. Interestingly, a Senate bid appears to be the more likely choice if Giuliani decides to get back into the political game, note the sources.

This is definitely an interesting turn of events. It looked like a Giuliani-Cuomo match-up was developing in New York (notwithstanding Cuomo having to challenge incumbent David Patterson). But from the sound of it, Rudy is opting to go for the presumably easier seat to win.

Honestly, for Republicans this is probably the preferable choice. The Senate seat is needed far more than the governor’s mansion considering what this administration and the Democrats in Congress are trying to foist upon us.

One thing is for certain – a Rudy senate run only makes 2010 that much more interesting.

Cross-posted at CMNJ.

There is a movement afoot to toss a black politician under the proverbial bus. And it ain’t happening in the Republican Party, my friends. No, no…we need look no further than to the great state of New York where the establishment of the Democrat Party, all the way up to the White House, is pressuring David Paterson – the state’s first ever black governor – to step aside and not run in next year. With Paterson out of the way, Andrew Cuomo – oh, yes, a white guy - would likely be the nominee.

So, what say you Lib media? Bill Cosby? Maureen Dowd? JIMMY CARTER? Are the Democrats all racists for opposing David Paterson and telling him to get the heck out of the way? Or can only Republicans who oppose a black man be racist?

ALBANY, N.Y. – Gov. David Paterson isn’t scrapping his plans to run for the office he inherited 18 months ago despite growing pressure from Washington and intervention by the Rev. Al Sharpton, who has contacted the governor and the White House over his concern.

A senior Democratic adviser close to Paterson said Sunday that the state’s first black governor is still planning to run and is focusing on the state’s fiscal crisis. The adviser spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak for Paterson.

The governor’s office has refused to comment since reports Saturday night revealed the Washington-based effort to persuade the governor to drop out of the 2010 race. That would pave the way for the far more popular Andrew Cuomo, the state’s first-term attorney general.

The Rev. Al Sharpton said Sunday on his radio show that he has spoken to the White House and Paterson about his concern that Democrats do what is best for the people of New York. He wouldn’t say whether he was advising Paterson to drop out.

Obama has not spoken to Paterson about the race, said a senior White House official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive political matter. But it’s no secret that Democrats — in New York, in Washington and at the White House — are very concerned about Paterson’s re-election bid.

The White House has not ordered Paterson to leave the race and would not do so, the official continued, saying only the governor can make the decision about what’s right for him, the party and the state. But Obama’s concern of losing the governor’s office in such a key state has been communicated to Paterson and his advisers, the White Office official said.

Another senior Democratic adviser in New York said those seeking Paterson’s withdrawal are suggesting he could land a Washington job in the administration. The adviser spoke on the condition of anonymity because the official wasn’t authorized to speak for Paterson or the New York congressional delegation.

Read the rest HERE.

Cross-posted at Conservatives with Attitude!

Representative Charlie Rangel appeared on New York 1 last night to discuss next year’s Democrat primary in New York. During the discussion Rangel lashed out Andrew Cuomo, the state’s current Attorney General because he has not ruled out a primary challenge against sitting governor David Paterson. Rangel went on to say that the prospect of such a challenge could cause ‘racial polarization’ within the Democrat Party.

Rep. Charles Rangel Friday warned of “racial polarization” if Attorney General Andrew Cuomo challenges Gov. Paterson in a primary next year.

Rangel, who is close to the poll-challenged Paterson, ripped Cuomo on New York 1 last night for flatly not ruling out a run for governor next year.

“You cannot support the governor, prepare for reelection and at the same time say that you’re keeping your options open for a primary,” Rangel said.

Cuomo has repeatedly said he expects to run for reelection, but has noted that next year is a long way off.

Should Cuomo run, Rangel said, it would create a divide that could be “devastating” to New York Democrats.

“I think that there might be an inclination for racial polarization in a primary in the state of New York,” Rangel said.

“Since we have most African-Americans registered as Democrats, and since you would be making an appeal for Democrats, it would be devastating in my opinion.”

Paterson, of course, was appointed to the governorship after Elliot Spitzer’s sex scandal led him to resign. However, since taking over, Paterson has grown increasingly unpopular. His budget proposals, laden with increases in taxes and fees, have not been well-received.

So, according to Rangel, a Cuomo challenge would be racially polarizing. How this is not dealing the race card from the bottom of the deck, I don’t know. Just what is the meaning behind Rangel’s statement?

• Is Rangel saying an incompetent governor, or any governor for that matter, is above a challenge merely because he is black?
• Is he saying that black voters within his own party would not understand the reasons for Paterson being challenged?
• Is he saying black voters are all drones who vote in lock step?
• Is he saying black voters in the Democratic Party will revolt because a white man challenged a black incumbent?

It’s hard not to read at least some of the above into Rangel’s comments, none of which can be viewed as anything but race baiting.

However, it’s also quite ironic to witness this kind of politics play out within the Democratic Party. After all, this is how Democrats like use race to attack Republicans. In fact, it’s not really any different than the warnings from Democrats or liberals in the media for Republicans not to oppose Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination to the Supreme Court now, is it?

Cross-posted at Conservatives with Attitude!