Brushing aside differences on gay rights and abortion, New York State Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long today said, "This is a not a race about social issues"
The visual effect of Long and Lhota’s standing in front of City Hall with a very small contingent from what’s left of Long’s party is one word — PATHETIC !
According to Dan Rubenstein in a post on “Capital...” “The Conservative Party's endorsement of the former M.T.A. chairman and Rudy Giuliani aide comes despite significant policy differences between the two. *** Long fought against same-sex marriage in New York State, while Lhota supports at both the state and national level. Long opposes marijuana legalization, which Lhota supports, and abortion rights (see “New York Conservatives Endorse Joe Lhota, Their ‘glimmer of hope’” by Dana Rubenstein [http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/politics/2013/06/8530623/new-york-conservatives-endorse-joe-lhota-their-glimmer-hope]).
As a result of Long’s move, >>> IF <<< [oops !!! very important correction 4:09 PM EDT] Lhota loses the Republican Party primary to John Catsimatidis, Lhota would still be able to run for mayor on the Conservative Party line. In adddition, Lhota said today, that he is committed to going forward with the Conservatives even if he loses the primary. Dismissing the possibility of losing the Republican Party primary, Lhota said, "I will be running in November on the Conservative Party line.... "
4 comments:
Chairman # 1 must was Mike Long!
You must was be drinking early today.
UPDATE: WOW ! LHOTA “...garnered the Conservative Party’s backing for the Republican nomination...” ? REALLY ! NOW THAT’S NEWS ! The “Tail Wag the Dog” Party isn’t usually so blatant about its attempts to manipulate the Republican Party.
Nonetheless, that’s how the conservative Republican blog Newsmax reported on the Lhota endorsement by Mike Long and his NYS Conservative Party. Here's what Newsmax wrote: “Former MTA chief Joe Lhota has garnered the Conservative Party’s backing for the Republican nomination for mayor of New York City, reports the New York Daily News. *** Lhota appeared with Conservative Party leaders at City Hall on Thursday, among them chairman Mike Long, who had nothing but praise for Lhota.” (See “Lhota Garners Support of NYC Conservatives” by Matthew Auerbach, 6/3/13 [http://www.newsmax.com/Politics/lhota-nyc-mayor-conservatives/2013/06/03/id/507834#ixzz2VDb038Lq]).
Actually the Daily News article didn't say that at all. What the News did say about this was more balanced, as follows: “The CP ... backing could make Lhota a more appealing choice to the right-leaning Republicans who tend to vote in primaries. *** But critics legitimately question whether CP branding will help Lhota if he does make it to a general election where Democrats outnumber Republicans better than six to one, or simply sap some votes from the GOP column.” ( See “Conservative Party Backs Joe Lhota For NY Mayor” by Celeste Katz, 6/3/13, Daily News/Daily Politics [http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2013/06/conservative-party-backs-joe-lhota-for-ny-mayor]).
A very interesting item was prominently mentioned by the News in an “Update” following the text of Celeste Katz’ original report. A spokesman for George McDonald made this pithy observation: "With all due respect, I'm confused today as to what the Conservative Party stands for? Apparently, George McDonald's opposition to higher tolls and taxes, retroactive raises and creating the model for modern welfare reform is not enough for the leadership of the [Conservative Party], but we expect it will be for the rank and file." That’s a very good point; George McDonald is a very solid good government style Republican and he definitely should be considered by both Republicans and Conservatives as an alternative to either Catsimatidis or Lhota. McDonald's effort to get onto the GOP line is apparently moving into the petitioning stage.
UPDATE: The head of a prominent national social conservative organization has openly attacked the Conservative Party leadership for endorsing Joe Lhota.
Today, the National Organization for Marriage endorsed the socially conservative Democrat running for mayor of the City of New York; and at the same time expressed its ire at its normal allies in the NY State Conservative Party for endorsing Lhota instead ( See “National Organization for Marriage NY PAC Endorses Eric Salgado for NYC Mayor” [from a release] 6/3/13, Before It’s News [http://beforeitsnews.com/opinion-conservative/2013/06/national-organization-for-marriage-ny-pac-endorses-eric-salgado-for-nyc-mayor-2656620.html]).
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National Organization for Marriage President Brian Brown questioned yesterday’s Conservative Party’s endorsement of Republican candidate Joe Lhota and pointed out that Lhota has not only expressed his support of gay marriage, but stated during a January 17, 2013 interview on NY1's “Road to City Hall” that he “looked forward” to performing gay marriages when he’s elected mayor.
Brown went on to say that Joe Lhota’s view on gay marriage is extreme and not in step with real conservatism; and as a result, the National Organization for Marriage rejected the Conservative Party’s endorsement of Joe Lhota as an aberration. The National Organization for Marriage and NOM NY PAC has helped win a number of GOP victories in New York City and across the State. “We worked together with local allies to elect Bob Turner to Congress [and] David Storobin to the State Senate...” In addition, NOM and NOM NY PAC helped to defeat three of the four New York State Senators who switched their votes to pass gay marriage in New York State.
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