The Albany TU’s “Capitol Confidential” reports — “It’s officially on. *** Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino will debate Democrat Zephyr Teachout Sept. 4 on WNYC’s 'The Brian Lehrer Show,' Lehrer’s show announced on Twitter Monday morning.”
The abbreviated TU report gives this background: “The news comes less than a week after the Astorino camp questioned if Cuomo’s silence on if he’ll debate Teachout and Astorino is because his legal team has advised him against debating or if it’s because he’s just acting like a ‘total jerk.’ *** Astorino said Wednesday that he’d be willing to debate Teachout, an opportunity she welcomed.” (See “Astorino, Teachout to debate before Dem primary” by Matthew Hamilton, 8/25/14, Albany Times Union/ Capitol Confidential [http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/219278/astorino-teachout-to-debate-before-dem-primary/]).
Of course Zephyr Teachout is far from certain to face Republican Rob Astorino as the Democratic candidate in the general election.. First, she’ll have to defeat Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary on September 9th. However both the Teachout and Astorino campaigns are thinking strategically in scheduling their inter-party debate before the primary.
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UPDATE: THE “TREE HUGGERS LOVE ZEPHYR” EDITION — OR HOW — SO FAR, THE MOMENTUM ON THE LEFT IS IN FAVOR OF TEACHOUT
LATEST ENDORSEMENT OF ZEPHYR TEACHOUT IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR COMES FROM THE ATLANTIC CHAPTER OF THE ENVIRONMENTALIST SIERRA CLUB
ENDORSEMENT IS FOR TEACHOUT’S COMMITMENT AGAINST HYDRO-FRACKING AND TO ROOT OUT THE CORRUPTION OF THE BIG MONEY DONORS BEHIND ANDREW CUOMO THAT HAVE SUNK MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES TO PROTECT NEW YORK’S AIR, WATER AND FAMILIES
According to a report of Nick Reisman writing in the State Of New York Politics, “The Atlantic chapter of the Sierra Club, an environmental group opposed to hydrofracking, endorsed on Monday the Democratic primary campaign of Zephyr Teachout — a development her campaign said was a sign of momentum following the backing of the National Organization of Women....” (See “Sierra Club Endorses Teachout” by Nick Reisman, 8/25/14, State of Politics NY [http://www.nystateofpolitics.com/2014/08/sierra-club-endorses-teachout/#.U_uPyx3wDFo.twitter]). Reisman’s article went on to state that New York State currently isn’t allowing for any high-volume hydro-fracking, because of a de facto ban by a NYS Department of Health’s review of the health impacts of hydro-fracking. That review, which has shown little sign of concluding in the near future. Nonetheless, the Sierra Club indicated that its endorsement of Zephyr Teachout is about much more than the issue of hydro-fracking.
Jeff Bohner, Chair of the Sierra Club’s Atlantic Chapter said, “The New York Chapter of the Sierra Club enthusiastically endorses Zephyr Teachout for Governor of the State of New York. Ms. Teachout is an articulate, engaging leader who will play a critical role in the resurgence of the Empire State, with a vision to rebuild New York through a robust clean energy economy and reinvigorate our democracy so that it works for everyone — not just the wealthy and well-connected.... Teachout’s commitment to banning fracking and rooting out corruption in Albany is a welcome antidote to Albany’s longstanding political dysfunction that will earn her a significant following before the September 9th primary. For too long in New York, toxic political money from big polluting industries has sunk major initiatives to protect our air, our water, and our families. Zephyr Teachout will change that dynamic by putting the interests of the public ahead of big campaign donors, and that is why the Sierra Club will fight to elect her Governor.”
Cuomo has no time for politics. His full attention will be focused on the Paris Peace talks.
UPDATE: THE “... TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGIN’” EDITION — OR THIS IS A VERY BIG DEAL, INDEED
MORE BAD NEWS FOR GOVERNOR CUOMO — THE NEW YORK TIMES EDITORIAL BOARD ANNOUNCED IT WILL NOT ENDORSE HIS RUN IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
MAIN REASON GIVEN BY THE TOP TIMESMEN IS THAT CUOMO HAS FAILED IN HIS ATTEMPTS TO CHANGE THE ATMOSPHERE AND CULTURE OF CORRUPTION IN ALBANY
SOME SAY THAT THE ONLY ENDORSEMENT THAT MATTERS IN A DEMOCRAT PRIMARY IS THAT OF THE NY TIMES — SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN IN THE TEACHOUT-CUOMO RACE
In a lengthy editorial, the NY Times’ Editorial Board explained why Governor Andrew Cuomo was unfit to receive the editorial endorsement of the New York Times in his primary contest with Zephyr Teachout ( See “The Governor’s Primary in New York – Governor Cuomo’s Failure on Ethics Reform Hinders an Endorsement” by NY Times Editorial Board, 8/26/14 [A version of this editorial appears in print on August 27, 2014, on page A22 of the New York edition with the headline: The Governor’s Primary in New York], NY Times/ The Opinion Pages/ Editorial [http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/27/opinion/editorial-governor-cuomo-ethics-reform-hinders-endorsement-zephyr-teachout.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=c-column-top-span-region®ion=c-column-top-span-region&WT.nav=c-column-top-span-region&_r=1]).
Here are the three opening paragraphs of the editorial, which make the Times’ point very clearly: “More than four years ago, while announcing his campaign for governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo stood in front of the Tweed Courthouse in downtown Manhattan and said Albany’s antics ‘could make Boss Tweed blush.’ *** New York had had enough corruption, he said, and he was going to put a stop to it. ‘Job 1 is going to be to clean up Albany,’ he said, ‘and make the government work for the people.’ *** Mr. Cuomo became governor on that platform and recorded several impressive achievements, but he failed to perform Job 1. The state government remains as subservient to big money as ever, and Mr. Cuomo resisted and even shut down opportunities to fix it. Because he broke his most important promise, we have decided not to make an endorsement for the Democratic primary on Sept. 9....”
If it isn’t immediately obvious to you, THIS IS A VERY BIG DEAL ! The Baker Street Irregular that fed me the link above, shortly after it was put up, was recently a political insider that was privy to a few high officials in New York City and State. One of those was specifically quoted as having said, “The only endorsement that matters in a Democratic Primary is the New York Times....” None of the other very senior officials that heard the remark in any way went on the record to say “Nay” or otherwise voice any objection.
UPDATE: THE “DRIP - DRIP - DRIP WATER TORTURE OF ANDREW CUOMO” EDITION
ANOTHER DAY - ANOTHER BIG ENDORSEMENT FOR ZEPHYR — “THE NATION” ENDORSES ZEPHYR TEACHOUT
CAN IT BE ? CAN “THE DEMOCRATIC WING OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY” ACTUALLY TAKE OVER THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN NEW YORK STATE ?
Here is some of what the editorial board of the establishment-liberal leaning “The Nation” magazine had to say about their endorsement of Zephyr Teachout over incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic Primary on September 9th (See “Zephyr Teachout for Governor of New York” by “The Editors,” 8/27/14, The Nation/ thenation.com [http://www.thenation.com/article/181379/zephyr-teachout-governor-new-york]):
“When Zephyr Teachout announced that she would challenge New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo in the September 9 Democratic primary, many observers shrugged off her campaign as an election-season lark....
“...Teachout has injected some much-needed debate into the election, earning endorsements from the Public Employees Federation as well as the New York chapters of the National Organization for Women and the Sierra Club. She has also begun to impress New Yorkers. By framing her campaign as part of the fight for “the democratic wing of the Democratic Party”—a fight she proudly shares with Elizabeth Warren, Bill de Blasio and others—she has reminded voters that they need not settle for the austerity policies embraced by Cuomo.”
“We believe New Yorkers who want a more progressive government should vote for Teachout on September 9....
“A victory by Teachout and Wu would be a dramatic upset—one with the potential to overturn political calculations nationwide....
“The battle to create progressive change goes well beyond any one candidate or campaign, and it demands the development of institutional and independent power to the left of the Democratic Party....
“A victory by Teachout and Wu would be a dramatic upset—one with the potential to overturn political calculations nationwide. But even a respectable finish could illustrate the strength of the progressive base and keep the proposals that Teachout and Wu have been fighting for alive. *** The battle to create progressive change goes well beyond any one candidate or campaign, and it demands the development of institutional and independent power to the left of the Democratic Party....
“The work of building a more progressive politics will be strengthened, in our view, by voting for Zephyr Teachout for governor on September 9. She is a credible challenger who has advanced a vital vision for her party and her state.”
(See “Zephyr Teachout for Governor of New York” by “The Editors,” 8/27/14, The Nation/ thenation.com [http://www.thenation.com/article/181379/zephyr-teachout-governor-new-york]).
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