Signs of GOP life
At long last, the New York state Republican Party is showing signs of life.
Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani reportedly has told associates that he'll decide within 60 days whether to run for governor next year.
To that end, a bipartisan "Draft Rudy" committee has been formed, headed by former Village Voice publisher Bartle Bull and onetime mayoral deputy Tony Coles.
And, in an indication that a Giuliani run may be likely, he and his political team have plunged head-first into the battle for the GOP state chairmanship -- persuading the party's hapless leader, Joe Mondello, to step aside and working the phones for Niagara County Chairman Henry Wojtaszek.
This is not an endorsement of a Giuliani candidacy, by the way.
After all, former Rep. Rick Lazio, who ran a statewide campaign in 2000, has already jumped into the race -- to which we say: The more the merrier.
Fact is, the Republican Party is fighting for its life in New York. It's down to just two of the state's 29 US House seats (there is one vacancy), holds no statewide offices and controls neither chamber of the state Legislature.
Unfortunately, the ill effects of one-party politics is sadly evident in Albany today -- a dysfunctional governor and a state Senate in complete disarray.
Which is why the Republican Party cannot allow itself simply to disappear.
But if the GOP hopes to become remotely competitive, it must attract strong, principled candidates while building an organization capable of winning.
Should Giuliani decide to run, that would be a step in the right direction.
"The pathetic condition of the New York GOP"
Competition is good, but if the NY GOP does not field a candidate with broad appeal among NY State registered Republicans we will doom ourselves to continued one party rule in Albany. If the NY GOP does not reach out to the ordinary citizen asking each and everyone of us for input and effort toward the election of Republicans throughout our State geographically and throughout all levels of government, then we doom ourselves to continued one party rule in Albany. My plea is to those with authority within the party; please search out those people who can rally the lost children of the NY GOP and get something done. At near 50 years of age and a Republican my entire life I would hate to witness the death of the Grand Old Party.
Post new comment