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It’s only a couple days since Steve Levy, the Suffolk County Executive, announced that he would switch his registration from Democrat in order to run for Governor as a Republican, and already things are getting ugly. Rick Lazio, the former Republican Congressman (also from Suffolk County) has been in the race since September, and his some of his supporters are furious at the NYGOP establishment for allowing and in some cases encouraging primary competition from a recently converted Democrat.

Anger is not one of the best known tools for building sound arguments, and the things we have heard from the Lazio campaign and its supporters reflect that. Whatever else you might say about Steve Levy, he has published a plan for rescuing New York from its biggest enemy, its ever increasing budget. This plan as written, is unquestionably based on Republican principles. It includes tax and spending caps, reducing the size of government, and taking on the public sector unions. To back it up, he cites his record as county executive of exercising financial prudence and restraint. And what’s the first rebuttal we get from the Lazio camp? Errr……STEVE LEVY IS A CRASS TALKER!! Well, shucks. He used the f-word a whole bunch of times, and put me down as being suitably outraged. Steve Levy is definitely NOT invited to my kid’s next birthday party. Thank goodness the press release directed me to the transcript so that I could read exactly what I need to protect myself from.

The same day, Lazio also released a handy list of the ‘Top Ten Facts about Steve Levy,’ a number of of which (perhaps even as many as 2) are substantive critiques of Levy’s policy positions. Any mention of Levy’s failures during his past six years as executive of one of the largest counties in the state is deftly deferred for another time, so as to sharpen the focus on the critical period of 7 or 8 years ago when Levy apparently toed the Democrat line during his term in the Assembly.

Another anti-Levy argument is that Lazio should be rewarded since he has been out campaigning since September, which is asserted to be good for the (Republican) party (though I don’t hear anyone claiming that its done Rick himself much good). This is an extremely compelling argument, which is why I’m certain that all of those making it will continue to support Bruce Blakeman once Pataki enters the Senate race against Gillibrand. None of this is to say that there aren’t good arguments for Lazio and against Levy. For starters, Rick seems to be quite a bit taller than his opponent, and he retains his boyish good looks into his 40s (wait! I mean 50’s!!).

But seriously, there may be reasons to prefer Rick Lazio over Steve Levy. There may well be weaknesses in Levy’s tenure as county executive which aren’t apparent from the first glance. Perhaps Rick is preferable from a social issues standpoint. But right now, he seems to worried about slinging mud than debating the issues. I’ll admit to taking seriously the answer to the question: Are you now, or have you ever been, a Democrat? But while the ‘turncoat’ and ‘opportunist’ labels are easy to throw around, I think the thing that most voters care about is where a candidate stands on the issues over time, and whether his experience demonstrates the ability to achieve his goals. If Steve Levy becomes the nominee of the party, it will be a simple matter to turn the narrative from ‘traitor to his party’ to ‘true to his principles, rather than a label’- and the Republican party can benefit by treating his party switch as an opportunity to advertise to other fiscally conservative Democrats that they may have a home in the Republican party. If Rick Lazio gets the nomination, he’s going to need to do a heck of lot better at making the case for himself against Andrew Cuomo than he’s done so far against Steve Levy.

http://www.nysyr.us/events/2009_DayAtRaces.pdf

Check out the conference website at www.yrindy2009.com for the full agenda and the NY endorsed officer slate at www.yrrenewal.com.

ALBANY— Today, The Capital District Young Republican Club congratulated Dean G. Skelos in his election as New York State Senate Majority Leader.

“We are glad to see ‘One Party Rule’ end in New York State and new leadership in the Senate. This is a new, great day for New Yorkers as the hard working young professionals will have someone standing up for fiscal accountability and Government Reform in Albany,” said Bryon C. McKim, Communications Chairman of the Capital District Young Republican Club.

“Just months ago, Malcolm Smith was calling for democracy in New York’s Upper House. His actions by turning the cameras and the lights off in the chamber shows that all he cares about his own power. The Senate has spoken, and they have chosen for new leadership in the Senate,” concluded McKim.

The Capital District Young Republican Club provides young professionals with opportunities to network with like-minded people, to keep abreast of current events and public policy, and get involved in the political process through campaigns and elections. Club membership is open to people ages 18 through 40, inclusive — who live or work in the area and express a preference for the principles of the GOP. Capital YR aspires “To improve our communities and ourselves.”

32 Dove St.

Albany, NY

Join the Capital District Young Republican Club for a summer kick-off event. Whether your are celebrating the end of the Legislative session, the beginning of summer or both – come out on June 16th for a great night with lots of intelligent, fun and like-minded people.

Republican Members of the NYS Assembly and Senate are enthusiastically hosting this party in an attempt to build up the Young Republican Chapter that calls the State Capitol its home. They see the potential and importance of having a large and active YR chapter in the Capital District. Come meet them – its bound to be a great night!

Cost is TBD but will be under $20 for open bar and food

The town of Brunswick Republican Club is hosting a mixer featuring former Assembly Minority Leader and gubernatorial candidate John Faso. He will be speaking about reforming the Republican Party in NY. All are welcome, the event is free with refreshments provided. RSVP to brunswickgopclub@gmail.com by Jun 1st.

This opportunity is the Nationwide Tax Day Tea Party.

American Solutions is proud to be a part of a coalition of grassroots groups that are helping to organize and promote Tea Parties all across the country. In fact, we’ve confirmed over 500 events in all 50 states and we’re still growing.

Hundreds of thousands of Americans of all political stripes will be hitting the streets to protest high taxes and fiscal irresponsibility.

To find a Tea Party in your area go to www.AmericanSolutions.com/TeaParty.

Our goal must be to put a stop to the excessive debt, spending, and centralization of power by cynical politicians, and to put forth a clear and decisive alternative.

We’ve put together a Toolkit for Tea Parties that you can print out and take with you.

You can download it right here: www.AmericanSolutions.com/TeaParty.

It includes, among other items, our 12 American Solutions for Jobs & Prosperity, which is a clear and decisive alternative to the big government, big bureaucracy, big spending policies of President Obama.

Thank you, and we hope you will join us for a Tea Party.

Your friend,

Newt Gingrich
General Chairman
American Solutions

Tickets for the dinner and general reception are just $75 or guests can choose to attend the private host reception with our guest speakers and have their photo taken with Rudy for $150, which includes the price of the dinner ticket. The deadline to RSVP is April 15, 2009.

See www.albanygop.org for sponsorship info.

ALBANY— Today, The Capital District Young Republican Club called on Governor David Paterson fulfill his responsibility to the people of the 20th Congressional District of New York by calling the special election to fill the recently vacated seat in the House of Representatives.

Governor Paterson created the vacancy by appointing former Representative Kirsten Gillibrand to be Senator on January 23rd. Residents of the district have been without representation in the House of Representatives since. Over 90,000 residents of the 20th Congressional District are between the ages of 18-40, the membership age of CapitalYR.

“It’s time for Governor Paterson to stop the partisan games, and call for the special election today. Governor Paterson needs to decide who he represents, the people of the State of New York, or special interest tax-cheats like Scott Murphy,” said Bryon McKim, Communications Chairman of The Capital District Young Republican Club.

“The people of the 20th CD deserve a say on the Trillion Dollar Stimulus Package, as well as the many other issues facing Congress. It is clear that Governor Paterson is just stalling to give the Democrat’s novice candidate time to get his act together. We’ve already seen evidence that this candidate is just another highly paid Democrat tax evader like Tom Daschle, Tim Geithner, and others in the Obama Administration,” said McKim.

“The Governor for his own sake should call this election soon. His inability to make a decision throughout the past months could have its own segment on ‘The Daily Show’ called ‘InDecision:2009.’ It’s time for the Governor to stop delaying, and call for the special election today,” concluded McKim.

The Capital District Young Republican Club provides young professionals with opportunities to network with like-minded people, to keep abreast of current events and public policy, and get involved in the political process through campaigns and elections. Club membership is open to people ages 18 through 40, inclusive — who live or work in the area and express a preference for the principles of the GOP. Capital YR aspires “To improve our communities and ourselves.”

ALBANY— In response to Governor David Paterson’s decision to appoint United States Representative Kirsten Gillibrand to fill the U.S. Senate seat of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, The Capital District Young Republican Club applauded his decision.

Although we disagree with her on a number of issues, Congresswoman Gillibrand has shown that her “Blue Dog” values are in touch with upstate. We hope that she can rise above partisanship and continue to represent those values by standing up to Harry Reid in the Senate.

Congresswoman Gillibrand left big shoes to fill in New York’s 20th Congressional District. We look forward to supporting a candidate in the special election for our next representative who represents the values of Upstate New York, and those that Gov. Paterson saw when he chose her to be our next Senator.

The Capital District Young Republican Club provides young professionals with opportunities to network with like-minded people, to keep abreast of current events and public policy, and get involved in the political process through campaigns and elections. Club membership is open to people ages 18 through 40, inclusive — who live or work in the area and express a preference for the principles of the GOP. Capital YR aspires “To improve our communities and ourselves.”

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