NY-Sen: Rudy 9/11 is out

by: devtob

Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 20:33:59 PM EST

The former mayor has decided to stay in the private sector, where he will continue his work as a security consultant, a sometimes TV commentator and, increasingly, a celebrity draw on the GOP fund-raising circuit.

Because of his name recognition, provided by the corporate media, Giuliani has been the leading possible GOP candidate for Senate or governor next year.

Details, below.  

Breaking: Rudy Is Out

by: phillip anderson

Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 19:48:42 PM EST

Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani is expected to announce tomorrow that he's not running for governor, U.S. senator or any other office next year, the Daily News' David Saltonstall reports.

Instead, he's expected to declare that he's staying in the private sector for now and endorse fellow Republican Rick Lazio for governor.

I has a sad...

NY-Sen: Siena Poll Shows Gillibrand Improving In General Election Contests

by: robert.harding

Tue Dec 15, 2009 at 12:10:45 PM EST

The Siena poll found the following:

- Gillibrand's favorable rating is 31 percent, which is a decrease from last month's 34 percent rating but still keeps her above 30 percent. Her unfavorable rating is 22 percent - the lowest it has been since August. Those who don't know or have no opinion come in at 47 percent and while that still is a lot of ground to cover, it is still below 50 percent of the respondents.

- Bill Thompson's favorable is lower than Gillibrand's. He comes in at 25 percent and his unfavorable rating is 17 percent. There are 58 percent of respondents who don't know him or have no opinion of him, so he's behind Gillibrand in that respect.

- In a primary featuring Gillibrand, Thompson, Harold Ford Jr. and Jonathan Tasini, Gillibrand wins with 32 percent of the vote. Thompson is second with 23 percent, Ford nets seven percent of the vote and Tasini is last with three percent. That part of the poll makes it clear that, at least today, Gillibrand is the top of the Democratic crop of candidates. She is the strongest of any of them.

- In head-to-head matchups with with Gillibrand and two top Republican candidates, Gillibrand fares well. While she would lose to Rudy Giuliani 49 percent to 42 percent, she would defeat George Pataki 46 percent to 43 percent.

The Gillibrand-Giuliani matchup is especially good for Gillibrand since in October, she was 17 points behind Giuliani. Now, she only trails by seven points 11 months out from the general election and nine months out of the primary.

- Giuliani and Pataki both have favorable ratings over 50 percent (Giuliani is at 58 percent while Pataki enjoys a 53 percent favorable rating) but neither get over 50 percent against Gillibrand.

Gillibrand has plenty of work to do to make herself a favorite for the general election next year. But one thing is becoming clear. She is the option for Democrats next year. If she can do this well in a poll against Thompson, who is coming off a battle for mayor in New York City (a place where Gillibrand hasn't run a full-blown campaign as of yet) then that is a good sign for her.

Another good sign is beating out Pataki. She was ahead of Pataki by one percentage point in the last Siena poll so increasing that lead to three points is a good sign that more and more voters see her as a better candidate than Pataki. Of course, Pataki doesn't want to run for Senate, but considering his name recognition (he was governor for 12 years), beating him in a poll isn't a bad thing.  

NY-Sen: Giuliani to challenge Gillibrand UPDATED

by: devtob

Thu Nov 19, 2009 at 15:25:59 PM EST

A New York Times story earlier today stated that Giuliani had opted out of running for governor.

Details, below.  

NY-Sen: Gillibrand Trails Giuliani, Pataki In Latest Marist Poll

by: robert.harding

Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 16:38:47 PM EDT

The Marist poll on the U.S. Senate race shows that Gillibrand trails both Republicans, although there are some points to make about the polling numbers against her hypothetical Republican opponents.

Against Giuliani, Gillibrand loses 51 percent to 40 percent. Those numbers aren't too surprising, given Giuliani's name recognition and considering that is pretty much what these polls are all about when they involve someone like Gillibrand who doesn't have the statewide name recognition that Giuliani or Pataki has.

When pitted against Pataki, Gillibrand does better. She still trails 45 percent to 41 percent, but that's not a bad margin against the man who seems to be the more likely of the two opponents. If Giuliani runs for anything, it is looking like he will run for governor. But I think the Republicans are waiting to see what Andrew Cuomo does.

There are some things in these polls that need to be pointed out.

- Gillibrand beats Giuliani in New York City by a larger margin than Pataki. That is a very interesting number. Gillibrand wins 58 percent to 38 percent in New York City over Giuliani and 53 percent to 34 percent over Pataki. I know that it's only one percent point, but since 58 percent of voters are willing to pick her over Giuliani, that's a much bigger achievement than the margin of victory.

- Gillibrand's weakness in the general election matchups is what some might consider her strength: Upstate. She loses upstate New York to Giuliani 59 percent to 33 percent and loses to Pataki 48 percent to 39 percent. Isn't it fascinating that Giuliani loses the city he used to be mayor of by 20 percentage points and yet, wins what you might consider "conservative upstate" by 26 points.

- Democrats supporting the Republican in these polls are also interesting. Of the Democrats polled, 29 percent support Giuliani and 26 percent support Pataki. By comparison, only 13 percent of Republicans back Gillibrand in her matchup with Giuliani and 17 percent support her in a race with Pataki. Could those votes be from Democrats who just don't like Gillibrand or aren't informed about Gillibrand? It is very possible. It's also possible that they are voting for the person they know the most about. In this case, it wouldn't be a shock to have that person (or persons) be Giuliani and Pataki.

- Gillibrand has to build her support among women. Women back Giuliani over Gillibrand 47 percent to 41 percent and back Gillibrand over Pataki 43 percent to 40 percent. You would think that support would be a little higher, especially in a race that would pit her against a man. But those numbers are sitting in the low 40s.

We are about 13 months away from the general election. I'm not too worried about this race. I do worry that she has hit a lull after months of increasing poll numbers. What is clear is that if Pataki is her opponent, she will probably beat him. The numbers don't say it now, but she could beat him today. Giuliani is a different story. Of course, it helps to have a national profile. Some people vote not based on qualifications but who they know when asked in these polls. So when they hear Giuliani as opposed to Gillibrand, it doesn't surprise me that they pick Giuliani.

Gillibrand is still working hard. She has clearly made gains in New York City, where hardly anyone likes Giuliani or Pataki. So if she can build up her base and appeal to those in upstate New York, she will be a tough candidate to beat in 2010.

NY-Sen: GOP tries to recruit Rudy 9/11

by: devtob

Tue Sep 15, 2009 at 12:15:13 PM EDT

This is a new one, and plausible given Dicker's impeccable GOP sources -- the conventional wisdom had been that the Republicans wanted Giuliani to run for governor next year, and former Gov. George Pataki to take on Gillibrand.

Details, below.

Siena Poll: Gov Continues Slide, Marriage Equality Gaining Steam

by: phillip anderson

Mon Apr 20, 2009 at 10:45:56 AM EDT

The numbers for Paterson are pretty much universally bad, but the one that really sticks out is this one. Only 12 percent of New Yorkers are prepared to vote for Paterson next year. A whopping 71 percent are looking to vote for an unnamed "someone else." The Governor even loses out to his immediate predecessors as New Yorkers would prefer to see Mario Cuomo, George Pataki, or even Eliot Spitzer back in office over Paterson.

"Voters are pining for the days of Mario Cuomo (39 percent) and George Pataki (33 percent) as Governor," Greenberg said. "A plurality of Democrats and independent voters would choose Mario and a majority of Republicans chose George. While 14 percent of all voters want to see Spitzer back in the Capitol, only eight percent would opt to have Paterson as Governor if choosing among the last four to hold that office."

That's gotta hurt.

In other news, a majority of the state now supports Marriage Equality for all New Yorkers, support that is strongest in New York City, but is strong in all regions of the state.

Interesting times, these.

Q-Poll: 53% Of New Yorkers Say Paterson Shouldn't Run

by: phillip anderson

Mon Apr 06, 2009 at 09:51:38 AM EDT

Voters Say 3-1 Paterson Does Not Deserve Election, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Most Say He Should Announce Now He Won't Run

New York State voters disapprove 60 - 28 percent of the job Gov. David Paterson is doing, the lowest approval ever for a New York Governor, and say 63 - 22 percent that he does not deserve to be elected to a full four-year term, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Gov. Paterson's approval is so low that he should announce now that he won't run for election to a four-year term next year, 53 percent of voters tell the independent Quinnipiac University poll, while 39 percent say he can restore his reputation and should run next year. Even Democrats say 49 - 45 percent that he should drop out of the race now.

New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, with a near-record high 75 - 14 percent approval rating, tops Paterson in a Democratic primary 61 - 18 percent.

In a general election, Republican Rudolph Giuliani, the former New York City mayor, tops Paterson 53 - 32 percent.

Cuomo tops Giuliani 53 - 36 percent in a head-to-head matchup.

Voters disapprove 70 - 19 percent of the way Paterson is handling the New York State budget. Democrats disapprove 63 - 25 percent.

"So long, David, voters tell Gov. Paterson. His job approval tanks at 28 percent. The slide started with the Caroline Kennedy flap and deepened with the humongous state budget passed last week. The budget was an opportunity for Paterson to reverse his slide, but voters disapprove almost 4-1 of the way he handled it," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"Don't wait for 2010, Governor, New Yorkers say. Announce now that you won't run. Voters say almost 3-1 Paterson doesn't deserve a full 4-year term."

Voters aren't the only ones sending Paterson a message either. Liz reports that top Dem donors are telling the Governor privately that he'd better turn his numbers around quick, November at the latest, or he should forget about a 2010 run for a full term.

Top New York Democrats have privately set a deadline of early November for Gov. Paterson to turn his poll numbers around or they'll urge him not to run next year.

"The idea is to let him get through the budget and get through the summer," said a prominent Democratic donor who sees the fall elections as the cutoff for Paterson's improvement.

"Nobody really wants to go to a sitting Democratic governor who's African-American and say, 'Hey. You're a disgrace. Get out.'"

Paterson allies hold out hope he'll be able to mount a timely comeback, but admit his historically low job approval rating - a March Siena poll pegged it at 19% - presents a significant challenge.

"Even if he went up 100%, it wouldn't be much," the donor said. "The goal is to be close to 50, but I think if he could climb over 40%, he can begin to show real momentum."

I'm sure that Rudy Giuliani hopes that the Governor is able to make something of a comeback, at least enough of one to make a credible run and scare off any potential Dem primary challengers. Smelling blood in the water, Giuliani is once again hitting the GOP fundraising circuit and making noises about a run for Governor. (He could use a new gig as his firm, Giuliani Partners, is tanking) Giuliani would be crushed in a general election against Cuomo, but could most likely beat soundly a mortally wounded Paterson. Rudy's only real shot at the Governor's mansion is keeping Paterson on the ballot.

Given this, it shouldn't surprise anyone that a majority of New Yorkers seem to want Paterson to hang it up.

NY-20: Rudy Dials For Disco Dollars

by: phillip anderson

Tue Mar 10, 2009 at 16:37:24 PM EDT

A reader who is a registered Republican and resident of Manhattan called in to report she received a robocall yesterday afternoon from Rudy Giuliani on behalf of GOP congressional candidate Jim Tedisco.

The reader said she found it "a little weird" to hear the former mayor pitching the Assembly minority leader since he's running for the 20th Congressional District seat formerly held by now-Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand - a district nowhere near Manhattan.

The script from the call appears before. You'll note that Giuliani makes no mention of "voting" for Tedisco, but rather speaks of "support" (in other words, this is a dialing-for-dollars call). The phone number provided rings to the "Jim Tedisco-NRCC Victory fund" - a joint fundraising committee.

Precious.  

Q Poll: Paterson Continues To Slide, Now Trailing Cuomo; Gillibrand Still Unknown

by: phillip anderson

Tue Feb 17, 2009 at 09:52:26 AM EST

In hypothetical 2010 matchups, Paterson ties Rudy Giuliani and gets crushed by Cuomo. Gillibrand would slightly trail Rep Carolyn McCarthy though most New Yorkers seem not to know much about either of them. Oh, and Gillibrand would beat the pants off wingnut Rep Peter King in a general.

The Caroline Kennedy caper continues to bedevil New York Gov. David Paterson as he trails Attorney General Andrew Cuomo 55 - 23 in an early look at a 2010 Democratic primary for Governor, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

In a general election matchup, Gov. Paterson ties former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, a possible Republican challenger, 43 - 43 percent, with 10 percent undecided, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. Paterson leads 70 - 18 percent among Democrats, while Giuliani leads 80 - 9 percent among Republicans and 47 - 38 percent among independent voters. New York City voters go with Paterson 52 - 35 percent, while Giuliani leads 48 - 36 percent among suburban voters and 47 - 38 percent upstate.

Attorney General Cuomo leads Giuliani 51 - 37 percent in the Governor's race, ahead 81 - 11 percent among Democrats and 45 - 40 percent among independent voters. Giuliani leads 76 - 11 percent among Republicans. Cuomo is up 61 - 30 percent in New York City and 48 - 41 percent in the suburbs and gets 44 percent of upstate voters to Giuliani's 42 percent.

New York State voters approve 45 - 41 percent of the job Paterson is doing, his lowest approval rating in 11 months as Governor and down from 50 - 30 percent January 26.

Voters disapprove 52 - 35 percent of the way Paterson handled the appointment of a U.S. Senator to fill Hillary Clinton's seat. Disapproval is similar across the political spectrum.

"The Caroline Kennedy mix-up still haunts Gov. David Paterson," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "In numbers which could tempt Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to take another shot at Governor, Paterson trails Cuomo 2 - 1 among Democratic voters and scratches out a tie with Mayor Rudolph Giuliani in the general election."

...

While voters are not happy with the process, they do approve 45 - 33 percent, with 22 percent undecided, of Paterson's selection of Kirsten Gillibrand as U.S. Senator. Even Republicans approve 42 - 33 percent.

Sen. Gillibrand gets a 28 - 10 percent job approval rating, with 62 percent undecided. Similarly, she gets a 24 - 9 percent favorability with 65 percent who haven't heard enough.

A possible challenger in the 2010 Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate, U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, has a 24 - 9 percent favorability with 66 percent who haven't heard enough.

And U.S. Rep. Peter King, a possible 2010 Republican challenger for the Senate seat, has a 21 - 10 percent favorability, with 68 percent who don't know enough to decide.

Rep. McCarthy tops Sen. Gillibrand in a Democratic primary 34 - 24 percent, with 39 percent undecided.

In a general election matchup with Rep. King, Gillibrand is up 42 - 26 percent, with 28 percent undecided.

2010 is certainly shaping up to be a rather interesting year.

Rudy can fail

by: Exile on Ericsson St.

Sat Nov 22, 2008 at 17:43:55 PM EST

David Paterson (D-inc): 51
Rudy Giuliani (R): 41

What Is A Community Organizer?

by: robert.harding

Thu Sep 04, 2008 at 13:42:10 PM EDT

Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin said of her experience and Obama's, "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities." Rudy "A Noun, A Verb and 9/11" Giuliani said of Obama's experience the following:

"On the other hand, you have a resume from a gifted man with an Ivy League education," Giuliani said. "He worked as a community organizer. . . . What?"

A small-town mayor has responsibilities? Being a small-town mayor is a part-time job, especially when it's a town of 5,000 or 6,000 people. I would know. I'm from a town that is bigger than Wasilla, Alaska was when Palin was mayor. My mayor can work his full-time job for the Republican state senator. Being a small-town mayor isn't backbreaking work. Being a community organizer is.

I received an e-mail blast from Wellstone Action today. They have trained thousands of community organizers and have written a blog entry about a community organizer's responsibilities. It's hard work, long hours and little pay. Obviously something the Republicans would never be bothered with. But here's an excerpt from that blog post:

Now, let me be clear: my interest here is not to defend Barack Obama's experience, but the professional field to which Wellstone Action trains people to devote their lives.

So let me outline, for anyone who may be curious, the responsibilities of a community organizer:

8am -
Wake up, knowing that the day ahead of you will require you to work long hours, for little pay, less thanks, and zero credit.

Sit down at your desk, or pick up your cell phone, and figure out the people in the community you need to talk to to identify the challenges being faced.  Set up meetings with leaders and regular people to get buy-in on the proposed solution.  

12pm -
Make decisions about how best to proceed with your plan for change in your community.  Figure out how you will influence powerful interests without any resources other than your own scrappy resourcefulness and the support of many individuals earned by painstakingly building relationships.  

5pm -
Figure out who in your community wields power and influence, who doesn't, and why.  Make hundreds of calls, knock on hundreds of doors, and listen to hundreds of stories in order to bring people together in common cause.  Convince folks to set aside what makes them different and focus on their shared interest - it's the only way to build common ground and affect change.

8pm -
Learn from those around you and prepare for the next day.  Write follow-up notes, make confirmation calls, and thank your volunteers.  Remind yourself to be tenacious, because the process of change is long and can be slow in coming.  

Being an organizer means putting the needs of the community above yourself and your ego.  Your task is to influence the powerful with little more than the common will, and do so while developing the leadership of those around you.  A good organizer is always working to put themselves out of a job, because many others should be prepared to step up and take their place.  You listen and learn, coordinate and plan, arrive early and stay late, and do the real work that improves people's lives.

What Giuliani, Palin and other Republicans have said about community organizing is insulting. Community organizing is working with people within the community and working FOR the betterment of the community. Clearly this is something that goes far over the heads of all Republicans.  

Guess Who's Coming To Denver?

by: phillip anderson

Thu Aug 21, 2008 at 15:38:48 PM EDT

When Democrats gather in Denver next week to nominate Barack Obama for president, they'll be joined by such uninvited guests as Republicans Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney.

The two former presidential candidates will be among two dozen or so Republicans in the city hoping to get their party's message out during a week dominated by Democratic festivities.

Their slogan? "Not Ready '08: A Mile High and an Inch Deep," a play on the nickname for the high-altitude city in the western United States.

It gets better. The RNC even has a website for this thing. It's called NotReady08.com. There's a problem though. It seems that NotReady08.com is, um, not ready:

Hilarious.

A Tale Of Two Adulterers

by: phillip anderson

Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 14:18:25 PM EDT

Rudy Giuliani not only cheated on his wife, but used public money to facilitate his adultery. He will deliver the keynote speech at the Republican National Convention.

Compare, contrast.

Prime Time Rudy

by: phillip anderson

Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 10:40:09 AM EDT

Rudy Giuliani has landed a prime-time speaking gig at the Republican Party's convention in St. Paul, Minn., The Post has learned.

Giuliani, the former presidential candidate and Big Apple mayor, is tentatively scheduled to address the GOP faithful on Tuesday, Sept. 2 - the second night of the convention, sources said.

Giuliani was a marquee speaker on the first day of the 2004 GOP convention in Madison Square Garden.

Giuliani has been a loyal supporter of presidential standard-bearer John McCain ever since his own campaign flamed out.

McCain, in a recent Post interview, said of Giuliani: "I've been with him a lot. I appreciate more than I could tell you his friendship and support. And that was steadfast throughout the primary."

"He's a great American. He united America. I'll never forget that as long as I live," McCain said, referring to Giuliani's composure after 9/11.

Of course you can't forget it, Senator. Rudy won't let you.

Putting Rudy In His Place

by: phillip anderson

Wed Jun 18, 2008 at 13:31:20 PM EDT

"Democrats are not going to be lectured to on security by the mayor who failed to learn the lessons of the 1993 attacks, refused to prepare his own city's first responders for the next attack, urged President Bush to put his corrupt crony in charge of our homeland security, and was too busy lobbying for his foreign clients to join the Iraq Study Group," DNC spokeswoman Karen Finney said. "Rudy Giuliani, can echo the McCain campaign's false and misleading attacks, but he can't change the fact that John McCain is promising four more years of President Bush's flawed and failed policies on everything from energy security and the economy to the war in Iraq."

Game, set, match.

The Beacon Of Morality Receives Holy Communion

by: robert.harding

Sun Apr 20, 2008 at 02:25:18 AM EDT

Some people, apparently, had a problem with Giuliani receiving Communion.

With his third wife standing next to him, the twice-divorced, pro-abortion, former Mayor was given the Eucharist by a priest standing next to the Pope.

Outside the mass, actress Joanne Perry, said Giuliani was "notoriously pro-choice, and I feel awful, just awful, about him getting Communion. He knows better."

Paula Darceuil, 44, of the Bronx, agreed, "I feel sad, because if I was ever married and got divorced, I would not go to Communion, because I respect the church - and he should respect the church."

Asked if he felt uncomfortable about taking the sacrament Giuliani replied, "no."

Pope Benedict has backed doctrine that prohibits Catholics from receiving Holy Communion if they have divorced and remarried without a church annulment.

Ouch.

Pro-choice politicians who are Catholics receive a lot of heat from the Church because of their position. That is nothing new.

Most of the time though, pro-choice politicians haven't had three wives. Giuliani has. Divorce is frowned upon in the Church. I can't imagine what they think of two divorces.  

Q Poll: New Yorkers Back Paterson, Have High Hopes

by: phillip anderson

Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:22:58 AM EDT

New York State Voters Have High Hopes For New Gov, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Bloomberg Tops List For Next Governor

New York State voters give their new Governor, David Paterson, a strong vote of confidence, with 75 percent saying he will govern effectively and 67 percent saying he will restore trust in state government, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Among black voters, 81 percent say he will govern effectively and 69 percent say he will restore trust in government.

By a 46 - 3 percent margin, voters have a favorable opinion of Gov. Paterson, with 51 percent saying they have not heard enough to form an opinion, the independent Quinnipiac University poll finds. Favorability among black voters is 58 - 2 percent. In a separate question, 65 percent of voters knew the name of the new Governor.

...

With four choices of whom they would like to see elected Governor in 2010, New York State voters say:

   * 29 percent for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg;
   * 27 percent for Paterson;
   * 25 percent for former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani;
   * 11 percent for Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

"Gov. David Paterson begins with good wishes. By big margins, New Yorkers think he'll restore public trust - boy, can Albany use that - and be able to govern effectively," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"Paterson isn't anonymous, like former lieutenant governors. Two-thirds of New Yorkers knew his name even as he was sworn into the top job. Hardly anyone has a low opinion of him."

New Yorkers also overwhelmingly agreed with Eliot Spitzer's decision to resign. Spitzer leaves office with a 31% job approval rating. They also support the way the state constitution handles the succession by having the Lt. Governor serve out the full term of a vacant governor without a special election.

Former Gov. Eliot Spitzer was right to resign, 81 percent of voters say, while 15 percent say he should have served his full term. Spitzer should be charged with a crime, 48 percent say, while 40 percent say resigning as governor is punishment enough.

By a 70 - 27 percent margin, state voters favor the current system where the Lieutenant Governor serves out the full term when the Governor leaves office, rather than holding a special election.

"New Yorkers split on former Gov. Eliot Spitzer. A lot think he should be charged with a crime, but a lot are inclined to let bygones be bygones - they think losing the job was punishment enough," Carroll said.

"Joe Bruno can kiss his majority goodbye"

by: phillip anderson

Thu Jan 31, 2008 at 08:01:14 AM EST

Giuliani exit may sink Joe Bruno, state Senate Republicans.

The effects of Rudy Giuliani's departure from the presidential race are rippling into the upcoming battle for control of the state Senate.

Republican state lawmakers banked on the former mayor's White House bid to stimulate the party base when New Yorkers head to the polls and stave off Democratic rule at the Capitol.

Giuliani's biggest New York cheerleader has been Senate GOP Leader Joe Bruno, who would be ousted from power if Democrats gain control of the chamber.

"This is the worst news Joe Bruno could have gotten," said Alan Chartock, publisher of the Legislative Gazette and a retired political communications professor.

Baruch College political science Prof. Doug Muzzio agreed Republican domination of the Senate is jeopardized by the double whammy of Giuliani's quitting the race and Clinton's potential ascension as the Democratic presidential nominee.

"Joe Bruno can kiss his majority goodbye," predicted Muzzio.

Ahh, Rudy. The gift that keeps on giving.

Oh, and speaking of giving...

Bruno Jumps On The McCain Bandwagon

by: phillip anderson

Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 11:56:57 AM EST

State Senate GOP Leader Joe Bruno is, I believe, first out of the box with a formal statement endorsing John McCain for President now that favorite son Rudy Giuliani is dropping out of the Republican primary.

Bruno reports that he spoke to both men this morning. He says Giuliani confirmed that he's ending his campaign and throwing his support to senator from Arizona.

Interestingly, Bruno says he's speaking not just for himself but for the entire Republican majority in the Senate, suggesting that he and his colleagues discussed this scenario in advance.

Also interestingly, this explicitly political statement was distributed at the Capitol using government stationery and e-mail accounts by government employees -- which seems to me a highly questionable use of public resources.

Par for the course for Uncle Joe, I guess. I'm sure you really wanted to pay for Bruno to announce his support of John McCain.

(Side note: Light posting from me today. I've got a ton of stuff to do today. I wish I could tell you it was all fun B-Day kind of stuff. It's not. It's mostly all fightin' City Hall, please let my neighbors and I come home stuff. Those with keys to the FP should feel free to post away.)