New York Republican Party in Freefall

The Times has a stroy today about the New York State Republican party in collapse.

."..the state Republican Party is beset by ideological divisions, personal rivalries and individual agendas that are undermining any semblance of party unity as the 2006 elections approach, many party officials say."

"People close to Mr. Pataki, for example, are trying to squelch an effort by some Republicans to give the gubernatorial nomination to Tom Golisano, the Rochester billionaire who founded the Independence Party and used his money to make strong attacks on Mr. Pataki through the years."

Yeah, no kidding. Plus, I doubt doubt Golisano could win.

"Republicans say that the Pataki camp has gone so far as to threaten to work behind the scenes on behalf of the likely Democratic nominee, Eliot Spitzer, if Mr. Golisano wins the nomination."

Huh? They're really ARE screwed up.

"Several Republicans compare the disarray in their ranks to the troubles the state's Democratic Party faced in 1994, when Gov. Mario M. Cuomo was toppled after 12 years in office. Democrats complained then that Mr. Cuomo had left the party demoralized, ideologically rudderless and short of talent."

Yes, I was there, and I know exactly what that was like.

"Representative John E. Sweeney, an upstate Republican, agreed, saying that the "party has to go back to basics and rebuild from the bottom up" to shape a new identity in the wake of Mr. Pataki's long tenure.

"For the last 12 years, the party has morphed from a core set of beliefs into a personality," said Mr. Sweeney, who represents the counties surrounding Albany and who helped engineer the defeat of Mr. Cuomo. "That usually happens when you have a sitting governor as long as we have."

Well, whatever the cause, they do recognize it.

"One of the factors fueling the apprehensions of Republicans is the beleaguered campaign that Jeanine F. Pirro, the Westchester district attorney, has been waging since August to unseat Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton."

"Ms. Pirro's struggle, after a rocky start that included embarrassing gaffes and lackluster fund-raising, has provided proof of the breakdown in party discipline, as many prominent Republicans, including Representative Vito J. Fossella, Mr. King and Mr. Sweeney, have yet to throw their support behind her candidacy."

Ha! Ha! I could have told you she would be terrible. Oh, and congrats to Andy Spano for another landslide win! Andy Spano, you rock!


"Some Republicans are even hoping that Ms. Pirro will decide to run for the open seat for attorney general instead of continuing her Senate bid...."

This is what I said weeks ago!

"In a recent interview, Michael R. Long, the chairman of the Conservative Party, indicated that his party was leaning toward endorsing Ms. Pirro's main primary challenger, John Spencer, a little-known candidate and former Yonkers mayor who is campaigning to the right of Ms. Pirro."

Oh, come one. Everyone knows John Spencer! Anyway, they're both from Westchester. (Just like Hillary).

The upshot is that they're seeking someone to run for Governor, and looking for anyone. Hopefully with a lot of money.